Tasmania has received 2,050 skilled migration nomination places for the 2026–27 program year, an increase of 200 places compared with the previous year.
The new allocation provides 1,250 places for the Skilled Nominated visa Subclass 190 and 800 places for the Skilled Work Regional visa Subclass 491. Most of the additional capacity has gone to Subclass 491, which received 150 more places, while the Subclass 190 allocation increased by 50 places.
Tasmania Nomination Allocation Comparison
Tasmania’s total allocation has increased from 1,850 places in 2025–26 to 2,050 places in 2026–27.
| Visa Category | 2025–26 Allocation | 2026–27 Allocation | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Nominated visa Subclass 190 | 1,200 | 1,250 | +50 |
| Skilled Work Regional visa Subclass 491 | 650 | 800 | +150 |
| Total | 1,850 | 2,050 | +200 |
Based on the official figures, Tasmania’s total nomination allocation has increased by approximately 10.8%. The Subclass 190 allocation has grown by around 4.2%, while the Subclass 491 allocation has increased by approximately 23.1%.
The allocation applies to Tasmania’s state nomination program as a whole. Migration Tasmania has not announced separate allocations for Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, Burnie or other Tasmanian locations.
Most of the Increase Has Gone to Subclass 491
Subclass 491 accounts for 150 of the 200 additional places, meaning 75% of Tasmania’s allocation increase has been directed to the regional skilled migration category.
This is the most significant change in Tasmania’s 2026–27 allocation. It gives the state greater capacity to nominate applicants under Subclass 491, but it does not reveal which occupations or nomination pathways will receive priority.
Those details will only become clear when Migration Tasmania publishes the complete 2026–27 program settings and guidelines.
The Subclass 190 allocation has also increased, but only by 50 places. As a result, applicants targeting direct permanent residence through Subclass 190 should not assume that competition will reduce significantly.
What Does the Allocation Mean for Applicants?
A state nomination allocation is the number of new primary applicants that a state or territory can nominate during a program year. It is not the number of visas already approved or guaranteed to be granted.
Tasmania assesses applicants against its state nomination criteria. After nomination, the Department of Home Affairs separately assesses whether the applicant satisfies the requirements for the relevant visa.
Home Affairs confirms that nomination allocations do not determine the final number of visas granted during the program year.
The additional 200 places therefore give Tasmania more nomination capacity. They do not provide:
- Automatic invitations
- Guaranteed state nomination
- Lower eligibility requirements
- Guaranteed visa approval
Applicants will still need to meet the relevant occupation, skills assessment, English, points, employment, study, residence and supporting evidence requirements under the pathway they choose.
Is the Tasmania 2026–27 Program Open?
As of the official update published on 27 July 2026, Tasmania’s Skilled Migration State Nomination Program had not reopened to new Registrations of Interest.
Migration Tasmania stated that the program would reopen in the coming weeks, with further details to be announced. It also advised applicants to read the new 2026–27 settings and guidelines carefully once released because program requirements may change.
Applicants should not assume that the previous program year’s criteria will continue unchanged.
The allocation announcement confirms how many nomination places Tasmania has received. It does not confirm the final eligibility rules, priority occupations, invitation settings or pathway requirements for 2026–27.
What Happens to Pending Nomination Applications?
Applicants who lodged a Tasmania nomination application before the end of the previous program year do not need to submit a replacement application simply because a new allocation has been announced.
Migration Tasmania will keep reviewing nomination applications that were lodged before the program year ended and are still awaiting a decision. Each application will be considered under the criteria that applied at the time it was submitted.
If the application is successful, Migration Tasmania will confirm the applicant’s state nomination through SkillSelect.
This distinction is important. The new program settings will apply to new applications once the 2026–27 program opens, while existing applications will continue under the requirements that applied at the time of lodgement.
Can a Pending Subclass 491 Applicant Change to Subclass 190?
A pending Subclass 491 nomination application will not automatically be assessed for Subclass 190 nomination.
An applicant who wants to pursue Subclass 190 instead must withdraw the existing Subclass 491 application and register for Subclass 190 after the 2026–27 program opens.
Migration Tasmania has made it clear that receiving a new invitation will depend on the level of interest and the number of available places at that time.
Withdrawing an existing application therefore carries risk. The applicant would give up the current Subclass 491 application without any guarantee of receiving an invitation for Subclass 190.
Context Behind Tasmania’s Increased Allocation
Tasmania fully used its 2025–26 allocation, nominating 1,200 applicants under Subclass 190 and 650 applicants under Subclass 491. The previous program was therefore fully delivered, with no nomination places left unused.
Home Affairs states that state and territory allocation decisions consider factors such as:
- Workforce and demographic needs
- The number of visa applications already on hand
- Overall Migration Program planning levels
These are general factors used when setting allocations. The official announcements do not identify one single reason for Tasmania’s exact 200-place increase.
What Should Applicants Do Next?
Applicants considering Tasmania should wait for the official program opening and review the complete 2026–27 requirements before submitting a Registration of Interest.
In the meantime, they should check whether their SkillSelect Expression of Interest remains accurate and ensure that their skills assessment, English results, employment information and claimed points are current.
Applicants should also avoid making major study, employment or relocation decisions based only on the higher allocation. More places are positive, but eligibility will depend on the final nomination settings and the strength of the applicant’s circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need to Lodge a New Registration of Interest for 2026–27?
That depends on whether your current ROI is still active when Tasmania reopens its program. Check the submission date and expiry status in the Migration Tasmania Application Gateway. If the ROI has expired, you will need to submit a fresh one under the new 2026–27 requirements.
Do not automatically lodge another ROI while an existing one remains active, as Tasmania generally permits only one active ROI at a time.
Can I Submit One ROI for Subclass 190 and Another for Subclass 491?
Applicants generally cannot keep separate active ROIs for both visa subclasses at the same time.
Review which option better matches your points, employment, residence and nomination pathway. Your SkillSelect EOI should also accurately show the visa subclasses for which you want to be considered.
Does My SkillSelect EOI Need to Include Tasmania?
Yes. Your SkillSelect EOI must be valid and must show Tasmania as a preferred nominating state where required.
Before the program reopens, review your points, occupation, work experience, English score and visa preferences. Any claim made in your EOI should be supported by evidence.
Are the 2,050 Nomination Places Divided Between Tasmanian Cities?
No separate allocation has been announced for individual locations such as Hobart, Launceston, Devonport or Burnie.
The 2,050 places apply to Tasmania’s skilled migration program across the state. Applicants should focus on the requirements of their nomination pathway rather than assuming that one city has more places than another.
Has Tasmania Reserved a Specific Number of Places for Offshore Applicants?
No separate offshore quota has been confirmed in the allocation announcement.
Offshore eligibility will depend on the final 2026–27 program settings, including any occupation, employment or invitation requirements. Applicants living overseas should wait for the updated guidelines before assuming they can lodge an ROI.
Will the Higher Allocation Result in Faster Processing?
Not necessarily.
An increased allocation allows Tasmania to nominate more applicants, but processing times can still be affected by application volumes, document quality and the complexity of individual cases.
Applicants can reduce avoidable delays by submitting complete, consistent and verifiable evidence from the beginning.
Final Thoughts
Tasmania’s increased allocation is a positive development for the state’s skilled migration program, particularly for applicants considering the Subclass 491 regional pathway.
However, the allocation announcement is only the first part of the 2026–27 program update. Applicants still need to wait for the revised nomination settings and program opening details before determining whether their profile is suitable.
Think Higher Consultants can assist with Tasmania Subclass 190 and 491 eligibility reviews, points assessments, SkillSelect planning and state nomination strategy.
