Summary

• A total of 20,350 skilled visa nomination places have been allocated to Australia’s states and territories for 2025–26.
• Queensland and the Northern Territory have received higher subclass 190 allocations than last year, while most other states and territories have seen reductions, especially Victoria’s subclass 491 allocation.
• If you are considering a state-nominated subclass 190 or subclass 491 visa, Regional Migration Australia can help you choose the right state, check eligibility, and prepare your EOI and state nomination application.

On the 29th of November 2025, the Department of Home Affairs confirmed the final state and territory nomination allocations for the 2025–26 General Skilled Migration program year.

These allocations determine how many skilled migrants each state and territory can nominate for:

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) – permanent visa.
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – provisional regional visa with a pathway to permanent residency.

2025–26 State and Territory Allocations

State/ Territory	Subclass 190	Subclass 491
ACT	800	800
New South Wales	2,100	1,500
Northern Territory	850	800
Queensland	1,850	750
South Australia	1,350	900
Tasmania	1,200	650
Victoria	2,700	700
Western Australia	2,000	1,400
Total	12,850	7,500

What has changed compare to last year’s allocation?

For the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa:

• Most states and territories have received reduced allocations compared to last program year.
• Queensland is a key exception, with an increase of 1,250 places for its subclass 190 visa program.
• The Northern Territory has also seen a modest increase of 50 places.

This means competition for the subclass 190 visa nominations may be tighter in many states, but there may be stronger opportunities in Queensland and Northen Territory, particularly for in-demand occupations.

For the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491):

• Overall, many states have lower subclass 491 visa allocations than last year.
• The most notable change is in Victoria, which has received 1,300 fewer subclass 491 visa places for this program year.

This shift may encourage some applicants to consider alternative regional states or to be more strategic about:

• Which state they target.
• How they meet that state’s priority criteria (occupation, work history, study, regional location, etc.)

How will state invitations be managed?

Each state and territory:

• Is responsible for running its own nomination program, including when and how invitations are issued.
• Sets and publishes its own nomination criteria, which can change during the year.
• Will generally run invitation rounds throughout the program year, selecting candidates from SkillSelect who best meet their current priorities.

Common requirements usually include:

1. Meeting the Department of Home Affairs criteria for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
2. Submitting a SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI).
3. Meeting the state or territory’s nomination criteria (for example, occupation on their list, points score, work or study in that state, regional location, or job offer).

Some states also use points-based ranking systems or priority categories (such as health, teaching, trades, or regional employment).

What does this mean for you?

If you are considering applying for a Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) or the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) in 2025–26, now is the time to:

• Review state and territory requirements for your occupation.
• Decide which state or regional area best matches your skills, work experience, and lifestyle goals.
• Make sure your EOI is accurate and competitive (English score, skills assessment, work history, and points).

Because allocations are limited and vary by state, a well-planned strategy can make a big difference to your chances of receiving a nomination.

How can Regional Migration Australia help you?

At Regional Migration Australia, we work with skilled migrants who want to live and work in Australia, including Victoria and other states.

We can assist you with:

• Checking your eligibility for subclass 190 and 491 visas
• Reviewing which state or territory may best suit your profile
• Preparing and submitting your SkillSelect EOI
• Guiding you through state nomination requirements and documentation
• Supporting you from nomination through to visa decision

If you would like personalised advice on your skilled migration options for the 2025–26 program year, our registered migration agents are here to help. Contact our team below!

Disclaimer – Content in these articles does not constitute immigration or legal advice, it is not intended as a substitute for such advice and must not be relied upon as such. This material is intended to offer general guidelines for informational purposes only. The information provided is accurate as of the time of publication. Please consult with our Australian MARN registered agents via our content forms on our website or call on 1800 567 663 to make an appointment.

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