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State Nomination Australia is one of the most structured pathways under the skilled migration program. Through the Australia immigration state nomination system, individual states and territories select skilled professionals to address workforce shortages under Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas. Unlike independent migration, an Australia state nominated visa requires endorsement from a state or territory government before a federal visa invitation is issued. This guide explains how state nomination Australia works, how Subclass 190 and 491 operate within the nomination framework, how states select candidates, and what strategic factors influence your chances.
State nomination Australia is a migration mechanism where an Australian state or territory government nominates skilled migrants to meet local labour market needs.
It applies specifically to:
Each state manages its own:
Occupation lists
Nomination streams
Eligibility criteria
Selection priorities
Invitation rounds
However, visa approval remains subject to federal migration law administered by the Department of Home Affairs.
The Australia immigration state nomination process involves two levels:
Before seeking nomination, you must:
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Meet minimum points requirements
Hold a valid skills assessment
Meet English language and age criteria
The state then evaluates:
Whether your occupation aligns with priority sectors
Employment relevance to that state
Years of work experience
English proficiency level
Salary level (in some states)
Onshore or offshore status
Regional commitment (for 491)
Receiving nomination allows you to obtain an invitation to apply for the visa. However, nomination does not guarantee visa approval, as final decisions are made by the federal government.
Under the state nomination Australia system, skilled migrants can apply for two main visa subclasses through state or territory government nomination. These visas fall under the broader australia immigration state nomination framework and are designed to address workforce shortages in specific regions.
The two primary types of Australia state nominated visa are:
Each pathway serves a different migration strategy and long-term residency goal.
Permanent residency
State obligations
Points advantage
Provisional visa
Regional requirement
Pathway to PR (191)
To apply under state nomination Australia, applicants must meet federal skilled migration requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs, along with additional criteria imposed by individual state or territory governments.
The Australia immigration state nomination system is competitive and allocation-based. Meeting minimum eligibility does not guarantee nomination.
Below are the key requirements for an Australia state nominated visa:
Your occupation must:
Appear on the relevant Skilled Occupation List (MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL)
Be available on the chosen state’s current nomination list
Each state updates its occupation list periodically based on labour market demand and nomination allocations.
Applicants should verify the latest occupation availability directly through official state migration websites before lodging an application under state nomination Australia.
A valid and positive skills assessment from the designated assessing authority is mandatory.
Examples:
Engineers → Engineers Australia
ICT professionals → ACS
Nurses → ANMAC
Trades → TRA
The assessment must:
Match your nominated ANZSCO occupation
Be valid at the time of invitation and visa application
Without a valid assessment, progression under the Australia immigration state nomination pathway is not possible.
Minimum federal requirement:
Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band or equivalent)
However, many states require higher English levels for competitive occupations. Higher scores also increase your GSM points under state nomination Australia, improving your ranking in invitation rounds.
Accepted tests include IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and OET (for health professionals).
Applicants must score at least 65 points under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) points system.
Points are awarded for:
Age
English proficiency
Skilled employment
Educational qualifications
Partner skills
State nomination
Under the Australia state nominated visa framework:
Subclass 190 provides +5 points
Subclass 491 provides +15 points
In practice, competitive occupations often require significantly higher effective scores.
Most states prefer applicants with:
1–3 years of relevant post-qualification experience
Employment aligned with the nominated occupation
Evidence of skilled duties consistent with ANZSCO standards
Some states prioritise candidates already employed in the state or in priority sectors under state nomination Australia.
Each state and territory applies additional nomination conditions, which may include:
Residency requirements (onshore preference)
Minimum salary thresholds
Evidence of employment contracts
Commitment to live and work in the state
Registration of Interest (ROI) submission
Because state policies and nomination allocations change periodically, applicants pursuing an Australia immigration state nomination should always confirm current criteria directly through official state migration portals before submitting an Expression of Interest.
Under state nomination Australia, nomination places are limited and managed through an annual allocation system. Meeting eligibility alone does not guarantee selection because the Australia immigration state nomination program operates on quotas and competitive invitation rounds.
Each financial year, the Federal Government allocates a fixed number of nomination places to every state and territory.
These places are divided between:
Subclass 190
Subclass 491
Once allocations are exhausted, states may pause or close streams under the Australia state nominated visa framework.
National migration planning levels determine how many skilled visas are available overall.
If planning levels change, states may adjust nomination criteria, occupation lists, or invitation frequency within state nomination Australia.
States manage nomination streams based on:
Labour market demand
Occupation shortages
Application volume
Remaining quota
Streams may close temporarily when demand exceeds available allocation under the Australia immigration state nomination system.
States conduct periodic invitation rounds to select candidates from the EOI pool.
During these rounds:
Applications are reviewed
Profiles are ranked
Invitations are issued to competitive candidates
Nomination under state nomination Australia depends on competitiveness, not just eligibility.
Cut-off scores vary depending on:
Number of applicants
Points distribution
Occupation priority
Remaining allocation
Because quotas are limited, securing an Australia state nominated visa requires both eligibility and strategic profile strength.
Nomination allocations and invitation criteria may change throughout the year. Applicants should confirm current nomination status through official state migration websites before proceeding with state nomination Australia applications.
