Tasmania 491 at 40 Points: Australia's Lowest-Barrier State Nomination in 2026

What Happened in Tasmania's 11 March 2026 Round?

Tasmania's Skilled Migration Programme operates on a weekly invitation cycle - unlike most states that run monthly rounds. In the week ending 11 March 2026, Migration Tasmania issued 19 invitations for Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) nominations, with the lowest points score at just 40 points under the Orange Pass category.

The previous week (5 March 2026) saw 26 invitations with a minimum of 41 points. This consistent pattern of extremely low thresholds makes Tasmania uniquely accessible.

Why this matters: Tasmania sends invitations every week, while most states operate on monthly cycles. This means faster feedback on your Registration of Interest (ROI) and more frequent opportunities to be selected.

How Tasmania's Pass System Works

Unlike other states that rank applicants purely by points, Tasmania uses a colour-coded pass system based on priority attributes:

Key details about the pass system:

• Your "pass score" is based on Tasmania's own priority attributes - this is separate from your Department of Home Affairs (DHA) points score
• Gold Pass applicants can expect processing within days
• Overseas applicants submitting through the Offshore pathway automatically receive a Gold Pass
• For Green and Gold eligibility, employment must align with ANZSCO Skill Levels 1, 2, or 3 and meet a salary threshold of at least $57,000/year (or $28.85/hour, excluding overtime and penalties)

Understanding Tasmania's 40-Point Invitation Score

It's crucial to understand what "40 points" actually means. Tasmania's ROI system uses its own priority scoring to rank applicants - this is different from your Department of Home Affairs (DHA) points score.

You still need a minimum of 65 DHA points (including the 15-point nomination bonus) to lodge a valid 491 visa application. Tasmania's 40-point figure refers to their internal ranking, not the DHA threshold.

Here's what a minimum-viable 491 profile actually looks like:

With just 50 base points, the 491's generous +15 nomination bonus gets you over the line. Compare this to a 189 visa (no nomination bonus) or a 190 visa (+5 bonus) - Tasmania's 491 makes 65 points reachable for applicants who would otherwise fall short.

For applicants already in Tasmania - perhaps Working Holiday makers exploring PR pathways or international graduates from UTas - Australian study and local experience can further boost a modest score.

How Tasmania Compares to Other States

Tasmania's combination of the lowest points threshold and the most frequent invitation cycle makes it the most accessible entry point for skilled migration in 2026. For a broader comparison of all state programmes, see our State Nomination Comparison 2026: Which State Should You Apply To?

Tasmania's 2025-26 Allocation: Act Before Places Run Out

For the 2025-26 programme year, Tasmania has 1,850 total nomination places:

As of March 2026, Migration Tasmania has flagged that:

• 190 invitations for non-Gold Pass ROIs have been temporarily paused
• 491 invitations will continue for all pass categories (Gold, Green, and Orange), but the number issued each week will be reduced as the programme year progresses

This means the window for 491 applications is narrowing. The programme year ends on 30 June 2026, after which the 2026-27 allocation (and potentially new criteria) will apply.

Your Pathway from 491 to Permanent Residency (191)

The 491 visa is a 5-year provisional visa - not permanent residency. But it leads to the Subclass 191 visa, which grants full PR. Here's what you need:

What You Should Do Now

Step 1: Check your occupation Verify that your nominated occupation is on Tasmania's Skilled Occupation List (TSOL). You can search for your ANZSCO code to check eligibility for the 491 visa.

Step 2: Calculate your points Use our GSM Points Calculator to confirm your total score reaches at least 65 points (including the 15-point state nomination bonus).

Step 3: Get your skills assessment You need a valid and positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority. This can take weeks to months depending on the authority.

Step 4: Submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) Lodge your ROI through Tasmania's Skilled Migration Gateway. There is no charge to submit an ROI. If invited, the state nomination service fee is $370 + GST ($407 total).

Step 5: Prepare your visa application If nominated, the Subclass 491 visa application fee is $4,910 AUD (current as of March 2026). Additional applicant fees apply for family members. Fees are subject to change, typically on 1 July each year.

State nomination requirements and occupation lists are subject to change. Please confirm current availability before applying.

How First Migration Can Help

Tasmania's low-barrier 491 pathway is genuinely exciting - but the process still involves skills assessments, points calculations, ROI strategy, and a substantial visa application. Getting the timing wrong or miscalculating your points can cost you months and thousands of dollars.

At First Migration Service Centre, our registered migration agents specialise in skilled visa pathways and can help you:

• Confirm your occupation eligibility and best pathway
• Maximise your points score
• Prepare a strong ROI for Tasmania
• Lodge your visa application correctly the first time

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.