Meta Description: 2025-2026财年澳大利亚技术移民最新动态：昆士兰州担保正式开放申请，ACT发放559个Matrix邀请，霍巴特地区485签证延长至4年。了解各州最新政策变化、职业清单和申请要求。

Slug: queensland-act-immigration-updates-september-2025

[2025–2026 Guide] Queensland State Nomination Opens with Full Policy Details as ACT Issues 550+ Invitations

TL;DR: Queensland has officially opened its 2025-2026 state nomination program with four distinct pathways, while the ACT has issued a substantial round of 559 Matrix invitations. In significant visa news, Hobart and surrounding areas have been upgraded for 485 visa extensions, allowing eligible graduates to access up to 4 years of post-study work rights. These developments signal active movement in Australia’s skilled migration landscape as states begin implementing their allocation strategies.

According to the Department of Home Affairs’ official skilled migration program updates, Australian states and territories are now activating their nomination programs following recent consultations with the federal government. The rapid implementation of Queensland’s program and ACT’s substantial invitation round indicate confidence in upcoming quota allocations.

Queensland State Nomination: Comprehensive 2025-2026 Program Details

Queensland has launched its full state nomination program for the 2025-2026 migration year, featuring significant restructuring from previous years. The program now operates through four distinct pathways with the Small Business Owner (SBO) pathway being phased out. Applications opened on September 19, 2025, with the first round of invitations expected in October and subsequent rounds every 2-3 weeks.

The Queensland government has clarified that all applicants must submit new Registration of Interest (ROI) submissions for the current program year, including those who previously submitted under the SBO pathway. However, existing Expression of Interest (EOI) submissions in SkillSelect remain valid unless approaching expiration. Critical changes include Queensland’s shift away from EOI score rankings toward a comprehensive ROI assessment considering factors beyond points, including occupation, qualifications, English proficiency, and partner circumstances.

Key Queensland Nomination Pathways

Onshore Worker Pathway:

• Occupations must be on Queensland’s onshore skilled occupation list
• Minimum 65 points EOI score
• IELTS 6.0 minimum in all bands or equivalent
• 6 months Queensland residence and work for 491 visa eligibility
• 9 months Queensland residence and work for 190 visa eligibility
• Post-qualification experience must be closely related to nominated occupation
• Minimum 20 hours weekly employment (casual work accepted, multiple employers permitted)
• Must maintain employment throughout application process

Building and Construction Priority Pathway (190 only):

• Exclusive to construction-related occupations on priority list
• Minimum 65 points EOI score
• IELTS 6.0 minimum in all bands or equivalent
• 3 months Queensland residence and work experience
• Includes trades occupations, draftspersons, estimators, and project managers

Graduate Pathway:

• For international students graduating from Queensland institutions after July 1, 2021
• Bachelor, Master or PhD qualifications completed 100% in Queensland
• Occupation must be on Queensland’s onshore skilled occupation list
• Minimum 65 points EOI score
• IELTS 6.0 minimum in all bands or equivalent
• 6 months work experience for 491 eligibility, 9 months for 190 eligibility

Offshore Pathway:

• Occupations on Queensland’s offshore skilled occupation list
• Minimum 65 points EOI score
• IELTS 6.0 minimum in all bands or equivalent
• Minimum 1 year relevant work experience in nominated occupation
• Must maintain employment at time of invitation and nomination

Queensland officials have indicated they received 250 temporary allocation places with expectations of increased full-year quotas following September 12 consultations between states and the federal government. The final quota allocations are in the finalization stage with announcements expected within 1-2 weeks.

Understanding your exact points calculation is crucial for Queensland’s ROI assessment. Use NovenAI’s free EOI Points Calculator to accurately assess your eligibility before submission.

ACT Matrix Invitation Round: 559 Invitations Issued

The Australian Capital Territory has commenced the program year with a substantial invitation round, issuing 559 Matrix invitations across various categories. This represents one of the most comprehensive early-round distributions seen in recent program years, suggesting confidence in upcoming quota allocations.

Breakdown of ACT September Invitations:

Small Business Operator Pathway:

• 190 visas: 9 invitations (minimum 115 points)
• 491 visas: 18 invitations (minimum 110 points)

482 Visa Holder Pathway:

• 190 visas: 41 invitations
• 491 visas: 16 invitations

General Onshore Pathway:

• 190 visas: 167 invitations
• 491 visas: 225 invitations

General Offshore Pathway:

• 190 visas: 18 invitations
• 491 visas: 65 invitations

Total: 235 x 190 visas and 324 x 491 visas

The ACT had previously received 165 temporary allocation places, of which 71 had been utilized for carry-over applications from the previous program year. The decision to issue 559 invitations despite having only 94 temporary places remaining indicates strong confidence in receiving full allocation imminently, consistent with Queensland’s expectations.

