Last updated: 30 March 2026

Which State Is Easiest to Get Nomination From?

State nomination adds 5 points to your score for a subclass 190 state nominated visa and 15 points for a subclass 491 regional visa. For many applicants, that points boost is the difference between receiving an invitation and waiting indefinitely in SkillSelect. But not every state nominates at the same rate or with the same requirements — some are considerably more active than others.

This page compares all eight Australian states and territories on the factors that matter most when you are trying to position your application for success.

What Makes a State Easier or More Difficult to Get Nomination From?

“Accessibility” in state nomination comes down to several measurable factors:

Occupation list breadth — states with longer occupation lists cover more applicants. A state might nominate generously but only for 40 occupations, leaving most applicants excluded.

Minimum points requirements — some states set a minimum threshold higher than the federal minimum. Others accept candidates at lower scores during certain program periods.

Offshore vs onshore access — some states actively recruit offshore applicants. Others restrict certain streams to people already living and working in Australia or the state.

Direct application vs SkillSelect draw — some states run portal-based direct applications where you apply proactively. Others draw invitations directly from SkillSelect EOIs, meaning you need a competitive score plus matching occupation.

Allocation size and program spending — states have finite nomination allocations each program year. When allocations are exhausted, even eligible applicants must wait until the next program year.

Residency and employment requirements — several states require you to have lived or worked in the state before they will nominate you, which significantly narrows the pool for offshore applicants.

South Australia: Broad Occupation Coverage and Active Offshore Recruitment

South Australia consistently ranks among the most accessible states for applicants who are offshore or who hold occupations that face strong competition in larger states. SA’s skilled occupation list is typically one of the longest in the country, covering healthcare, engineering, trades, IT, education, and professional services roles.

SA has run offshore application streams that allow candidates who have never set foot in Australia to apply directly for nomination. This is unusual — most states prioritise people already living in Australia or, more specifically, already living in their state.

For South Australia state nomination, the minimum points requirements have at times been lower than in NSW or Victoria during the same program year. SA also nominates for both the 190 and 491 pathways, giving applicants flexibility depending on whether they prefer Adelaide or a regional area.

The practical implication: if your occupation appears on SA’s list and your score is competitive, SA is often worth a direct application even if you are not currently based there.

Tasmania: Small Allocations but Strong Accessibility for Regional Pathways

Tasmania offers some of the most accessible 491 regional nomination in the country. The state has historically prioritised skills in healthcare, construction, trades, and education — sectors critical to a smaller, ageing population with workforce gaps.

Tasmania’s 491 pathway is particularly attractive because the state maintains active international recruitment through the Tasmanian Skilled Migration portal. Offshore applicants with occupations in priority areas can access nomination without needing to be based in Australia first.

One constraint: Tasmania’s annual allocation is small relative to the larger states. Demand often outpaces supply, especially later in the program year. Applying early — typically within the first quarter of the Australian financial year — improves your chances.

Tasmania’s 190 nominations are more limited and tend to require stronger evidence of connection to Tasmania or an offer of employment in the state.

ACT: Strong for High Points, Specific Occupations

The Australian Capital Territory runs the ACT Critical Skills List, which is a targeted and relatively short occupation list. The ACT is most accessible for applicants with high points scores — typically 85 or above — and occupations directly aligned with Canberra’s primary industries: public sector IT, engineering, healthcare, and professional services.

ACT nomination requires either current residency and employment in the ACT, or a genuine commitment to relocate with a job offer. It is not typically accessible for offshore applicants without an employment connection.

For applicants with strong scores and relevant occupations, ACT 190 can offer a reliable pathway. For those with lower points or occupations not on the ACT list, it is not a practical primary option.

Victoria: Competitive, Restricted, and Occupation-Specific

Victoria offers substantial allocations and a structured program with multiple streams, but it is one of the more competitive and requirement-heavy states. Victorian nomination typically requires:

• Residence in Victoria for at least three months in some streams
• Employment in Victoria or a current job offer
• Scores at or above what is competitive in federal SkillSelect rounds

The Victorian Skilled Migration program tends to favour applicants already embedded in the Victorian economy. Offshore applicants face significant restrictions across most streams. The program is popular, which means allocations are often exhausted within the first half of the program year.

For applicants already based in Melbourne or regional Victoria with relevant occupations, Victorian nomination is worth pursuing. For offshore applicants, it is rarely the path of least resistance.

New South Wales: High Competition, Strong Points Requirements

NSW nominates the largest number of applicants in absolute terms, but it is also the most competitive. The state attracts strong demand because of Sydney’s economic size, and the requirements reflect that.

