State nomination · 2026–27 · as at 29 October 2026

State nomination 2026–27: every state and territory.

Q: What is state or territory nomination?

A state or territory government nominates a skilled worker for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) or the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). Home Affairs says it will invite you to apply for the 190 only if you are nominated, and that each state and territory has its own criteria for deciding who to nominate. The 491 can also be sponsored by an eligible relative.

Q: Which states and territories are taking nominations now?

Tasmania is open for both visas. Victoria is open for the 190 (not the 491 yet). WA runs invitation rounds for both visas; the ACT’s latest round was for the 190 only; NSW runs 190 rounds and its 491 is closed. South Australia is open to some groups. The NT accepts only limited onshore 491 applications, and Queensland is closed. Each card shows its own date; the ACT, WA, SA and Victoria cards come from our dated guides.

Q: What is the difference between the 190 and the 491?

The 190 is a permanent visa. The 491 is a temporary visa that lets you stay for 5 years; Home Affairs says that, if eligible, holders can apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time the visa is granted, and other requirements apply. Nomination adds 5 points for the 190 and 15 for the 491.

Q: Do states use the same points as Home Affairs?

No. Home Affairs’ points test sets the 65-point pass mark, but each state ranks applicants its own way: the ACT uses the Canberra Matrix, Victoria uses the Victorian Points Test, Tasmania uses its own attribute score, and the NT says it does not prioritise by points score. A state’s score is not a Home Affairs points score.

Q: How much does nomination cost?

It varies. From the pages we read: ACT $325 plus GST (and $25 plus GST for the Matrix); NT $300 plus GST; SA $394; Tasmania $387 ($425.70 including GST); Victoria $180 plus GST if invited (and an ROI of $60 if paid from outside Australia, $66 inside); WA $200. NSW states no fee on the pages we read, and Queensland lists its fees as “to be advised”. Home Affairs’ visa charges are separate.

Q: How many nomination places does each state have for 2026–27?

Home Affairs’ allocation page, last updated on 21 September 2026, shows only the 2025–26 figures (20,350 in total). Among the states we reviewed, Tasmania states 2,050 for 2026–27 (1,250 for the 190 and 800 for the 491) and Victoria states 900 subclass 190 places. The others have not published a figure on the pages we read.

Q: Can I apply to a state directly?

Mostly not. NSW says you cannot apply directly: you submit an EOI and wait for an invitation. The NT does not issue invitations from EOIs, so you apply to MigrationNT. Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland use registrations of interest, the ACT uses the Canberra Matrix, and WA invites from EOIs. Always follow the state’s own process.

Q: What happens after I am nominated?

Home Affairs invites you to apply for the visa, and you have 60 calendar days to lodge it. For the 190, Home Affairs says that if the state withdraws your nomination after you apply, your application becomes invalid; for the 491, your nomination must not be withdrawn or the visa will not be granted. Nomination does not guarantee a visa: Home Affairs assesses the application against its own requirements.

Q: Does a state’s last score or cut-off predict the next round?

No. Some states publish scores or last-invited points for a round, for example the ACT, WA and Tasmania. Each applies to that round only, and each state scores in its own way. A past score is not a pass mark and not a forecast.

Q: When will closed programs reopen?

Queensland has announced no date and says it is awaiting advice on allocations. NSW says it is reviewing the 491 settings for the next program year. The ACT’s tentative next round is the week starting 25 January 2027. We cannot confirm any other dates.

Which governments are nominating for the Skilled Nominated (190) and Skilled Work Regional (491) visas right now, how each ranks applicants, what it costs, and what each has and has not published. Read from official pages and our own dated guides, with no forecasts.

6 of 8are open or run rounds for the 190 (NT and QLD closed)

4 of 8are open or run rounds for the 491, some only by exception

2,0502026–27 places Tasmania states (190: 1,250, 491: 800)

Reviewed by Ranbir Singh, registered migration agent, MARN 1069570 · 29 October 2026

Dashboard

Status, selection method and published places.

Filter by visa, where you live and the sectors a government names. Statuses are as published on the dates shown, not live feeds. We estimate nothing: no state publishes how many 2026–27 places it has used on the pages we read.

