Australia’s 2025-26 Skilled Migration Program: What Each State Wants and How You Can Fit In

The Australian Government has set the permanent migration limit of 185,000 places for the 2025-26 year. This includes people applying for permanent skilled visas, like the Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visas. But here is the important part: each state and territory now controls who they choose from within that total number. This means each region has its own rules and occupations they want to nominate.

If you want to apply for permanent residency through skilled migration, you need to know what each state or territory is looking for and make sure your application matches their priorities. This guide explains the main points in simple terms.

Federal Requirements You Must Meet First

Before you look at state rules, make sure you meet these basic national requirements to be considered for skilled visas:

• Age: You must be under 45 when you get your invitation. If you are older, it’s more difficult to qualify.

• Skills: You need a positive skills assessment, showing your qualifications match the job you want to apply for.

• English Ability: You must have at least ‘Competent English’—usually this means an IELTS score of 6.0 in each test band.

• Points: You need a minimum of 60 points on your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI). Points come from factors like age, education, work experience, and English. If the state nominates you, you get extra points on top of these.

Meeting these federal requirements is the starting point before each state considers your application.

What Each State and Territory Is Looking For in 2025-26

Each region has slightly different rules, occupations, and strategies for choosing skilled migrants. Here is a simple breakdown:

New South Wales (NSW): Small Numbers, Strong Focus on Certain Jobs

NSW welcomes both onshore and offshore skilled applicants, but you must either be working or living in NSW for at least six months or have been offshore continuously for six months. NSW does not accept direct applications – you lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and await an invitation. Priority is given to occupations on the NSW Skills List, which targets industries like Construction, Net‑Zero Energy, Care and Support (health and aged care), Digital/Cyber, Agriculture and Advanced Manufacturing. In practice, all occupations in those identified ANZSCO groups are eligible for NSW nomination. The usual visa rules apply: you need a positive skills assessment in an eligible occupation, a passing English test, age under 45, and at least 65 points on the Home Affairs points test (age, English, qualifications, etc.).

• Key updates (2025–26): NSW has a small interim allocation of 200 places for the 190 visa and 180 for 491. Invitation rounds are continuing, but the Skilled Work Regional (491) stream is temporarily closed to new applications due to high demand.
  

• Tips: Keep your SkillSelect EOI accurate and up-to-date with proof of any NSW experience. If you’re offshore, make sure you have been living outside Australia for at least six months before lodging an EOI. Highlight any NSW work or study in your profile, and aim to score above 65 points (partner skills or extra English can boost you). NSW is highly competitive, so consider meeting all criteria (e.g. getting letters from NSW employers).

Victoria (VIC): Focus on Priority Industries and Local Workers

Victoria’s nomination program is open to skilled migrants living in Victoria or overseas. You must submit an EOI with Victoria as your first choice and a Victorian Registration of Interest (ROI) via the Live in Melbourne portal. All occupations on the relevant federal Skilled Occupation Lists are potentially eligible, but Victoria prioritises certain sectors. These include Health, Social Services, Education (including early childhood), Construction, New Energy (renewables), and for 491 specifically also Digital/IT, Advanced Manufacturing, and (for regional applicants) Hospitality and Tourism. Overseas 491 applicants get extra attention in Health, Social Services and Education.

• Requirements: Applicants need a positive skills assessment and at least 65 points. There is no extra residency rule in VIC – you just need to intend to live/work in Victoria. For the 491 visa you must commit to 3 years in regional VIC, and for 190 you commit to 2 years in Victoria.

• Key updates (2025–26): Victoria has been given an interim quota of 200 places for 190 and 180 for 491(final numbers pending Commonwealth approval). The program is already open for nominations. Keep an eye on official announcements for full allocations and invitation rounds.

• Tips: Submit or update your EOI/ROI now to be in the running. Emphasise any experience in Victoria or in the priority sectors above. In your ROI, clearly link your occupation to the State’s priorities. For example, if you work in healthcare or teaching, mention this – those fields are explicitly highlighted. Since Victoria invites continuously, make sure your documentation is ready to go quickly after an invitation.

