190 and 491 State Nomination Updates 2026: Which Australian States Are Open, Closed or Running Out of Places?
Some Australian states and territories are now closed, closing soon, running out of places, or becoming very competitive for 190 and 491 state nomination. Tasmania has now announced that Registrations of Interest, or ROIs, for all pathways and passes will close at 5 pm on Wednesday, 3 June 2026. The last Tasmania invitation round for the 2025–26 program year will take place on Thursday, 4 June 2026.
The 2025–26 financial year ends on 30 June 2026. However, some states may run out of nomination places before that date.
For the 2025–26 program year, the Department of Home Affairs confirmed 20,350 state and territory nomination places. This includes 12,850 places for the subclass 190 visa and 7,500 places for the subclass 491 visa.
If you are waiting for a 190 or 491 invitation, you should check your options now.
What are the 190 and 491 visas?
The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa is a permanent visa. You need to be nominated by an Australian state or territory.
The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional visa is a temporary regional visa. It can lead to permanent residency later if you meet the requirements.
Both visas are points-tested. This means your age, English level, work experience, education and other factors can affect your points.
You usually need to submit an Expression of Interest, also called an EOI, through SkillSelect before you can be invited.
Why are 190 and 491 nominations so competitive?
State nomination is competitive because each state and territory only receives a limited number of places.
A state may have many skilled applicants, but only a small number of nomination places left.
This means you may meet the basic visa requirements but still not receive an invitation.
State-by-State 190 and 491 Updates
New South Wales 190 and 491 update
New South Wales remains very competitive.
For the 491 visa, NSW has different pathways. NSW says nomination is highly competitive and applicants should not rely only on NSW nomination.
For many applicants, the most important pathway is NSW 491 Pathway 2, which is invitation-only. To be considered, your occupation must be on the NSW Regional Skills List.
NSW is still an option for some 491 applicants, but it is very competitive. Your occupation, EOI and points must be strong.
Victoria 190 and 491 update
Victoria is now closed to new Registrations of Interest, also called ROIs, for the 2025–26 skilled visa nomination program.
Victoria confirmed that new ROIs closed at 4 pm AEST on 28 April 2026. The state will continue to consider ROIs already submitted for the remaining places.
If you withdraw your ROI, you cannot submit a new one until the 2026–27 program opens.
Victoria is closed to new ROIs for this program year. If you did not submit before the closure, you may need to wait or consider another visa pathway.
South Australia 190 and 491 update
South Australia is still issuing invitations, but competition remains strong.
In May 2026, South Australia issued 509 invitations. This included 295 invitations for the 190 visa and 214 invitations for the 491 visa.
South Australia has also issued 2,615 invitations so far in the 2025–26 program year.
South Australia is still active, but not all occupations have the same chance. Some occupations may receive more 491 invitations than 190 invitations.
Tasmania 190 and 491 update
Tasmania has announced an important update for the 2025–26 skilled migration program.
Registrations of Interest, also called ROIs, for all pathways and passes of the Tasmanian Skilled Migration State Nomination Program will close at 5 pm on Wednesday, 3 June 2026. Migration Tasmania says this is because of strong demand for nomination.
The last invitation round for the 2025–26 program year will take place on Thursday, 4 June 2026.
Migration Tasmania will continue to assess nomination applications. New applications can still be lodged if an applicant has already been invited to apply. However, because there are only a few nomination places remaining, not all applicants will be nominated this program year.
The latest public Migration Tasmania processing update, dated 21 May 2026, shows that Tasmania invited 30 subclass 190 ROIs and 27 subclass 491 ROIs in the latest round. It also reported 88 subclass 190 places and 213 subclass 491 places remaining at that time.
If Tasmania uses all its nomination places, approved applications may be nominated after Tasmania receives its 2026–27 nomination allocation. ROIs that are not invited before the end of the program year will stay in the Application Gateway for six months and may be considered when the 2026–27 program opens.
Tasmania is still active, but it is closing soon. If you want to submit a Tasmania ROI for the 2025–26 program year, the deadline is 5 pm on 3 June 2026. The last invitation round is expected on 4 June 2026.
