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The correct selection of state nomination for PR in Australia has proved to be the most impactful strategic decision for skilled migration in 2026. There is no single “easiest” state, but there are clearly smarter choices depending on your points score, occupation, and whether you are onshore or offshore. The landscape shifted significantly this program year: states no longer select purely on points.Â
Commitment, local workforce connection, and occupation fit now carry equal weight alongside your SkillSelect EOI score. This guide breaks down every active state nomination program for 2026, identifies which states are accessible for different applicant profiles, explains the critical rule changes, and gives you a decision framework so you stop waiting and start applying in the right direction.
The most important shift in the 2025–26 program year: a high points score alone will not secure you a state nomination invitation. States across Australia have moved to multi-criteria selection models where your connection to the state, through employment, study, or a job offer, often carries more weight than 10 extra points on your EOI.
Practically, this means two things:Â
The total federal allocation for 2025–26 is 20,350 nomination places across the Subclass 190 and 491 programs. Several major states have already depleted a significant portion of their annual quota with months remaining before 30 June 2026.
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Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated (Permanent): Grants immediate permanent residency. Adds 5 bonus points. You commit to living and working in your nominating state for two years before gaining freedom to relocate. Most states require 70–80+ base points for a competitive 190 application.
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional): 15 points are gained for a regional visa with a 5-year duration, which has a pathway to PR via Subclass 191. With less than 70 base points, then this pathway under the 491 Regional Pathway may well be an easier and faster option. Tasmania nominated 491 candidates in March 2026 at only 40 base points.
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Applicants with low base points have Tasmania as a clear favorite. Lowest invited 491 points in March 2026 was 40 which was the most readily accessible threshold in any state during this cycle. Tasmania runs weekly ROI rounds, and feedback is generally quicker compared to states running monthly rounds.
The 190 visa is reserved for “Gold pass” profiles with higher scores and demonstrated Tasmanian connections. Tasmania’s small economy means job opportunities are limited in some fields. So, confirm that you can realistically find work in your nominated occupation before committing.
Best for: 491 applicants with 40–65 base points; healthcare, hospitality, and trades professionals; graduates of Tasmanian institutions.
South Australia is the most data-transparent state in 2026, publishing monthly invitation rounds with full occupation breakdowns. SA delivered the largest single round in March 2026: 406 invitations split across 242 Subclass 190 and 164 Subclass 491 places. SA holds approximately 1,350 places for the 190 and 900 for the 491.
SA is open for the offshore applicants and assesses applications based on merit, English ability, and EOI score, and not all streams require local work experience.
Best for: Health, engineering, ICT, and education professionals. Offshore applicants without local employment who meet occupation list requirements.
The State of Western Australia is quite busy; it invites a wider range of occupations than most others. However, WA has already used approximately 53% of its 2025–26 allocation as of March 2026. At the current pace, WA could close nominations before 30 June. If WA is on your list, submit your EOI immediately.
WA requirements range between 80-95 points for health jobs, 90-105 for engineering jobs, and 80-100 for trades and hospitality jobs.
Best for: Trades, healthcare, and engineering professionals with 80+ points who are ready to move quickly.
QLD strongly favors applicants already living in the state: 9 months of residency for the 190 pathway or 6 months in regional QLD for the 491. QLD has added the experience from casual and self-employed work in construction trades to their 491 pathway since March 2026. Points invited ranged from 65 to 95+5 in the March round.
Best for: Applicants already onshore in QLD; construction, trades, healthcare, and education workers in regional areas.
NSW runs invitation rounds throughout the year without fixed dates. Health, ICT, education, and infrastructure are priority sectors. Points for March 2026 were anywhere from 70 to 110 based on occupation, so New South Wales is one of the more difficult states.
Best for: ICT, construction, healthcare, and education professionals with 75+ points and a direct occupation match.
The NT received an increased allocation of 1,650 places for 2025–26 but requires a 3-year commitment to live and work in the Territory, the longest of any Australian state. The NT prioritizes the 491 for offshore candidates; the 190 is offered only in exceptional circumstances.
The MINT (Migration Innovation Northern Territory) program is a unique feature, Australia’s only state-sponsored stream linking skilled visa outcomes to venture capital investment, for applicants who may not meet standard criteria.
Best for: Applicants genuinely committed to the Territory long-term; healthcare workers; MINT-eligible investors.
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Profile | Best State(s) |
40–65 base points, 491 pathway | Tasmania, SA (491) |
65–75 points, onshore | QLD (if resident), SA, WA |
75–90 points, offshore | WA, SA, NSW (occupation-dependent) |
90+ points, 190 pathway | NSW, WA, QLD |
Offshore, no local employment | SA, NT Priority Occupation Stream |
Running an 189-only strategy: The Subclass 189 quota is effectively exhausted for most occupations in 2025–26. State nomination for PR through the 190 or 491 is now the most realistic current pathway, as an 189-only EOI means waiting until 1 July 2026.
Ignoring state-specific occupation lists: Meeting the Department of Home Affairs baseline is not enough. Each state runs its own occupation list. An occupation invited in SA may not appear on WA’s list at all.
Not submitting your EOI before it’s “perfect”: States can only invite you if you have a live EOI in SkillSelect. Submit now with accurate information and update it as your situation improves. A missed allocation because of waiting for a target score is the most frequently seen avoidable mistake.
The easiest way to obtain state nomination for PR in Australia in 2026 is the one that aligns with your points score, occupation, and residency status, not the one that sounds the broadest. Tasmania appears to be the easiest option for lower-scoring 491 applicants. South Australia offers the most consistent and transparent process for both onshore and offshore candidates. Western Australia is high-volume but filling fast.Â
The 189 pathway is effectively closed for the current program year, so if you are still running an 189-only strategy, redirect your EOI toward state nomination now. Check your state’s current occupation list, verify your points, and submit your EOI today. Visit CDRAustraliaEngineer for more guidance on PR Pathways.
Tasmania is the lowest points hurdle; with a 40 base points for the 491 for March 2026 this makes it the most readily available for those with lower scores. South Australia hosts the most reliable and clear monthly invitation rounds. This will vary according to your base score, occupation, and onshore/offshore.
The federal minimum is 60 points before the nomination bonus is added. In practice, the 190 requires 65+, including the 5-point bonus. The 491 adds 15 points, making it accessible for applicants with as few as 40 base points in states like Tasmania in the current cycle.
Yes. Offshore applications are accepted by SA, NT, and WA. SA considers the candidate on their merits and does not require the candidate to be employed locally by all streams. QLD and TAS heavily favor candidates with existing links to the state.
The total allocation is 20,350 places across Subclass 190 and 491 programs. WA has used approximately 53% of its allocation as of March 2026. South Australia holds 1,350 places for the 190 and 900 for the 491. The NT received 1,650 places for 2025–26.
It depends on your base score. The 190 grants immediate permanent residency and requires 70–80+ competitive points in most states. The 491 adds 15 nomination points and is accessible at much lower base scores, making it the more realistic option if your base score is under 70.
In 2026, states assess local workforce connections, state residency or employment history, occupation alignment with priority lists, English proficiency, and commitment to living in the state for the required period. In states with so much competition, like NSW, QLD and Victoria, points alone are no longer sufficient.