Queensland (QLD): Clear Pathways, Regional Focus

Queensland offers nomination for both subclasses 190 and 491. Its Skilled Migration program has onshore and offshore streams (such as local skilled workers, international graduates, and regional business owners). In September 2025 QLD got a small interim allocation of 250 places and reopened applications. Both local and overseas applicants can apply: onshore streams cover people already living/working in Queensland (often requiring at least 6–9 months on the job) and offshore streams cover candidates abroad with relevant skills.

• Priority occupations: Queensland places strong emphasis on Building and Construction trades (due to major projects like the 2032 Brisbane Olympics), as well as health care, IT and engineering. Eligible occupations are split into onshore and offshore lists. Check QLD’s official Onshore and Offshore Skills Lists for exact roles.

• Requirements: You need a positive skills assessment, competent English, and at least 65 points on the SkillSelect test. For onshore 491 applicants: you must have worked in regional QLD for ≥6 months (20+ hrs/week, related to your nominated job) and be living in regional QLD. Offshore 491 candidates need ≥1 year of skilled experience in their occupation. (Short-term visitor jobs and fast-food chefs are not eligible in some streams.) All applicants must intend to live and work in Queensland (regional for 491) if nominated.

• Key updates (2025–26): QLD’s nomination program re-opened on 19 Sept 2025 with 250 places across both 190 and 491. Final full-year allocations are still awaited from the federal government. ROIs will likely be assessed in order of suitability once invitations resume.

• Tips: Update your SkillSelect EOI with Queensland as a preference. Onshore applicants should prepare proof of regional QLD employment (payslips, contracts). Offshore candidates should gather records of their one year of experience (employment references). Both should follow QLD’s documentation checklists closely. Also consider if the 491 (regional) pathway might be easier in your case – QLD offers it for overseas workers too.

South Australia (SA): Focusing on Current Applicants

South Australia currently has a very limited skilled migration intake. The Commonwealth gave SA only a small interim allocation, so SA is not accepting new registrations of interest right now. Instead, the government is focusing on inviting the strongest candidates from the 2024–25 pool.

• Who can apply: In general, SA’s program is open to both onshore and offshore skilled migrants. There are streams for local skilled workers (including “Outer Regional Skilled Employment” in regional SA) and for offshore applicants. However, until SA gets its final 2025–26 allocation, no new EOIs are being accepted.

• Priority occupations: SA maintains a Skilled Occupation List of in-demand jobs. Notably, construction trades (e.g. carpenter, electrician, plumber) are given priority to encourage local skill development. In offshore cases, SA usually requires 3 years of relevant work experience (just 1 year for these construction trades).

• Requirements: Like other states, you must meet Home Affairs criteria (skills assessment, English, points). SA specifically looks at your years of skilled work (3 yrs, or 1 yr for listed trades) and your EOI points score. Applicants are ranked by work experience and other factors (age, English, etc.). For an onshore “Outer Regional Skilled” stream, you normally need 9 months full-time work in regional SA in your occupation.

• Key updates (2025–26): SA’s Skilled & Business Migration unit has announced that applications are closed due to the small allocation. They will only invite top candidates. Full program details (including who can next apply) will be released once SA knows its full quota.

• Tips: If you already have an SA ROI (from last year), ensure your details are current and strong. Highlight any Adelaide or regional SA work/study. Double-check that your occupation is on SA’s list. Given the competition, be prepared with thorough documentation. Sign up for SA migration news to know when new applications reopen.

Western Australia (WA): Temporary Pause but Strong Job Requirements

WA’s State Nomination program is currently paused until the final allocations arrive. The state received only a small interim allocation to clear remaining 2024–25 applications, so it is not issuing new invitations for now.

• Who can apply: When active, WA allows both onshore and overseas applicants. Currently, any existing applicants will be assessed, but new EOI submissions are on hold.

• Priority occupations: WA has its own Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL) that targets WA’s key industries. Generally, WA ranks applicants by residency and industry need: first those living in WA, then those offshore, with priority for occupations in sectors like Building & Construction, Healthcare/Social Assistance, Hospitality/Tourism and Education. Mining and energy roles have traditionally been in demand as well. WA even has a “State Priority Occupation List” for critical roles.

