Latest NSW Invitation Round Update: 190 and 491 Visas

Current Status of NSW Invitation Rounds

As of September 2026, NSW has closed both the subclass 190 and subclass 491 programs to new invitations for 2025–26.

Every available nomination place has been allocated. This is confirmed directly on NSW’s official visa pages.

Subclass 190: Closed. No further invitations until a new allocation arrives for 2026–27.

Subclass 491: Also closed, across all three pathways. Pathway 1 (regional employment) and Pathway 3 (regional graduates) closed early after reaching their caps. Pathway 2 (invitation-only) has now closed too.

If you already submitted a nomination application, it’s still being assessed. You don’t need to do anything further.

Your EOI stays live in SkillSelect even though the program is closed. It doesn’t expire because of this.

1. Why There’s No Fixed NSW Invitation Round Calendar

NSW doesn’t run invitation rounds on a published schedule. There’s no monthly cycle and no advance notice before a round happens.

NSW’s own guidance says invitation rounds occur throughout the financial year, with no predetermined dates.

When a round runs, NSW ranks eligible EOIs inside each occupation’s ANZSCO unit group. It considers points score, age, English level, education, and years of skilled work experience together.

Submitting your EOI earlier doesn’t help. NSW states plainly that your submission date has no effect on your chances.

The only thing you control is how strong your EOI looks whenever a round happens to run in your occupation.

2. How Many People NSW Actually Invited This Year

For 2025–26, NSW received 3,600 nomination places in total: 2,100 for subclass 190 and 1,500 for subclass 491.

Nationally, the program set aside 20,350 places across both subclasses for all states and territories combined.

Here’s how NSW’s allocation compares to every other state and territory, as confirmed by the Department of Home Affairs on 4 November 2025:

NSW actually holds the largest 491 allocation in the country, ahead of WA’s 1,400. Its 190 allocation (2,100) sits behind only Victoria’s 2,700.

Between 1 July and 30 November 2025, NSW invited 508 EOIs for the 190 visa and 329 for the 491 visa.

For comparison, Queensland issued only 17 subclass 190 invitations in the same period despite a larger allocation than NSW’s 491 total. Demand per place, not just allocation size, is what actually drives competition.

3. What Score Do You Actually Need?

The national points test minimum is 65 points. That’s just the threshold to lodge a valid EOI, not an invitation guarantee.

NSW nomination adds 5 points on top of your base score for the 190 visa.

NSW has never published a minimum invitation score, and it isn’t going to. Because NSW ranks EOIs within each occupation group rather than against one flat cutoff, the real competitive score depends heavily on your occupation.

Treat 65 as the floor that gets you into the pool, not a realistic target. Competitive applicants in high-demand fields have generally needed scores well into the 80s and 90s in recent rounds.

4. NSW 190 vs NSW 491: Which One Fits You

Subclass 190 is permanent from grant day. You commit to living and working in NSW for at least two years. It covers all of NSW, including Sydney, which makes it the more competitive option.

Subclass 491 is a 5-year provisional visa tied to designated regional NSW areas — places like Newcastle, Wollongong, the Central Coast, Wagga Wagga, and Orange. It converts to permanent residency later via the subclass 191.

Because 491 is regionally restricted, competition per place is usually lighter. NSW’s Regional Skills List sometimes includes occupations that don’t appear on the standard 190 list.

If your points are borderline for 190 in your occupation, 491 is often the faster realistic path to a nomination.

Always check both the NSW Skills List and NSW Regional Skills List for your exact ANZSCO unit group before deciding.

5. When Will NSW Reopen for 2026–27?

There’s no official reopening date yet.

Three things need to happen first. The Australian Government confirms nomination allocations for every state. NSW then finalises its own program settings, including occupation lists and pathway rules. Only then does NSW reopen SkillSelect nominations.

Last cycle, the federal allocation alone wasn’t confirmed until late November 2025. A reopening earlier than several months into the new financial year would be unusual based on that timeline.

The better move is preparing now, rather than waiting for the announcement to start.

6. What to Do While the Program Is Closed

Renew your skills assessment if it’s close to expiring. An expired assessment at invitation stage can cost you the opportunity entirely.

Improve your English test score if you can. The jump from Competent to Proficient or Superior English can meaningfully change your total points.

Watch the occupation lists. NSW republishes its skills lists each program year, and unit groups can be added or dropped based on state priorities.

Keep your EOI accurate. Every claim needs valid, current evidence at invitation, and you’ll only get 14 days to lodge once invited. That window isn’t extended.

Don’t rely on NSW alone. NSW itself recommends exploring other pathways — other states, subclass 189, or employer sponsorship — while nomination stays this competitive.

7. Realistic Timeline: EOI to Visa Grant

Fees: Recent published estimates put the primary applicant charge at roughly AUD 4,900, plus separate nomination fees, skills assessment costs, and English testing. Fees change most years, usually each July, so confirm the current figure on the Home Affairs pricing estimator.

8. FAQs

Is the NSW 190 visa invitation round still open in 2026?

No. Both the subclass 190 and subclass 491 programs are closed for 2025–26. NSW’s own nomination places are fully allocated. New invitations resume once NSW receives and finalises its 2026–27 allocation.

What is the minimum score for an NSW invitation?

The national points test minimum is 65. NSW doesn’t publish a guaranteed invitation score, since ranking happens within each occupation group rather than against one flat number.

Does submitting my EOI earlier improve my chances?

No. NSW confirms that your submission date has no effect on whether or when you’re invited.

Can I apply for NSW nomination directly, without being invited?

Not for subclass 190 or 491 Pathway 2. Both are invitation-only. Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 for the 491 visa allow direct application when open, but both have also reached their 2025–26 caps.

What happens to my EOI now that the program is closed?

It stays valid in SkillSelect. You don’t need to resubmit it, but keep it updated and accurate for when rounds resume.

Should I choose 491 over 190 if I want to move faster?

Not necessarily faster, but often more achievable. Competition per place is usually lighter for 491 since it’s restricted to regional areas.