NSW & Victoria Closed: Your End-of-FY State Nomination Scramble Guide (2026)

The Current State Nomination Landscape: Who Is Open and Who Is Closed

The 2025-26 programme year has been one of the most volatile on record for state nomination. Three of Australia's eight states and territories have completely shut their doors, and a fourth is rapidly approaching exhaustion. Here is the full picture as of 10 May 2026:

The practical effect of these closures is stark. NSW and Victoria together have historically accounted for over 40% of all state nominations issued nationally. With both programmes closed, the remaining states - particularly South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia - are experiencing a surge in applications from displaced NSW and VIC candidates. This increased competition means higher effective points thresholds and longer processing times in states that remain open.

For applicants who had pinned their hopes on a single state, this is a critical moment to reassess. The 2025-26 programme year has demonstrated that relying on one state nomination pathway is a high-risk strategy. Diversifying your EOIs across multiple states is no longer optional - it is essential.

Who Is Affected and What It Means for You

The closure of NSW and Victoria affects several distinct groups of applicants, each facing different challenges and requiring different responses.

Onshore Applicants Currently in NSW or Victoria

If you are living and working in Sydney or Melbourne on a temporary visa (such as a 482, 485, or bridging visa) and were banking on your home state's nomination, you face the most immediate disruption. Your options are:

1. Switch to NSW 491 Pathway 2 (NSW applicants only) - NSW is still issuing 491 invitations under Pathway 2, which targets applicants living and working in regional NSW. If your employer has a presence in a regional area outside Greater Sydney, this may be viable.
2. Apply interstate - You can submit EOIs to other states while remaining in NSW or VIC, but be aware that most states (particularly SA and QLD) strongly prioritise applicants who are already living and working within their borders.
3. Relocate - Some applicants may benefit from physically relocating to a state with remaining allocation before applying. South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia all give preference to onshore residents with local employment.

Offshore Applicants Targeting NSW or Victoria

Offshore applicants who nominated NSW or VIC in their SkillSelect EOI need to update their preferences immediately. Unlike onshore applicants, you have the flexibility to target any state without the complication of an existing lease, job, or family in a specific location.

Applicants with Existing ROIs in Victoria

Victoria has confirmed that ROIs submitted before the 28 April 2026 deadline remain in the pool for any residual invitations. However, the programme's final round was conducted on 1 May 2026, and the likelihood of additional rounds is very low. Do not withdraw your VIC ROI (you cannot resubmit until 2026-27), but do not rely on it either. Pursue parallel applications in other states.

189 Visa Applicants Considering a Pivot

The 189 visa drought has now stretched to six months with no invitation round since November 2025. If you have been waiting passively for a 189 invitation, the state nomination closures add further urgency to considering a 190 or 491 pivot. Use our Points Calculator to model your score with state nomination points (+5 for 190, +15 for 491) and assess whether you become competitive in the remaining open states.

Your State-by-State Action Plan: Where to Apply Right Now

With only 51 days remaining in the 2025-26 programme year, here is a detailed breakdown of each state still accepting nominations, what they require, and your realistic chances of success.

Queensland - Your Best Bet for Volume

Queensland allocated 2,600 places for 2025-26 (1,850 for 190 and 750 for 491) and operates a continuous ROI-only selection system rather than scheduled rounds. This means Migration Queensland reviews and selects candidates on an ongoing basis, prioritising:

• Onshore QLD residents with current employment in their nominated occupation
• Healthcare, education, and trade occupations (highest priority sectors)
• Higher points scores and stronger English results

190 Requirements: Commit to living and working in Queensland for at least 2 years after visa grant. Onshore applicants generally need 9 months of relevant work experience.

491 Requirements: Commit to living and working in regional Queensland for at least 3 years. Onshore applicants need 6 months of relevant work experience.

Realistic assessment: QLD is competitive but still has meaningful allocation remaining. If your occupation appears on the Queensland Skilled Occupation List and you have 70+ points (including nomination points), you have a reasonable chance. Search for your ANZSCO code to check if your occupation is on the QLD list.

Western Australia - Monthly Rounds, Strong Demand

WA runs monthly invitation rounds and has used over 50% of its allocation. The state uses the WA Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL), split into two schedules:

Key WA advantages:

• Perth is classified as a regional area for the 491 visa, meaning you get the full +15 points while living in a major capital city
• WA has a dedicated Graduate Stream for international students who completed qualifications in WA
• Monthly rounds provide regular opportunities - you are not waiting months between selections

Points typically required: 80-105 depending on occupation and stream. Healthcare and construction occupations tend to receive invitations at lower thresholds.

