491 Visa State Nomination Requirements (2025-26)
State and Territory Nomination for the Subclass 491 Visa — 2025-26 Program Year
The subclass 491 visa (Skilled Work Regional Provisional) lets points-tested skilled workers and their families live, study and work in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years. State or territory nomination adds 15 points to your skilled migration score — making it the most accessible points-tested pathway for applicants below the 189 visa or 190 visa invitation threshold.
Pathway to Permanent Residence
After holding the 491 visa for at least 3 years and complying with all regional living and work conditions, you can apply for the 191 Permanent Skilled Regional visa — granting you permanent residence and the right to live and work anywhere in Australia with no further conditions.
2025-26 State and Territory Nomination Allocations
The Department of Home Affairs allocated the following nomination places for 2025-26, with comparison to the previous year in brackets:
2025-26 state and territory nomination allocations
| State | 190 visa | 491 visa | Total(2025-26) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | 800 (-200) | 800 (+0) | 1600 (-200) |
| NSW | 2,100 (-900) | 1,500 (-500) | 3,600 (-1,400) |
| NT | 850 (+50) | 800 (+0) | 1,650 (+50) |
| QLD | 1,850 (+1,250) | 750 (+150) | 2,600 (+1,400) |
| SA | 1,350 (-1,650) | 900 (+100) | 2,250 (-1,550) |
| TAS | 1,200 (-900) | 650 (-110) | 1,850 (-1,010) |
| VIC | 2,700 (-300) | 700 (-1,400) | 3,400 (-1,700) |
| WA | 2,000 (-1,000) | 1,400 (-600) | 3,400 (-1,600) |
| Sub Total | 12,850 | 7,500 | 20,350 |
Victoria — 491 Visa State Nomination Criteria
Basic requirements for Victorian 491 nomination:
- Commit to living and working in regional Victoria for the nomination period
- Be under 45 years of age at the time of nomination
- Hold at least Competent English
- Hold a valid Skills Assessment in an occupation on Victoria’s eligible skilled occupation list
- Score at least 65 points on your SkillSelect EOI
- Submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) through the Victorian migration portal and be selected
Further eligibility requirements
Victoria invitation rounds are held periodically — the state selects from its ROI pool based on occupation demand and available allocation. Check the current Victorian skilled migration portal for the latest round dates and minimum ROI scores.
Victoria — 190 Visa State Nomination Criteria
Basic requirements for Victorian 190 nomination:
- Commit to living and working in regional Victoria
- Be under 45 years of age at nomination
- Hold at least Competent English
- Hold a valid Skills Assessment in an eligible occupation
- Score at least 65 points on your SkillSelect EOI
- Submit a Registration of Interest and be selected
For full details on the 190 visa see our dedicated page.
Further eligibility requirements
Residence (Regional Victoria)
You must be living in regional Victoria
- Some outer suburbs of Melbourne are considered regional for the purposes of migration by the Australian’s Government’s Department of Home Affairs. For example, the Mornington Peninsula, Pakenham and Geelong are considered designated regional areas of Victoria for migration purposes.
- You can find information about the designated regional areas on the Department of Home Affairs website.
- We make case-by-case exceptions for those living in border communities.
The conditions of the subclass 491 visa require you, and any dependent applicants, to live, work, and study in a designated regional area.
Employment
- You must be working in skilled employment for an employer physically located in regional Victoria.
- A business using a virtual office or proxy office is not considered as physically located in regional Victoria.
- You must provide an estimate of your annual earnings in your ROI. Your earnings must be from skilled employment in regional Victoria.
- View Annual earnings estimation guide for information on skilled employment and what you can and cannot claim.
- Your employment does not have to be related to or the same as your nominated occupation.
- There is no minimum requirement for hours worked.
- If you are not working, working in non-skilled employment, or working for an employer who is not physically located in regional Victoria, you are not eligible to apply for nomination.
Living overseas – Offshore applicants
Residence
If you are living overseas (offshore), you are eligible to apply for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) visa nomination.
Once you are granted the subclass 491 visa you will be required to relocate to regional Victoria.
The conditions of the subclass 491 visa require you, and any dependent applicants, to live, work, and study in a designated regional area.
Employment
If you are living overseas, you are not required to claim earnings in your ROI.
Skills assessment
Your nominated occupation must be on the eligible skilled occupation list for this visa.
- Your nominated occupation in your Skills Assessment must match your Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Home Affairs.