Visa

Where you live

Sector the state names

8 of 8 states and territories match

StateSubclass 190Subclass 491Living in the stateLiving offshoreHow you are selectedPlaces the state publishesSectors it namesRead more

Australian Capital Territory Invitation rounds Not in the latest round Rounds (Canberra residents) Rounds (overseas applicants)Canberra Matrix submission, ranked in roundsNot announced for 2026–27Healthcare and social assistance, Education, Construction and trades, Renewables, ICT and advanced technologyThe guidelines name care, education, construction, renewables and advanced technology; critical sectors may be prioritised.Canberra Matrix guide →

New South Wales Invitation rounds Closed: all places allocated Rounds (190) Rounds (190)SkillSelect EOI, then invitation (no applying directly)Not published on the pages we readHealthcare and social assistance, Education, ICT and advanced technology, InfrastructureNSW’s page lists health, education, ICT and infrastructure as key sectors for the 190. It invites by ANZSCO unit group on its Skills List.NSW guide →

Northern Territory Closed Onshore exceptions only By exception (491) ClosedEOI, then your own application to MigrationNTNot published on the pages we readDefence, Healthcare and social assistance, Education, Hospitality and tourism, Construction and tradesNamed only for exceptional circumstances: energy, defence, agriculture, mining, health, aged or disabled care, education, tourism and construction.Northern Territory guide →

Queensland Closed Closed Closed ClosedSkillSelect EOI plus a Queensland ROIAwaiting advice from the Australian GovernmentConstruction and tradesIt has a dedicated building and construction workers pathway (2025–26 page).Queensland guide →

South Australia Limited: SA residents with visas expiring by 31 Jan 2027 Limited: SA residents with visas expiring by 31 Jan 2027 Visa expiring by 31 Jan 2027 Direct invitation from EOIROI (onshore) or direct invitation from a SkillSelect EOI (offshore)Not stated in the sources we readConstruction and trades, Defence, Education, Engineering, Healthcare and social assistance, ManufacturingThe announcement names building and construction, defence, education, engineering, health and manufacturing. A focus, not an entitlement.South Australia guide →

Tasmania Open Open Open 190 job-offer pathway onlySkillSelect EOI plus a free ROI on the Gateway873 (190) and 654 (491) nomination places available, reported 29 October 2026; allocation 2,050Healthcare and social assistance, EducationThe overseas 190 pathway is for health and education job offers. A priority-roles list also applies.Tasmania guide →

Victoria Open to Victorian and overseas applicants Not open yet Open (190) Open (190)ROI ranked by the Victorian Points Test900 for the 190; 491 places not finalisedHealthcare and social assistance, Education, Construction and trades101 priority occupations in healthcare, social assistance, education and construction get a second route.Victoria guide →

Western Australia Invitation rounds Invitation rounds Rounds RoundsSkillSelect EOI, then invitationNot published on the page we readConstruction and trades, Healthcare and social assistance, Hospitality and tourism, EducationPriority sectors are ranked ahead of other sectors. A defence stream is listed but its rules are unpublished.Western Australia guide →

Dates are as shown on each state’s card below. No state publishes how many 2026–27 places it has used on the pages we read, so we show none; Tasmania publishes places still available. The sector filter lists only sectors a government names, and a missing sector does not mean it is excluded. ROI and EOI are explained on hover or focus.

Check your situation

Which governments state a blocker for you?

Answer five questions to see which governments’ own pages state a blocker for your situation, and which conditions to note. It is not a score and not a ranking by chance: no government publishes selection odds.

Where you live now

Visa you want nominated for

Your federal points, before nomination pointsWork in the state where you liveStudy in the state where you live

This is not a score or a prediction. It lists only the blockers and conditions that each government’s own pages state. It does not check occupation lists, which differ by state, or whether a state would invite you. “No blocker stated” is not an invitation.

With the nomination points your total would be 65, which meets the 65-point pass mark.

No blocker stated by the government (6)

Australian Capital Territory

Canberra residents and overseas applicants may be ranked separately, by Canberra Matrix points.

New South Wales

An offshore invitation needs 6 months’ continuous residence offshore.

South Australia

Offshore candidates do not lodge an ROI: suitable candidates may be invited directly from a SkillSelect EOI naming South Australia.

