08/01/2026
NSW Skilled Migration Program:- Pathway 1 And Pathway 3 will open on 19 January 2026
Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
NSW Investment will commence their Pathway 1 – Work in Regional NSW and Pathway 3 – Regional NSW Graduate will open on 19 January 2026.
Criterias as below:
Pathway 1:
Apply if you’re currently employed with a regional NSW employer
To apply under this pathway, you must be currently working in a designated regional area of NSW, and have continuously done so for the past six months.
Your qualifying skilled employment in the six months immediately before applying must be:
In your nominated (or closely related) occupation; and
With the same regional NSW-based employer; and
Paid a minimum of the TSMIT/CSIT salary rate from your qualifying employer in your nominated (or closely related) occupation at the time of applying.
Your nominated occupation must be eligible for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491).
See our Common questions about skilled visas page for further information about eligibility under this stream.
Pathway 3:
Apply if you recently graduated from a Regional NSW institution
To apply under this pathway, you must have completed a bachelor's degree, master's degree (coursework or research) or PhD from an institution located in a designated regional area of NSW.
Your qualifying study must:
Be related to your nominated (or closely related) occupation; and
Have been completed within the 2 years immediately before applying for NSW nomination; and
Qualify you to claim points for 'Study in regional Australia'. These points must appear in your SkillSelect EOI.
Additionally, you must:
Be skilled in an occupation that is:
within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the NSW Regional Skills List; and
is eligible for this visa.
Residency - You must meet one of following criteria:
Working in NSW in your nominated occupation; or
Residing in NSW and have continuously resided in NSW for a minimum period of three months; or
Residing offshore and have continuously resided offshore for a minimum period of three months.