Each year, the federal government allocates quotas to all jurisdictions, which are then used by states and territories to nominate migrants for the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491).
Just like last year, the program will continue to improve the productive capacity of the economy and fill skill shortages in the labour market, particularly those in regional Australia.
Here’s a state-wise update for the program year 2025-26 so far:
Victoria
For the 2025–26 program year, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has granted Victoria a small interim allocation, 200 places for the Subclass 190 visa and 180 places for the Subclass 491 visa. The state government announced the opening of its migration program for both onshore and offshore applicants.
Australian states and territories are still awaiting their final allocation numbers for the 2025–26 Skilled Migration Program. Source: Getty
NSW has also been granted 200 places for Subclass 190 and 180 places for Subclass 491. The state confirmed it will start an invitation round for Subclass 190 visas while awaiting the full program allocation. Priority sectors for the state include Construction (infrastructure and housing), Net Zero and Energy Transition, Care and Support Economy, Digital and Cyber, Agriculture and Agrifood, and Advanced Manufacturing.
Western Australia
WA government said it will be using the interim allocation for finalising outstanding applications from the 2024–25 program year. The 2025–26 program will remain closed until the formal allocation is finalised.
South Australia
After receiving a small interim allocation, South Australia decided that new Registrations of Interest (ROIs) will not open yet. The state will prioritise inviting strong candidates from existing 2024–25 ROIs who meet workforce needs.
Representative image of Indian Passport Source: Moment RF / anand purohit/Getty Images
The ACT received an interim allocation of 165 places for 2025-26 - 85 places for Subclass 190 and 80 places for Subclass 491 nomination.
Queensland
Queensland also chose to remain closed until the final program allocation is confirmed, but has asked applicants to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) for state nomination in preparation for the program opening
Tasmania
The Tasmanian Skilled Migration State Nomination Program has already opened on 6 October 2025. Currently, only ROIs who have been issued a Gold Pass are being invited to apply for Tasmanian nomination.
Northern Territory
Until the interim allocation is exhausted, new Subclass 491 nomination applications will be accepted by exception for onshore applicants who meet the NT Graduate or NT Resident eligibility criteria and have the following visa deadlines falling before 31 December 2025.
What's behind the delay?
The delay in final allocation of migration nominations has been due to the late announcement of the overall program, according to immigration expert Abul Rizvi.
"These are usually announced with the budget, enabling the DHA to negotiate state allocations before the start of the program year. With the overall program not being announced until September, negotiations also had to be postponed," he said.
A DHA spokesperson confirmed that the government was currently working with states and territories to finalise the 2025–26 nomination allocations.
"Interim nomination allocations have been provided to all states and territories to allow them to open their programs while the final 2025–26 nomination allocations are being finalised," the spokesperson said.
When asked why several states and territories were reluctant to open their migration programs despite receiving interim allocations, Rizvi suggested it may be due to concerns that their 2025–26 allocations could be lower than those in 2024–25.
On 2 September, the government announced that the 2025–26 permanent Migration Program will be maintained at a planning level of 185,000 places.
[Disclaimer: This content is for general information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors.]
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