Tasmania

Overseas, the 190 pathway is the Health or Education Sector Job Offer pathway, which needs a Tasmanian job offer in those sectors.

Victoria

ROIs are ranked by the Victorian Points Test, which has no pass mark.

Western Australia

In the General stream, the 190 needs a full-time WA employment contract of at least 6 months, unless the occupation is in building and construction.
WA ranks people living in WA first; other applicants are ranked after them.

A blocker is stated (2)

Northern Territory

The NT is not accepting new subclass 190 nomination applications.

Queensland

Queensland’s registrations of interest are closed and no 2026–27 opening date is announced.

Have a registered migration agent check this (MARN 1069570)

Points

What nomination adds: 5 points or 15.

If a state nominates you for

Your federal points before nomination

Your points (60) Nomination points (+5)

Total 65: this would reach the 65-point pass mark if a state nominates you.

Subclass 190, +5 points

Permanent from the day it is granted. A state must nominate you first, and Home Affairs invites you only after that.

Subclass 491, +15 points

Temporary: you may stay for 5 years. Condition 8579 means you live, work and study only in a designated regional area. Home Affairs says that, if eligible, holders can apply for permanent residence after 3 years; that path is the subclass 191, which has its own requirements.

Nomination points are 5 for the 190 and 15 for the 491 (Migration Regulations, Schedule 6D). This estimator only adds them to the points you enter. It does not check your points, and a state still has to nominate you.

Policy matrix

Residency, work rules, fees and timing, side by side.

On a phone each state folds into its own card. Terms such as ROI, EOI, VPT and Matrix are explained on hover or focus.

Offshore access

8 of 8 states and territories

StateResidency and time thresholdsEmployment and contract rulesOffshore accessState feesProcessing time

Australian Capital TerritoryOur ACT guide, 28 October 2026Canberra residents: living in Canberra at least 6 months (190) or 3 months (491) at submission; a 30-minute NSW commute counts. Overseas applicants are assessed separately. People living elsewhere in Australia cannot use the occupation-list pathway.Hard minimums apply. Canberra residents who are employees need 30+ hours a week in 26 of the 30 weeks before submission (190) or 15+ hours in 13 of 15 weeks (491). Employment also earns Matrix points.Rounds for overseas applicants, ranked separately.$25 Matrix plus $325 nomination, plus GST.Generally finalised within three weeks.

New South WalesNSW pages dated 15 October 2026 (190) and 4 September 2026 (491)190: work in NSW in your occupation 20+ hours a week, or live in NSW for 6 months, or live offshore for 6 months. 491 pathway 2 (by invitation): 3 months in NSW or offshore. NSW says the 491 is closed this program year.Not stated as a requirement for the 190. The 491 employer pathway needed 6 months with the same regional NSW employer.190: offshore invitation if you have lived offshore for 6 months. 491 closed.Not stated on the pages we read.Typically within six weeks.

Northern TerritoryNT pages dated 13 and 28 October 2026NT Residents: 2 consecutive years’ residence for the 190, 12 months for the 491. NT Graduates: two academic years of NT study.Onshore: full-time (35+ hours a week) with an NT employer trading 12+ months. NT Residents 190: 2 years’ full-time NT employment.Closed: no new offshore applications.$300 plus GST where applicable, non-refundable.Not stated on the pages we read.

QueenslandQueensland pages read 29 October 2026Onshore: living and working in Queensland for 9 months (190) or in regional Queensland for 6 months (491). Building and construction: 3 months.Onshore work must be 20+ hours a week, after your qualification, in an occupation sharing the first 3 ANZSCO digits.Closed, like all Queensland ROIs. The offshore pathway needs 1 year of skilled employment in the occupation.“To be advised”.Often 2 to 4 weeks from a complete application.

South AustraliaOur South Australia guide, 27 October 2026ROIs are open to people living and working in South Australia whose visa is due to expire by 31 January 2027. By stream: Skilled Employment, living there at least the last 12 months; Outer Regional, the past 9 months in outer regional SA; Graduates, at least the last 6 months.Full-time work (30+ hours a week) in a job related to your nominated occupation. Skilled Employment: full-time for the last 12 months; Graduates: full-time for the last 6 months, after completing the course.No ROI. Suitable offshore candidates may be invited directly from a SkillSelect EOI.ROI free. Nomination application $394, non-refundable.2 to 8 weeks on average.

