Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has released the final nomination allocations for the 2025–26 skilled migration program, confirming 20,350 visa places across two major pathways: the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491).
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated Visa
The Subclass 190 visa is a permanent residency pathway for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory. Visa holders can live and work anywhere in Australia.
Applicants must have an occupation on the skilled list, a positive skills assessment, meet the points requirement, and secure a state nomination.
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional Visa
The Subclass 491 visa is a temporary regional visa (up to 5 years) that can lead to permanent residency. It requires a skilled occupation, points eligibility, and nomination from a regional state, territory, or an eligible family member living in a designated regional area.
Breakdown of Visa Allocations by State and Territory
The government has allocated 12,850 places to Subclass 190 and 7,500 to Subclass 491.
Here is the full breakdown:
| State/Territory | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 3,000 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
| Victoria | 2,700 | 700 | 3,400 |
| Queensland | 1,850 | 750 | 2,600 |
| Western Australia | 2,000 | 1,400 | 3,400 |
| South Australia | 1,350 | 900 | 2,250 |
| Tasmania | 1,200 | 650 | 1,850 |
| Northern Territory | 850 | 800 | 1,650 |
| ACT | 900 | 300 | 1,200 |
| Total | 12,850 | 7,500 | 20,350 |
Why These Changes Matter
State and territory allocations directly shape how many skilled migrants can enter Australia through nomination pathways.
With overall numbers dropping, competition for Subclass 190 nominations is expected to intensify, pushing migrants to track changing occupation lists and state requirements closely.
Prospective skilled migrants are advised to monitor each state’s updated nomination criteria in the coming weeks. These updates will determine eligibility and competitiveness for the 2025–26 program year.
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