- When you submit your nomination application, we require that your Skills Assessment have at least 12 weeks validity remaining. This ensures we have enough time to assess your nomination application. We cannot nominate you if your Skills Assessment has expired.
Registration of Interest
- Your Registration of Interest (ROI) must be selected by us before you can apply for skilled visa nomination.
- If you have submitted a ROI but have not received an email inviting you to apply for Victorian nomination, you cannot apply.
- There is no guarantee that your ROI will be selected. View our Registration of Interest page for more information on our selection considerations.
- The information you provide as part of your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Home Affairs, will be used in the assessment of your ROI. This means we will only be asking a few questions for your ROI. It is important that you keep your SkillSelect EOI up to date, including years of experience in your nominated occupation and where you are currently living.
- You will be required to ensure you meet the minimum eligibility criteria at the time of application if your ROI is selected.
Age
You must be under 45 years of age at the time of nomination.
English language
- You must have at least Competent English.
- When you submit your nomination application, we require that your English test have at least 12 weeks validity remaining. This ensures we have enough time to assess your nomination application. We cannot nominate you if your English test has expired.
Points
- You must have at least 65 points on the Australian Government’s points test, including the 15 points for state and territory nomination.
Commitment to Victoria
- You must be committed to living in a designated regional area of Victoria.
- State nomination cannot be transferred from one state to another.
Declaration form
If you are nominated, you must meet the nomination obligations that you signed in the declaration form.
Commitment to Victoria
You must be committed to living and working in regional Victoria. State nomination cannot be transferred from one state to another. You will be required to demonstrate that you are committed to living and working in regional Victoria through your employment and residence.
Surveys
If you are nominated, we will contact you at various times.
In the declaration form, you agree to complete surveys if requested by, or on behalf of the Victorian Government, including a survey upon arrival and at six monthly intervals for the three years after visa grant or arrival in Australia.
These surveys are a condition of nomination. They provide us important feedback on our client services and policy settings.
Department of Home Affairs and SkillSelect
The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for all visa matters. This includes granting visas once you have been nominated by the Victorian Government and have submitted your visa application. Please check the subclass 491 visa processing times published by the Department of Home Affairs.
All SkillSelect and EOI issues should also be directed to the Department of Home Affairs.
Can my employer or family member represent me as an agent for Victorian nomination?
No, you cannot appoint an agent to act on your behalf if there are personal, financial or other interests that could, or could be seen to, influence their representation of you.
If a conflict of interest is identified during the application assessment, the Appointment of Agent will be deemed invalid, and the application may be refused.
Nomination application fees
Victorian Registration of Interest (ROI) and nomination are free of charge. When you submit your visa application with the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs, you will need to pay the visa fee.
Changes to eligibility requirements
All visa nomination eligibility requirements and priorities are subject to change throughout the year without notice.
Any changes made are effective immediately, regardless of when your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) was submitted (or amended). We strongly discourage changing your circumstances to meet the visa nomination criteria.
Residence
If you are living in Australia (onshore) you must be living in Victoria. We will not be selecting Registration of Interests (ROIs) from onshore applicants living in Australian states and territories other than Victoria. We do make some case-by-case exceptions for those living in border communities.
Employment
- If you are living in Victoria and work in skilled employment for an employer physically located in Victoria, you can provide an estimate of your annual earnings in your ROI. A business using a virtual office or proxy office is not considered as physically located in Victoria. Your employment does not have to be related to or the same as your nominated occupation, but your earnings must be from skilled employment in Victoria. View Annual earnings estimation guide for information on skilled employment and what you can and cannot claim.
- If you are not working, working in non-skilled employment, or working for an employer not physically located in Victoria, you are still eligible to apply for nomination, but you are not eligible to claim earnings in your ROI.
Living overseas – Offshore applicants
Residence
If you are living overseas (offshore), you are eligible to apply for Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa nomination. You must be committed to living in Victoria.
Employment
If you are living overseas, you are not required to claim earnings in your ROI.
Skills assessment
- You must have a valid skills assessment in an occupation on the Australian Government’s eligible skilled occupation list for the visa.
- Your nominated occupation in your Skills Assessment must match your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Home Affairs.
- When you submit your nomination application, we require that your Skills Assessment has at least 12 weeks validity remaining. This ensures we have enough time to assess your nomination application. We cannot nominate you if your Skills Assessment has expired.
