The Department of Home Affairs has released the final nomination numbers for Australia’s 2025-26 skilled migration program. They confirmed a total of 20,350 visa places across two key pathways:
- Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) Visa
- Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) Visa
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
Skilled Nominated Visa, also known as Subclass 190, is a permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory. This visa lets you live and work anywhere in Australia. However, you need a job on the skilled list, a skills assessment, a meet points test, and to be nominated.
Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
The Skilled Work Regional Visa, also known as Subclass 491, is a temporary regional visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia. It lasts up to 5 years and can lead to permanent residency. To be eligible, you need a skilled job, meet points, and get a nomination from a region or family in that area.
How the Visa Numbers Are Divided
Under the new allocation, 12,850 places have been set aside for the Subclass 190 visa and 7,500 for the Subclass 491 visa. Here’s how each state and territory has been allocated:
| State/Territory | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 3,000 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
| Victoria | 2,700 | 700 | 3,400 |
| Queensland | 1,850 | 750 | 2,600 |
| Western Australia | 2,000 | 1,400 | 3,400 |
| South Australia | 1,350 | 900 | 2,250 |
| Tasmania | 1,200 | 650 | 1,850 |
| Northern Territory | 850 | 800 | 1,650 |
| ACT | 900 | 300 | 1,200 |
| Total | 12,850 | 7,500 | 20,350 |
What’s Changed from Last Year
Most regions are seeing fewer places than before. The biggest drop is in Victoria, which lost 1,300 Subclass 491 spots. Only Queensland and the Northern Territory managed to gain a few extra spots this time. Queensland’s Subclass 190 quota jumped by 1,250, while the NT gained 50.
Allocations for the ACT and Northern Territory under the 491 visa remain unchanged from last year. South Australia and Queensland got small increases in their 491 spots, up by 100 and 150, respectively.
Why It Matters
These allocations determine the number of skilled migrants each region can nominate over the next year. With fewer places available overall, competition for state nomination will likely be tougher, especially for the 190 visa.
Final Thoughts
Migrants seeking permanent residency through skilled migration should pay close attention to each state’s nomination requirements and occupation lists. These may be updated soon to reflect the recent changes.
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