The state nomination Australia pathway involves both state-level nomination and federal visa approval. Below is a simplified process outline for an Australia state nominated visa under the Australia immigration state nomination system:
Confirm that your occupation appears on the relevant Skilled Occupation List and is currently open on your chosen state’s nomination list. States update their lists based on workforce demand and allocation limits.
Secure a valid skills assessment from the appropriate assessing authority. The assessment must match your nominated occupation and remain valid at the time of invitation.
Demonstrate at least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band or equivalent). Higher scores improve your points and competitiveness under state nomination Australia.
Lodge your EOI through SkillSelect, including your points score, qualifications, and preferred states. Your profile enters the selection pool for Australia immigration state nomination consideration.
Some states require a separate Registration of Interest (ROI) or nomination application. Selection depends on occupation demand and state allocation limits.
If selected, the state nominates you, adding points (+5 for 190 or +15 for 491). You then receive a federal invitation to apply for the relevant visa.
Submit your visa application with the Department of Home Affairs, including identity, employment, health, and character documents. Final approval is granted by the federal authority.
Processing timelines vary depending on nomination quotas, visa subclass, and departmental workload. Applicants pursuing state nomination Australia should always confirm current criteria through official government sources before applying.
Many applicants compare Subclass 189 with state nomination Australia.
State nomination may be beneficial if:
Your federal points are not competitive
Your occupation is prioritised by a state
You are willing to commit to a specific state or regional area
Australia immigration state nomination can therefore improve invitation prospects for certain candidates.
Many applicants fail in state nomination Australia not because they are ineligible, but due to strategic mistakes. Since the Australian immigration state nomination system is competitive and allocation-based, avoiding these errors is essential when applying for an Australian state nominated visa—especially for professionals targeting high-demand or high income skills in Australia.
Selecting a state without analysing its specific criteria, occupation demand, and invitation competitiveness can reduce your chances. Each state under state nomination Australia follows different selection priorities.
Some states require proof of employment, salary thresholds, or ongoing skilled work. Submitting an EOI without meeting these expectations weakens your profile in the Australia immigration state nomination process.
Applying with only minimum English may limit competitiveness. Higher English scores improve GSM points and strengthen your ranking under state nomination Australia.
State nomination adds points, but final visa approval is decided by the Department of Home Affairs. An Australian state nominated visa is still subject to health, character, and documentation checks.
Subclass 190 requires residence in the nominating state, and Subclass 491 requires regional residence. Ignoring these conditions can create compliance issues within the Australia immigration state nomination framework.
Extra 5 or 15 points
PR pathway
Regional benefits (491)
Employer independence (190)
State governments use nomination programs to:
Address critical skill shortages
Support regional economic growth
Strengthen infrastructure development
Manage population distribution
Attract professionals in priority industries
These industries commonly include healthcare, engineering, IT, construction, education, and skilled trades, with strong demand particularly in healthcare jobs in Australia due to ongoing workforce shortages and an ageing population.
Nomination allocations are granted annually by the federal government, and states operate within these limits.
State nomination Australia operates within the broader skilled migration framework regulated by the Department of Home Affairs.
Each financial year:
The federal government allocates nomination quotas to states
States manage invitation rounds within their allocation limits
Occupation lists and streams may change
Because Australia immigration state nomination criteria are periodically reviewed, applicants must verify current requirements through official government sources before lodging an application.
Although criteria differ by state, common factors include:
Occupation priority status
Employment within the nominating state
English proficiency level
Years of relevant work experience
Regional commitment (for 491)
Demonstrated economic contribution
State nomination Australia is competitive and not purely points-driven.
Australia immigration state nomination policies are subject to change based on labour market needs and federal migration planning levels.
Applicants should always:
Confirm occupation eligibility
Check state nomination stream availability
Verify English requirements
Ensure skills assessment validity
Review official updates before applying
Nomination does not guarantee visa approval, and migration decisions carry long-term legal and financial implications.
No. Submitting an EOI does not guarantee nomination. States select candidates based on their internal ranking criteria, occupation demand, and nomination allocations.
Subclass 190 is a permanent visa, but applicants are expected to make a genuine effort to live and work in the nominating state for at least two years.
It depends on your long-term goals. Subclass 190 grants direct permanent residency, while Subclass 491 is a provisional visa that leads to PR through Subclass 191.
Processing times vary by state and territory. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on occupation demand and application volume.
No. Each state runs its own invitation rounds and may pause or close nominations once quotas are filled.
Most applicants need at least 65 points, but competitive occupations often require higher scores depending on state demand.
Yes, some states accept offshore applicants, but eligibility depends on occupation lists and individual state requirements.
In many cases, yes. States often require relevant work experience, especially for high-demand occupations.
Not always. Some states require a job offer for certain occupations, while others assess applicants based on skills, points, and employability.
Once nominated, you receive an invitation to apply for the visa from the Department of Home Affairs and must lodge your visa application within the given timeframe.
State nomination Australia offers a structured pathway for skilled migrants seeking permanent residency or regional migration under Subclass 190 and Subclass 491. However, nomination is competitive and requires careful planning. Understanding how Australia immigration state nomination works allows applicants to build a stronger migration profile and make informed decisions. As emphasized by migration advisory firms like AUM Global, strategic preparation and compliance with both federal and state requirements significantly improve long-term outcomes. Before proceeding, review official eligibility requirements and ensure your strategy aligns with current migration regulations.