TasmaniaMigration Tasmania page dated 29 October 2026Onshore pathways are for people living in Tasmania. Graduate: 190, two calendar years living in Tasmania and a 92-week course; 491, one calendar year and a 40-week course. Established Resident: 190, at least the last three years; 491, at least the last two.Skilled employment: matching work in Tasmania for at least 9 months, or 6 months for teaching, health and allied health on the priority-occupation option (a 15-month long-term option also exists), averaging 20+ hours a week. Other contract and income rules are on the Tasmania page.190: Health or Education Sector Job Offer pathway only. The 491 overseas pathway is not inviting in 2026–27.ROI free. Nomination $387 ($425.70 including GST).Aims for six weeks from lodgement.

VictoriaOur Victoria guide, 26 October 2026Live in Victoria or overseas. Victoria will not select ROIs from people living in another state or territory, apart from border communities considered case by case.Not a pass/fail rule. Earnings from skilled work in Victoria add Victorian Points Test points (up to 150).Open for the 190: overseas applicants can lodge an ROI and must commit to living in Victoria.ROI $60 (if paid outside Australia; $66 inside). Nomination $180, plus 10% GST if paid in Australia.Nomination applications are assessed in about 20 business days on average, plus any wait for information.

Western AustraliaOur WA guide, 28 October 2026WA-resident priority needs at least 3 months’ continuous WA residence immediately before the invitation. Offshore and interstate applicants are ranked after WA residents.190 General stream: full-time WA contract of at least 6 months (building and construction exempt). 491 and the Graduate stream: no contract.Open in the General stream, ranked after people living in WA.$200, non-refundable.28 working days for ‘decision ready’ applications.

“Not stated” means the pages we read do not say, not that there is no rule. Fees exclude Home Affairs’ visa charges. Thresholds are summaries; each state card links to the government page that sets them.

Editorial note

How to read the 2026–27 allocation numbers.

Home Affairs defines an allocation as the number of new primary applicants a state or territory can nominate in a program year. It does not set the number of visas granted.
Home Affairs’ page, last updated on 21 September 2026, shows only the 2025–26 allocations, which the Government set on 4 November 2025.
For 2026–27, Tasmania publishes 2,050 and Victoria publishes 900 places for the 190. The other states have not published a figure on the pages we read.
No state publishes how many 2026–27 places it has used on the pages we read, so any “places burned” figure would be a guess. Tasmania reports places still available (873 for the 190 and 654 for the 491 on 29 October 2026).
NSW says all 491 places are allocated, the NT says it has received sufficient 2026–27 applications, and Queensland’s notice says its 2025–26 places were filled. Each state card shows the date of its information.

General information from published sources, not personal advice. For commentary from our registered migration agent on your own pathway, book a consultation below.

State cards

State by state, with sources.

Open each card for how invitations work, ranking, cost, allocation and the latest activity. Where a state’s pages are silent we say so rather than fill the gap.

8 of 8 states and territories

Australian Capital Territory

ACT

190 Invitation rounds491 Not in the latest round

Canberra Matrix rounds. The latest, in the week starting 12 October 2026, was for subclass 190 only.

How it works, cost and latest activity

How you are invited: You submit a Canberra Matrix and pay the Matrix fee. The ACT ranks submissions in rounds and invites the highest-ranked to apply for nomination.
How applicants are ranked: Matrix points. Canberra residents and overseas applicants may be ranked separately, and the ACT selects subclass 491 submissions first.
Cost: Matrix submission $25 plus GST. Nomination application $325 plus GST, for the 190 or the 491.
Processing: The ACT says assessment is generally finalised within three weeks (our ACT guide).
2026–27 allocation: The 2026–27 allocation has not been announced.
Latest activity: 12 October 2026 round: 261 subclass 190 invitations across four groups (54, 18, 126 and 63). No subclass 491 Matrix was considered. The next round is tentatively the week starting 25 January 2027.
Worth knowing: The ACT’s round dates are tentative and can change.
Information as at: Our ACT guide, 28 October 2026

Canberra Matrix guide →

New South Wales

NSW

190 Invitation rounds491 Closed: all places allocated

Subclass 190 runs invitation rounds through the year. NSW’s 491 page says it is closed for the current program year because all places are allocated.

