Top 6 State Nomination Allocations for Australia [2025-2026 Guide]

TL;DR: Australia’s state nomination allocations for 2025–2026 have been released, with a total of roughly 26,000 places available across all states and territories. This guide breaks down each state’s quota, priority occupations, and actionable steps to secure a nomination—including how NovenAI’s real-time tools can help you pinpoint the best state for your profile before the next invitation round.

1. What is the State Nomination Allocation for 2025–2026?

The state nomination allocation is the number of permanent and provisional visa nominations each Australian state and territory can issue between July 2025 and June 2026. This quota determines how many skilled migrants can be invited to apply for a Subclass 190 or 491 visa in that financial year.

According to the Department of Home Affairs’ official Allocation page, the total planning level for 2025–2026 is approximately 26,000 places—a slight increase from the previous year. Each state receives a specific portion of this pool, which is further split between the Subclass 190 (state nominated) and Subclass 491 (regional skilled) visa pathways.

• Key fact: The allocation is a cap—once a state fills its quota, it stops issuing invitations until the next financial year.
• Important: States can request additional places mid-year if demand exceeds supply, particularly for critical sectors like health and education.

To check your eligibility against any state’s list, use the NovenAI EOI Points Calculator to ensure your score matches the state’s minimum requirement.

2. Which States Have the Highest Allocation in 2025–2026?

New South Wales and Victoria hold the largest allocations, each receiving over 5,000 places for 2025–2026. These two states account for nearly 40% of the total national pool, reflecting their larger economies and broader labour markets.

Here is a breakdown of the 2025–2026 state nomination allocation by jurisdiction:

Note: Final allocations are subject to variation based on Home Affairs’ mid-year adjustments.

• Bulleted takeaways:
  • WA has increased its allocation by 15% from 2024–2025, targeting engineers and construction managers.
  • QLD has a strong Subclass 491 skew (55% of total), favouring regional migrants.
  • Tasmania and NT have smaller pools but offer relaxed nomination criteria for genuine applicants.

3. How are Allocations Split Between Subclass 190 and Subclass 491?

Subclass 190 (state nominated) accounts for roughly 55% of total allocations, with Subclass 491 (regional skilled) making up the remaining 45%. The split varies significantly by state, depending on regional development priorities.

For instance, South Australia has historically allocated more to the Subclass 491 pathway to boost regional settlement, while New South Wales maintains a balanced split. According to SkillSelect’s official state migration data, states with larger regional areas (e.g., QLD, SA) tend to favour the 491 program.

• Why it matters: If you are willing to live and work in a regional area for three years, the Subclass 491 offers a larger pool of spaces and often lower points thresholds.
• Practical tip: Target states that allocate a high percentage of Subclass 491 places if your points score is below 85.

You can check your likely score for both visa streams using the NovenAI Visa Success Predictor, which models your chances against current state thresholds.

4. Which Occupations are Prioritised in the 2025–2026 Allocation?

Health, education, and construction occupations remain the top priority sectors across all states for 2025–2026. This is consistent with the federal government’s National Skills Priority List, which identifies persistent shortages in registered nurses, secondary school teachers, and civil engineers.

Each state publishes a specific occupation list (e.g., NSW’s Skilled Occupation List or WA’s Graduate Occupation List). For example, Victoria is heavily targeting software engineers and early childhood educators, while Queensland is prioritising chefs and trades workers for its Subclass 491 program.

• Bulleted key points:
  • Health: Nurses, aged care workers, and allied health professionals are in demand in every state except NT.
  • Construction: Project builders, electricians, and plumbers are critical for WA and QLD.
  • Education: Secondary school teachers and special education teachers are prioritised in VIC and SA.
  • Tech: ICT business analysts and software engineers are still sought in NSW and ACT.

To see if your occupation is listed for a specific state, check the official state migration website (e.g., Live in Victoria or NSW Treasury). Alternatively, you can use the NovenAI English Level Guide to confirm you meet the required proficiency band—most states ask for at least Competent English (IELTS 6.0) for Subclass 491.

5. How Can I Increase My Chances of Getting a Nomination in 2025–2026?

The best way to secure a nomination is to apply early in the financial year and ensure your EOI is error-free. States usually run invitation rounds monthly or quarterly, and they fill their allotment quickly—especially for popular occupations like nursing and teaching.

• Actionable steps:
  1. Pinpoint your target state: Use NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor to see which states are actively inviting your occupation.
  2. Optimise your EOI: Ensure your points claim is accurate. A single error can delay your nomination by months. Use the NovenAI EOI Points Calculator to double-check.
  3. Monitor state-specific criteria: Some states (e.g., ACT) use a strict merit-based matrix, while others (e.g., WA) rely on a job offer.
  4. Prepare documentation early: Gather skills assessments, English test results, and any required employment references before the round starts.

By acting now, you can avoid the mid-year rush when remaining slots become extremely competitive.

Conclusion

The 2025–2026 state nomination allocation shows a positive but competitive landscape for skilled migrants. With a total of roughly 26,000 places available, focusing on high-priority occupations and targeting states with larger pools (NSW, VIC, WA) can significantly boost your chances.

Don’t leave your migration outcome to guesswork. Let NovenAI guide you with real-time data, personalised scoring, and instant policy alerts. Start your journey today with NovenAI’s free tools and 24/7 AI migration mentor—it’s your fastest track to an Australian visa.