- For Health professionals, your occupation must be consistent with your Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration.
Registration of Interest
- To be invited to apply for Victorian visa nomination, you must submit an ROI.
- Your ROI must be selected by us before you can apply for skilled visa nomination. An ROI is not an application for Victorian visa nomination. There is no guarantee that your ROI will be selected.
Age
You must be under 45 years of age at the time of nomination. This is a Department of Home Affairs requirement.
English language
- You must have at least Competent English.
- When you submit your nomination application, we require that your English test have at least 12 weeks validity remaining. This ensures we have enough time to assess your nomination application. We cannot nominate you if your English test has expired.
Points
- You must have at least 65 points on the Australian Government’s points test, including the 15 points for state and territory nomination.
Commitment to Victoria
- You must be committed to living in Victoria.
- State nomination cannot be transferred from one state to another.
Declaration form
If you are nominated, you must meet the nomination obligations that you signed in the declaration form.
Commitment to Victoria
You must be committed to living and working in regional Victoria. State nomination cannot be transferred from one state to another. You will be required to demonstrate that you are committed to living and working in regional Victoria through your employment and residence.
Surveys
If you are nominated, we will contact you at various times.
In the declaration form, you agree to complete surveys if requested by, or on behalf of the Victorian Government, including a survey upon arrival and at six monthly intervals for the three years after visa grant or arrival in Australia.
These surveys are a condition of nomination. They provide us important feedback on our client services and policy settings.
Department of Home Affairs and SkillSelect
The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for all visa matters. This includes granting visas once you have been nominated by the Victorian Government and have submitted your visa application. Please check the subclass 491 visa processing times published by the Department of Home Affairs.
All SkillSelect and EOI issues should also be directed to the Department of Home Affairs.
Can my employer or family member represent me as an agent for Victorian nomination?
No, you cannot appoint an agent to act on your behalf if there are personal, financial or other interests that could, or could be seen to, influence their representation of you.
If a conflict of interest is identified during the application assessment, the Appointment of Agent will be deemed invalid, and the application may be refused.
Nomination application fees
Victorian Registration of Interest (ROI) and nomination are free of charge. When you submit your visa application with the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs, you will need to pay the visa fee.
Changes to eligibility requirements
All visa nomination eligibility requirements and priorities are subject to change throughout the year without notice.
Any changes made are effective immediately, regardless of when your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) was submitted (or amended). We strongly discourage changing your circumstances to meet the visa nomination criteria.
Australian Capital Territory — 491 Visa Nomination Criteria
Basic requirements for ACT 491 nomination:
- Be under 45 years of age at nomination
- Hold at least Competent English
- Hold a valid Skills Assessment in an MLTSSL or STSOL occupation
- Score at least 65 points in SkillSelect
- Submit a Canberra Matrix and be selected through ACT’s invitation process
Step 1 – Meet the ACT nomination eligibility criteria
ACT Resident Pathway:
You must meet one of the following:
- Your nominated occupation is on the latest ACT Critical Skills List;
- You are the primary holder of a subclass 457/482 visa sponsored by an ACT employer. You worked in Canberra in your nominated occupation for the sponsoring ACT employer for the last six months. Your nominated occupation does not have to be on the ACT Critical Skills List if it is on the relevant Department of Home Affairs Skilled Occupation List.
- You are the majority owner of an eligible registered business located in the ACT and you are claiming Matrix points in the Small Business Owner category. Your nominated occupation does not have to be on the ACT Critical Skills List if it is on the relevant Department of Home Affairs Skilled Occupation List.
- The following business types are not eligible: sub tenancy, ride-share, taxi, delivery, courier services, or an on-sold business previously used to qualify for ACT nomination.
- The following business types are not eligible: sub tenancy, ride-share, taxi, delivery, courier services, or an on-sold business previously used to qualify for ACT nomination.
Residence in Canberra:
You lived in Canberra for at least three months at date of Canberra Matrix submission and continue to do so until the date of invitation. Your bank statements / transaction history must record ACT banking activity for this period. You may also live within a 30-minute commuting distance in NSW e.g., Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, and Googong.
Employment in Canberra:
You worked in Canberra for at least 13 weeks. You can work for more than one employer, be self-employed, and/or be a Small Business Owner. Employment types can be combined, provided you meet the criteria for each and that you meet the overall hourly or earnings requirements as expressed below.
