NSW has opened nominations for Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa Pathways 1 and 3 today, 19 January, warning that limited places may close quickly once allocations are filled.
Investment NSW confirmed applications are now open for the 2025–26 program year, with nominations subject to strict caps under the state’s allocation (1,500 places) from the Federal Government. Officials said both pathways may close without notice when places are exhausted.
Under Pathway 1 – Work in Regional NSW, all occupations eligible for the subclass 491 visa can apply, provided applicants are currently working in their nominated (or closely related) occupation in designated regional NSW. Applicants must have worked continuously for the past six months with a single regional NSW employer and meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) or Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) at the time of application. Applicants seeking a TSMIT/CSIT concession must have the online concession form completed by their employer and obtain approval before lodging a nomination application.
Pathway 3 – Regional NSW Graduate targets recent graduates who completed a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree (coursework or research) or PhD at a regional NSW institution. Only occupations listed on the NSW Regional Skills List qualify, and the study must be related (or closely related) to the nominated occupation and have been completed within the 2 years immediately before the nomination application.
NSW Regional Skills List
| ANZSCO Code | Unit Group Name |
| 1212 | Crop Farmer |
| 1214 | Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmers |
| 1324 | Policy and Planning Managers |
| 1325 | Research and Development Managers |
| 1331 | Construction Managers |
| 1332 | Engineering Managers |
| 1334 | Manufacturers |
| 1335 | Production Managers |
| 1341 | Child Care Centre Managers |
| 1342 | Health and Welfare Services Managers |
| 1351 | ICT Managers |
| 2245 | Land Economists and Valuers |
| 2312 | Marine Transport Professionals |
| 2321 | Architects and Landscape Architects |
| 2322 | Surveyors and Spatial Scientists |
| 2326 | Urban and Regional Planners |
| 2331 | Chemical and Materials Engineers |
| 2332 | Civil Engineering Professionals |
| 2333 | Electrical Engineers |
| 2335 | Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers |
| 2336 | Mining Engineers |
| 2339 | Other Engineering Professionals |
| 2342 | Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists |
| 2343 | Environmental Scientists |
| 2344 | Geologists, Geophysicists and Hydrogeologists |
| 2347 | Veterinarians |
| 2411 | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers |
| 2412 | Primary School Teachers |
| 2414 | Secondary School Teachers |
| 2421 | University Lecturers and Tutors |
| 2512 | Medical Imaging Professionals |
| 2513 | Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals |
| 2515 | Pharmacists |
| 2523 | Dental Practitioners |
| 2524 | Occupational Therapists |
| 2525 | Physiotherapists |
| 2527 | Audiologists and Speech Pathologists / Therapists |
| 2531 | Generalist Medical Practitioners |
| 2533 | Specialist Physicians |
| 2539 | Other Medical Practitioners |
| 2544 | Registered Nurses |
| 2611 | ICT Business and Systems Analysts |
| 2613 | Software and Applications Programmers |
| 2621 | Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists |
| 2631 | Computer Network Professionals |
| 2723 | Psychologists |
| 2725 | Social Workers |
| 3111 | Agricultural Technicians |
| 3112 | Medical Technicians |
| 3121 | Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians |
| 3122 | Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians |
| 3123 | Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians |
| 3125 | Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians |
| 3129 | Other Building and Engineering Technicians |
| 3211 | Automotive Electricians |
| 3212 | Motor Mechanics |
| 3222 | Sheetmetal Trades Workers |
| 3223 | Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers |
| 3231 | Aircraft Maintenance Engineers |
| 3232 | Metal Fitters and Machinists |
| 3311 | Bricklayers and Stonemasons |
| 3312 | Carpenters and Joiners |
| 3322 | Painting Trades Workers |
| 3331 | Glaziers |
| 3332 | Plasterers |
| 3333 | Roof Tilers |
| 3334 | Wall and Floor Tilers |
| 3341 | Plumbers |
| 3411 | Electricians |
| 3421 | Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics |
| 3422 | Electrical Distribution Trades Workers |
| 3423 | Electronics Trades Workers |
| 3424 | Telecommunications Trades Workers |
| 3613 | Veterinary Nurses |
| 3941 | Cabinetmakers |
| 3942 | Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers |
| 3992 | Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Generation Plant Operators |
| 4117 | Welfare Support Workers |
Investment NSW emphasised that nominations remain discretionary and may be refused if applications fail to meet published criteria, do not align with the state’s interests or exceed the available allocation.
Applicants are urged to check detailed eligibility requirements before applying and to act promptly given the limited number of nomination places available for the subclass 491 visa this program year.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided is intended as a general guide and should not be relied upon as legal or migration advice. As migration laws and regulations can change, we recommend consulting an Australian Lawyer or Registered Migration Agent for advice tailored to your circumstances.
