Tasmania Opens 2025 Migration Program — Limited Slots, Tougher Rules!
Big news this week if you’re considering Tasmania under Australia’s skilled migration system: the 2025–26 Skilled Migration State Nomination Program is now open! But don’t assume it’s business as usual — several changes make things more selective. With the right preparation, though, you can still put yourself in a strong position.
Below is a streamlined guide to what’s new, what hasn’t changed, how it affects you, and the immediate steps you should take.
What Is the Skilled Migration State Nomination Program?
Tasmania’s program supports skilled workers aiming to live and work permanently or long-term in the state. It offers state nomination, which boosts your visa prospects for subclasses 190 (Skilled Nominated) and 491 (Skilled Work Regional – provisional).
You must first submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) through Migration Tasmania. This signals your intent to apply and lets Tasmania invite candidates based on their ranking and program priorities.
Key Changes for 2025-26
Program Opening: The program opened 6 October 2025. The window to submit Registrations of Interest (ROIs) closed on 10 October 2025. As of today, new ROI’s are no longer accepted, so if you missed this round, prepare now for future opportunities. Early submissions under the previous rules may be less competitive under the new system.
Eligibility & Ranking Updates: Tasmania refined eligibility and ROI ranking, emphasizing priority attributes like occupation, income level, continuous work, and relevant skills. Simply meeting minimum requirements won’t suffice; exceeding them improves your chances.
Increased Service Fee: The nomination application fee rose to AUD 370 (AUD 407 including GST). ROI submission remains free.
Clearer Guidance: The Migration Tasmania website now provides better definitions, eligibility details, document requirements, and user-friendly navigation to help you avoid mistakes.
Interim Federal Allocation: Tasmania is awaiting its full nomination quota allocation from the Australian Government. This means nomination is not guaranteed upon ROI submission and may be prioritized based on limited quotas.
What Remains the Same
You must still complete a positive skills assessment, have an eligible occupation, and meet the points test (including any state nomination bonus).
Proof of working in Tasmania, having a decent number of work hours, or a clear plan to relocate still holds weight.
The primary visas under this program remain Subclass 190 and Subclass 491.
Who Benefits and Who Faces More Challenges
Favored applicants:
Those currently living and working in Tasmania, especially in priority occupations.
Applicants exceeding minimum income, work duration, or who hold additional qualifications.
Candidates prepared with strong documentation and ready to respond quickly to invitations.
Those in high-need sectors like health, education, allied health, and trades.
At a disadvantage:
Overseas applicants without strong Tasmanian ties (e.g., job offers or local experience).
Applicants barely meeting minimum income and eligibility thresholds.
Earlier ROI submitters who don't meet updated priority attributes.
Those with incomplete or weak evidence of employment and residency.
Action Plan: Position Yourself for Success
Confirm your occupation eligibility & skills assessment
Ensure your occupation is on the current eligible list and your assessment is valid.Gather strong employment, income & residency proof
Payslips, contracts, tax records, landlord statements, etc.Assess priority attributes
Check Tasmania’s updated list — some features (local experience, high income, certain job types) can improve your ranking.Consider withdrawing or resubmitting older ROI
If your previous ROI was under weak rules, a fresh submission may perform better under the new system.Set aside the nomination fee
Be ready financially — you’ll need this once you’re invitedStay informed
Follow Migration Tasmania’s announcements, watch for recordings or summaries of recent webinars like the one held on 14 October 2025 (11:00 AM AEST), and monitor updates on nomination allocations.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Confusing invitation with nomination; nomination depends on available quotas and ROI ranking.
Submitting weak or incomplete documents.
Ignoring priority attributes that can determine your ranking.
Delaying your ROI submission and risking missed rounds or lower priority.
Example: Comparing Two Applicants
| Criteria | Alice | Ben |
|---|---|---|
| Occupation | Nurse (in-demand) | Office manager (lower priority) |
| Location | Living in Tasmania (1 year +) | Overseas, no Tasmanian ties |
| Documentation | Payslips, contract, proof of income | Skills assessment only |
| Priority Attributes | Health occupation, local work, strong income | Minimum eligibility only |
| Outcome | Likely invited early due to strong ROI ranking | Slower, will need stronger ties or job offers |
Why This Matters Long-Term
Tasmania aims for nominees who show genuine commitment and can contribute economically and socially. Federal limits on state nominations heighten competition, so quality and thorough preparation have never been more critical.
Quick Checklist for Applying
✅ Confirm occupation and skills assessment status
✅ Assemble employment and income documents
✅ Identify and claim relevant priority attributes
✅ Review and possibly withdraw older ROIs for rebidding
✅ Budget for the AUD 407 nomination fee
✅ Subscribe to Migration Tasmania updates and attend upcoming webinars
Need help refining your ROI, preparing documents, or planning your nomination strategy? Our team is ready to assist your application every step of the way.
📩 Contact us today to get started.
