Australian state nomination does not follow one standard process across every state and territory. A SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) is generally the starting point, but some states require an additional Registration of Interest, the Australian Capital Territory uses the Canberra Matrix, and other states and territories select applicants directly from SkillSelect.
The cost also varies. Several states and territories now charge at the registration or nomination stage, while some have not yet released their final 2026–27 program settings or fees.
This guide compares the subclass 190 and 491 nomination process, main requirements, current program status and published fees across all eight Australian states and territories.
Basic Eligibility for Subclass 190 and 491
Before considering a particular state or territory, applicants must first meet the relevant Australian Government visa requirements.
These generally include:
- being under 45 when invited to apply
- nominating an eligible skilled occupation
- holding a suitable skills assessment
- meeting the applicable English requirement
- scoring at least 65 points
- submitting a SkillSelect EOI
- receiving a state or territory nomination
The subclass 190 and 491 visas are points-tested. Reaching 65 points allows an applicant to enter the selection system, but it does not guarantee a state nomination or visa invitation.
State Nomination Status and Fees Overview
The table below shows the current position for each state and territory. All amounts are in Australian dollars and relate only to the state or territory process.
To keep the fee comparison consistent, all paid amounts are shown as base fees excluding GST where applicable. “No fee” means there is no charge for that stage, while “not yet available” means the relevant 2026–27 amount has not been published.
| State or territory | Current 2026–27 position | Entry process | Published government fee — excluding GST where applicable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | Open; final 2026–27 allocation not yet available | EOI followed by Canberra Matrix | Matrix: $25; nomination: $325 |
| New South Wales | Subclass 190 open by invitation; subclass 491 closed | Selection from SkillSelect | No separate skilled nomination fee currently displayed |
| Northern Territory | Restricted; limited exceptional onshore subclass 491 cases only | EOI followed by direct MigrationNT application | Nomination: $300 |
| Queensland | Not open; 2026–27 allocation and settings not yet available | EOI followed by Queensland ROI | 2026–27 fee not yet available |
| South Australia | Not open; 2026–27 settings not yet available | Onshore: EOI and ROI; offshore: EOI selection | ROI: No fee; current published nomination fee: $394 |
| Tasmania | Open; weekly invitations underway | EOI followed by Migration Tasmania Gateway ROI | ROI: No fee; nomination: $387 |
| Victoria | Not open; program expected to open soon | EOI followed by Victorian ROI and VPT ranking | ROI: $60; nomination: $180 |
| Western Australia | 2026–27 settings not yet available | Selection from SkillSelect | Current published nomination fee: $200 |
These charges do not include the separate visa application fee payable to the Department of Home Affairs or other costs such as skills assessments and English tests. GST and payment-processing charges may apply under the rules of the relevant state or territory.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT uses the Canberra Matrix rather than a standard ROI. After submitting a SkillSelect EOI, an applicant completes the Matrix to express interest in ACT nomination.
The Matrix ranks applicants using ACT-specific factors such as nominated occupation, employment, residence, English, study and connections to Canberra. Applicants must also meet the relevant nomination criteria for either a Canberra resident or overseas applicant. Meeting the criteria does not guarantee selection because invitations depend on Matrix ranking, occupation demand and available nomination places.
The ACT portal is open, although its final 2026–27 nomination allocation is not yet available.
ACT fees
The ACT publishes the following base fees:
- Canberra Matrix submission: $25
- ACT nomination application: $325
- Total for one Matrix and one nomination application: $350
An additional fee applies for each new Matrix submitted. Editing an existing Matrix is free, although the edited Matrix is treated as a new submission for ranking purposes.
New South Wales
NSW does not require a separate ROI for subclass 190. Applicants maintain a SkillSelect EOI and wait for NSW to select them through its invitation process.
The nominated occupation must be eligible for subclass 190 and fall within an ANZSCO unit group included on the NSW Skills List. A valid skills assessment is also required.
For onshore consideration, an applicant must generally either:
- work in NSW in the nominated occupation for at least 20 hours per week, or
- have lived continuously in NSW for at least six months.
An offshore applicant must generally have lived outside Australia continuously for at least six months. NSW nomination is competitive, and applicants cannot lodge a direct subclass 190 nomination application without first receiving an invitation.
The NSW subclass 491 program is currently closed to new applications because all available nomination places for the program period have been allocated. Applications already submitted will continue to be assessed when further places become available.
NSW fee position
No separate skilled nomination fee is currently displayed on the official NSW subclass 190 or 491 pages. This should be checked again if an applicant receives an invitation.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory does not invite applicants directly from a SkillSelect EOI. After lodging an EOI, an eligible applicant must submit a separate nomination application through MigrationNT.
The NT assesses applicants under streams such as:
- NT Graduate
- NT Resident
- Offshore Priority Occupation
- Offshore Job Offer
- Offshore Family
Applicants must meet the relevant stream criteria, demonstrate suitable employment prospects and show a genuine commitment to living and working in the Territory. NT nominees are expected to remain in the Territory for at least three years after visa grant.