How it works, cost and latest activity

How you are invited: You cannot apply directly. You submit a SkillSelect EOI and wait for an invitation. NSW publishes no dates for its rounds.
How applicants are ranked: Age, English, education, points score and years of skilled work, within each ANZSCO unit group on the NSW Skills List. The highest-ranked EOIs in a unit group are invited.
Cost: No nomination fee is stated on the pages we read.
Processing: NSW says an application will typically be assessed within six weeks.
2026–27 allocation: No 2026–27 allocation is published on the pages we read. NSW says it may refuse nominations if its allocation is fully committed.
Latest activity: NSW publishes no round dates or counts. Its 190 page was updated on 15 October 2026 and its 491 page on 4 September 2026.
Worth knowing: An invitation is valid for 14 days only. NSW says it is reviewing the 491 settings for the next program year, and its common-questions page, updated 15 October 2026, still refers to the 2025–26 program year.
Information as at: NSW pages dated 15 October 2026 (190) and 4 September 2026 (491)

NSW guide →

Northern Territory

190 Closed491 Onshore exceptions only

Closed for the 190 and for offshore applicants. New onshore 491 applications are accepted only by exception.

How it works, cost and latest activity

How you are invited: The NT does not issue invitations from SkillSelect EOIs. You lodge an EOI, then apply to MigrationNT through its online portal.
How applicants are ranked: MigrationNT does not prioritise applicants by points score. Its pages point to commitment to the NT.
Cost: $300 plus GST where applicable, for a 190 or 491 nomination application. Non-refundable.
Processing: Not stated on the pages we read.
2026–27 allocation: No 2026–27 allocation is published on the pages we read.
Latest activity: Page updated 13 October 2026: the NT has received sufficient applications for 2026–27. The exception is for onshore NT Graduate or NT Resident applicants whose visa expires, who turn 45, or whose points fall below 65 by 30 September 2027, in the cases the page sets out.
Worth knowing: MigrationNT says it cannot guarantee nominations before visa deadlines. Its eligibility page, updated 28 October 2026, still lists all five streams; we follow the main nomination page (13 October).
Information as at: NT pages dated 13 and 28 October 2026

Northern Territory guide →

Queensland

QLD

190 Closed491 Closed

Registrations of interest are closed. No 2026–27 opening date has been announced.

How it works, cost and latest activity

How you are invited: You submit a SkillSelect EOI and a Queensland ROI. Queensland considers both when it selects candidates, in invitation rounds.
How applicants are ranked: For the onshore pathway: skills and qualifications, work experience, salary and ability to find and keep a job, location of employment, age, English, and partner’s skills and English.
Cost: Its skilled nomination fees are listed as “To be advised”. Its news page says Migration Queensland’s application processing fees rise from 1 January 2026, with no amounts.
Processing: Queensland says assessments often take 2 to 4 weeks from a complete application and payment.
2026–27 allocation: Queensland says it is awaiting advice from the Australian Government on nomination allocations.
Latest activity: Its news page was last published on 19 November 2025, and its occupation lists are still headed 2025–26.
Worth knowing: Its pathway and occupation pages still reflect 2025–26 settings and may change when the program reopens.
Information as at: Queensland pages read 29 October 2026

Queensland guide →

South Australia

190 Limited: SA residents with visas expiring by 31 Jan 2027491 Limited: SA residents with visas expiring by 31 Jan 2027

On 22 October 2026 South Australia said it is open for ROIs from people living and working there whose visa expires by 31 January 2027.

How it works, cost and latest activity

How you are invited: Onshore candidates lodge a Registration of Interest (ROI). Offshore candidates do not lodge an ROI: suitable candidates may be invited directly from a SkillSelect EOI.
How applicants are ranked: ROIs are assessed against the stream rules, including skills, qualifications and salary. Priority sectors get focus, not certainty.
Cost: ROIs are free. The nomination application costs $394 and is not refundable.
Processing: South Australia says nominations currently take 2 to 8 weeks on average.
2026–27 allocation: No allocation figure is stated in the sources we read.
Latest activity: 22 October 2026: South Australia published its 2026–27 General Skilled Migration update.
Worth knowing: A Not Invited ROI blocks a new ROI for 3 months.
Information as at: Our South Australia guide, 27 October 2026

South Australia guide →

Tasmania

TAS

190 Open491 Open

Open. Weekly invitations began on 20 August 2026; the latest round reported is 29 October 2026.

