[2025-2026 Guide] Queensland State Nomination Quota Doubles to 2600 While Victoria Issues 65-Point Construction Invitations

Queensland has received the largest state nomination quota increase of any Australian state, with 190 visa allocations jumping by 1250 places to reach a total of 2600 nominations for the 2025-2026 program year. Victoria continues to issue ROI invitations with construction project managers receiving invites at just 65 points, while most other states face significant quota reductions in the overall 20,350 national allocation.

Complete 2025-2026 State Nomination Quota Breakdown

The Department of Home Affairs has released final state nomination allocations totaling 20,350 places across Australia for the 2025-2026 program year. This represents a substantial reduction from previous years, with 190 visas cut by 3,650 places to 12,850 and 491 visas reduced by 2,260 places to 7,500, creating increased competition in most jurisdictions.

The state-by-state allocation reveals dramatic shifts in nomination opportunities:

• Queensland: Major winner with 1,250 additional 190 places (+150 491) reaching 2,600 total nominations
• Northern Territory: Modest increase of 50 additional 190 places
• Victoria: 190 quota reduced by 300 to 2,700, but 491 slashed by 1,300 (65% reduction)
• New South Wales: Both 190 and 491 reduced by 900 and 500 places respectively
• Western Australia: Significant cuts of 1,000 to 190 and 600 to 491 nominations
• South Australia: Hardest hit with 1,650 reduction to 190 allocations
• Tasmania: Reduced by 900 (190) and 110 (491) places
• Australian Capital Territory: Minor reduction of 200 to 190 nominations

This redistribution signals a strategic shift toward supporting Queensland’s growing economy while maintaining Victoria’s established migration pathways despite overall reductions.

Queensland’s Unprecedented Quota Increase: Strategy and Timing

Queensland emerges as the standout opportunity with a 1250-place increase to its 190 visa allocation, bringing its total state nomination quota to 2600 places. This represents more than double its previous allocation and positions Queensland as the most promising destination for skilled migrants in the 2025-2026 program year.

The Queensland government has already confirmed its ROI (Registration of Interest) system will remain in place, and with the significant quota increase, applicants can expect:

• More frequent invitation rounds throughout the program year
• Broader occupation coverage across priority sectors
• Lower competitive points thresholds due to increased availability
• Potential for both onshore and offshore applicants to benefit

Critical timing consideration: Queensland has not yet conducted its first major 190 invitation round for 2025-2026, having only issued limited 491 invitations through the small business pathway. The state has indicated that pre-invitations are imminent, making now the optimal time to prepare ROI submissions.

Pro Tip: With NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor, you can model your chances across different states based on current quota allocations and historical invitation data.

Victoria’s Latest ROI Round: Construction Roles at 65 Points

Victoria conducted a limited ROI invitation round with construction project managers receiving invitations at just 65 points, representing exceptional value in a competitive state. This continues Victoria’s pattern of prioritizing construction and healthcare occupations while maintaining its preference for onshore applicants with existing employment.

The November invitation round revealed several key patterns:

• Healthcare Dominance: Nursing and allied health professions comprised the majority of invitations with points ranging between 70-85
• Construction Priority: Non-trade construction roles like Construction Project Manager received invitations at 65 points
• Onshore Preference: Overwhelming majority of invitations went to 190 applicants with existing employment in Victoria
• Limited Offshore Opportunities: Only sporadic 491 invitations for offshore applicants

Despite Victoria’s 190 quota reduction from 3,000 to 2,700 places (a relatively modest 10% decrease), the dramatic 65% cut to 491 nominations (down to just 700 places) will inevitably increase competition for 190 nominations throughout the program year.

State-by-State Invitation Status and Strategy

Migration planning requires understanding not just quota allocations but actual invitation patterns across Australian states and territories. Current status across jurisdictions reveals varied approaches to nomination management:

Active Invitation States

New South Wales: Has conducted two 190 invitation rounds but has not yet opened 491 applications or issued invitations for this visa category.

Victoria: Has completed two rounds for both 190 and 491, with the November round emphasizing construction and healthcare occupations for onshore applicants.