ACT 190 and 491 update
The ACT continues to use the Canberra Matrix system.
The latest ACT update shows 312 nomination places remaining for 2025–26. This includes 185 places for the 190 visa and 127 places for the 491 visa.
The ACT also uses different categories, including Canberra residents, overseas applicants, critical skills and doctorate pathways.
The ACT still has some places left, but applicants need a strong Canberra Matrix score and must meet the ACT criteria.
Western Australia 190 and 491 update
Western Australia’s State Nominated Migration Program is active.
WA nomination can give eligible applicants extra points under the Home Affairs points test. WA says state nomination is available for the subclass 190 and subclass 491 visas.
WA also reminds applicants to keep their EOI up to date, including their location, occupation, qualifications and work experience.
Western Australia is still an important option for some skilled applicants, especially if their occupation matches WA priorities.
Northern Territory 190 and 491 update
The Northern Territory is closed to new General Skilled Migration nomination applications for the 2025–26 program year.
The NT Government says it has received enough applications to fully use its nomination allocation. Applications lodged before the closure will continue to be assessed.
The Northern Territory is closed to new GSM nomination applications for this program year. Applicants may need to wait for the next allocation or consider another pathway.
Queensland 190 and 491 update
Queensland opened its 2025–26 State Nominated Migration Program with 2,600 places.
This includes 1,850 places for the 190 visa and 750 places for the 491 visa.
Queensland has different pathways for skilled workers, graduates, offshore applicants and some regional business owners.
Queensland has nomination places available for 2025–26, but applicants still need to meet Queensland’s specific pathway rules.
What should you do if you are waiting for a 190 or 491 invitation?
If you are waiting for a 190 or 491 invitation, do not rely on only one state.
You should check:
- whether your occupation is still eligible
- whether your EOI is correct and updated
- whether your skills assessment is still valid
- whether your English test is still valid
- whether your claimed points can be proved
- whether your current visa is expiring soon
- whether you are close to turning 45
- whether another visa may be safer
If your visa is expiring soon, or if you are close to turning 45, waiting for state nomination can be risky.
You may need to consider other visa options, such as employer sponsored visas or partner visas.
Can Work Visa Lawyers help?
Yes. Work Visa Lawyers can help you understand your visa options and prepare a clear migration strategy.
We can assist with:
- 190 visa advice
- 491 visa advice
- Expression of Interest, or EOI, strategy
- state nomination applications
- skills assessment advice
- employer sponsored visas
- partner visas
- urgent visa strategy if your visa is expiring soon
State nomination can be very competitive. Small mistakes in your EOI or documents can affect your chances.
If you need help with your Australian visa options, contact Work Visa Lawyers.
FAQ: 190 and 491 State Nomination Updates 2026
Which states are closed for 190 and 491 nominations?
Victoria is closed to new ROIs for the 2025–26 skilled visa nomination program. The Northern Territory is also closed to new General Skilled Migration nomination applications for the 2025–26 program year.
Is South Australia still inviting 190 and 491 applicants?
Yes. South Australia issued 509 invitations in May 2026, including 295 invitations for the 190 visa and 214 invitations for the 491 visa.
Is Tasmania still inviting 190 and 491 applicants?
Yes, but Tasmania is closing soon for the 2025–26 program year. ROIs for all pathways and passes will close at 5 pm on Wednesday, 3 June 2026. The last invitation round will take place on Thursday, 4 June 2026.
How many 190 and 491 nomination places are available in 2025–26?
The Department of Home Affairs confirmed 20,350 state and territory nomination places for 2025–26. This includes 12,850 places for the 190 visa and 7,500 places for the 491 visa.
Should I wait for the 2026–27 state nomination program?
This depends on your situation. If your visa is expiring soon, or if you are close to turning 45, waiting may be risky. You should consider getting migration advice before deciding to wait.
Disclaimer: This information is general only and does not take into account your personal situation. Australian migration rules and state nomination requirements can change quickly. You should get advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer before making a visa decision.