• Requirements: You must meet all federal visa requirements (skills assessment, English, <=45, etc.), and have relevant work experience. Normally WA looks for one year of experience (or a WA degree for graduates). For General stream applicants, a job contract in WA is usually needed (except some construction trades have a concession). Invited applicants receive 5 extra points (190) or 15 points (491) on top of the federal test.

• Key updates (2025–26): As of September 2025, WA is waiting for its full allocation. All invitation rounds have been paused. The State Government has requested large numbers of places (up to 5,000 each for 190 and 491) to meet WA’s labor demand, and is in discussions with Canberra. For now, WA advises applicants to monitor its official site; invitations will resume once the allocation is fixed.

• Tips: If you have WA work or qualifications, ensure your WA EOI clearly shows that. Historically, being “already in WA” has given candidates a boost, so any WA residence or job offers can help. Use the downtime to prepare strong evidence of your skills. Follow WA migration news, as the situation may change quickly.

Tasmania (TAS): New System, More Health Roles

Tasmania is still waiting for its 2025–26 nomination quota. As of Oct 2025, the Tasmanian Government reports that no allocation has been received yet, and only “Gold Pass” candidates from previous ROIs are being invited. In practice, Tasmania’s skilled nomination program is not open for new applicants until the federal allocation is announced.

• Who can apply: Tasmania has several onshore streams (for workers and graduates living in Tasmania) and two offshore streams. Onshore paths generally require you to have been working in Tasmania (often full-time, ~20 hrs/week) and living there – for example, the “Tasmanian Skilled Employment (TSE)” path. Overseas, there is a special 190 “Health/Education” stream and a points-based 491 stream, but these are invitation-only right now.

• Priority occupations: The state sets lists of priority roles. These include health, allied-health, engineering, management and especially education and teaching jobs. Under the TSE pathway, there is a list of “priority occupations” that get faster consideration. A long-term employment option exists too, which accepts any occupation on the federal lists.

• Requirements: Besides the usual visa criteria (skills assessment, English, ≤45, ≥65 points), Tasmania demands quite specific on-the-ground requirements. For example, the TSE stream requires 9–15 months of Tasmanian employment at a high income (at least $57,000/year) and that you truly continue living in Tasmania. All family members should also be in Tasmania.

• Key updates (2025–26): No new TAS nomination spots have been released yet. Only the strongest candidates (Gold Pass ROIs) are being invited at the moment. Once Tasmania’s allocation is set, the Department of State Growth will announce when the program reopens.

• Tips: If you already live and work in Tasmania, document your employment and salary carefully. Make sure any dependents have also moved to TAS (they check this). If you’re outside Australia, consider lining up a Tasmanian job offer in a high-demand sector (especially health or teaching); that can make an application much stronger. In the meantime, keep an eye on Tasmania’s newsletter for updates.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT/Canberra): The Canberra Matrix System

The ACT has a small, tightly-managed program. For 2025–26 it was initially allocated just 85 places for 190 and 80 places for 491. The ACT relies on the “Canberra Matrix” to score applications each month.

• Who can apply: Skilled migrants living in Canberra (or nearby NSW) can apply under various Matrix streams (e.g. small business owners, visa holders, critical skills). A limited number of overseas applicants are invited each round in high-demand occupations. Historically, ACT nominations overwhelmingly favor ACT residents – about 94% of approvals to date were local.

• Priority occupations: The ACT publishes its own occupation list of “critical skill” roles (e.g. many IT, engineering and health occupations). Each month, top-ranked candidates in these key occupations receive invitations. The ACT also sets aside invitations for certain groups (e.g. entrepreneurs or people on specific visas).

• Requirements: Applicants must meet normal visa criteria (skills assessment, English, 65+ points) and then compete under the Canberra Matrix scoring system. The Matrix gives extra weight to things like ACT study/work experience, high English test scores and partner skills. Each occupation has a monthly cut‑off score – higher-demand jobs have higher cut‑offs.

• Key updates (2025–26): The interim ACT allocation has been partly used: as of Sept 2025, 50 people were nominated for 190 and 21 for 491, with more places still available. The ACT continues to run monthly invitation rounds. Be sure to check the ACT Government’s migration website (and the Canberra Matrix reports) for the latest round results.

