Last updated: 30 March 2026

State Nomination Comparison: All 8 States Side by Side

Choosing which state to target for nomination requires comparing several variables at once — occupation list coverage, whether the state accepts offshore applicants, minimum points requirements, processing timeframes, and whether both the 190 and 491 pathways are available. This page puts all eight Australian states and territories in one place so you can make a direct, informed comparison.

For a deeper explanation of which states are generally more accessible and why, see which state is easiest to get nomination from.

State Nomination at a Glance

The subclass 190 state nominated visa and subclass 491 regional visa both require state or territory nomination. The programs are funded and managed by each state government, which means requirements, occupation lists, and allocations vary considerably.

The table below reflects program characteristics as of early 2026. Always verify current status directly on each state’s official migration website before applying, as conditions change each financial year.

Full Comparison Table

Note: occupation list sizes and minimum points are indicative of program conditions observed across recent program years. Exact figures vary by stream, occupation, and current allocation status. Check each state’s official website for current program details.

Actual Nomination Numbers: 2025–26 Program Year (Jul 2025 – Feb 2026)

The following figures are confirmed nomination counts from the Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect statistics for the first eight months of the 2025–26 program year.

Subclass 190 — State Nominations Issued

Subclass 491 — State/Territory Nominations Issued

Victoria leads 190 nominations in absolute terms, while NSW and WA lead 491 regional nominations. For applicants targeting the 491 pathway, NSW and WA have collectively issued more regional nominations than the next three states combined. Note that the ACT does not operate a 491 program — the 440 ACT-linked 491 nominations shown here are family-sponsored nominations processed through the Department, not state-nominated.

South Australia: Broad and Accessible

South Australia’s skilled migration program is notable for accepting offshore applicants across multiple streams. SA’s occupation list covers healthcare, engineering, IT, trades, education, and business services — making it one of the most inclusive by occupation count.

SA offers both the 190 and 491 pathways. The state maintains an active direct application portal. Minimum points requirements have at times been set at 65, meaning applicants who are competitive at the base federal minimum can still obtain nomination.

SA is worth a direct application for most eligible applicants, particularly those who are offshore or who have been unsuccessful with more restrictive states.

Tasmania: Accessible Regional, Strong Specific Sectors

Tasmania’s strength is in the 491 regional pathway. The state actively recruits healthcare workers, trades professionals, and education staff. Its direct application portal accepts offshore applicants in priority occupations.

The 190 pathway is more limited and tends to prioritise applicants with a strong connection to Tasmania — employment, study, or family ties in the state.

Processing through the Tasmanian Skilled Migration portal is typically efficient, with decisions often issued within 4–10 weeks of a complete application.

Northern Territory: Lowest Score Thresholds, Remote Commitment

The NT is consistently among the states offering the lowest score thresholds. For applicants sitting around 65–70 points who have not been able to secure nomination elsewhere, the NT is a practical option, provided the occupation is on the NT list and the applicant is genuinely prepared for life in Darwin or NT regional areas.

The NT also operates a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) covering a broader range of occupations for temporary visa holders who may eventually transition to permanent residence.

Western Australia: Resources and Trades Focus

WA’s program is oriented toward the needs of its resources, construction, and healthcare sectors. The WA occupation list is moderately sized but highly targeted. Offshore access is selective — available for occupations in acute shortage, but not open broadly.

WA has both the 190 (focused on the Perth metro area and WA generally) and the 491 (focused on regional WA outside Perth). The WA DAMA covers regional WA and additional occupations not on the standard skilled lists.

Queensland: Metro and Regional Options

Queensland operates multiple streams — a general skilled migration stream for the broader state, and regional streams targeting areas outside South East Queensland. Healthcare, construction, trades, and agriculture are well-represented on the QLD list.

QLD has run offshore-accessible streams in some program years, particularly for healthcare and construction occupations in acute shortage in regional Queensland. Processing times are moderate, typically 8–14 weeks.

Victoria: High Competition, Multiple Structured Streams

Victoria has the second-largest economy of any Australian state and a correspondingly complex migration program with multiple application streams. These include streams for skilled workers, business owners, graduates, and people with international research backgrounds.

The competition for Victorian nomination is high. Most streams require you to be living and working in Victoria. For applicants already based in Melbourne, Victoria is worth pursuing — but it is not accessible to offshore candidates without a genuine employment connection.

New South Wales: Largest Allocations, Highest Bar

NSW nominates the largest number of migrants in absolute terms, but it also sets the highest requirements. Competitive points in NSW are typically 90 or above for the 190 pathway in the major occupation categories.

NSW does have a regional 491 pathway with more accessible requirements for areas outside the Sydney metropolitan area, including the Hunter Valley, Illawarra, and New England regions. For applicants willing to commit to regional NSW, the bar is lower.

ACT: Specialist Focused, No 491 Pathway

The ACT runs the ACT Critical Skills List — a concise list of occupations directly relevant to Canberra’s economy, dominated by IT, engineering, and professional services. The ACT does not operate a 491 program, so it is purely a 190 pathway.

ACT nomination generally requires either current employment in Canberra or a genuine, documented commitment to relocate with a job offer. It is one of the most specific programs in the country in terms of occupation targeting.

How to Use This Comparison

This table and summary are a starting point, not a final answer. Programs change annually and mid-year amendments are common. Before you commit to a state strategy:

1. Confirm your occupation appears on the state’s current occupation list
2. Verify the state’s minimum points requirements for the current program year
3. Check whether the state’s portal is accepting applications or has closed for the year
4. Read the specific stream requirements — some streams within a state program have requirements very different from others

States with offshore access are generally more useful as primary targets if you are applying from abroad. States with onshore requirements can become relevant once you are living in Australia and building a local employment record.

For applicants unsure where to start, South Australia and Tasmania are generally the most practical first applications for offshore candidates with scores in the 65–80 range. For higher-scoring candidates already in Australia, Victoria and NSW become more viable options where their larger allocations can work in your favour.