State and territory nomination, explained

State and territory nomination helps jurisdictions select skilled migrants for Subclass 190 and 491. You must satisfy two sets of requirements: the national visa criteria and the nominating jurisdiction’s current program rules.

Aarish Haider · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2619656
Updated 2026-10-22 · General information · Official-source check 2026-10-22

Rules and program availability can change. Check the official sources below before making an application or committing to a course, job or relocation.

Key facts

How state nomination works
Subclass 190	A permanent skilled visa; state or territory nomination contributes five points.
Subclass 491	A provisional regional skilled visa; state or territory nomination contributes fifteen points. Eligible-relative sponsorship is a separate 491 route.
Occupation eligibility	Your occupation must qualify for the visa as well as the state’s applicable stream or list.
Who decides	The state assesses nomination; Home Affairs assesses and grants the visa.
Employer-sponsored regional route	Subclass 494 requires employer sponsorship and nomination; it follows a different process from state-nominated 190 or 491.

Who this is relevant to

Useful when your occupation and background match a state’s workforce needs and you genuinely intend to settle there. Local employment, study or residence may affect which streams are available.

Requirements

Choose the visa and jurisdiction, confirm your skills assessment and English evidence, and prepare an accurate SkillSelect EOI. Follow any additional state ROI, Matrix or invitation stage. If nominated, complete the separate visa application within the Home Affairs invitation period. State application deadlines can be shorter and operate separately.

Common issues

A state cannot make a nationally ineligible occupation eligible for that visa. Meeting a minimum score or appearing on a state list does not guarantee selection. Annual nomination allocations count potential new primary nominations, rather than the number of visas guaranteed to be granted. Check each program year and subclass before treating an intake as open.

Official sources

Home Affairs — state and territory nomination allocationsAustralian Government, Department of Home Affairs · Source check 2026-10-22
Home Affairs — Expression of InterestAustralian Government, Department of Home Affairs · Source check 2026-10-22
Department of Home Affairs — Skilled occupation listsAustralian Government, Department of Home Affairs · Source check 2026-10-22
Migration Queensland — what is state nomination?Queensland Government, Migration Queensland · Source check 2026-10-22
Home Affairs — Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (494)Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs · Source check 2026-10-22

Discuss your next step

Tell us what you need. We confirm the proposed scope, availability and applicable fees before you book.

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