Meta Description: 2025年9月澳洲移民周报：昆士兰州担保正式开放，四大通道政策详解；ACT发放559个Matrix邀请；霍巴特地区485签证延长至4年。最新下签、获邀数据及职业评估成功案例汇总。

Slug: qld-state-nomination-open-act-invitations-sep-2025

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

TL;DR: Queensland officially opened its 2025-26 state nomination program on September 19th, 2025, featuring four distinct pathways with specific occupation lists and requirements. Meanwhile, the ACT issued a substantial round of 559 Matrix invitations, and Tasmania’s Hobart region gained an additional year of post-study work rights, allowing eligible graduates to access a 4-year 485 visa. These developments signal active state and federal efforts to address skill shortages and support regional development, with more quota allocations expected in the coming weeks. For personalized guidance on these rapidly evolving opportunities, tools like NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor can provide real-time eligibility assessments.

The past week has brought significant momentum to Australia’s skilled migration landscape, with major developments from Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, and changes to post-study work rights in Tasmania. These updates reflect the ongoing recalibration of state and territory nomination programs to meet evolving economic priorities as the 2025-26 migration year progresses. For prospective applicants, understanding these changes is crucial for strategic planning, especially with Queensland implementing a fundamentally different selection approach that moves beyond points-based invitations to a more holistic assessment of candidates’ potential contributions.

Queensland State Nomination: Comprehensive Policy Launch

Queensland has executed a remarkably efficient rollout of its 2025-26 state nomination program, completing the entire process from policy announcement to application opening within a single week. The program officially opened for Registrations of Interest (ROI) on September 19, 2025, with the first invitations expected in October and subsequent rounds occurring every 2-3 weeks throughout the migration year.

Four Distinct Pathways with Clear Requirements

Queensland’s nomination program is structured around four pathways, each with specific eligibility criteria:

1. Onshore Worker Pathway

• Occupations: Extensive list focusing on construction, engineering, healthcare, and limited IT/service sectors
• Points requirement: Minimum 65 points EOI
• English requirement: Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in all bands or equivalent)
• Work experience: 6 months for 491 visa, 9 months for 190 visa
• Employment conditions: Post-qualification, closely related to nominated occupation, minimum 20 hours weekly (casual work accepted, multiple jobs permitted, remote work acceptable)
• Employment continuity: Must remain employed at ROI submission, invitation, and nomination stages

2. Building and Construction Priority Pathway (190 only)

• Occupations: Priority given to construction trades, architectural/civil engineering draftspersons, construction estimators, and project managers
• Points requirement: Minimum 65 points EOI
• English requirement: Competent English
• Work experience: 3 months post-qualification experience in nominated occupation
• Additional benefit: Exclusive access to 190 nominations for this high-priority sector

3. Queensland Graduate Pathway

• Occupations: Similar to Onshore Worker pathway with construction, engineering, healthcare focus
• Points requirement: Minimum 65 points EOI
• English requirement: Competent English
• Study requirement: Bachelor, Master, or PhD completed after July 1, 2021, with 100% of studies in Queensland
• Work experience: 6 months for 491 visa, 9 months for 190 visa
• Unique flexibility: Nomination occupation need not be related to qualification

4. Offshore Pathway

• Occupations: Engineering, construction, and trade occupations on Queensland’s offshore list
• Points requirement: Minimum 65 points EOI
• English requirement: Competent English
• Work experience: Minimum 1 year relevant experience in nominated occupation
• Employment status: Must remain employed in nominated occupation at invitation and nomination stages

Key Policy Changes and Strategic Implications

Queensland has implemented several significant changes this migration year:

ROI-Focused Selection Process: Queensland has moved away from primarily EOI score-based selection to a holistic ROI assessment. The state now considers factors including occupation, qualifications, English proficiency, and partner skills rather than simply inviting the highest-scoring candidates.

SBO Pathway Transition: The Business and Investment pathway is being gradually phased out, reflecting a strategic shift toward employer-sponsored and skilled independent migration.

Temporary Quota Allocation: Queensland has received an initial allocation of 250 nomination places, with officials expressing confidence that the final quota (expected within 1-2 weeks) will exceed last year’s allocation. This suggests positive negotiations at the September 12th state-federal meeting on nomination allocations.

Practical Considerations for Applicants:

• All applicants must submit a new ROI for 2025-26, including previous SBO pathway applicants
• Existing EOIs remain valid unless approaching expiration
• Relevant work experience is defined by ANZSCO first three digits matching
• Queensland graduates should highlight their local study background in their ROI
• Use tools like NovenAI’s EOI Points Calculator to ensure accurate points claims before submission

ACT Matrix Invitations: Substantial First Round

The Australian Capital Territory has commenced its 2025-26 nomination program with a significant invitation round, issuing 559 Matrix invitations across various categories:

Breakdown of ACT Invitations (September 15-16, 2025)

Strategic Analysis of ACT Approach

The ACT’s decision to issue 559 invitations against a remaining temporary quota of just 94 places (after allocating 71 places to previous year’s applicants) indicates strong confidence in receiving its full quota allocation imminently. This aligns with Queensland’s expectations and suggests that states and territories have received positive indications about final nomination numbers following the September 12th meeting with the federal government.

