State & Territory Nomination — 190 and 491

Every Australian state and territory runs its own skilled migration nomination program, used to nominate candidates for the Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated — permanent) and the Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional). State nomination adds 5 points to the 190 and 15 points to the 491, and unlocks the visa subclass for invitation.

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WIDEN does not issue any state nomination. Each state and territory decides nominations independently on its own published criteria. Outcomes cannot be guaranteed by any registered migration agent (s 15, Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2022). WIDEN's role is migration advice — visa subclass strategy, points test, EOI, occupation list, and how state nominations fit your situation.

All 8 state and territory programs

New South Wales (NSW)

Largest economy. Sydney plus regional NSW (Newcastle, Wollongong, regional centres). Streams favour applicants already in NSW.

Victoria (VIC)

Target Sectors approach. Live in Melbourne (190) and Live in Regional Victoria (491). Strong focus on health, digital, and advanced manufacturing.

Queensland (QLD)

BSMQ runs multiple streams including Small Business Owner and Master's Graduate. Most of QLD outside Brisbane is regional for the 491.

Western Australia (WA)

Publishes its own WASMOL occupation list. General and Graduate streams. Priority pathways for health and other sectors when open.

South Australia (SA)

Broader range of streams including SA Graduates, Working in SA, Offshore, and Talent and Innovators. The entire state is regional for the 491.

Tasmania (TAS)

Category-based program favouring applicants with Tasmanian connection. The entire state is regional for the 491.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Uses the Canberra Matrix — a separate ACT scoring system on top of the federal points test. Critical Skills List drives priority occupations.

Northern Territory (NT)

NT Residents, NT Graduates, and offshore streams. The entire NT is regional for the 491. Also operates the NT DAMA and Darwin DAMA for employer-sponsored pathways.

How state nomination works

Confirm occupation eligibility — both on the federal skilled occupation list and on the nominating state's current list. Each state publishes its own list, which is more restrictive than the combined federal list.
Obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority (see authority guide).
Lodge an EOI in SkillSelect — ticking your target state(s).
State invites you to apply for nomination if you meet current invitation criteria.
Lodge nomination application with the state — separate fee and supporting documents.
State decision — positive or negative nomination outcome.
Department of Home Affairs invitation follows a positive state nomination, allowing you to lodge the visa application.

Choosing the right state

The right state depends on:

Your occupation — only states currently nominating your occupation can be considered
Your connection — current residence / employment, qualifying study, or family ties to a particular state
Your target visa — 190 for permanent (most major capitals), 491 for provisional regional (all of TAS, SA, NT, and most of QLD/WA/NSW/VIC outside the major capitals are regional)
Your points score — different states have different practical cut-offs in invitation rounds
Your timeline — some states have longer queues or limited invitation rounds

Frequently asked questions

Why do I need state nomination?

State nomination unlocks the Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated — permanent) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional) visa pathways. The 190 adds 5 points to your federal points test; the 491 adds 15 points. State nomination is in addition to (not instead of) the federal eligibility requirements — you still need a positive skills assessment and to meet the points floor.

Can I be nominated by more than one state?

You can lodge an EOI selecting multiple states, but you can only accept and proceed with one nomination at a time. Choosing strategically is sensible — based on your occupation list match, your connection to each state, and current invitation cut-offs. Submitting separate nomination applications to multiple states without genuine intention to settle is not appropriate.

Which state is easiest to be nominated by?

There's no straightforward 'easiest' state — each state targets different applicants. Tasmania and the Northern Territory have historically been more accessible for applicants with state connection (graduates, current workers), but are more restrictive offshore. NSW and Victoria target priority sectors with a Target Sectors approach. ACT uses a separate Matrix scoring system. South Australia historically offered broader stream options. The right state depends on your occupation, points, connection, and target visa.

Can I move to another state later?

For the Subclass 190 (permanent visa), you have an obligation under your nomination to make an honest effort to live and work in the nominating state, but there are no legal restrictions preventing later interstate moves. For the Subclass 491 (provisional regional), you must live and work in a designated regional area for the visa duration — and to qualify for the future Subclass 191 permanent visa, you must accumulate three years of regional living and working with the required income. Moving out of the regional area can affect 191 eligibility.

What happens if I lose my job in the nominating state?

Nomination obligations and the 491's regional residence requirement focus on genuine intention and effort, not strict employment continuity in the original role. If circumstances change, document your continued effort to live and work in the state / region. The 191 pathway specifically requires three years of regional employment (with the required income) — confirm the impact of any change on your specific situation directly.

Is state nomination guaranteed if I meet the criteria?

No. Meeting published criteria makes you eligible to be considered — not entitled to be nominated. States rank EOI submissions against current invitation criteria and their own internal allocation, and may decline to nominate even an eligible candidate (for example, if other applicants score higher in the same occupation, or if the state's annual cap for that occupation has been reached). Outcomes cannot be guaranteed by any registered migration agent.

Discuss your state nomination strategy

Choosing which state(s) to target — and structuring an EOI strategy that supports your goal — is a substantive migration decision. Book a paid consultation if you'd like Keshab to review your situation.

Book a consultation — $200 + GST

General information only. Each state and territory's program — including streams, occupation lists, criteria, fees, and timeframes — changes regularly. Verify current rules directly with the relevant state or territory before relying on the information on this page.

This page does not constitute migration advice (s 23, Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2022). Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid initial consultation under section 43 of the Code, with a written service agreement issued before further work commences (section 42). The OMARA Consumer Guide is provided to all clients before the consultation begins. Outcomes cannot be guaranteed by any registered migration agent (s 15). PI insurance held under the Migration Agents Regulations 1998. Complaints via our Complaints Policy or directly to OMARA.