Understanding the 2025–26 State and Territory Nomination Allocations

What State and Territory Nomination Allocations Do 

Australia provides each state and territory with a set number of nominations each year. These nominations allow jurisdictions to invite skilled migrants who meet their unique criteria and can contribute to local economic and demographic needs. 

Nomination allocations support two key program streams: 

• Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190 

• Skilled Work Regional Visa Subclass 491 

States and territories use their own assessment criteria to select applicants, which may include occupation needs, residency requirements, work experience, or ties to the region. 

Allocations Do Not Equal Visa Grants 

A nomination is permission to apply for a visa. It does not guarantee that the visa will be granted. 

Visa outcomes are processed by the Department of Home Affairs, which considers both new applications and existing on hand applications in line with the Migration Program planning levels. This ensures that visa grants remain consistent with national skilled migration priorities. 

2025–26 Nomination Allocations: Official Breakdown 

On 4 November 2025, the Australian Government set the state and territory nomination allocations for the 2025–26 program year at 20,350 places. 

This includes: 

• 12,850 places for Subclass 190 applicants 

• 7,500 places for Subclass 491 applicants 

Below is the official allocation for each jurisdiction: 

Subclass 190 Allocation 

• ACT: 800 

• NSW: 2,100 

• NT: 850 

• QLD: 1,850 

• SA: 1,350 

• TAS: 1,200 

• VIC: 2,700 

• WA: 2,000 

Total: 12,850 

Subclass 491 Allocation 

• ACT: 800 

• NSW: 1,500 

• NT: 800 

• QLD: 750 

• SA: 900 

• TAS: 650 

• VIC: 700 

• WA: 1,400 

Total: 7,500 

These numbers represent the maximum number of new primary applicants each state or territory can nominate. They do not indicate how many visas will be finalised during the program year. 

How Allocations Are Determined 

The Australian Government sets these allocation numbers based on several factors, including: 

• workforce and demographic needs of each jurisdiction 

• number of on hand visa applications 

• Migration Program planning levels 

This ensures the nominations reflect genuine regional needs and align with national migration goals. 

What This Means for Skilled Migrants 

For applicants considering the Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 visa pathways, nomination allocations help indicate how active each state or territory may be during the program year. 

However, allocations alone do not determine eligibility or guarantee an invitation. Each jurisdiction still applies its own criteria and priorities, which can change throughout the year based on demand and occupational needs. 

Skilled migrants benefit from monitoring state and territory announcements and adjusting their plans accordingly. 

How LMSD Supports Skilled Visa Applicants 

At Legacy Migration & Study Direction, we help skilled migrants understand nomination criteria, compare opportunities across states and territories, and prepare their applications based on current program settings. 

Since every state has unique requirements, having professional guidance can help applicants choose the most suitable pathway and stay updated on policy changes. 

Final Thoughts 

The 2025–26 state and territory nomination allocations play an important role in shaping skilled migration opportunities across Australia. Knowing how many places each state has and how nominations work can help skilled migrants prepare their applications with clarity and confidence. 

All information provided here is directly based on the guidelines from the Australian Department of Home Affairs. 

The information, updates, news, and advice provided are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalised guidance. For accurate advice regarding your specific migration case, we invite you to reach out to us directly by sending a message through this link: https://www.legacymigration.com.au/take-your-first-step-to-living-working-or-studying-in-australia

Migration Agents Registration Number: 1797357

QEAC Number: S041