Australian Capital Territory: Issued one round of invitations followed by significant changes to occupation lists, requiring applicants to reassess eligibility.

Tasmania: Operating stable weekly invitation rounds with rolling assessment of formal nominations for both 190 and 491 visas.

Western Australia: Conducted first invitation round focusing on construction trades and indicated another round scheduled for November pending formal quota confirmation.

Preparing States

Queensland: ROI system open but awaiting first major invitation round, with indications this will occur imminently.

South Australia: Yet to announce full nomination policy or open ROI submissions, creating anticipation among applicants.

Strategic Implications for Skilled Migration Applicants

The 2025-2026 quota distribution creates both challenges and opportunities that demand strategic responses from skilled migration applicants. With overall reductions but concentrated opportunities in specific states, successful navigation requires:

Queensland-Focused Strategy

• Immediate Action: Submit ROI through Queensland’s portal without delay
• Occupation Alignment: Focus on Queensland’s priority sectors including healthcare, engineering, and technology
• Timing Advantage: Position applications before the first major invitation round
• Points Optimization: Use the quota increase to potentially secure invitations with competitive but not exceptional points

Victoria Adaptation Approach

• Employment Priority: Secure relevant employment in Victoria to meet onshore preference
• Points Management: Even with 65-point construction invitations, aim for 70+ points for healthcare roles
• 190 Focus: Given the 491 reduction, concentrate efforts on meeting 190 criteria
• Professional Registration: Ensure all healthcare qualifications are recognized by Australian bodies

Multi-State Application Consideration

• Diversified Submissions: Apply to multiple states where eligible to maximize invitation chances
• State-Specific Preparation: Tailor documentation and evidence to each state’s requirements
• Priority Timing: Focus on states with imminent invitation rounds (Queensland, Western Australia)
• Continuous Monitoring: Track state nomination portals for policy updates and round announcements

Strategic Planning: NovenAI’s EOI Points Calculator helps identify quick wins to boost your points score across multiple state nomination criteria.

Critical Timeline Considerations Before Christmas Closure

With approximately one month remaining before the Christmas administrative closure, strategic timing becomes crucial for maximizing 2025-2026 nomination opportunities. States typically reduce or pause invitation rounds during the December-January holiday period, creating a compressed timeline for action:

• Queensland First Round: Expected imminently based on official communications
• Western Australia November Round: Confirmed for later in November
• Other States: Likely to conduct at least one more round before Christmas
• Post-Christmas Strategy: Prepare for renewed activity in late January 2026

This creates a narrow window for applicants to position themselves for invitations before the holiday slowdown, particularly for Queensland’s first major round and Western Australia’s confirmed November invitations.

Comprehensive Migration Pathway Assessment

While state nominations present immediate opportunities, successful migration planning requires evaluating all potential pathways including employer sponsorship and independent visas. The reduced state nomination quotas increase the importance of:

• Employer Sponsorship: Particularly for occupations in high demand but with points limitations
• 189 Independent Visas: Despite increased competition, remains a viable pathway for high-points applicants
• Regional Alternatives: 491 visas continue to offer pathways despite reduced quotas
• Combined Strategies: Pursuing multiple pathways simultaneously to maximize chances

The current environment demands professional assessment of all options rather than exclusive focus on state nominations, particularly given the overall reduction in available places.

Conclusion: Strategic Positioning in a Changing Landscape

The 2025-2026 state nomination landscape presents a tale of two Australias: Queensland’s unprecedented opportunity against a backdrop of general reduction. Victoria continues to deliver surprising opportunities like 65-point construction invitations despite overall quota constraints. Success requires understanding not just the numbers but the timing, strategy, and alternative pathways that can lead to Australian permanent residency.

With one month until Christmas closures and Queensland’s first major round imminent, now represents a critical decision point for skilled migration applicants. Those who act strategically to position their applications across multiple states while developing backup plans through employer sponsorship or independent visas will navigate this challenging environment most effectively.

Ready to develop your personalized migration strategy? Explore NovenAI’s comprehensive migration planning tools to assess your options across state nomination, employer sponsorship, and independent visa pathways with real-time policy updates and success probability analysis.