How it works, cost and latest activity

How you are invited: You create a SkillSelect EOI, then register an interest (ROI, free) on the Migration Tasmania Gateway. Migration Tasmania invites the most competitive candidates to apply for nomination.
How applicants are ranked: The highest total attribute score, using Tasmania’s own scoring rather than the Home Affairs points test. Each ROI gets a pass colour: Gold, Green or Orange, or Red, which means you do not meet the minimum requirements and cannot apply.
Cost: ROI is free. Nomination service fee $387 ($425.70 including GST).
Processing: Migration Tasmania aims to process applications within six weeks of lodgement.
2026–27 allocation: 2,050 for 2026–27: 1,250 for subclass 190 and 800 for subclass 491, as published by Migration Tasmania.
Latest activity: On 29 October 2026 it reported 64 invitations for the 190 (15 Gold, 49 Green) with a lowest score of 316, and 26 for the 491 (1 Gold, 25 further) with a lowest score of 75.
Worth knowing: Its Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles pathway for the 491 is not issuing invitations in 2026–27. The lowest scores above use Tasmania’s own attribute scoring.
Information as at: Migration Tasmania page dated 29 October 2026

Tasmania guide →

Victoria

VIC

190 Open to Victorian and overseas applicants491 Not open yet

Subclass 190 ROIs opened on 26 October 2026 with 900 places. Victoria will not select ROIs from people living in another state or territory, apart from border communities considered case by case. Subclass 491 is not open yet.

How it works, cost and latest activity

How you are invited: You lodge a Registration of Interest (ROI). Victoria ranks ROIs by its published Victorian Points Test.
How applicants are ranked: The Victorian Points Test has seven factors and no pass mark. 101 priority occupations in healthcare, social assistance, education and construction get a second route to an invitation.
Cost: ROI $60 if you pay from outside Australia ($66 inside). Nomination application $180 if you are invited, plus 10% GST if you pay in Australia.
Processing: Victoria says nomination applications are assessed in about 20 business days on average, plus any wait for information.
2026–27 allocation: 900 subclass 190 nomination places. Subclass 491 places are not finalised.
Latest activity: 26 October 2026: the 2026–27 subclass 190 program opened.
Worth knowing: An ROI lodged in an earlier year does not carry over into 2026–27.
Information as at: Our Victoria guide, 26 October 2026

Victoria guide →

Western Australia

190 Invitation rounds491 Invitation rounds

Invitation rounds, anticipated each month. People living in WA are ranked first.

How it works, cost and latest activity

How you are invited: You lodge a SkillSelect EOI. WA ranks the EOIs it has received and invites selected applicants to apply for nomination.
How applicants are ranked: Where you live (WA first), then occupation sector, then points, then submission date.
Cost: $200 non-refundable nomination application fee.
Processing: WA’s current time for ‘decision ready’ applications is 28 working days.
2026–27 allocation: No 2026–27 allocation is published on the page we read.
Latest activity: WA reports 2,327 invitations in 2026–27 so far (1,100 in September and 1,227 in October), including a round on 14 October 2026.
Worth knowing: WA lists a defence industry stream, but its requirements are not published.
Information as at: Our WA guide, 28 October 2026

Migration WA: State Nominated Migration Program

Western Australia guide →

Open Invitation rounds Open to some groups or by exception Closed Not open or not confirmed. “Open or running rounds” counts open, invitation rounds and open to some groups. Round dates are not promised.

Compare

Two states, side by side.

