State nomination programs in Australia offer skilled migrants valuable pathways to permanent residency by providing additional points and access to specific visa subclasses. These programs were introduced to allow states and territories to nominate skilled and business migration applicants across various industries, helping meet regional skills shortages and attracting investment^3.
Key Benefits of State Nomination
State nomination provides several significant advantages for prospective migrants:
- Additional Points: Adds 5 points for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) and 15 points for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) towards the Department of Home Affairs points test^3
- Priority Processing: Applications with state nomination often receive expedited processing^5
- Expanded Occupation Access: Provides access to a more extensive list of eligible occupations^2
- Work Freedom: Grants the same work rights as Australian citizens, without being tied to a single employer^3
Main Visa Pathways Through State Nomination
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
This permanent residency visa allows points-tested skilled workers to live and work in Australia indefinitely. It’s designed for people with occupations in high demand in Australia’s labor market^5. The visa remains popular, with Victoria leading nominations at 1,976 places in the 2023-24 program year, followed by Western Australia (1,356) and New South Wales (992)^4.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
This provisional visa is specifically designed to promote regional development. In the 2023-24 program year, New South Wales and the Northern Territory led with 978 and 293 nominations respectively, highlighting their commitment to regional growth^4.
2024-2025 State Nomination Allocations
For the 2024-25 program year, the Australian Government has announced the following allocations^10:
- Victoria: 5,000 places (3,000 for subclass 190; 2,000 for subclass 491)
- South Australia: 3,800 places (3,000 for subclass 190; 800 for subclass 491)
- Western Australia: 5,000 places (distribution between visa subclasses not specified)
- Australian Capital Territory: 1,800 places (1,000 for subclass 190; 800 for subclass 491)
- Northern Territory: 1,600 places (doubled from previous year)
State-Specific Requirements
Each state and territory has unique nomination criteria that applicants must meet:
New South Wales
Basic requirements:
- Be under 45 years of age
- Have a positive skill assessment in an occupation on the NSW Skilled Occupation Lists
- Have at least competent English (citizens of USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, or New Zealand are exempt from English assessment)
Residence requirements:
- Onshore candidates must have continuously resided in NSW for at least six months
- Offshore candidates must have continuously resided offshore for at least six months^1
Victoria
Basic requirements:
- Be committed to living in Victoria
- Be under 45 years of age
- Have at least Competent English^1
Queensland
Queensland offers four nomination pathways:
- Queensland Graduates
- Skilled workers in Queensland
- Skilled workers outside Australia
- 491 Small business owners^1
Australian Capital Territory
Basic requirements:
- Be under 45 years of age at nomination time
- Have at least Competent English
- Have a valid Skills Assessment in an occupation on the MLTSSL or STSOL
- Submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect with at least 65 points
- Submit a Canberra Matrix and be selected^1
Application Process
The state nomination process typically follows these steps:
- Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet both federal and state-specific requirements
- Submit EOI: Lodge an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect, indicating your preferred state/territory
- Points Assessment: Ensure you meet the minimum 65-point threshold (including the 5 or 15 additional points from state nomination)^8
- Receive Invitation: If selected, you’ll receive an invitation to apply for state nomination
- Apply for Nomination: Submit your application with supporting documentation
- Visa Application: If nominated, proceed with your visa application to the Department of Home Affairs^6
Competitive Factors
State nomination is a competitive process. Your points score is calculated based on factors including:
- Age: Maximum 30 points (25-32 years)
- English Language Ability: Up to 20 points (Superior English)
- Skilled Employment: Up to 20 points (in Australia) or 15 points (outside Australia)
- Educational Qualifications: Up to 20 points (Doctorate/PhD)
- Other Factors: Including community language qualifications, regional study, partner skills, etc.^8
Important Considerations
- State nomination does not automatically result in visa grant; your application must still meet all Department of Home Affairs requirements^2
- Each state prioritizes different occupations based on their economic needs
- Requirements and occupation lists are subject to change, so regular monitoring is essential
- Some states have temporarily closed nominations or implemented restrictions due to high demand
State nomination provides a valuable opportunity for skilled migrants to build a new life in Australia while contributing to regional development and addressing skills shortages across the country.
