What Are Interim Allocations for State 190 or 491 Visas?
The Department of Home Affairs sometimes provides states and territories with a small, temporary batch of nomination places. These are called interim allocations.
They allow states to continue processing a limited number of nominations for the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visas while waiting for the federal government to release the full allocation for the year.
In simple terms, interim allocations act as a “bridge” so that migration programs don’t completely pause between July and when the final numbers are handed down.
Why Interim Allocations Are Important
For applicants, interim allocations mean that invitations may still be issued early in the program year, but they will usually be very limited. States often use these places to:
- Prioritise candidates who submitted a Registration of Interest (ROI) in the previous program year
- Focus on occupations that are in critical demand
- Assist applicants with urgent visa situations, such as those whose visas are close to expiring
Interim Allocations in the Past
This is not the first time interim allocations have been used. For example, in the 2020–21 program year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, interim allocations were provided before the full annual quotas were confirmed.
Interim Allocations in 2025-26
In the 2025–26 program year, the states and territories received interim allocations in early September while still waiting for the full allocation number be released. This allowed them to issue a small number of invitations ahead of the full allocations being announced later in the year.
In practice, the gap between interim allocations being released and the full allocation being confirmed is usually only a matter of weeks or a couple of months.
For ACT the 2025-26 interim allocation is 165 nomination places:
- ACT permanent 190 nomination: 85 places
- ACT provisional 491 nomination: 80 places
For Tasmania, this allocation is a total of 165 places:
- 85 for subclass 190 visa
- 80 for subclass 491 visa
South Australia and Western Australia didn’t provide the number of interim allocation provided.
What Applicants Should Do
If you are planning to apply for a 190 or 491 visa, it’s important to be prepared:
- Keep your EOI/ROI up to date with accurate details, English test results and skills assessments
- Gather your supporting documents so you are ready if invited
- Stay informed by checking the announcements on state and territory migration websites
Interim allocations are a temporary but important part of Australia’s skilled migration program. While numbers are small, they allow states to continue nominating candidates before the full annual quotas are set. For applicants, being prepared early can make the difference between securing an invitation or missing out.
You can contact us if you need any assistance with your visa application or pathways for your permanent residency in Australia.