• Tips: If you live in Canberra or ACT region, emphasize that in your application (ACT points there are valuable). Score high on the Matrix by maximizing your English score and including any ACT-based qualifications or work. Since living locally is a big plus, local job offers or ACT study can boost your ranking. Review the ACT’s current occupation list and focus on matching it.

Northern Territory (NT): Very Limited 491 Nominations

The NT’s nomination program is effectively on hold pending allocations. The Federal Government has only given the NT a small interim share, mostly for 491 (regional) visas, and it is restricting these tightly.

• Who can apply: Right now, only certain onshore candidates can be invited. Specifically, eligible NT-resident or NT-graduate applicants who have urgent visa deadlines (e.g. visa expiring, turning 45, or losing points) may lodge 491 nominations by exception. All general skilled nomination (GSM) streams remain closed until the full allocation arrives.

• Priority occupations: The NT does maintain occupation lists, but with the program paused, the focus is on applicants in need (rather than specific jobs). In general, NT has targeted health, construction trades, agriculture, tourism and other roles important to its economy.

• Requirements: In normal times, NT requires either two years living in the NT (for Territory Workers stream) or Northern Territory qualifications (for Graduate stream). Meeting the federal visa criteria (skills assessment, etc.) is of course still needed.

• Key updates (2025–26): The NT has not yet received its 2025–26 quota. Until that arrives, only a limited number of 491 invitations are being issued to onshore applicants with immediate needs. The program will reopen fully once the NT’s allocation is formally announced.

• Tips: If you’re currently in the NT and your visa or points status is expiring soon, act quickly: you may still submit a 491 nomination if you meet the NT Resident or Graduate criteria. For everyone else, it’s best to prepare in advance: gather Tasmanian-style documentation of NT employment or study, and stay updated through NT Government news for when nominations reopen.

What It Means for You as a Skilled Migrant

If you’re thinking about migrating to Australia in 2025–26, here’s what you need to know:

1. Expect more competition

With fewer places available, only the strongest candidates will be invited. Make sure your Expression of Interest (EOI) is up to date and that you can prove all your claimed points (work experience, qualifications, English score, etc.).

2. Be ready to move fast

When a state opens applications, they fill up quickly. Some states only accept applications for a few days — like Tasmania, which recently opened for less than a week.

3. Target multiple states

Don’t limit yourself to one area. Each state has different needs. For instance, NSW might favor ICT and health, while Queensland is focusing heavily on construction. You can submit EOIs for several states at once.

4. Consider regional options

Regional areas (491 visa) often have easier criteria and faster processing than major cities. Plus, regional work can lead to permanent residency after a few years.

5. Explore alternative pathways

If state nomination is too competitive, employer-sponsored visas or independent skilled visas might be worth exploring. These can still lead to permanent residency under the right conditions.

What the Leaders Are Saying

Federal Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the program is designed to “keep attracting the skills Australia needs” while ensuring stability.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also reinforced that migration remains essential to Australia’s growth — saying that welcoming skilled migrants is part of “what makes Australia stronger.”

Meanwhile, state leaders are pushing back. Western Australia, Queensland, and Victoria have all publicly asked for larger allocations to help them fill workforce gaps.

This tug-of-war shows just how important migration is to Australia’s future — and how closely it’s tied to housing, infrastructure, and economic recovery.

Why Use a Migration Expert?

These rules change often and vary widely by region, making it confusing for many applicants. Working with experts can help you:

• Pick a course or job that matches state needs

• Prepare your Expression of Interest or Registration of Interest correctly

• Understand ongoing changes and increase your chances of getting invited

• Navigate the whole visa application from start to finish without costly mistakes

Final Advice

To succeed in Australia’s 2025-26 skilled migration program:

• Plan ahead and keep your documents up to date

• Aim for jobs in high-demand sectors like construction, healthcare, technology, or aged care

• Live and work in your target state whenever possible to boost your eligibility

• Apply as soon as state quotas open and be ready to act fast

Understanding each state’s priorities and requirements is your best strategy. For personalized advice and step-by-step help, book a consultation with migration professionals who know the system inside out. Your pathway to permanent residency starts with the right information and support.

Not sure where your skills fit best?

Reach out to us and we’ll help you check if your occupation has an opportunity under the 190 or 491 visa this year.