Employee
- You worked a minimum of 15 hours per week in at least 13 out of the 15 weeks before Canberra Matrix submission. Your payslips and bank statements / transaction history must record the income / salary payments (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly) for the claimed period of employment.
- You work in a genuine position in accordance with Australian terms and conditions of employment. Your weekly income is no less than the relevant award or market salary rate. Unpaid employment such as internships, stipends, scholarships, and volunteer positions, are not eligible.
- Employer statutory declaration : your employer MUST declare that you are employed in a genuine position in accordance with Australian legislation. If you are working for a large organisation, the statutory declaration may be signed by your manager or direct supervisor.
- If you are working in Canberra for an interstate employer, there must be a genuine reason for why you are based in Canberra. You cannot be working online, or from a home office.
Self-employed and you are not claiming Matrix points as a Small Business Owner:
- Your total (taxable) income is at least $520 pw in at least 13 out of the 15 weeks before Canberra Matrix submission.
- You have at least 12 months ACT business activity on your ABN.
- You MUST sign a statutory declaration confirming your ABN, location of ACT business, start date of ACT business activity, duties, and annual income.
Small Business Owner:
- You are eligible to claim Canberra Matrix points in the Small Business Owner Category.
- You MUST sign a statutory declaration confirming the details of your business activity, including your ABN, how many people you employ (and for how long), location of ACT business, start date of ACT business activity, duties and annual income.
English:
You meet the Department of Home Affairs requirement for ‘competent‘ English unless a higher level is required by your assessing authority.
Commitment to Canberra:
You must sign a declaration committing to living and working in Canberra while your visa is processed and for at least two years from date of visa grant.
If you have a Spouse / Partner, they must be a resident in Canberra for at least three months or living overseas.
- To claim any Matrix points for your spouse or partner you must have proof of the relationship: either a marriage certificate, civil partnership/union certificate, or VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) secondary applicant status for yourself or spouse/partner. The document must be dated before the Matrix is submitted. We do not accept a de facto relationship without a relationship certificate.
- When claiming Matrix points in the spouse / partner employment category, they must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirement for ‘competent’ English; or hold an Australian passport.
Service fee: $300
Your supporting documentation must evidence your eligibility to apply for ACT nomination and any Matrix score claimed.
Nominated occupation:
Your nominated occupation is on the latest ACT Critical Skills List.
Relevant overseas work experience:
You have at least one year full time, post graduate work experience in your nominated occupation in the last five years. The work experience must be assessed as relevant by the assessing body in your points tested skill assessment (if the points advice service is provided by the assessing body).
- Your skills and experience in the nominated occupation are relevant to the ACT economy.
- If required, you hold the relevant Australian registration or licence for your nominated occupation.
English:
You meet the Department of Home Affairs requirement for ‘competent’ English unless a higher level is required by your assessing authority.
ACT employability:
You have researched the ACT labour market and you are satisfied that you are employable in Canberra and that your background is relevant to the ACT economy. Please note, you may not be eligible to apply for positions within the Australian Government due to citizenship / security clearance requirements.
- You must attach an employment statement explaining the research undertaken and confirming that you are employable in Canberra. The statement should include recent job vacancies you are eligible for.
Commitment to Canberra:
You have researched Canberra and you are committed to living in the ACT.
- You must attach a commitment statement to the application, explaining in your own words why you want to live in Canberra.
- You must sign a declaration committing to living and working in Canberra for at least two years from the date of arrival in Australia.
Residency:
You and any migrating dependents (except children enrolled at school in the ACT):
- are living overseas.
- have not lived in Australia for the last 12 months.
- do not hold a current Australian visa (or bridging visa) with the exception of an Australian visitor visa.
Settlement funds:
You have access to sufficient money to fund your migration and settlement in Canberra.
If you have a Spouse / Partner and you wish to claim Canberra Matrix points in a spouse or partner category:
- You must have proof of the relationship: either a marriage certificate or civil partnership/union certificate. For ACT nomination purposes, we do not accept a de facto relationship without a relationship certificate unless you cannot legally obtain a relationship certificate in your country of residence.
- When claiming Matrix points in the spouse / partner employment category, they must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirement for ‘competent’ English; or hold an Australian passport.
Service fee: $300
Your supporting documentation must evidence your eligibility to apply for ACT nomination and any Matrix score claimed.
