Australian Immigration News – December 2025
Major Updates on 189, 190, 491 Visas, State Allocations & 2026 Migration Predictions
The Australian Government has finally released the allocation quotas for the 190 and 491 visas—and the news is significant. Several states, including South Australia, New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, have experienced major cuts, while Queensland and the Northern Territory have seen increases to their state nomination programs.
If you are planning to migrate to Australia in 2026, or you have a 190/491 Expression of Interest (EOI) sitting in SkillSelect without invitations, this may be one of the most important immigration updates of the year.
This month, we cover:
- The November 2025 189 invitation round
- The new 190 & 491 visa allocation cuts
- Four migration strategies to consider moving forward
- The National Innovation Visa (NIV)
- Visa appeals
- What to expect in Australian immigration in 2026
189 Invitation Round – November 2025
The 13 November 2025 189 round was strong and followed similar trends to previous rounds.
A total of 10,000 applicants were invited across 144 different occupations.
As in recent rounds, the Department is prioritising construction, health and education, with some construction occupations being invited with only 65 points.
Some competitive occupations also received invitations, including Economists and Multimedia Specialists. And once again—similar to the latest rounds—some surprising occupations were invited, such as Tennis Coach and Musician (Instrumental).
In this round, 300 applicants were also invited for the 491 Family Stream, across 36 different occupations.
The Department of Home Affairs has just published the official November 189 invitation round. The full list is available on the Department’s website.
For those still waiting, it looks like the next round may happen in February or March, as the government is planning to run invitation rounds quarterly.
190 & 491 Visa Allocations 2025–26
The Federal Government confirmed the new state nomination quotas, with a 23% national reduction overall.
States with major cuts:
- South Australia: 41% decrease
- Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, Western Australia: Significant cuts
- ACT: Small cut
States with increases:
- Queensland: 117% increase
- Northern Territory: 3% increase
Even with increases, both QLD and NT remain competitive due to high applicant demand.
These cuts mean:
- Less availability of 190 and 491 visas
- Higher competition
- Fewer occupations available
- More migrants needing alternative visa pathways
Check out our full blog about the state allocations for 2025–26.
Four Options to Consider for Your Australian PR Strategy
If you are not receiving a nomination for the 190 or 491 visas, there are four pathways you may consider:
1. Keep trying for the 190 or 491 visa
This works for certain occupations—especially in construction, health, education, or for applicants with strong government roles.
However, if you work in an oversupplied occupation (e.g. Cook, Accountant, Marketing Specialist), continuing to wait may not be an effective strategy.
2. Move to another state
A change of state may help, but only depending on your occupation and the state you’re moving to.
For heavily oversupplied occupations such as Restaurant Managers, Cooks, or Enrolled Nurses, moving often does not improve invitation chances.
Moving is more realistic if:
- You have a confirmed job offer in the new state
- You are relocating from a highly competitive state (NSW, VIC, SA) to one with better allocations (WA or NT)
Always seek migration advice before relocating—Australia’s distances usually involve travelling over 1,000 km.
3. Consider alternative visa pathways
This is now the recommendation of many state governments.
Possible alternatives include:
- Employer Sponsored visas (482 visa) — no allocation caps
- DAMA or Labour Agreement visas
- Partner visas (if you have an Australian partner)
Finding a sponsor can be challenging, but it remains one of the most reliable PR pathways.
4. Retrain into a higher-demand occupation
This is most feasible for applicants on a 485 Graduate Visa with 2–3 years ahead of them.
Some trade occupations receiving 189 invitations at only 65 points may become attractive pathways.
If you need personalised guidance, you can book a consultation with our team.
South Australia Opens the 2025–26 State Nomination Program
SA received:
- 1,350 places for the 190 visa
- 900 places for the 491 visa
- Total: 2,250 places (a 41% reduction from last year's 3,800)
Priority sectors:
- Building & Construction
- Defence
- Education
- Engineering
- Health
- Manufacturing
Check our full South Australia blog to learn more about SA state nomination in 2025–26.
National Innovation Visa (NIV) Updates
The NIV replaces the Global Talent Visa and targets highly talented, globally recognised innovators.
Key updates:
- Queensland may open EOIs before the end of 2025
- NSW has received 1,250 EOIs but invited only 5 applicants so far
- Strong demand indicates extremely high competition
With 190 and 491 cuts, it is likely that one state will begin issuing more nomination supports in 2026. Those who act early will benefit most.
If you believe you may qualify, complete our free online assessment.
ART Visa Appeals – Important Reminder
December is a high-volume period for:
- Visa refusals
- Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) decisions
If you receive a refusal, be careful with strict appeal deadlines—missing them may remove your right to review.
What to Expect in Australian Immigration in 2026
Based on current trends, we predict:
- State nomination programs will remain selective and competitive
- Priority will continue for construction, health and education
- Demand for 482 and 186 visas will grow
- 186 processing times will remain long
- DAMA and Labour Agreement pathways will expand
- Skilled migrants will increasingly look for employer sponsorship
- States may issue fewer invitations and adopt more targeted criteria
If you're struggling to secure GSM invitations, read our blog “How to Find a Sponsor in Australia”, which offers practical steps.
Need Personalised Migration Advice?
If you want tailored guidance about your Australian PR options, you can book a consultation with or migration agents or immigration lawyers.
You can also check out our YouTube channel to learn more about Australian visas, permanent residency, and citizenship.
