Australian state nomination rounds continue for 2025–26

Australia's points-tested skilled program includes two state-nominated routes: the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), which leads to permanent residence, and the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491), a provisional visa requiring you to live and work in a designated regional area with a pathway to PR.

States and territories invite candidates in rounds across the 2025–26 program year, selecting from Expressions of Interest based on their own labour-market needs. A state nomination adds points to your score — five points for the 190 and fifteen for the 491 — which can be decisive in a competitive pool.

There is no single national rule for state nomination. Each state and territory publishes its own occupation lists, minimum requirements (work experience, English, sometimes a job offer or local connection) and round timing. An occupation in demand in one state may be closed in another.

This is why the same candidate can be ineligible in one jurisdiction and a strong match in the next. Recent signals — such as South Australia indicating further rounds in early 2026 — underline that timing and state choice are strategic decisions, not afterthoughts.

Begin with your occupation: map which states list it and what each requires, then weigh round timing and your willingness to commit to a region (essential for the 491). Lodge Expressions of Interest where you genuinely match, and keep your skills assessment and English results current.

Because some states require a local connection or job offer, align your documentation to the specific state's criteria rather than submitting a generic profile everywhere.