The ACT Government held its most recent nomination round on 6 May 2026, issuing:
- 172 × Subclass 190 nominations
- 134 × Subclass 491 nominations
Round Breakdown by Matrix Pathway:
- Doctorate Streamlined Pathway — 190: 22, 491: 8
- Small Business Owners (Canberra residents, min. matrix score 100) — 190: 3, 491: 14
- 457/482 visa holders — 190: 1, 491: 0
- Critical Skill Occupations (Canberra residents) — 190: 130, 491: 87
- Critical Skill Occupations (Overseas applicants) — 190: 38, 491: 33
Remaining 2025-26 ACT Allocation (as of 7 May 2026): 312 total places — 185 × Subclass 190 and 127 × Subclass 491.
Western Australia — 491 Visa State Nomination
WA state nomination for the 491 visa is currently open.
Migration WA has updated its skilled state nomination criteria. Current requirements include:
- New occupations added to the eligible lists
- Application fee: $200 (verify on Migration WA’s website — fee was temporarily waived but may have been reinstated)
- Employment contract requirement: minimum 6 months
- Sufficient funds requirement applies to some applicants
WA state nominations operate through two streams — General Stream and Graduate Stream. Your occupation list determines which stream applies.
WA General Stream Requirements:
- Occupation on the WA General Stream occupational list
- Currently residing in Australia
- English: ANZSCO Group 1 and 2 occupations — IELTS 7.0 (Proficient) / All other occupations — IELTS 6.0 (Competent)
- At least 1 year Australian work experience in the nominated occupation (past 10 years), OR at least 3 years overseas work experience (past 10 years)
- Genuine full-time job offer in Western Australia for at least 12 months in your nominated occupation
- Sufficient settlement funds if not currently residing in WA
WA Graduate Stream Requirements:
- Occupation on the WA Graduate Stream occupational list
- Currently residing in Australia
- English: same as General Stream (IELTS 7.0 for ANZSCO Group 1 and 2; IELTS 6.0 for others)
- At least 2 years of study completed in Western Australia
- At least 6 months work experience in the nominated occupation, OR a 6-month employment contract in your nominated occupation in WA
- Sufficient settlement funds if not currently residing in WA
WA Regional Occupations:
Occupations marked as “regional Western Australia only” require a job offer or employment contract in a location classified as a Regional Centre or Other Regional Area. Eligible postcodes: 6041–6044, 6084, 6207, 6213, 6215–6537 and 6560–6770.
Northern Territory — 491 Visa Nomination
Update required before publishing: The NT nomination criteria on this page reflect an outdated COVID-era notice about offshore applications being closed. This is no longer accurate — the NT skilled migration program has been updated since then.
Check current NT nomination requirements and open/closed status at the NT Government skilled migration website before publishing. Add current criteria from that source here. In the meantime, direct enquiries to a VisaAid migration consultant for current NT nomination advice.
Queensland — 491 Visa Nomination
Update required before publishing: The QLD criteria on this page reference the 2023-24 program year and are now two program years out of date.
Check current Queensland skilled migration requirements, open occupations and round schedule at the Queensland skilled migration website and replace this section with 2025-26 information. Contact a VisaAid migration consultant for current QLD nomination advice in the meantime.
New South Wales — 491 Visa Nomination Criteria (2025-26)
NSW 491 Pathway 1 — Currently Employed with a Regional NSW Employer
For Pathway 1, your skilled employment in the 6 months immediately before applying must:
- Be in your nominated (or closely related) occupation
- Be with the same regional NSW-based employer
- Be paid at least the TSMIT/CSIT salary rate in your nominated occupation
No residency requirement applies for Pathway 1 nomination.
NSW 491 Pathway 2 — Invited by Investment NSW (Highly Competitive)
Your occupation must be within an ANZSCO unit group on the NSW Regional Skills List and eligible for the 491 visa. Residency requirement — you must meet one of:
- Currently working in NSW in your nominated occupation
- Residing in NSW and continuously resided for at least 3 months
- Residing offshore and continuously offshore for at least 3 months.
NSW 491 Pathway 3 — Recent Graduate of a Regional NSW Institution
Your study must:
- Be completed entirely at a designated regional NSW institution
- Be at bachelor’s level or higher
- Be related to your nominated occupation
- Have been completed within 2 years of applying for NSW nomination
- Qualify you to claim regional study points — from a single course appearing in your EOI
Occupation and residency requirements are the same as Pathway 2.
