NSW Announces 3,600 Skilled Migration Places for 2025–26

By Vikrant Singh, December 02, 2025

New South Wales has announced its skilled migration nominations for the 2025–26 program year — and there are important dates, pathway openings and document rules every applicant should know. Here’s a sharp, easy-to-scan guide so you can act fast and stay ready.

Quick snapshot

• Annual allocations:

  • Skilled Nominated (subclass 190): 2,100 nominations

  • Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491): 1,500 nominations

• Progress so far: As of December 2025 NSW has nominated ~25% of the 190 allocation. Three invitation rounds have already been completed this program year.

What’s happening with invitations

• Subclass 190: Monthly invitation rounds will recommence in January 2026 and continue until the state’s annual allocation is exhausted.

• Only occupations listed on the NSW Skills List will be considered for subclass 190 invitations — check the list before you apply.

Subclass 491 — Pathways & openings

• Pathway 1 — Work in Regional NSW:

  • Opens: 19 January 2026

  • Eligible applicants must meet the minimum income threshold and have been employed for at least six months. All occupations eligible for the subclass 491 can apply under Pathway 1, provided other criteria are met.

• Pathway 3 — Regional NSW Graduate:

  • Opens: 19 January 2026

  • For graduates who completed a bachelor’s degree or higher at a designated regional NSW institution. Only occupations on the NSW Regional Skills List are eligible.

• Pathway 2 — Invitation by NSW:

  • Will only occur if demand from Pathways 1 & 3 requires it. If needed, the earliest Pathway 2 invitation round will be in April 2026 — NSW will announce updates beforehand.

Valid application = placed in the processing queue

A valid application must:

• Satisfy all NSW eligibility requirements on the date of lodgement.

• Include valid key supporting documents (skills assessment, English test, passport, etc.).

• Have those documents remain valid for at least five days after lodgement.Only valid applications are queued and processed in chronological order.

Expedited assessment — when you can request priority

Standard assessment times are up to six weeks (may be longer depending on volumes). You may request priority processing if any of the below will occur within ten working days:

• Your (or your partner’s) current visa will expire.

• Your (or your partner’s) English test, skills assessment, or passport will expire.

• You will lose points for age, causing your total points to fall below the visa minimum.

If you need expedited handling because of expiry dates falling during the Christmas closure (see below), act early.

Christmas closure — plan ahead

• Office closed: 24 December 2025 – 9 January 2026

• Normal operations resume: Monday, 12 January 2026

• Need urgent/expedited help for items expiring during closure? Contact the NSW team by Friday, 12 December 2025 to allow time to address urgent matters before the office closes.

Quick applicant checklist

• Confirm your occupation is on the NSW Skills List (or NSW Regional Skills List for Pathway 3).

• Secure a current skills assessment.

• Book and complete an English test if required — make sure results remain valid for the required period.

• Ensure your passport is valid and will remain valid for at least five days post-application.

• For Pathway 1: gather payroll, employment contracts, payslips to show 6+ months employment and meet the income threshold.

• If any key documents will expire soon — consider requesting expedited processing (see criteria).

Bottom line

NSW’s 2025–26 allocations present strong opportunities — but timing and paperwork matter. Invitations resume in January 2026, key pathways open on 19 January 2026, and the state will only process valid applications in chronological order. Prepare your documents now, check the NSW Skills Lists, and contact the NSW team well before the 12 December 2025 expedited cutoff if you need urgent attention before the Christmas close.

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