First stateSecond state

Topic	Tasmania	Western Australia
Subclass 190	Open	Invitation rounds
Subclass 491	Open	Invitation rounds
How you are invited	You create a SkillSelect EOI, then register an interest (ROI, free) on the Migration Tasmania Gateway. Migration Tasmania invites the most competitive candidates to apply for nomination.	You lodge a SkillSelect EOI. WA ranks the EOIs it has received and invites selected applicants to apply for nomination.
How applicants are ranked	The highest total attribute score, using Tasmania’s own scoring rather than the Home Affairs points test. Each ROI gets a pass colour: Gold, Green or Orange, or Red, which means you do not meet the minimum requirements and cannot apply.	Where you live (WA first), then occupation sector, then points, then submission date.
Cost	ROI is free. Nomination service fee $387 ($425.70 including GST).	$200 non-refundable nomination application fee.
Processing	Migration Tasmania aims to process applications within six weeks of lodgement.	WA’s current time for ‘decision ready’ applications is 28 working days.
2026–27 allocation	2,050 for 2026–27: 1,250 for subclass 190 and 800 for subclass 491, as published by Migration Tasmania.	No 2026–27 allocation is published on the page we read.
Latest activity	On 29 October 2026 it reported 64 invitations for the 190 (15 Gold, 49 Green) with a lowest score of 316, and 26 for the 491 (1 Gold, 25 further) with a lowest score of 75.	WA reports 2,327 invitations in 2026–27 so far (1,100 in September and 1,227 in October), including a round on 14 October 2026.
Worth knowing	Its Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles pathway for the 491 is not issuing invitations in 2026–27. The lowest scores above use Tasmania’s own attribute scoring.	WA lists a defence industry stream, but its requirements are not published.

Scores, fees and rules differ by state and are not comparable one-for-one. Each cell is as at the date shown on that state’s card.

October 2026

What moved this month.

Dates are those shown on each government’s page or announcement.

Week of 12 OctACTCanberra Matrix round: 261 subclass 190 invitations.
13 OctNTNT main nomination page updated: sufficient 2026–27 applications received; 190 and offshore closed.
14 OctWAWA invitation round reported. WA’s October total is 1,227 invitations.
15 OctNSWNSW’s 190 page, skills lists and common-questions page show a 15 October modified date. We cannot see what changed.
22 OctSASouth Australia announces it is open for ROIs from people living and working there whose visa expires by 31 January 2027.
26 OctVICVictoria opens subclass 190 ROIs with 900 places.
29 OctTASMigration Tasmania reports 64 invitations for the 190 and 26 for the 491.

The official numbers

Allocations and nominations, from Home Affairs.

The only national figures are Home Affairs’. They are for 2025–26 and for the first two months of 2026–27. No 2026–27 allocations are shown there yet.

ACT1,600

NSW3,600

NT1,650

QLD2,600

SA2,250

TAS1,850

VIC3,400

WA3,400

Subclass 190 Subclass 491

Allocation set for 2025–26
State	190	491	Total
ACT	800	800	1,600
NSW	2,100	1,500	3,600
NT	850	800	1,650
QLD	1,850	750	2,600
SA	1,350	900	2,250
TAS	1,200	650	1,850
VIC	2,700	700	3,400
WA	2,000	1,400	3,400
All	12,850	7,500	20,350

Nominated, 1 July to 31 August 2026
State	190	491
ACT	< 5	< 5
NSW	11	0
NT	91	25
QLD	6	< 5
SA	0	0
TAS	206	55
VIC	0	0
WA	17	120

Source: Home Affairs. On 4 November 2025 the Government set 2025–26 allocations at 20,350. 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. The page, last updated on 21 September 2026, shows no 2026–27 figures, and the nominations columns are Home Affairs’ own count of nominations from 1 July to 31 August 2026 (“< 5” is Home Affairs’ label for a small number).

How it works

From EOI to visa in four steps.

Submit an EOI

You lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect. Home Affairs says state and territory agencies can see your completed EOI and might nominate you.

Meet the state’s own criteria

Each state and territory has its own criteria and process. Some use a registration of interest, some an invitation, some a separate application.

Be nominated, then invited

Home Affairs says it will invite you to apply for the 190 only if you are nominated. A nomination adds 5 points for the 190 and 15 for the 491. The 491 can also be sponsored by an eligible relative.

Apply within 60 days

Once invited you have 60 calendar days to apply for the visa. For the 190, Home Affairs says your application becomes invalid if the state withdraws your nomination; for the 491, the nomination must not be withdrawn or the visa will not be granted.

Subclass 190

Skilled Nominated. A permanent visa. Home Affairs says you become a permanent resident on the day it is granted.

Subclass 491

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional). A temporary visa that lets you stay for 5 years. Home Affairs says that, if eligible, holders can apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time the visa is granted.