Tasmania — 491 Visa Nomination Criteria (2025-26)
- TSE — Tasmanian Skilled Employment Pathway
- TSG — Tasmanian Skilled Graduate Pathway
- TER — Tasmanian Established Resident Pathway
- TBO — Tasmanian Business Operator Pathway
2. Skilled Workers living overseas
For skilled workers living overseas, Tasmania offers:
- 190 Overseas Applicant Pathway — Health or Education Sector job offer required
- 491 Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles — Invitation-only pathway
491 TER — Minimum Requirements
- Must have lived in Tasmania for at least 2 years, with no more than 50% of your total Australian residence time in other states
- Must be employed in one of the following:
- Role paying at least $57,000/year or $28.85/hour (excluding overtime, bonuses, casual loading), with at least 6 months of work in the past year (minimum 20 hours/week), OR
- Role paying at least the National Minimum Wage but below $57,000/year, with at least 12 months of work in the past 18 months (minimum 20 hours/week)
491 TER – Priority attributes
Tasmania uses a priority attributes scoring system to rank Registrations of Interest. Only the most competitive candidates receive invitations. Higher-scoring candidates (Gold and Green) receive invitations before Orange Plus and Orange candidates.
| GOLD | Points |
|---|---|
| You have a skills assessment in health, allied health, or teaching, and have worked in a directly related job for the last three months, earning at least $57,000 per year (or a base rate of $28.85 per hour). | 1000 |
| GREEN | Points |
|---|---|
| You have been employed in Tasmania for the past 18 months in a role directly related to your skills assessment, earning at least $57,000 per year (or a base rate of $28.85 per hour). | 500 |
| You have been employed in Tasmania for the past nine, but less than 18 months, in a role directly related to your skills assessment, earning at least $57,000 per year (or a base rate of $28.85 per hour). | 300 |
| ORANGE PLUS | Points |
|---|---|
| Your employment has a base salary of at least $102,956 per year, or $52.10 per hour, and you have received this for the past 12 weeks. | 40 |
491 TSE — Minimum Requirements (Salary at Least $57,000/year or $28.85/hour)
Salary at Least $57,000
- If you are working in a role that pays at least $57,000 per year or $28.85 per hour (excluding overtime, penalties, bonuses or casual loading)
- You must have been working in Tasmania for at least nine months immediately before applying.
- You must have worked an average of at least 20 hours per week over the nine-month period immediately before you lodge your application.
- You must currently be living in Tasmania and intend to continue living in Tasmania.
- Your dependents must not be living in another Australian state or territory.
- If self-employed or a contractor, you need:
- a relevant skills assessment, and
- at least 12 months of business activity in Tasmania.
- If self-employed or a contractor, you need:
- There must be a genuine, ongoing need for your role (including a minimum 12-month contract with at least three months remaining at the time you apply for nomination).
- If your job is not related to your skills assessment, you must have relevant qualifications or experience aligned with the Occupational Standards Classification for Australia (OSCA) definition for the role.
- Your job does not need to match your skills assessment (unless you are self-employed or a contractor.
- You must genuinely intend to remain employed in Tasmania in your current industry for at least two years after nomination.
Salary Less than $57,000
- If you are working in a role that paid less than $57,000 per year or $28.85 per hour, but at least the National Minimum Wage :
- You must have worked in Tasmania for at least 12 months
- You must have worked an average 20 hours per week in the 12 months before you applied for nomination.
- You must currently be living in Tasmania and intend to continue living in Tasmania.
- Your dependents must not be living in another Australian state or territory.
- You must genuinely intend to remain employed in your current industry for at least two years after nomination.
- Your employer must provide a statement confirming severe recruitment difficulty, including efforts made to fill the role locally.
- If the role is not related to your skills assessment, you must have relevant qualifications or experience aligned with the OSCA definition for the role.
- Your employer must confirm in writing that there are genuine career advancement opportunities for you.
- If you are self-employed ort a subcontractor, you need
- a skills assessment directly related to the role or industry you are working in, and
- at least 12 months of business activity in Tasmania.
Employment and conditions
- Your employer must be a well-established business that has been actively operating in Tasmania for the past 12 months.
- Your wages and conditions must be no less favourable than those that would apply to an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and salary or wages are at least equivalent to the market salary rate.
- There must be a genuine, ongoing need for your position within the business (including a minimum 12-month contract with at least three months remaining at the time you apply for nomination). The contract may be casual, but must comply with the Fair Work Ombudsman’s National Employment Standards.
