NSW invitation rounds 2026–27: dates, lists and what NSW says
Settledin Team4 min readNSW does not publish dates for its invitation rounds. Its 190 page says there are "no predetermined or publicly announced dates for NSW invitation rounds", and its common questions page says rounds "take place continuously throughout the financial year". NSW invites only from its skills lists. The 190 list was updated on 15 October 2026.
Last updated: 13 November 2026. Checked against NSW Government skilled visa pages.
Does NSW publish its invitation round results?
No. On 13 November 2026, none of NSW's skilled visa pages list past round dates, invitation numbers or the scores invited. So this page has no rounds table. It records what NSW does publish, and it is updated when NSW changes its pages.
| What NSW publishes | Where |
|---|---|
| How it selects EOIs for invitation | Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) |
| Answers on rounds, invitations and residency | Common questions about skilled visas |
| The unit groups it invites from | NSW Skills Lists |
| The 491 closure notice and pathways | Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) |
As published by NSW, read on 13 November 2026.
Home Affairs publishes a table of state and territory nominations on its invitation rounds page (last updated 9 November 2026). That table counts nominations, not NSW round dates. This page does not repeat its figures.
When is the next NSW invitation round?
NSW has not said. Its common questions page answers this question directly: "Invitation rounds take place continuously throughout the financial year, without specific dates."
For the 491, NSW holds rounds only under Pathway 2, the invited pathway. The 491 page carries a notice that "applications are now closed for the current program year, as all available nomination places have been fully allocated". NSW says it is reviewing program settings for the next program year. Pathways 1 and 3 show as closed to new applications.
NSW also says you cannot request an invitation. It does not accept requests "via email or other forms of communication".
How does NSW select EOIs?
NSW ranks EOIs within each ANZSCO unit group. Its 190 page names the factors it considers, "including but not limited to":
- age;
- English language proficiency;
- education;
- points score;
- total years of skilled work experience.
"The highest ranking EOIs within an ANZSCO unit group are invited to apply." Four more points from NSW's pages:
- Skills lists. NSW "will not invite EOIs in occupations outside of its skills lists". The 190 uses the NSW Skills List. The 491 uses the NSW Regional Skills List, which NSW says will be updated "when more information becomes available".
- EOI date. NSW says the date you submit or amend an EOI "does not affect your likelihood of being invited".
- Onshore or offshore. Rounds are run on the usual country of residence recorded in the EOI.
- Discretion. An invitation is "at the sole discretion of the NSW Government".
The current 190 list, and what changed on 15 October, is in the NSW Skills List post.
What happens after an NSW invitation?
NSW emails an invitation link. Its common questions page says the link is "valid for 14 days only" and will not be reissued. When you apply, NSW asks for valid documents for every claim in the EOI. NSW then assesses the application against its criteria.
NSW invites each EOI number once. If the 14 days pass, NSW says a new EOI is needed for a future round. A 491 invitation cannot be changed to a 190 invitation, because NSW runs each visa's rounds separately.
If NSW nominates, the Home Affairs step follows. The subclass 190 page (last updated 10 November 2026) says: "We will only invite you to apply for this visa if you are nominated." It gives 60 days from the date of the invitation to apply. The subclass 491 page sets out the regional visa. Home Affairs publishes current processing times on its own page.
The SkillSelect side is covered in invited in SkillSelect: what happens next. NSW's full criteria, including residency, are in NSW state nomination 2026–27.
How do other states run their rounds?
Each state and territory runs its own process. Home Affairs' invitation rounds page says state nominations for the 190 and 491 "will not be affected by the departmental invitation rounds". It adds that states manage their nominations "in line with their own priorities".
Some states publish round dates and NSW does not. Each state's current position is in the state nomination tracker. The ACT's process is in the ACT state nomination post. The Home Affairs rounds for the 189 are in 189 invitation rounds 2026–27.
Frequently asked questions
Does NSW announce its invitation rounds?
No. NSW says there are "no predetermined or publicly announced dates" for its rounds. Its pages list no past round dates or invitation numbers.
How does NSW pick EOIs?
NSW ranks EOIs within each ANZSCO unit group. It names age, English, education, points score and total years of skilled work experience among the factors.
What is the difference between the 190 and 491 in NSW?
The 190 is a permanent visa and uses the NSW Skills List. The 491 is a provisional visa for regional NSW and uses the NSW Regional Skills List. NSW's 491 page shows the program closed for the current program year. The visas are on the 190 page for NSW and the 491 page for NSW.
Where are the NSW skills lists?
On NSW's Skills Lists page. The 190 list is set at ANZSCO unit group level. NSW says not every occupation in a listed unit group is on the Home Affairs list for the visa.
Do NSW rounds cover other states?
No. NSW selects EOIs for NSW nomination only, from its listed unit groups. Home Affairs says each state manages its nominations "in line with their own priorities". EOIs that are waiting are covered in EOI submitted but not invited yet.
Where can I see where an occupation ranks?
The monthly SkillSelect EOI data post shows occupation ranks. The NSW state page collects the NSW pages in one place.
Settledin adds up an indicative points total from the official Home Affairs points table, and shows each category for the 189, 190 and 491.
Work out your indicative points
This article describes published NSW Government and Department of Home Affairs information, checked on 13 November 2026. It is general information, not migration advice. For advice on your situation, speak to a registered migration agent. Check the register.
Source: NSW Government, Skilled visas, and Department of Home Affairs, SkillSelect invitation rounds, November 2026.