Tasmania Just Changed the Game: Gold Pass, Green Pass & the New Nomination Reality (2026)

What Changed on 13 March 2026?

Two significant shifts hit Tasmania's Skilled Migration Programme simultaneously:

1. Subclass 190 - Paused for Non-Gold Pass Applicants

Due to high demand and processing backlogs, Tasmania has temporarily paused Subclass 190 invitations for any Registration of Interest (ROI) that does not hold a Gold Pass classification. Only applicants with a Gold Pass (1,000+ priority points) will continue to receive 190 invitations.

2. Subclass 491 - Cutoff Raised to 301 Points

The 491 invitation cutoff has risen from as low as 40 points (Orange Pass) to 301 points - firmly in Green Pass territory. Orange Pass applicants are no longer being invited.

CAUTION

If you submitted a ROI for Tasmania based on our previous analysis showing 40-point invitations, your ROI may no longer result in an invitation under current settings. Review your options below.

The 19 March 2026 Invitation Round

Tasmania's most recent round (19 March 2026) confirms the new reality:

Detail	Data
Total invitations	41
190 invitations	23
491 invitations	18
491 minimum score	301 (Green Pass)
190 eligibility	Gold Pass only

Compare this to just two weeks earlier (11 March), when Tasmania was inviting 491 applicants at 40 points under the Orange Pass. The shift is dramatic. For a full breakdown of all states' results, see our State Nomination Results March 2026.

Gold Pass vs Green Pass: How Tasmania's System Works

Tasmania uses a colour-coded priority pass system - separate from your Department of Home Affairs (DHA) points score. Understanding how it works is now critical for anyone targeting Tasmania.

Pass	Priority Points	Who Qualifies	Current Status
🥇 Gold	1,000+	Highest priority - offshore applicants often qualify automatically	✅ Active for both 190 and 491
🟢 Green	250-999	Employment in ANZSCO Skill Level 1-3 with salary ≥ $57,000/yr	✅ Active for 491 (new minimum)
🟠 Orange	Below 250	Lower priority - was previously being invited at 40 points	❌ No longer invited (190 or 491)

Key factor: Your priority points are based on Tasmania's own criteria - including your connection to Tasmania (study, employment, residence), occupation priority, and salary - not just your DHA points test score.

IMPORTANT

Even with a Gold or Green Pass, you still need a minimum of 65 DHA points (including the 15-point 491 nomination bonus or 5-point 190 bonus) to lodge a valid visa application.

Before vs After: Tasmania Requirements Comparison

Factor	Before 13 March 2026	After 13 March 2026
190 - Who gets invited?	Gold, Green, and some Orange Pass	Gold Pass only
491 - Minimum priority score	40 points (Orange Pass)	301 points (Green Pass)
491 - Pass level required	Orange (lowest tier)	Green (mid tier)
Processing speed	Weekly rounds, rapid invitations	Weekly rounds continue, but fewer invitations per round
Orange Pass prospects	Could receive invitation in weeks	No current pathway to invitation
Offshore applicants (190)	Automatically Gold Pass	Still automatically Gold Pass - offshore remains unaffected

Tasmania's 2025-26 Allocation

Tasmania's total allocation for the 2025-26 programme year is 1,850 nominations:

Subclass	Allocation	Status
190 (Skilled Nominated)	1,200	⚠️ Paused for non-Gold Pass
491 (Skilled Work Regional)	650	✅ Open - Green Pass and above

The programme year ends 30 June 2026. As remaining places fill, expect further tightening or complete pauses. The 2026-27 allocation and criteria have not yet been announced.

What This Means for You

If You Have a Pending Tasmania ROI

Gold Pass ROI holders: You're unaffected. Continue waiting for your invitation as normal.
Green Pass ROI holders: You're now eligible for 491 invitations (301+ points) but not 190 unless you can upgrade to Gold.
Orange Pass ROI holders: Your ROI remains on file, but invitations have stopped for your category. Consider the alternatives below.

If You Were Planning to Apply

The 40-point entry point no longer exists. To be competitive in Tasmania now, you'll need to demonstrate either:

Gold Pass attributes - typically involving offshore status or high-salary employment in a priority occupation
Green Pass attributes - employment in ANZSCO Skill Levels 1-3 with a salary of at least $57,000/year (or $28.85/hour)

Use our GSM Points Calculator to check your DHA score, and remember that meeting the DHA minimum of 65 points is necessary but no longer sufficient - your Tasmania priority score must also reach at least 301.

Strategic Alternatives for Affected Applicants

If Tasmania's tightening has knocked you out of contention, here are your options:

Option 1: Target a Different State

Other states still offer competitive entry points. Our State Nomination Comparison 2026 compares all programmes side by side. Key alternatives:

State	Visa	Points Range (Mar 2026)	Notes
South Australia	491	65+	Monthly rounds, strong occupation list
Queensland	491	65+	Double rounds in March
Western Australia	190/491	65-70+	Large allocation
ACT	190/491	Matrix-based	595 invitations in latest round
Victoria	190	65-85+	Rolling assessments

For a detailed breakdown based on your score, see our Points Strategy Guide: Where to Apply Based on Your Score.

Option 2: Employer Sponsorship

If you have a job offer in Tasmania (or elsewhere), the employer sponsored visa pathway bypasses state nomination entirely. The Skills in Demand (SID) visa doesn't require a points test - only a salary at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold ($76,515 as of 1 July 2025).

Option 3: Stay and Build Your Tasmania Profile

If you're already in Tasmania - studying at UTas or working - continue building your local profile. Green Pass requires a salary of at least $57,000 in an ANZSCO 1-3 role. Working towards this threshold can elevate your priority.

Option 4: Wait for the 2026-27 Programme Year

The 2025-26 programme year ends 30 June 2026. New allocations and potentially revised criteria for 2026-27 may reopen opportunities. However, there's no guarantee that lower-priority applicants will be invited again.

WARNING

Don't assume the situation will ease. Competition for state nomination places is increasing nationally. If you're eligible for another state, applying now is better than waiting for criteria that may never return to previous levels.

What You Should Do Now

Step 1: Re-assess your situation Check your occupation eligibility using our ANZSCO Search, then calculate your DHA points with the Points Calculator linked above.

Step 2: Explore alternative states Review our state nomination comparison guide to identify states where your profile is competitive.

Step 3: Get professional advice The landscape is shifting rapidly. A registered migration agent can help you identify the best pathway based on your current profile - whether that's a different state, employer sponsorship, or waiting for the next programme year.

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

How First Migration Can Help

Tasmania's shift from a 40-point low-barrier entry to a 301-point Green Pass minimum is one of the most significant state nomination changes this programme year. If your strategy was built around Tasmania's previous accessibility, you need to recalibrate - and quickly.

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

Review your Tasmania ROI status and assess your Gold/Green Pass eligibility
Identify alternative states where your profile is competitive right now
Evaluate employer sponsorship as a parallel pathway
Maximise your DHA points score and resubmit where appropriate

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.