Realistic assessment: WA is ideal for applicants in healthcare, engineering, construction, and IT. The employment contract requirement for Schedule 1 occupations (190 visa) means you likely need to be onshore and employed in WA already.

ACT (Canberra) - Matrix-Based, Unique System

The ACT uses the Canberra Matrix - a proprietary ranking system separate from the federal points test. You submit a Matrix application (not an EOI through SkillSelect initially) and are ranked based on ACT-specific criteria including:

• Whether you live and work in Canberra (heavily weighted)
• Your occupation's demand in the ACT
• Length of ACT residence
• English proficiency and qualifications

Critical requirement: The ACT strongly favours Canberra residents. Offshore or interstate applicants face significantly higher Matrix score thresholds. If you are not already in Canberra, this pathway is realistic primarily for those willing to relocate first and build a local work history.

The ACT issued 595 invitations earlier in the programme year and continues to invite on a rolling basis. For a detailed breakdown, see our ACT Canberra Matrix strategy guide.

Tasmania - Tightened but Still Accessible

Tasmania has implemented a pass-based priority system:

The TAS advantage: Tasmania has historically offered the lowest points barrier in Australia, with 491 invitations issued at scores as low as 40 points (including the +15 nomination bonus). This makes it attractive for applicants who struggle to reach competitive scores in other states.

The catch: Tasmania requires a genuine commitment to the state. You will need to demonstrate intent to live and work in Tasmania, and the state actively monitors compliance post-grant.

South Australia - Running Out Fast

SA has issued approximately 2,640 invitations out of its total allocation - roughly 88%. With only ~12% remaining and final rounds expected in May and June, time is extremely tight.

SA priorities: Onshore SA residents with verified employment in nominated occupations. SA also gives preference to applicants whose occupations align with the state's economic priorities, particularly healthcare, aged care, and engineering.

Realistic assessment: Unless you are already in South Australia with a relevant job, breaking into SA at this late stage is very difficult. The May round (509 invitations) will be followed by a final June round, after which the programme closes for 2025-26.

Critical Deadlines and Your 51-Day Action Checklist

Every day counts. Here is your step-by-step action plan for the remaining 51 days before 30 June 2026:

Week 1 (10-17 May 2026):

1. ✅ Log into SkillSelect and update your EOI state preferences to include QLD, WA, ACT, and/or TAS
2. ✅ Verify your occupation is on each target state's occupation list using our ANZSCO Search tool
3. ✅ Check your skills assessment is still valid (most expire after 3 years)
4. ✅ Ensure your English test results are current (IELTS/PTE/OET results valid for 3 years from test date)

Week 2-3 (18 May - 1 June 2026): 5. Submit ROIs or state-specific applications to your target states 6. If targeting WA, check whether your occupation falls under Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 7. If targeting ACT, submit a Canberra Matrix application 8. If targeting TAS, submit an ROI through the Migration Tasmania Gateway

Week 4-7 (2-30 June 2026): 9. Monitor invitation round announcements from SA (final round), WA (monthly round), and QLD (continuous) 10. Respond immediately to any invitation - delays can mean missing the deadline 11. Gather all required documents in advance: skills assessment, English results, employment references, police clearances

What Happens After 30 June 2026?

If you do not secure a nomination before 30 June 2026, do not panic - but do prepare:

• 1 July 2026: All state nomination quotas reset for the 2026-27 programme year. States receive new federal allocations and publish updated occupation lists and requirements.
• Visa fees may increase: Application fees are typically indexed on 1 July each year. The current 190/491 visa application fee is $4,910 AUD (current as of May 2026). Lodging before 1 July locks in the current fee.
• State requirements may change: States often adjust their occupation lists, points thresholds, and eligibility criteria at the start of each programme year. What works today may not work in July.
• 189 may recover: There are indications that the 189 visa programme may see increased allocation in 2026-27, potentially ending the current drought. However, this is not confirmed, and relying on 189 alone remains a risky strategy.

Use our Points Calculator to model different scenarios - with and without state nomination points - so you are prepared for whatever the 2026-27 programme brings.

How First Migration Can Help

Navigating state nomination closures and last-minute programme changes is exactly the kind of high-stakes situation where professional guidance makes the difference. At First Migration Service Centre, our registered migration agents monitor every state programme daily and can help you:

• Identify your strongest remaining pathway based on your occupation, points score, location, and timeline
• Prepare and submit state-specific applications - each state has different requirements, forms, and evidence expectations
• Develop a multi-state strategy to maximise your chances across QLD, WA, ACT, and TAS simultaneously
• Plan for the 2026-27 programme year if securing a nomination before 30 June is not realistic

Ready to take the next step? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment so we can understand your situation and provide tailored advice on the best state nomination pathway for you.