Australia’s state nomination for the 2025–26 program year continues to evolve as states and territories receive their formal allocations and begin (or plan) invitation rounds. These updates are critical for skilled migrants applying under the Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional – Provisional) visas.

 

Which States Are Active vs. Paused

 

Active Participation

  • New South Wales (NSW)has received its full allocation and commenced invitation rounds for Subclass 190, having already used a portion of its quota and continuing monthly rounds into 2026. NSW has also scheduled openings for key pathways under Subclass 491 early in the year.
  • South Australia (SA)has become one of the first states to issue invitations in the 2025–26 cycle, issuing 344 invitations across Subclass 190 and 491 early in January 2026.
  • Northern Territory (NT)has confirmed receipt of its full allocation and opened its nomination portal for both onshore and offshore applicants as of late November 2025.
  • Queenslandhas seen a significant surge in its allocation compared with the previous year and has reopened its Skilled Migration Program with substantially increased places.
  • Tasmaniahas also received a full allocation and commenced regular weekly invitation rounds for its nomination places.

 

Paused or Transitional

  • Victoria (VIC)initially launched its program with interim allocations; while full nominations are expected, states have been releasing details progressively.
  • Western Australia (WA)has used its interim allocations, including holding invitation rounds late in 2025, but final nomination rounds are contingent on confirmed allocations.
  • ACTand some smaller jurisdictions have yet to finalise and publish detailed nomination schedules but have received allocations.

 

What Has Changed in 2025–26: Occupation Ceilings & Work Experience Rules

 

State Allocation Shifts

The total number of state and territory nomination allocations for 2025–26 is 20,350 places across Subclasses 190 and 491, as confirmed by the Department of Home Affairs.

Breakdowns show that while many states experienced reduced allocations compared to prior years (including major jurisdictions like NSW, VIC, SA, WA and TAS), Queensland and the Northern Territory saw increases, particularly Queensland which more than doubled its total places year-on-year.

These allocation changes, particularly tightened ceilings in larger states and expanded places in Queensland, are among the most significant subclass 190 changes for applicants planning to lodge or revise Expressions / Registrations of Interest.

 

Work Experience Criteria

States vary in how they factor work experience into their nomination criteria. For example, Queensland’s onshore streams require continuous work in the nominated occupation at specified durations (e.g., six months for regional 491; nine months for 190) coupled with competent English and a positive skills assessment.

Other jurisdictions may specify equivalent occupational experience or residency requirements as part of their priority or regional streams. Applicants should review individual state lists and requirements closely as these often differ from federal thresholds.

 

Policy Updates vs. Internal State Preferences

It’s important to distinguish between:

  • Federal policy changes, such as overall migration planning levels (including the 185,000 skilled component cap) and total nomination allocations; and
  • Internal state criteria or preferences, such as occupation priority lists, minimum work experience, residency requirements, and targeted invitation streams.

For example, NSW’s continued rotation of invitation rounds and specific pathway openings are internal program decisions once federal allocations are received; these do not change federal visa eligibility criteria but affect who the state will nominate.

Likewise, a state’s priority sectors (e.g., healthcare, trades, education) are internal strategic preferences and may shift from year to year even though the federal visa framework stays constant.

 

Addressing Misinformation Around Reopening Timelines

Misinformation has circulated about states “reopening early” or accepting applications ahead of final allocations. In reality, many states issued interim allocations late in 2025 and only commenced full invitation schedules once final quotas were confirmed.

Timing can vary by jurisdiction and may be impacted by federal budget and migration planning announcements. Applicants should be cautious of outdated or unofficial commentary claiming that programmes are “open” before governments release formal invitation schedules.

 

How to Monitor State Releases

To stay current with state nomination updates 2025–26:

  1. Check official state migration pages — most jurisdictions maintain live information on nomination rounds, occupation lists, and invitations.
  2. Review Department of Home Affairs allocations— a centralised breakdown confirms formal quota numbers.
  3. Subscribe to immigration lawyers’ updates or legal newsletters that cite primary sources, invitation round results, and occupation list changes.
  4. Track invitation results on official state portals as they publish allocations and cut-offs, which inform competitive thresholds.