491 TSE – Priority attributes
The following attributes are used to rank Registrations of Interest. Only the most competitive candidates are invited to apply for nomination.
To qualify for gold, green or orange-plus priority attributes, your employment must meet the $57,000/year or $28.85/hour salary threshold (excluding overtime, penalty rates or casual loading).
Candidates with at least one orange-plus priority attribute are considered a high priority. After Gold and Green pass holders, they will be the first Orange pass candidates invited to apply for nomination.
| GOLD | Points |
|---|---|
| You have a skills assessment in health, allied health, or teaching, and have worked in a directly related job for the last six months, earning at least $57,000 per year (or a base rate of $28.85 per hour). | 1000 |
| GREEN | Points |
|---|---|
| You have been employed in Tasmania for the past two years in a role directly related to your skills assessment, earning at least $57,000 per year (or a base rate of $28.85 per hour). | 500 |
| You have been employed in Tasmania for the past 12 months, but less than two years in a role directly related to your skills assessment, earning at least $57,000 per year (or a base rate of $28.85 per hour). | 300 |
| ORANGE PLUS | Points |
|---|---|
| Your employment has a base salary of at least $102,956 per year, or $52.10 per hour, and you have received this for at least the past 12 weeks. | 40 |
| You have been employed in Tasmania for the past 18 months in a role not directly related to your skills assessment, earning at least $57,000 per year (or a base rate of $28.85 per hour). | 35 |
| You have at least two years of Australian work experience in the same industry as your skills assessment, earning at least $57,000 per year, or a base rate of $28.85 per hour. | 30 |
| You have been employed in Tasmania for more the past 12 months, but less than 18 months, in a role directly related to your skills assessment, earning at least $57,000 per year (or a base rate of $28.85 per hour). | 30 |
| ORANGE | Points |
|---|---|
| Your employment has a base salary of at least $76,515 per year or $38.72 per hour but less than $102,956 per year, or $52.10 per hour, and you have received this for the past 12 weeks. | 15 |
| Your employment has a base salary of at least $68,863 per year ($34.85 per hour) but less than $76,515 per year ($38.72 per hour), and you have received this for the last 12 weeks. | 10 |
| Your current role is not directly aligned with your skills assessment, you have two years of relevant prior Australian industry experience, and you currently receive a base salary of at least $57,000 per year (or $28.85 per hour). | 6 |
| You have been employed in Tasmania for the past 12 months in a role that is not directly related to your skills assessment but is in the same industry area and you are paid at least $57,000 per year / base rate of $28.85 per hour. | 6 |
| You are employed in in a role that paid more than the National Minimum Wage, but less than $57,000 per year (or $28.85 per hour), and you hold a skills assessment related to this role. | 4 |
| Your spouse has been employed in Tasmania for the past six months in a role that paid at least $57,000 per year, or a base hourly rate of $28.85. | 4 |
| You are employed in a role that pays more than the National Minimum Wage, but less than $57,000 per year (or $28.85 per hour), and you hold a qualification related to this role (minimum Certificate III, not including online courses or qualifications gained on the basis of Recognition of Prior Learning). | 2 |
| You have lived in Tasmania continuously for more than three years. | 2 |
| You speak Proficient / Superior English, or you have an exemption to the English language requirements based on your passport country. | 1 |
| Your spouse has completed a minimum AQF Level 6 qualification through a Tasmanian education provider, undertaken in Tasmania. | 1 |
491 TBO – Priority attributes
491 TBO – Minimum requirements
- Established and operated a business in Tasmania for at least 12 months, solely owned or co-owned with your spouse
- Business remains in profit after paying yourself a salary of at least 85% of the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (currently $65,037 — verify annually)
- Income must come from genuine business activity — not supplemented by personal savings, family loans or other external financial support
- Complete Fair Work Ombudsman fair employment practices units from their online learning centre
- Massage therapy business owners must hold a related skills assessment and a verifiable health fund provider number
- Subcontractors and independent contractors are not eligible under TBO
GOLD: Not applicable
GREEN: Not applicable
| ORANGE PLUS | Points |
|---|---|
| You have received a personal income from your business for over 12 months of at least $102,956 per year or $38.72 per hour, and your business is still in profit. | 40 |
| Your business had a turnover of more than $500,000 in the last financial year. | 25 |
