[2025-2026 Guide] Major Australian Immigration Updates: QLD State Nomination Opens, ACT Issues 550+ Invitations

TL;DR: Queensland’s state nomination program officially opened on September 19, 2025, with four pathways available for skilled migrants, while ACT issued over 550 invitations in its first round. Hobart graduates now qualify for extended 485 visa benefits (2+2 years), and both states expect increased nomination allocations in the coming weeks. These developments signal strong opportunities for skilled migrants in building, healthcare, and engineering occupations.

The Australian immigration landscape has seen significant movement in late September 2025, with two major states activating their nomination programs and important policy updates affecting international graduates. This analysis breaks down the latest developments and what they mean for skilled migration applicants.

Queensland State Nomination: Complete Guide to the 2025-2026 Program

Queensland’s state nomination program officially opened on September 19, 2025 with a streamlined application process that saw policy announcements, FAQ sessions, and pathway openings completed within one week. The state has introduced significant changes to its nomination framework, including the phased closure of the Small Business Owner (SBO) pathway and a new ROI-based selection system.

Key aspects of Queensland’s updated program include:

• Four distinct pathways: Three for onshore applicants (workers, construction priority, graduates) and one offshore pathway
• ROI requirement: All applicants must submit a new Registration of Interest for 2025-2026, even if they had previous submissions
• Temporary allocation: Queensland has received 250 provisional nominations while awaiting final quota confirmation
• Invitation timeline: First pre-invitations expected in October, with subsequent rounds every 2-3 weeks

The state has indicated it expects to receive more nominations than last program year, with final quotas being finalized after the September 12 meeting between states and the federal government. Check your eligibility instantly with NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor{:target=“_blank”} to see how these changes affect your application strategy.

Queensland’s Pathway Requirements Breakdown

Queensland has established clear eligibility criteria for each nomination pathway, with occupation lists heavily favoring construction, engineering, healthcare, and select IT and service industry roles. Understanding the specific requirements for your target pathway is crucial for successful application preparation.

Onshore Worker Pathway:

• Occupations from Queensland’s onshore list (construction, engineering, healthcare, some IT/service roles)
• Minimum EOI score of 65 points with competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)
• 6 months Queensland residence and work for 491 visa; 9 months for 190 visa
• Post-qualification experience must be closely related to nominated occupation
• Minimum 20 hours weekly work (casual acceptable, multiple jobs combinable)

Construction Priority Pathway (190 only):

• Building & construction priority occupations from onshore list
• Minimum EOI score of 65 points with competent English
• 3 months Queensland residence and work experience
• Post-qualification experience directly related to nomination

Graduate Pathway:

• Queensland graduates from July 1, 2021, onward (bachelor, master, PhD)
• 100% of studies completed in Queensland
• Occupation from onshore list, though study and nomination can be unrelated
• Same work experience requirements as worker pathway

Offshore Pathway:

• Occupations from offshore list (engineering, construction, trades)
• Minimum EOI score of 65 points with competent English
• At least 1 year relevant work experience in nominated occupation
• Must maintain employment until nomination approval

Critical considerations for Queensland applicants include the state’s shift from EOI score-based selection to holistic ROI assessment, where occupation, qualifications, English proficiency, and partner circumstances all factor into selection decisions. Use the free NovenAI EOI Points Calculator{:target=“_blank”} to optimize your profile before submission.

ACT Matrix Round: 559 Invitations Issued in Major Allocation

The Australian Capital Territory has issued 559 pre-invitations in its first significant allocation for the 2025-2026 program year, comprising 235 subclass 190 and 324 subclass 491 nominations. This substantial issuance suggests confidence in receiving full nomination quotas soon, despite ACT currently operating with only 94 remaining temporary nominations after allocating 71 to previous Matrix recipients.