What this page does not claim.

It does not say how likely you are to be nominated. No government publishes that, and we will not guess.
It does not predict when a closed state will reopen, how many places it will have, or what the next round’s scores will be.
A score or number from one round is a fact about that round. It is not a pass mark, and one state’s score is not another’s.
An invitation or nomination is not a visa. Home Affairs makes the visa decision against its own requirements.

Questions

Frequently asked.

What is state or territory nomination?

A state or territory government nominates a skilled worker for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) or the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). Home Affairs says it will invite you to apply for the 190 only if you are nominated, and that each state and territory has its own criteria for deciding who to nominate. The 491 can also be sponsored by an eligible relative.

Which states and territories are taking nominations now?

Tasmania is open for both visas. Victoria is open for the 190 (not the 491 yet). WA runs invitation rounds for both visas; the ACT’s latest round was for the 190 only; NSW runs 190 rounds and its 491 is closed. South Australia is open to some groups. The NT accepts only limited onshore 491 applications, and Queensland is closed. Each card shows its own date; the ACT, WA, SA and Victoria cards come from our dated guides.

What is the difference between the 190 and the 491?

The 190 is a permanent visa. The 491 is a temporary visa that lets you stay for 5 years; Home Affairs says that, if eligible, holders can apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time the visa is granted, and other requirements apply. Nomination adds 5 points for the 190 and 15 for the 491.

Do states use the same points as Home Affairs?

No. Home Affairs’ points test sets the 65-point pass mark, but each state ranks applicants its own way: the ACT uses the Canberra Matrix, Victoria uses the Victorian Points Test, Tasmania uses its own attribute score, and the NT says it does not prioritise by points score. A state’s score is not a Home Affairs points score.

How much does nomination cost?

It varies. From the pages we read: ACT $325 plus GST (and $25 plus GST for the Matrix); NT $300 plus GST; SA $394; Tasmania $387 ($425.70 including GST); Victoria $180 plus GST if invited (and an ROI of $60 if paid from outside Australia, $66 inside); WA $200. NSW states no fee on the pages we read, and Queensland lists its fees as “to be advised”. Home Affairs’ visa charges are separate.

How many nomination places does each state have for 2026–27?

Home Affairs’ allocation page, last updated on 21 September 2026, shows only the 2025–26 figures (20,350 in total). Among the states we reviewed, Tasmania states 2,050 for 2026–27 (1,250 for the 190 and 800 for the 491) and Victoria states 900 subclass 190 places. The others have not published a figure on the pages we read.

Can I apply to a state directly?

Mostly not. NSW says you cannot apply directly: you submit an EOI and wait for an invitation. The NT does not issue invitations from EOIs, so you apply to MigrationNT. Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland use registrations of interest, the ACT uses the Canberra Matrix, and WA invites from EOIs. Always follow the state’s own process.

What happens after I am nominated?

Home Affairs invites you to apply for the visa, and you have 60 calendar days to lodge it. For the 190, Home Affairs says that if the state withdraws your nomination after you apply, your application becomes invalid; for the 491, your nomination must not be withdrawn or the visa will not be granted. Nomination does not guarantee a visa: Home Affairs assesses the application against its own requirements.

Does a state’s last score or cut-off predict the next round?

No. Some states publish scores or last-invited points for a round, for example the ACT, WA and Tasmania. Each applies to that round only, and each state scores in its own way. A past score is not a pass mark and not a forecast.

When will closed programs reopen?

Queensland has announced no date and says it is awaiting advice on allocations. NSW says it is reviewing the 491 settings for the next program year. The ACT’s tentative next round is the week starting 25 January 2027. We cannot confirm any other dates.

Stay updated

Hear when a state changes.

States open, close and announce rounds without notice. Leave your details and we aim to email you when we update this page. We email these updates by hand, so they are not instant.

Want your pathway reviewed?

A 30-minute consultation by phone, Zoom or in person can go through your points, occupation and which state’s rules fit.

Book a consultation Check your points

Sources

Where every figure comes from.

Each state card lists its own government sources. National figures come from Home Affairs and the Migration Regulations.

This is general information, not personal migration advice. States change their programs without notice; every figure is as at the date shown. 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 any government.