Australia’s state and territory nomination programs form a major part of the skilled migration framework and directly influence where skilled workers can secure permanent residence or a pathway toward it. The national allocation for 2025 to 2026 has now been finalised, and each state and territory has released its program settings. These settings determine how Australian businesses address workforce needs and how skilled migrants access nomination opportunities across the country.
Understanding the distribution of places, the priorities set by each state and territory, and the processes used to select applicants is essential for employers who rely on skilled workers, as well as for individuals seeking a clear and predictable pathway.
National allocation for 2025 to 2026
The Australian Government has issued 20,350 state nomination places for this program year. These places allow states to nominate new applicants under the two key skilled migration pathways:
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): 12,850 places
- Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491): 7,500 places
These allocations reflect the number of new candidates jurisdictions are permitted to nominate during the year. Visa grants remain subject to Department of Home Affairs processing and skilled visa priorities.
A simplified overview of the confirmed distribution is provided below:
State | Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa | Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa |
ACT | 800 | 800 |
NSW | 2,100 | 1,500 |
NT | 850 | 800 |
QLD | 1,850 | 750 |
SA | 1,350 | 900 |
TAS | 1,200 | 650 |
VIC | 2,700 | 700 |
WA | 2,000 | 1,400 |
Sub Total | 12,850 | 7,500 |
States with higher allocations have broader capacity to support a range of skilled occupations, while states with more targeted allocations focus on specific industries and regional needs.
How states are applying their allocations
Each state operates within the same visa framework, but their selection methods differ. These differences influence who receives invitations, which sectors are prioritised and how nomination opportunities progress through the year.
States with the strongest capacity:
- New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia have the largest allocations and continue to apply structured selection models that emphasise skilled employment prospects, income potential and alignment with priority industries. These settings support sectors such as construction, health care, advanced manufacturing and digital technology.
- Western Australia has already conducted a major invitation round on 5 December 2025, issuing 1,058 subclass 190 and 742 subclass 491 invitations.
States expanding their intake:
- Queensland has significantly increased its nomination places this year. Its program now enables a wider range of skilled workers to be considered across regional centres and priority industries. The assessment of only the most recent Registration of Interest allows applicants to update their details and refine their competitiveness as circumstances change.
States prioritising onshore contribution:
- South Australia has confirmed its full allocation and continues to prioritise applicants living and working in the state. Offshore applicants are assessed directly from SkillSelect. The state has also adjusted its Designated Area Migration Agreement processes to support only one variation per agreement year.
- The Australian Capital Territory continues its points-based selection model and has scheduled a nomination round for 10 December 2025. Updated guidelines for Canberra residents, including higher salary thresholds and the removal of the streamlined subclass 482 pathway, will apply to Canberra Matrix submissions lodged on or after 1 February 2026 following a transition period.
- The Northern Territory remains focused on applicants who can demonstrate long term commitment and strong relevance to local workforce needs.
States offering transparent, data driven systems:
- Tasmania continues to issue weekly invitations and has updated several program attributes, including adjustments to skilled employment points, salary-based criteria, graduate program eligibility and the established resident business requirements. These refinements affect how applicants are ranked and assessed, so individuals and employers should seek tailored advice to understand how these changes may apply to their circumstances.
Key considerations for employers
The new allocation year gives employers greater clarity around nomination prospects and recruitment strategies. Key considerations include:
- States with larger programs can support a wider range of skills, but still assess candidates carefully against salary expectations, occupation relevance and points position.
- States that prioritise applicants already living and working locally can benefit employers who retain skilled temporary workers in continuous roles.
- Transparent systems such as Tasmania’s weekly reporting and Western Australia’s ranking model help employers assess the likelihood of nomination for specific employees.
- Adjustments to agreement based pathways, such as South Australia’s updated Designated Area Migration Agreement settings, require longer planning timeframes for specialised roles.
Businesses that align position design, salary structure and location with state specific priorities are more likely to secure nomination outcomes for valued staff.
What skilled migrants should consider
Individuals seeking nomination should focus on matching their skills and experience with the expectations of each state. Applicants should:
- Maintain a current and accurate Expression of Interest
- Verify that all evidence supports the claims made
- Review state specific criteria, including Registration of Interest processes where required
- Identify states where their occupation and experience align with local needs
- Monitor invitation patterns and program updates throughout the year
Understanding how selection systems operate, especially those based on priority attributes or ranking, helps candidates make informed decisions and target realistic pathways.
Expert support for your nomination pathway
Absolute Immigration assists employers and skilled professionals to navigate state nomination programs with accuracy and confidence. The team evaluates eligibility across jurisdictions, clarifies occupation relevance, interprets state specific rules and prepares structured nomination pathways that support long term workforce planning and skilled migration outcomes.
Get in touch
For guidance on the 2025 to 2026 state nomination allocations or assistance with subclass 190 or subclass 491 applications, contact us at aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com.
