Australian skilled migration state nomination policies continue to evolve in the 2026–27 financial year. On 10 November, Victoria issued its first state nomination invitation round of the financial year, providing a clearer picture of invitation scores and competition across occupations. Meanwhile, Western Australia and Tasmania also shared their latest allocations, invitation arrangements and application requirements at state nomination briefings organised by the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA).
These updates offer useful guidance for applicants planning to apply for Australia’s Subclass 190 or 491 skilled migration visas.
1. Victorian state nomination: first Subclass 190 invitations issued, with strong competition on points
Victoria issued its first state nomination invitation round for the 2026–27 financial year on 10 November 2026.
The invitation results and information shared at the state government’s briefing show that competition for Victorian Subclass 190 state nomination remains intense.
1. Scores in the first invitation round
The invitation round showed the following features:
- Priority occupations: some applicants in early childhood teaching, social work and health-related occupations received invitations with scores of 600 or more under Victoria’s new points system.
- Non-priority occupations: some invited applicants had scores of 700 or more.
- IT occupations: an applicant was invited with a score as high as 815, reflecting the intense competition in some occupations.
These scores are from Victoria’s new ROI points system, not the federal skilled migration EOI 65-point system.
The figures can be used as a reference for this invitation round, but should not be interpreted as a uniform minimum invitation score across all occupations.
2. Victoria’s upcoming invitation arrangements
According to the state government’s briefing, Victoria plans to hold one invitation round each month, with the next round expected in December 2026.
As the Subclass 491 allocation is not yet clear, invitations at this stage will focus on Subclass 190 state nomination.
Victoria has only 900 Subclass 190 places this financial year, creating considerable competition. Whether invitation scores fall in later rounds will depend on actual allocation usage, applicant numbers and occupation priorities.
Applicants whose ROI scores are less competitive are advised to also assess other state nomination or employer-sponsored visa pathways, rather than relying solely on Victorian Subclass 190 invitations.
2. Western Australian state nomination: allocation rises to 4,700, with a new Defence Stream
At the MIA state nomination briefing, Western Australia confirmed an allocation of 4,700 places for the 2026–27 financial year, up from 3,400 in the previous financial year.
1. Invitation priorities largely continue the previous approach
Western Australia continues to prioritise the construction industry and applicants within the state.
The main order of priority for occupations is:
- Construction trades occupations
- Other construction-related occupations
- Other priority occupations
- Non-priority occupations
In terms of applicants’ locations, Western Australia continues to prioritise applicants currently living in Western Australia, followed by applicants in other states and overseas.
The Western Australian residence requirement remains 3 months this financial year, with its specific application depending on the relevant state nomination pathway.
2. New Defence Stream (Schedule 3)
Western Australia has introduced a new defence industry state nomination pathway this financial year, the Defence Stream (Schedule 3), offering eligible applicants a new opportunity for Subclass 190 state nomination.
According to information disclosed at the briefing:
- It is expected to cover 59 occupations, with the complete occupation list to be published by the Western Australian Government.
- The occupations include some blue-collar trades.
- Apart from construction trades occupations, other occupations generally require a 6-month job offer.
- The stream offers Subclass 190 state nomination invitations only.
- Applicants must still meet the basic requirements for points-based skilled migration.
The full policy details and occupation list for this stream are still awaiting formal publication on the official website.
3. Western Australia plans monthly invitations
The Western Australian Government said its aim is to hold one state nomination invitation round each month.
However, the actual frequency will still be affected by application processing workloads and backlogs in the EOI pool, so invitations every month cannot be guaranteed.
The briefing also noted that Western Australian DAMA-related applications had increased by nearly fourfold, indicating growing demand for employer sponsorship and regional labour agreement pathways.
3. Tasmanian state nomination: Subclass 190 invitations mainly for Gold and Green applicants, with less competition for Subclass 491
Tasmania was among the states that began issuing state nomination invitations relatively early this financial year, and its invitation frequency is currently relatively steady.
As at November 2026, Tasmania was issuing approximately the following each week:
- Subclass 190 state nomination: 37 ROI invitations
- Subclass 491 state nomination: 26 ROI invitations
A total of approximately 472 Subclass 190 ROI invitations and 313 Subclass 491 ROI invitations had been issued.
1. Tasmanian Subclass 190: Gold and Green applicants have the advantage
There are currently more than 800 ROIs in Tasmania’s Subclass 190 pool awaiting invitations.
Invitations at this stage are mainly going to Gold and Green applicants.
The state government has not completely ruled out the possibility of Orange applicants receiving Subclass 190 invitations. However, it noted that Green applications continue to accumulate, and there has not yet been a clear trend of Orange applicants receiving invitations.
Subclass 190 applicants therefore need to focus on their ROI priority level, rather than simply meeting the basic application criteria.
2. Tasmanian Subclass 491: opportunities remain for Orange Plus applicants
Compared with Subclass 190, Tasmania’s Subclass 491 pool has fewer than 700 ROIs, with relatively less competition.
Orange Plus applicants are currently continuing to receive Subclass 491 invitations.
For applicants who cannot yet reach the higher priority levels for Subclass 190, Subclass 491 may be an option worth further assessment.
According to the briefing, Tasmania’s final invitation round for this financial year is expected to take place around 27 May 2027.
3. Questions about Tasmania’s employment pathway
At the briefing, the state government also clarified some application conditions:
Could the Gold Pass employment duration requirement be relaxed?
There are currently no plans to relax it. Tasmania wants to retain a certain entry threshold for Gold Pass to avoid large numbers of applications concentrating in the highest priority category.
If the employer is outside Tasmania but the work project is physically located in Tasmania, can the requirements be met?
In principle, this may be accepted. The key is whether the work actually provides services to Tasmania, which the state government described as ‘Deliver to Tasmania’.
If the employer is outside Tasmania and the applicant works from home in Tasmania, does this meet the employment pathway requirements?
According to the briefing, this arrangement may only be accepted under a long-term resident pathway subject to specific conditions. It cannot automatically be treated as meeting the ordinary employment pathway requirements.
The specific circumstances must still be assessed against Tasmania’s officially published pathway requirements.
4. How should state nomination applicants plan for the 2026–27 financial year?
The Victorian, Western Australian and Tasmanian policy updates show that each state takes a different approach to selecting applicants.
Victoria: strong competition on points, with occupation priority important. With limited Subclass 190 places, applicants need to consider their ROI score, occupation category and actual invitation trends together.
Western Australia: construction occupations continue to receive priority. The increased allocation and new Defence Stream offer new opportunities for some eligible applicants.
Tasmania: ROI priority levels directly affect invitation prospects. Subclass 190 competition centres on the Gold and Green levels, while Orange Plus applicants still have opportunities for Subclass 491 invitations.
Applicants planning skilled migration to Australia are advised to develop a suitable migration plan based on their skills assessment, English results, work experience, place of residence and employer support.
Meeting the minimum state nomination requirements does not guarantee an invitation. Actual invitation patterns in each state change with allocations, occupation demand and the candidate pool. Applicants should continue to monitor official policies and invitation data.