The ACT has also announced pending adjustments to its occupation list, though specific changes have not yet been published. Prospective applicants should monitor official channels closely, as these adjustments could significantly impact eligibility and competitiveness. For those uncertain about how potential changes might affect their chances, NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor can model different scenarios based on current and anticipated requirements.

Notable Occupation-Specific Invitations

The ACT’s invitation data reveals opportunities across diverse sectors:

• Education professionals (Secondary School Teachers) received invitations at 65 points for 491 visas
• Healthcare occupations (Speech Pathologists) saw invitations at 120 points for 190 visas
• Hospitality management (Cafe/Restaurant Managers) received invitations through both general and SBO pathways
• Construction professionals (Quantity Surveyors) were successful with points ranging from 110-115
• IT professionals (Systems Administrators) received 190 invitations at 115 points
• Accounting professionals dominated SBO pathway invitations with points between 115-125

Tasmania 485 Visa Extension: Hobart Region Benefits

In a significant enhancement to regional study incentives, the Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that Hobart and surrounding areas now qualify for extended post-study work rights.

Updated 485 Visa Eligibility

Previous arrangement: Category 1 regional area (2+1 years)
New arrangement: Category 2 regional area (2+2 years)

Effective date: September 12, 2025

Eligible postcodes: 7000, 7004-7026, 7030-7109, 7140-7151, 7170-7177

Implications for Current and Prospective Students

This change provides substantial benefits for international students:

• New applicants: Eligible for 4-year total 485 visa duration (initial 2-year visa + 2-year extension)
• Current 485 holders: Those on their first 485 visa who continue residing in the Hobart region may access the 2-year extension when applying for their second visa
• Transitional cases: Uncertainty remains for those already on their second 485 visa regarding potential further extensions

The enhancement positions Tasmania more competitively against other regional study destinations and reflects the state’s successful advocacy for immigration settings that support its population and economic growth objectives. Students considering regional study options should consult NovenAI’s English Level Guide to ensure they meet the language requirements for both study and subsequent visa applications.

Recent Grants and Assessment Outcomes

This week’s application outcomes demonstrate continued processing across multiple visa categories:

State Nomination Grants

• 190 visas: Financial Investment Adviser (application September 2023, grant September 2025), Early Childhood Teacher, Chiropractor
• Processing times indicate significant variation, with some applications taking nearly two years while others are processed within 5-6 months

Employer-Sponsored Visas

• 482 visas: Grants within approximately 6.5 months of application
• 186 visas: Both Transition and Direct Entry streams seeing grants, with processing times ranging from 20 months for TRT to 18 months for DE

Family and Other Visas

• Partner visas (820): Consistent grants for applications submitted September-October 2024, indicating 11-12 month processing
• Student visas (500): Grants for March-April 2025 applications, suggesting 5-6 month processing
• Visitor visas (600): Expedited processing with grants within days of application

Skills Assessments

• Engineers Australia: Civil engineering assessment completed within 13 days
• VETASSESS: Civil Engineering Draftsperson assessment completed within 59 days

These outcomes provide valuable reference points for applicants managing expectations around processing timelines across different visa categories.

Strategic Recommendations for Prospective Applicants

Based on this week’s developments, several strategic approaches emerge:

1. Queensland applicants should prioritize ROI preparation, focusing on comprehensive documentation of skills, experience, and connections to Queensland beyond points score alone.

2. ACT candidates should prepare for potential occupation list changes while leveraging current opportunities, particularly in sectors with demonstrated invitation patterns.

3. Tasmania-bound students can now factor in the enhanced 485 entitlement when making study decisions, improving the return on investment for education in the Hobart region.

4. All applicants should ensure English language test readiness, as Competent English remains a baseline requirement for most skilled migration pathways. Resources like NovenAI’s English Level Guide can help candidates prepare effectively.

The simultaneous activity across multiple states suggests coordinated planning and potentially larger overall nomination quotas for 2025-26. Applicants should maintain flexible strategies while preparing documentation for multiple potential pathways.

Conclusion: Active Migration Landscape Presents Opportunities

September 2025 has brought substantial developments across Australia’s skilled migration programs, with Queensland’s detailed pathway specifications, the ACT’s generous invitation round, and enhanced post-study work rights in Tasmania collectively creating multiple opportunities for well-prepared applicants. The evident coordination between states and the federal government on quota allocations suggests positive momentum for the remainder of the migration year.

As these programs continue to evolve, staying informed through official channels and leveraging expert tools will be essential for success. For personalized guidance on navigating these opportunities, explore NovenAI’s comprehensive migration support platform to optimize your Australian migration strategy.