Offshore applicants
Subclass 190: eligible when open
Subclass 491: eligible when open
When open, 190 accepts applicants residing offshore who have continuously resided offshore for at least six months (alongside those working in NSW 20+ hrs/week or resident in NSW 6+ months). 491 Pathway 2 (Investment NSW invitation) and Pathway 3 (regional NSW graduate) accept applicants residing offshore for at least three months. No stream is currently accepting applications.
Allocation 2026-27
Subclass 190: not published
Subclass 491: not published
Not published (under review per nsw.gov.au). 2025-26 allocation was 2,100 (190) and 1,500 (491).
Key requirements
- Occupation List
- Occupation must fall within an ANZSCO unit group on the NSW Skills List (190) or NSW Regional Skills List (491) and be eligible for the visa; valid skills assessment required.
- Points
- Home Affairs criteria (65 points including nomination points). NSW ranks EOIs within each unit group by age, English, education, points score and years of skilled work experience; highest-ranked are invited.
- Work Experience
- No fixed minimum for 190 (ranking factor). 491 Pathway 1 requires 6 months continuous employment with the same regional NSW employer at TSMIT/CSIT (concession available).
- English
- Home Affairs minimum (Competent); higher English improves ranking.
- Other
- Invitation must be accepted within 14 days; NSW assesses nominations in about 6 weeks.