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Australia’s skilled migration landscape is slowly taking shape for the 2025–26 program year, as states and territories begin reopening their nomination programs following interim allocations from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
Each year, the federal government allocates quotas for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visas. These allocations allow states and territories to nominate skilled migrants to help address labour shortages and strengthen regional economies.
While the final allocation numbers are still being finalised, here’s a breakdown of where each state currently stands:
Victoria
Victoria has received an interim allocation of 200 places for Subclass 190 and 180 for Subclass 491. The state has officially opened its migration program for both onshore and offshore applicants.
New South Wales
NSW has been granted 200 Subclass 190 and 180 Subclass 491 places and has announced that it will begin invitation rounds for Subclass 190 while awaiting final allocations.
Priority sectors include:
- Construction (infrastructure and housing)
- Net Zero and Energy Transition
- Care and Support Economy
- Digital and Cyber
- Agriculture and Agrifood
- Advanced Manufacturing
Western Australia
WA will use its interim allocation to finalise pending applications from 2024–25. The 2025–26 program remains closed until the formal allocation is confirmed.
South Australia
Despite a small interim allocation, South Australia has not yet opened new Registrations of Interest (ROIs). The focus is on inviting strong candidates from existing 2024–25 ROIs aligned with state workforce needs.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
The ACT received 165 total places — 85 for Subclass 190 and 80 for Subclass 491, under the interim arrangement.
Queensland
Queensland remains closed for now but has invited potential applicants to submit ROIs in preparation for program reopening once final allocations are confirmed.
Tasmania
Tasmania has taken the lead, opening its Skilled Migration Program on 6 October 2025. Currently, only candidates with a Gold Pass ROI are being invited to apply for nomination.
Northern Territory
The NT will continue to accept limited Subclass 491 nominations for onshore applicants who meet NT Graduate or NT Resident criteria, particularly for those with visas expiring before 31 December 2025.
What’s Behind the Delay?
According to immigration expert Abul Rizvi, the delay in final allocations stems from the late federal migration program announcement, which typically coincides with the national budget.
This year’s announcement came in September, delaying the negotiation of state-level quotas.
A DHA spokesperson confirmed that the department is “working with all jurisdictions to finalise allocations” but has provided interim nomination numbers to help states open their programs early.
Some states are holding back due to uncertainty over whether their 2025–26 allocations will be lower than the previous year.
Key Takeaway
While several states have begun reopening their skilled migration programs under interim allocations, others are waiting for confirmation of their full quotas before proceeding.
Prospective migrants are encouraged to:
- Monitor official state nomination websites for updates
- Prepare required documentation early
- Consider lodging an ROI if eligible
With the federal program maintaining a planning level of 185,000 permanent places for 2025–26, opportunities for skilled professionals are expected to remain strong, especially in regional and priority sectors.
