Queensland State Nomination 2026–27: Is It Open, and How It Works
Queensland’s registrations of interest are closed and no 2026–27 date is announced. Pathways, ranking and what its pages still show.
Queensland’s registrations of interest are closed. Its site still shows the 2025–26 closure notice and says all places for that program year were filled. It says nomination allocations for 2026–27 are being finalised and the program will open once they are confirmed. No opening date is announced.
- Queensland’s registrations of interest are closed, and no 2026–27 opening date has been announced.
- Its pathway and occupation pages still reflect 2025–26; its application-process page says the program will open once 2026–27 allocations are confirmed.
- You need both a SkillSelect EOI and a Queensland ROI; Queensland considers both in invitation rounds.
- Last published onshore settings: 9 months in Queensland (190) or 6 months in regional Queensland (491), 20+ hours a week.
- Skilled nomination fees are listed as to be advised; assessments often take 2 to 4 weeks, and an invitation gives you 14 days to apply and pay.
Queensland nominates skilled workers for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) through Migration Queensland. A candidate lodges a SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) and then a Queensland Registration of Interest (ROI), and Migration Queensland selects candidates in invitation rounds.
As at 29 October 2026, the ROIs are closed. This guide explains what Queensland’s pages say, which parts still reflect 2025–26 settings, and what to watch for when it reopens. It sits within our State nomination 2026–27: every state and territory.
Queensland nomination at a glance, 29 October 2026
Status
| Item | What Queensland’s pages say |
|---|---|
| Registrations of interest | “Queensland’s Registrations of Interest (ROIs) for the 2025-26 State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) are now closed.” All available places for that program year were filled. |
| Reopening | Migration Queensland is “awaiting advice from the Australian Government regarding future program settings, including nomination allocations”, and will publish eligibility requirements and an opening date “in due course”. Its application-process page says the Government has announced the 2026–27 Migration Program planning levels, that nomination allocations are being finalised, and that “Queensland’s program will open once allocations have been confirmed”. |
| 2026–27 allocation | Not published. Home Affairs shows Queensland’s 2025–26 allocation as 1,850 (190) and 750 (491). |
| Fees | Skilled nomination fees are listed as “To be advised”. A news item said application processing fees would rise from 1 January 2026, without amounts. |
| Staleness | Its news page was last published on 19 November 2025, and both occupation lists still refer to 2025–26. |
Sources: registration of interest, skilled visas and frequently asked questions.
How Queensland selects candidates
- 11
Lodge a SkillSelect EOI
Home Affairs says state agencies can see your completed EOI. Queensland uses it together with your ROI.
- 22
Register your interest
You lodge a Queensland ROI on the Migration Queensland website. Queensland says it considers both documents when selecting candidates.
- 33
Invitation rounds
In each round Queensland considers all candidates who have a valid EOI and ROI.
- 44
Apply, then nomination
If invited, you have 14 days to submit your application and pay the fee; otherwise it is closed and you will not be considered again within the program year. Queensland says assessments often take 2 to 4 weeks from a complete application and payment.
- 55
Home Affairs invites you
After nomination, you have 60 calendar days to lodge the visa application. Nomination does not guarantee the visa.
The five pathways
Queensland lists five pathways. These pages still carry the 2025–26 closure notice, so treat the details as the last published settings, not 2026–27 rules.
| Pathway | What the page says |
|---|---|
| Skilled workers living in Queensland (onshore) | Score 65 or more on the Home Affairs points test and have at least competent English. Living and working in regional Queensland for the past 6 months (491) or in Queensland for the past 9 months (190), working at least 20 hours a week after your qualification in an occupation sharing the first three ANZSCO digits. If you have applied for, or currently hold, a 491 (or 489), you are not eligible for the 190. |
| Skilled workers living offshore | At least 1 year of skilled employment in your nominated or a closely related occupation, and you must still be employed in it when invited and nominated. |
| Building and construction workers | Living and working in Queensland for the past 3 months. Queensland says it will seek to nominate all building and construction workers for the 190 unless they do not meet Home Affairs’ requirements. Some occupations on its Building and Construction Skills List are 491-only, and if you reach 65 points only with 491 nomination, it will consider you for the 491. |
| Queensland university graduates | A Queensland bachelor’s, master’s or PhD, completed 100% in Queensland and graduated after 1 July 2021, plus the same living-and-working period as the onshore pathway. |
| Small business owners in regional Queensland | Subclass 491 only. |
How candidates are ranked
For the onshore pathway Queensland lists these factors: skills and qualifications; work experience, salary and ability to find and keep a job; location of employment; age; English competency; and the partner’s skills and English. It also says it aims to support occupations that need skilled workers the most, including in regional, rural and remote areas. The offshore pathway lists skills and qualifications, work experience, age, English competency and the partner’s skills.
Queensland publishes no scores, cut-offs or round results on the pages we read. Its occupation lists still say occupations are “not eligible for Queensland nomination in 2025-26”, so we do not reproduce them as 2026–27 lists.
What Home Affairs shows for Queensland
| Measure | 190 | 491 |
|---|---|---|
| Allocation set for 2025–26 (4 November 2025) | 1,850 | 750 |
| Queensland nominations, 1 July to 31 August 2026 | 6 | Fewer than 5 |
An allocation is the number of new primary applicants a state can nominate in a program year; it does not set the number of visas granted. Home Affairs’ allocation page, last updated on 21 September 2026, shows no 2026–27 figures.
Queensland’s reopening and 2026–27 settings are unannounced. We do not predict when it will reopen, how many places it will have, or what it will require.
Related guides and next steps
- State nomination 2026–27: every state and territory
- Western Australia state nomination guide
- South Australia 2026–27 update
- 189 vs 190 vs 491: which skilled visa is right for you?
Want your occupation, points and state options reviewed? Book a consultation or contact our migration team.
This is general information, not personal migration advice. State programs, lists and fees can change without notice; the figures above are as at 29 October 2026. Global Migrations is the trading name of Global Migration & Education Solutions (ABN 22 998 014 414); our registered migration agent is Ranbir Singh, MARN 1069570. We are not part of the Queensland Government.
Wondering how this applies to your situation?
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People also ask
Is Queensland state nomination open for 2026–27?
No. Queensland’s pages say its registrations of interest are closed. Its application-process page says allocations for 2026–27 are being finalised and the program will open once they are confirmed. No opening date is announced.
Does Queensland nominate for the 190 and the 491?
Yes. Migration Queensland says it nominates for two skilled visa subclasses, the 190 and the 491, across five pathways. The small business owner pathway is for the 491 only.
Do I need both an EOI and an ROI?
Yes. Queensland says it considers the information in both your SkillSelect EOI and your Queensland ROI when selecting candidates.
How long must I live and work in Queensland?
On the last published onshore settings, 9 months in Queensland for the 190 or 6 months in regional Queensland for the 491, and 3 months for building and construction workers. These pages still carry the 2025–26 closure notice.
Can I apply from overseas?
The offshore pathway needs at least one year of skilled employment in your nominated or a closely related occupation, and you must still be employed in it when invited. It is closed with the rest of the ROIs.
How much does Queensland nomination cost?
Queensland lists its skilled nomination fees as to be advised. Its news page said application processing fees would rise from 1 January 2026 but gave no amounts, and Queensland says the fee is not refundable.
How long does assessment take?
Queensland says assessments often take 2 to 4 weeks from a complete application and payment.
How many places does Queensland have?
Home Affairs shows 1,850 for the 190 and 750 for the 491 for 2025–26, and no 2026–27 figure. Queensland says it is awaiting advice on allocations.
