How to apply for ROI in South Australia

How to apply for ROI in South Australia

If you are planning South Australian skilled visa nomination for subclass 190 or subclass 491, you need to understand how South Australia uses SkillSelect EOI and Registration of Interest, usually called ROI.

South Australia is different from some states because the process depends on whether you are onshore or offshore. Onshore applicants living and working in South Australia usually need to submit an ROI through the Skilled & Business Migration Apply Portal. Offshore applicants generally do not submit an ROI and instead wait to be considered through their SkillSelect EOI.

This guide explains how the South Australian ROI process usually works and what applicants should prepare before taking action.

Important current program note

South Australia announced that Registrations of Interest for the 2025–26 Skilled Migration State Nomination Program closed at 9:00 am on Tuesday, 2 June 2026.

Skilled & Business Migration also stated that ROIs would resume for eligible candidates when the 2026–27 program commences, with further information to be published on the official website.

Because program settings change each year, applicants should check the official Move to South Australia website before submitting or updating any EOI or ROI.

What is a South Australian ROI?

A Registration of Interest is an online form submitted to South Australia’s Skilled & Business Migration team through the Apply Portal.

It tells South Australia that you are interested in and eligible for state nomination. It is not the same as a visa application and it is not a guarantee of invitation or nomination.

• SkillSelect EOI is submitted to the Australian Government.
• South Australian ROI is submitted through the Skilled & Business Migration Apply Portal.
• The ROI is reviewed by South Australia for possible invitation.
• You can only apply for state nomination if South Australia invites you.
• Home Affairs makes the final visa decision after nomination and visa lodgement.

Who needs to submit ROI in SA?

If you are living and working in South Australia and want to be considered for state nomination, you usually need to complete an ROI after preparing your SkillSelect EOI.

This can apply to applicants seeking South Australian nomination for:

• Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190.
• Skilled Work Regional Provisional visa subclass 491.

If you are currently overseas, South Australia says you do not need to submit an ROI. Instead, you should submit a SkillSelect EOI, select South Australia as your preferred state, and wait for possible selection.

Step 1: Check eligibility and nomination stream

Before submitting anything, check whether your occupation and circumstances match South Australia’s nomination requirements.

• Check whether your occupation is available on the South Australian Skilled Occupation List.
• Check whether your occupation is available for subclass 190, subclass 491, or both.
• Check which nomination stream fits your situation.
• Check whether you are considered onshore or offshore.
• Check your skills assessment, English result and points claims.
• Check whether your employment, study or regional location supports your claim.

Do not lodge an ROI unless you are eligible for the stream you are claiming.

Step 2: Prepare your documents

South Australia expects applicants to be assessment ready. This means your documents should be prepared before you submit your ROI or nomination application.

Common documents may include:

• Passport or identity document.
• SkillSelect EOI number.
• Skills assessment outcome.
• English test result.
• Qualification documents and transcripts.
• Employment reference letters.
• Payslips, tax records or employment contract if relevant.
• Evidence of South Australian residence if relevant.
• Evidence of South Australian study or graduation if relevant.
• Partner documents if claiming partner points.

Step 3: Submit a SkillSelect EOI

Create or update your Expression of Interest in SkillSelect before submitting an ROI.

Your EOI should include accurate details about your nominated occupation, skills assessment, English score, employment history, education, partner points and visa subclass selection.

South Australia says applicants should indicate South Australia as their state of interest in SkillSelect. It also says applicants should select both 190 and 491 visa subclasses in the EOI because they may be invited for either subclass.

Record your SkillSelect EOI ID because you will need it for your ROI or nomination process.

Step 4: Create an Apply Portal account

For onshore applicants, the next step is to create an account in the Skilled & Business Migration Apply Portal.

Use an email address you check regularly because invitation and application updates may be sent by email.

Make sure your name, passport details and EOI details are entered consistently across SkillSelect and the SA Apply Portal.

Step 5: Prepare and submit your ROI

After your EOI and documents are ready, prepare your ROI in the Apply Portal.

You may need to provide details such as:

• SkillSelect EOI ID.
• Preferred visa subclass.
• Nominated occupation.
• Skills assessment details.
• English result.
• Current location.
• Employment details if relevant.
• South Australian study or graduate details if relevant.
• Supporting documents required for your stream.

South Australia says there are no fees for ROI applications. However, if your ROI receives a Not Invited decision, you may not be able to submit a new application for 3 months.

Step 6: Wait for SA to review your ROI or EOI

After submission, South Australia reviews ROIs for onshore applicants and SkillSelect EOIs for offshore applicants.

If South Australia selects you, you will receive an invitation email with instructions on how to submit the state nomination application.

Submitting an ROI or EOI does not guarantee that you will be invited. Selection depends on program settings, occupation demand, nomination places, stream requirements and competitiveness.

Step 7: Submit state nomination if invited

You can only apply for South Australian state nomination after you receive an invitation from Skilled & Business Migration.

If invited, lodge the nomination application online through the Apply Portal and attach all mandatory documents from the document checklist.

This is where your claims are assessed in more detail. Make sure your evidence supports the claims made in your EOI and ROI.

Step 8: Apply for the visa if nominated

If South Australia approves your nomination, you can then proceed with the relevant visa application through the Department of Home Affairs.

• Subclass 190 is a permanent skilled nominated visa.
• Subclass 491 is a regional provisional skilled visa that can lead to permanent residency later if requirements are met.

South Australian nomination does not guarantee visa grant. Home Affairs makes the final visa decision.

Can you submit more than one ROI?

South Australia says applicants can only submit one ROI at a time. You select your preferred visa subclass in the ROI, but you may be invited for a different subclass.

This means you should think carefully before submitting, especially if you are deciding between 190 and 491.

Can you update an SA ROI after submission?

South Australia says submitted ROI information cannot be amended.

Minor changes, such as an increase in points, may not need to be updated because South Australia can see updated information in your SkillSelect EOI.

This is why it is important to make sure your ROI is accurate before submitting it.

Onshore vs offshore: key difference

The biggest difference is simple:

• Onshore applicants living and working in South Australia usually submit a SkillSelect EOI and then an ROI through the Apply Portal.
• Offshore applicants generally submit a SkillSelect EOI, select South Australia, and wait for possible invitation. They do not submit an ROI.

Choosing the wrong process can waste time and may affect your strategy, so always check whether you are treated as onshore or offshore under current SA rules.

Common mistakes applicants make

Avoid these common SA ROI mistakes:

• Submitting an ROI while offshore when SA says offshore applicants do not need one.
• Not selecting South Australia in SkillSelect.
• Forgetting to select both 190 and 491 in the EOI.
• Submitting before checking occupation availability.
• Choosing the wrong nomination stream.
• Claiming points without supporting evidence.
• Submitting an ROI with information that cannot be amended later.
• Not checking program closure dates or invitation rounds.
• Assuming ROI submission guarantees nomination.

Eazy Path takeaway

To apply for ROI in South Australia, first check your eligibility, occupation and nomination stream. Then submit or update your SkillSelect EOI, select South Australia, create an Apply Portal account and submit your ROI if you are an onshore applicant living and working in South Australia.

If you are offshore, you generally do not submit an ROI. You submit a SkillSelect EOI and wait for South Australia to review EOIs and possibly invite you.

The key is to keep your EOI, ROI and evidence accurate, consistent and current.