The breakdown of ACT’s invitation round reveals strategic priorities:

• Small Business pathway: 9×190 (minimum 115 points), 18×491 (minimum 110 points)
• 482 visa holder pathway: 41×190, 16×491
• General onshore pathway: 167×190, 225×491
• General offshore pathway: 18×190, 65×491

Notable invitations from the September 15-16 round included Secondary School Teachers (65 points for 491, 120 points for 190), Speech Pathologists (120 points), Cafe/Restaurant Managers (120 points), and various accounting professionals through the Small Business Owner pathway. The diversity of occupations and points ranges indicates ACT’s comprehensive approach to addressing skill shortages across multiple sectors.

ACT continues to review its occupation list, with potential adjustments expected before the next invitation round. Applicants should monitor official channels for updates that could affect their eligibility or competitiveness.

Hobart 485 Visa Extension: Graduate Work Rights Expanded

International graduates in Hobart and surrounding areas now qualify for extended post-study work rights, with the region upgraded from Category 2 to Category 1 for Temporary Graduate visa purposes. Effective September 12, 2025, this change allows eligible graduates to access 2+2 years on the 485 visa instead of the previous 2+1 arrangement.

The expanded eligibility applies to postcodes: 7000, 7004-7026, 7030-7109, 7140-7151, and 7170-7177. Current 485 visa holders who maintain residence in these areas may qualify for the extended second visa, though clarification is pending for those already on a 1-year second visa seeking additional time.

This policy enhancement recognizes Hobart’s growing status as an education hub and aligns with Australia’s strategy to retain skilled international graduates in regional areas. It provides additional pathways for graduates to secure permanent residency through extended work experience opportunities. Verify your English language requirements with NovenAI’s English Level Guide{:target=“_blank”} to ensure you meet the standards for visa applications.

Recent Visa Approvals and Processing Trends

September 15-19 saw consistent visa approvals across multiple categories, providing insight into current processing timelines and successful application patterns. While no 189 invitations were reported this week, other categories demonstrated active processing.

Notable approvals included:

190 Visa Grants:

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

Employer Sponsorship Approvals:

• 482 visa (lodged February 2025, approved September 2025)
• 186 TRT for Marketing and Sales Manager (lodged January 2024, approved September 2025)
• 186 DE for Software Engineer and Accountant (lodged March 2024, approved September 2025)

Partner Visa Approvals:

• Multiple 820 visas lodged September-October 2024, approved September 2025

These approvals indicate processing times ranging from 6-18 months across different visa categories, with employer sponsorship applications showing particularly efficient turnaround times in recent months.

Strategic Implications for Skilled Migrants

The simultaneous activation of Queensland and ACT programs creates strategic opportunities for skilled migrants to maximize their nomination chances. With both states expressing confidence in receiving increased allocations, applicants should consider the following approaches:

1. Dual eligibility assessment: Evaluate your qualifications against both Queensland and ACT criteria, as occupation lists and requirements differ
2. ROI optimization: Queensland’s holistic assessment means supporting documentation quality is as important as points score
3. Timing strategy: With Queensland planning regular small invitation rounds and ACT likely to conduct further large rounds, staggered applications may improve chances
4. Pathway diversification: Consider both 190 and 491 options based on your willingness to commit to regional residence requirements

The extended 485 visa rights for Hobart graduates also create new pathways for international students to build the Australian work experience necessary for permanent residency applications, potentially making Tasmanian education institutions more attractive for certain career paths.

Conclusion: Proactive Planning Essential in Dynamic Environment

The recent developments in Australian skilled migration demonstrate both consistency in program frameworks and evolution in selection approaches. Queensland’s move to holistic ROI assessment and ACT’s substantial invitation round indicate states are refining their approaches to target specific skills effectively.

With quota announcements expected imminently and both major states actively processing applications, skilled migrants should prepare documentation, verify eligibility, and develop multi-state strategies to maximize their chances in the 2025-2026 program year. The extended graduate work rights in Tasmania further expand the pathway options for international students transitioning to permanent residency.

Stay ahead of Australian immigration changes with real-time policy alerts and expert guidance at NovenAI{:target=“_blank”}.