NSW typically requires:

• High SkillSelect scores (often 90+ for competitive rounds)
• Employment or study in NSW, or a job offer in NSW
• Occupations aligned with NSW economic priorities

There are NSW regional streams through the 491 pathway that are somewhat more accessible, particularly for occupations based outside Sydney. NSW also maintains a relationship skills list and a critical skills list that change regularly.

For offshore applicants, NSW is generally not the most accessible option without a strong employment connection.

Western Australia: Focused on Labour Shortages, Active Regional Pathways

Western Australia runs a targeted skills list that reflects its distinct economy — resources, construction, healthcare, trades, and agriculture. WA nominations are available for both 190 and 491 pathways.

WA has been relatively active in nominating trade workers, engineers in the resources sector, and healthcare professionals. The WA 491 pathway covers regional areas outside Perth, including areas under the WA DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement), which provides additional pathways.

Offshore access to WA nomination varies by stream. WA does recruit offshore for occupations in high demand, but the list is more focused than SA’s, meaning occupations outside WA’s priority sectors face limited access.

Queensland: Moderate Accessibility, Active Occupational Focus

Queensland’s skilled migration program covers a range of occupations with a particular focus on healthcare, construction, trades, and regional industries including agriculture and tourism. QLD operates both metro (Brisbane-based) and regional 491 streams.

Queensland has been moderate in terms of minimum score requirements. The state requires either residency in Queensland or a strong case for nomination based on Queensland-specific skills needs. Some offshore applications are accepted where the occupation is a high priority.

QLD regional nomination under the 491 pathway can be accessible for applicants with occupations in healthcare or construction who are willing to commit to regional Queensland.

Northern Territory: Small but Specialised, Lower Thresholds

The Northern Territory operates with smaller allocations but has often offered some of the lowest minimum score thresholds of any state, reflecting its persistent workforce challenges. Healthcare, education, trades, and community services are core NT priority areas.

The NT also has access to its DAMA, the NT Designated Area Migration Agreement, which covers a broader occupation list under temporary visa pathways and can feed into permanent residence.

For applicants with lower points scores (sometimes as low as 65 or 70), the NT is worth examining if your occupation aligns with its needs. The NT 491 requires genuine commitment to regional living, which is a significant lifestyle consideration.

Decision Framework: Matching Your Profile to the Right State

When evaluating which state to prioritise, work through this sequence:

Step 1: Does your occupation appear on the state’s occupation list? If not, the state cannot nominate you regardless of other factors. Check each state’s current list — they update regularly.

Step 2: Are you offshore or onshore? If offshore, narrow to SA, Tasmania, NT, and WA as your primary targets since they have historically accepted offshore applicants more openly.

Step 3: What is your points score? For scores of 65-74, focus on NT, SA, and Tasmania regional. For 75-84, SA, WA, QLD, and Tasmania become viable. For 85+, all states become accessible, including ACT and NSW.

Step 4: Are you prepared to relocate? If you want city living, consider SA (Adelaide) or ACT (Canberra). If you are willing to settle in a regional area, your options expand significantly under the 491 pathway.

Step 5: What is the current program status? State programs open and close within each financial year. A state that is a good match for your profile may have exhausted allocations. Monitor state government migration websites directly and check the side-by-side state comparison for current program notes.

Timing and Allocation Cycles

Australian state nomination programs operate on financial year cycles running from 1 July to 30 June. Allocations are set at the start of each program year and are consumed as nominations are granted.

The practical implication: applying early in the financial year — ideally in July or August — gives you access to the full allocation before high-demand occupations are exhausted. Applicants who wait until March or April often find popular states have closed their lists or are only inviting very high-scoring candidates.

South Australia and Tasmania are both subject to this pattern. Despite being more accessible overall, their allocations can fill quickly in high-demand occupations.

Points Simulation: How Nomination Changes Your Standing

To illustrate the impact of state nomination on your SkillSelect standing:

A 32-year-old applicant with a Competent English score, an Australian degree, five years of work experience, and a NAATI credential might achieve a base score of 75. With 190 state nomination, that score becomes 80 — moving from an invitation-unlikely position into a consistently competitive range for many states.

With 491 regional nomination, the same applicant reaches 90 — placing them well above the clearing scores for all federal invitation rounds.

For applicants sitting between 65 and 80 points, state nomination is not just an advantage. It is often the mechanism that makes an invitation possible.

What to Do Next

If you have identified one or two states that match your occupation, score, and location preferences, the next step is to submit your Expression of Interest in SkillSelect — ensuring your occupation, skills assessment, English test, and points are accurately reflected — and then prepare direct state portal applications where the state accepts them.

Review the current occupation lists on each state government’s migration website, as these change more frequently than federal lists. For a structured view of how each state compares on specific metrics, see the side-by-side state comparison.