State Nomination Guide for Australian PR (190 & 491 Visas)
What is State Nomination?
State nomination happens when an Australian State or Territory government (for example, New South Wales, Victoria, or Western Australia) reviews your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and invites you to apply for a visa.
Each state nominates applicants based on their local economic and labour market needs. This means an occupation that's highly sought after in Western Australia (like mining engineering) might not be on the priority list in Victoria. Because state governments use federal allocations, their programs open and close based on how many spots they receive from the Department of Home Affairs each financial year.
Find out how state nomination boosts your total score using our PR Points Calculator.
2025–26 State Nomination Allocations
For the 2025–26 program year, the Australian Government allocated a total of 20,350 places across all states and territories. By August 2026, most states had exhausted their quotas for the year. The total permanent Migration Program planning level for 2026–27 is set to remain steady at 185,000 places.
| State / Territory | Subclass 190 Places | Subclass 491 Places |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales (NSW) | 2,100 | 1,500 |
| Victoria (VIC) | 2,700 | 700 |
| Western Australia (WA) | 2,000 | 1,400 |
| Queensland (QLD) | 1,850 | 750 |
| South Australia (SA) | 1,350 | 900 |
| Tasmania (TAS) | 1,200 | 650 |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | 800 | 800 |
| Northern Territory (NT) | 850 | 800 |
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Checked on August 2026).
Subclass 190 vs 491
Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated)
- Awards an extra 5 points (per Schedule 6D of the Migration Regulations).
- Grants Permanent Residency upon visa approval.
- Requires a signed commitment to live in the nominating state for 2 years.
- Generally more competitive, often demanding higher points, superior English, or local employment.
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional)
- Awards an extra 15 points (per Schedule 6D).
- It is a provisional visa (valid for 5 years) that offers a pathway to PR (Subclass 191).
- Includes a strict visa condition to live, work, and study in a designated regional area.
- Often has lower point thresholds, making it more accessible for some occupations.
General State Requirements
While every state and territory runs its own program with unique rules, they tend to prioritise applicants who bring the most value to their local economy. Typically, you'll have a stronger chance if you:
- Are currently living and working in the nominating state, particularly in your nominated occupation.
- Have studied at a university in the state (often referred to as Alumni or Graduate pathways).
- Have a very high points score and superior English (especially for offshore applicants).
- Work in high-priority sectors like Healthcare, Education, Infrastructure, and Technology.
New South Wales (NSW)
The NSW Skilled Migration Program for 2025–26 is currently closed, as allocations have been exhausted. Criteria are expected to be updated for the 2026–27 program year.
Historically, NSW runs a highly competitive, invitation-only program. They tend to focus on applicants working in priority sectors like Health, Education, ICT, and Infrastructure. For the 491 visa, NSW uses Regional Development Australia (RDA) offices, which occasionally manage their own specific lists and regional requirements.
Victoria (VIC)
Victoria operates an ROI (Registration of Interest) system. This means submitting an EOI in SkillSelect isn't enough; you must also submit an ROI on the official Live in Melbourne portal. Victoria generally prioritises candidates already living and working in the state within target sectors (such as Health, Tech, and Advanced Manufacturing). Earning capacity is also a ranking factor.
Western Australia (WA)
With an allocation of 3,400 total places for the 2025–26 year, Western Australia ran one of the larger state programs. WA actively targets construction, mining, and healthcare professionals. The state is particularly welcoming to its own international graduates (WA university alumni) and often requires a formal contract of employment for many occupations under its General Stream.
South Australia (SA)
South Australia is known for being supportive of international graduates of SA institutions and temporary visa holders already working in the state, particularly in outer regional areas. SA usually publishes highly granular requirements for almost every occupation, specifying exactly how many months of local work experience you need before you can apply.