18/11/2025
📢 2025–26 State Nomination Allocations Released!
The Department of Home Affairs has officially announced this year’s Subclass 190 & 491 allocations & the numbers show a clear shift in direction for skilled migration across Australia. 🇦🇺✨
Below is a breakdown and analysis to help migrants understand what this means for your their strategy.
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🌟 Overall Summary
🔹 Total allocations for 2025–26:
• Subclass 190: 🟦 12,850 places
• Subclass 491: 🟩 7,500 places
📉 Both 190 and 491 allocations have dropped compared to last year — signalling tighter competition and a stronger push toward targeted skills.
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🟦 Subclass 190 – Key Changes & Insights
190 allocations decreased nationally from 16,500 → 12,850.
🔥 Biggest Winners:
• Victoria (VIC): 2,700 places (21% share)
VIC remains the largest 190 program in Australia, continuing its preference for high-skilled, high-salary candidates.
• Western Australia (WA): 2,000 places (16% share)
WA continues growing as a strong destination for skilled migration, especially in trades, construction, engineering, and health.
• Queensland (QLD): 1,850 places (14% share)
QLD significantly increased capacity — good news for regional applicants with strong work experience.
⚠ States With Large Reductions:
• NSW 190 drops to 2,100 (down from 3,000)
Expect tougher competition, higher points, and stronger labour market justification.
• South Australia (SA) drops sharply to 1,350
• Tasmania (TAS) falls to 1,200
These states will likely prioritise very specific occupations and onshore applicants.
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🟩 Subclass 491 – Regional Focus Still Strong
491 allocations dropped slightly from 9,760 → 7,500, but some states still saw strong numbers.
🌟 Strongest 491 Programs:
• NSW: 1,500
NSW remains the largest regional program despite a reduction — still excellent for applicants in regional NSW with job offers.
• WA: 1,400
WA continues to attract applicants into its growing regional areas.
• SA: 900
South Australia remains committed to a strong regional pipeline.
📌 Moderate 491 Programs:
• Queensland: 750
• Victoria: 700
• Tasmania: 650
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📊 Key Takeaways for Visa Applicants
👉 Higher competition expected across all states due to reduced allocations.
👉 190 visa pathways will be more selective, prioritising high skill levels, strong English, and in-demand occupations.
👉 491 remains a solid backup pathway, especially for applicants with regional job offers or strong ties.
👉 States like NSW, SA, TAS may tighten criteria, focusing on targeted industries only.
👉 Victoria & WA emerge as strong options for applicants with competitive profiles.
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💡 What You Should Do Now
✔ Improve your points score (English, skills assessment, work experience).
✔ Strengthen regional ties if planning for 491.
✔ Follow each state’s upcoming program updates, as several are expected to introduce new priority lists.
✔ Prepare your documents early — this program year is expected to move FAST once invitations start.
☎️ Contact us for migration advice and assistance 🇦🇺
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