State nomination programs are reopening for the 2026-27 migration year, and Tasmania has led the way with an invitation round published on 12 November 2026. According to independent tracker Roundwatch, the state issued 28 invitations for the permanent Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa and 38 invitations for the provisional Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa. Most invitations in the 190 category went to applicants in the ‘green’ priority occupations list—health, engineering and education—while five ‘gold’ high-points candidates were also selected. For the 491 stream, the majority of invitations were granted to on-shore applicants who studied in Tasmania and have lined up regional employment contracts. Tasmania’s early move is significant for employers struggling with acute skills shortages outside capital cities. Regional businesses—particularly in advanced manufacturing, digital games development and agritech—rely on the 491 pathway to secure talent that is often unavailable locally. Successful 491 applicants receive a five-year visa with a pathway to permanent residence after three years of living and working in regional areas. Other states are expected to follow. ACT has signalled its next invitation round is also set for 12 November, while Western Australia updated its occupation list yesterday to add Transport Engineer as a priority role. Mobility managers should monitor state nomination dashboards closely, as allocations are limited and competition for places—especially in the 190 program—remains intense.