Notable invited occupations included Secondary School Teachers (65 points for 491), Speech Pathologists (120 points for 190), Café and Restaurant Managers, Quantity Surveyors, Accountants, and Civil Engineering Draftspersons (95 points for 190). The ACT government has indicated potential upcoming adjustments to its skilled occupation list, with announcements expected before the next invitation round.

Strategic submission timing significantly impacts Matrix success. NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor analyzes historical data to identify optimal submission windows based on your occupation and profile.

Hobart 485 Visa Extension: 2+2 Years Now Available

In a significant update to post-study work rights, the Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that Hobart and surrounding areas have been upgraded for Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) extensions. Effective September 12, 2025, eligible graduates studying in Hobart and specified postcodes can now access up to 4 years of post-study work rights.

Eligible Postcodes for Extended 485 Rights:

• 7000, 7004-7026, 7030-7109
• 7140-7151, 7170-7177

The change upgrades Hobart from Category 2 to Category 3 under the regional incentives program, granting eligibility for the additional 1-year extension on top of the standard 2-year post-study work period followed by 2-year regional extension. This creates a potential 4-year total stay for eligible international graduates.

Current 485 visa holders residing in these postcodes may be eligible for the extended second visa when applying for the regional renewal. However, clarification is pending regarding those already holding the 1-year second visa whether they can apply for an additional extension.

This policy enhancement significantly improves Tasmania’s competitiveness for international students and aligns with broader initiatives to distribute migration benefits across regional Australia. The change recognizes Hobart’s growing status as an education hub and supports retention of skilled graduates in southern Tasmania.

Recent Visa Grants and Case Studies

This week saw consistent processing across various visa categories, with several notable approvals demonstrating current processing timeframes:

State Nominated Visas:

• ACT 190 visa: Financial Investment Adviser (lodged September 2023, approved September 2025)
• ACT 190 visa: Early Childhood Teacher (lodged April 2025, approved September 2025)
• ACT 190 visa: Chiropractor (lodged March 2025, approved September 2025)

Employer-Sponsored Visas:

• 482 visa: Approved within 6.5 months (lodged February 2025)
• 186 TRT visa: Market Sales Manager (lodged January 2024, approved September 2025)
• 186 DE visa: Software Engineer (lodged March 2024, approved September 2025)
• 186 DE visa: Accountant (lodged February 2024, approved September 2025)

Partner Visas:

• 820 visas: Multiple approvals with 11-12 month processing times

Skills Assessments:

• Engineers Australia: Civil Engineering (13-day processing)
• VETASSESS: Civil Engineering Draftsperson (59-day processing)

The consistent approval patterns across these categories indicate stable processing timeframes despite policy changes occurring at the program level.

Strategic Implications for Prospective Applicants

The simultaneous activation of Queensland’s program and ACT’s substantial invitation round creates strategic opportunities for skilled migrants. Queensland’s shift to ROI-based selection emphasizes holistic applicant profiles over points rankings, while ACT’s broad invitation distribution suggests responsive planning to anticipated quota increases.

Prospective applicants should consider several strategic approaches:

For Queensland applications:

• Focus on comprehensive ROI presentations highlighting all eligibility factors
• Ensure occupation aligns with Queensland’s specific economic needs
• Maintain consistent employment meeting pathway requirements
• Submit ROIs early in the invitation cycle

For ACT applicants:

• Monitor occupation list changes anticipated before next round
• Consider strategic Matrix submission timing based on historical data
• Evaluate both 190 and 491 pathways based on point profile

For international students:

• Consider Hobart’s enhanced 485 benefits when selecting study destinations
• Plan for potential 4-year post-study work opportunities in Tasmania
• Align study choices with skilled occupation lists for state nomination pathways

Meeting English language requirements is fundamental to all skilled migration pathways. NovenAI’s English Level Guide helps you understand test options and preparation strategies for optimal results.

Conclusion: Active Migration Landscape Presents Opportunities

September 2025 has demonstrated significant momentum in Australia’s skilled migration program with substantial developments across multiple states and visa categories. Queensland’s restructured nomination program, ACT’s confident invitation round, and enhanced post-study work rights in Tasmania collectively create diverse opportunities for skilled migrants.

The coming weeks will bring further clarity as states receive their full quota allocations, likely triggering additional invitation rounds and potential policy refinements. Prospective applicants should maintain readiness to submit applications as opportunities emerge, with particular attention to jurisdiction-specific requirements beyond standard eligibility criteria.

As migration professionals with over a decade of experience navigating Australian immigration policy changes, we observe that these developments reflect a strategic rebalancing of migration benefits across states and territories while maintaining focus on attracting skills aligned with economic priorities.

Ready to navigate these new opportunities? Explore your migration options with NovenAI’s comprehensive assessment tools to develop your personalized strategy based on the latest policy updates.