The 2026–27 program is currently restricted. New applications are accepted only by exception for certain onshore subclass 491 applicants who meet the NT Graduate or NT Resident criteria and face specified visa, age or points deadlines. No new subclass 190 or offshore applications are currently being accepted.
Northern Territory fee
The published base nomination fee is $300 for either a subclass 190 or 491 application. The charge is non-refundable and applies to each new application.
Queensland
Queensland’s 2026–27 State Nominated Migration Program has not yet opened. The state is waiting for the Australian Government to confirm its nomination allocation before releasing the opening date and final eligibility settings.
When the program opens, applicants will generally need to:
- submit or update a SkillSelect EOI
- submit a Queensland ROI
- wait for Migration Queensland to select the ROI
- lodge the nomination application and supporting documents if invited
Queensland considers information from both the SkillSelect EOI and the state ROI. Its existing framework includes pathways for onshore workers, offshore workers, Queensland graduates, construction workers and eligible regional small-business owners, but applicants should not assume that every previous requirement will remain unchanged in 2026–27.
Queensland fees
The subclass 190, subclass 491 and regional Small Business Owner nomination fees for 2026–27 are not yet available.
South Australia
South Australia uses a different selection process for onshore and offshore applicants.
Applicants living in Australia submit both a SkillSelect EOI and a South Australian ROI. Offshore applicants do not lodge a separate ROI; South Australia reviews SkillSelect and may invite suitable candidates directly.
Applicants must have an occupation available on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List and meet the requirements of an eligible pathway. The main published streams include:
- South Australian Graduates
- Skilled Employment in South Australia
- Outer Regional Skilled Employment
- Offshore applicants
The 2026–27 skilled migration program has not yet commenced. South Australia states that ROI submissions will resume when the new program opens.
South Australia fees
The current published base fees are:
- Registration of Interest: No fee
- Subclass 190 nomination application: $394
- Subclass 491 nomination application: $394
Reconfirm the nomination fee when South Australia formally releases its 2026–27 settings.
Tasmania
Tasmania’s 2026–27 program is open and issuing weekly invitations through the Migration Tasmania Gateway.
Applicants first submit a SkillSelect EOI and then lodge an ROI through the Gateway. The system checks the selected pathway, applies priority attributes and ranks the applicant against other ROIs.
Tasmania offers pathways for skilled employees, graduates, established residents, business operators and selected overseas candidates. Eligibility may depend on Tasmanian residence, employment, study, income, business activity or a qualifying job offer.
Tasmania received 1,250 subclass 190 places and 800 subclass 491 places for 2026–27. It also revised its selection settings to place greater weight on longer employment and stronger evidence of long-term contribution to the state.
Tasmania fees
The published base fees are:
- Registration of Interest: No fee
- Nomination application: $387
The nomination fee is payable after selection and is non-refundable.
Victoria
Victoria’s 2026–27 skilled nomination program is expected to open soon. Applicants will submit a SkillSelect EOI followed by a separate Victorian ROI.
Victoria will rank every ROI through the Victorian Points Test, which considers:
- age
- English
- experience in the nominated occupation
- educational qualification
- occupation skill level
- eligible partner skills
- eligible Victorian skilled-employment earnings
There is no fixed VPT pass mark. Invitations are issued to the highest-ranked ROIs across eligible occupations and within selected priority industries. Applicants must still satisfy both the federal visa criteria and Victoria’s nomination requirements.
Victoria fees
The published base fees are:
| Stage | Base fee |
|---|---|
| Registration of Interest | $60 |
| Subclass 190 nomination application | $180 |
| Subclass 491 nomination application | $180 |
The nomination fee is payable only after an applicant is invited and submits a nomination application.
Western Australia
Western Australia normally selects candidates directly from SkillSelect, so a separate state ROI is not ordinarily required.
Applicants submit an EOI, identify Western Australia as a preferred state and wait for selection under an eligible state nomination stream. The latest published framework includes the General Stream and a Graduate Stream for eligible Western Australian graduates.
WA’s 2026–27 program settings are not yet available. Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that the previous occupation lists, ranking rules and stream requirements will continue without change.
Western Australia fee
The current published state nomination application fee is $200. This amount and the wider program criteria should be checked again when WA publishes its formal 2026–27 settings.
What to Compare Before Choosing a State or Territory
The lowest application fee does not necessarily indicate the best nomination pathway.
Applicants should first compare:
- whether their exact occupation is eligible
- whether the pathway accepts onshore, offshore or both types of candidates
- state or territory residence, employment or study requirements
- whether an ROI, Matrix or direct application is required
- the current program status
- whether every claim can be supported with valid evidence
A nomination strategy should be based on the applicant’s actual occupation, location, employment and supporting documents, not simply on which state or territory opens first.