| Your business employs more than 10 local Australian citizens or permanent or provisional visa holders. | 25 |
| You have a skills assessment which is directly related to your current business. | 25 |
| ORANGE | Points |
|---|---|
| You have a skills assessment which is directly related to your current business. | 12 |
| You received personal earnings from your business of more than $76,515, but less than $102,956 in the last year, and your business is still in profit. | 12 |
| You received earnings from your business of more than $68,863 but less than $76,515 in the last year, and your business is still in profit. | 10 |
| You hold a qualification that is directly relevant to your current business activities (at least Certificate III), excluding online courses or qualifications obtained through Recognition of Prior Learning. | 5 |
| Your spouse has been employed in Tasmania for the past six months in a role that paid at least $57,000 per year, or a base rate of $28.85 per hour. | 4 |
| You have operated your business in Tasmania for more than 18 consecutive months. | 3 |
| You employ at least 3 full time employees who are Australian citizens or permanent residents or provisional visa holders | 3 |
| You have resided in Tasmania continuously for three years or more. | 3 |
| You have Proficient / Superior English, or you have an exemption to the English language requirements based on your passport country. | 2 |
| You have resided in Tasmania continuously for two years but less than three years. | 2 |
South Australia — 491 Visa Nomination Criteria
Note: South Australia temporarily closed its GSM nomination program in June 2023. The program has since reopened. The information below reflects SA’s current active program structure.
SA offers three main nomination streams:
- Talent and Innovators Program — for skilled migrants who can contribute to SA’s priority sectors
- Currently living and working in South Australia — for applicants already established in SA
- International Graduates of South Australia — for students who completed eligible courses in SA
Offshore applicants are eligible for SA nomination depending on their nominated occupation. Some SA streams do not require applicants to work in their nominated occupation.
SA Talent and Innovators Program — Streams:
- Employment stream — for skilled workers with an SA employer
- Start-up and small business stream — for entrepreneurs and business owners
- Independent talent stream — for highly skilled professionals
SA International Graduate Stream Requirements:
- Course must be CRICOS-registered with a minimum of 46 weeks
- At least 50% of the qualification completed in South Australia
- Must have resided in South Australia for at least 1 year during studies
- Must continue to reside in SA post-study
- For 190 or 491 nomination: must be working in SA in the nominated occupation
ACT Invitation Round
22 May 2026
The ACT Government held a skilled migration nomination invitation round on 6 May 2026. As part of this invitation round there was a total of 172 x Sc 190 nominations issued and 134 x Sc 491 nominations issued. A breakdown of the invitations provided can be found below:
Matrix nominating Doctorate Streamlined Pathway
190 nominations: 22 x invitations
491 nominations: 8 x invitation
Canberra residents
Matrix nominating Small Business Owners
190 nominations: 3 x invitations (minimum matrix score 105)
491 nominations: 14 x invitations (minimum matrix score 100)
Matrix nominating 457 / 482 visa holders
190 nominations: 1 x invitation
491 nominations: 0 x invitations
Matrix nominating Critical Skill Occupations
190 nominations: 130 x invitations
491 nominations: 87 x invitations
Overseas applicants
Matrix nominating Critical Skill Occupations
190 nominations: 38 x invitations
491 nominations: 33 x invitations
As of 7 May 2026, the remaining allocation for 2025-26 consist of 312 nomination places with 185 x Sc 190 nominations and 127 x Sc 491 nominations.
Tasmania — Latest Invitation Round (5 February 2026)
In the most recent Tasmanian nomination round on 5 February 2026:
- Subclass 190 — 35 ROIs invited
- Subclass 491 — 26 ROIs invited
Remaining 2025-26 TAS allocation:
- Subclass 190 — 698 places remaining
- Subclass 491 — 486 places remaining
The Tasmanian Government updates nomination invitation information weekly. Check the Skills Tasmania website for the latest round results and available places.
Which State Gives You the Best Chance of 491 Nomination?
Every state has different occupation priorities, residency requirements and invitation thresholds — what works for one applicant’s occupation may not work for another’s. The states with the largest 491 allocations in 2025-26 are WA (1,400), NSW (1,500) and NT (800), but allocation size is only one factor — occupation eligibility and state-specific criteria matter more.
VisaAid’s consultants compare your occupation, location, points score and work history against every open state program to identify your fastest nomination pathway — and then manage the full application from ROI to visa grant.