If you're job hunting in Australia with a skilled visa attached to the outcome, where you apply matters as much as what role you're chasing. Each state runs its own nomination program, and 2026-27 has brought real changes to how many places are on offer, who can apply from where, and what it'll cost you. Here's what job seekers need to know before deciding where to focus their search.

Are You Applying From Overseas or Already in Australia? Start Here.

This single question now matters more than it used to, especially for Tasmania.

If you're overseas and eyeing Tasmania: the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is no longer an option for you this program year — Tasmania has stopped issuing 491 invitations to offshore applicants entirely. The only path still open to overseas candidates is the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), and only if you work in health or teaching and already have a job offer lined up from an eligible Tasmanian employer. If that's not you, Tasmania's regional visa route is effectively closed until settings change.

If you're already in Australia, Tasmania is actually one of the more promising options on the table right now. The state increased its total allocation to 2,050 places this year — 1,250 for subclass 190 and 800 for subclass 491, both up from 2025-26. Registrations of Interest reopened on 17 August 2026, and invitations are being issued weekly starting 20 August, so this is a live, moving program rather than a waiting game.

One thing to check if you already had a 491 application in progress: it won't automatically convert to a 190 nomination. You'd need to withdraw and submit a fresh Registration of Interest, and a new invitation isn't guaranteed.

What It'll Cost You: Fees Have Gone Up Almost Everywhere

Budgeting for a nomination isn't just about the visa application fee — the state nomination fee is a separate cost, and most jurisdictions have raised theirs for 2026-27:

  • Tasmania: $387 (excl. GST) — up from last year
  • ACT: $350 total ($25 for a Canberra Matrix submission, $325 for the nomination itself)
  • Queensland: $573 for offshore applicants, $630.30 (incl. GST) for onshore applicants

Factor these into your job search budget alongside visa application charges — a nomination fee is paid whether or not you're ultimately invited to apply for the visa itself, in some cases, so it's worth understanding each state's process before you commit.

Thinking About the ACT? Know Before You Apply

Canberra has rebuilt its entire application system — a new Migration Application portal went live 30 July 2026, replacing the old one for both Canberra Matrix and nomination submissions. If you had a submission under the old system, it should carry across automatically, but you'll need to create a fresh account using the same email you originally registered with — an easy step to overlook.

A few practical points if you're going this route:

  • 1) Your Canberra Matrix score stays valid for six months, and you can extend it to twelve by updating it before it lapses — updates are free but count as new submissions for ranking purposes.

  • 2) If scores are tied, the most recently updated submission ranks higher, so don't let yours go stale if you're serious about a Canberra role.
  • Expedited nomination processing now exists for urgent circumstances like visa or document expiry — but only after you've already received an invitation, so it won't help you get invited faster.

3) The catch: the ACT hasn't yet confirmed how many nomination places it actually has for 2026-27, and the occupation list is still under review. If you're applying for ACT roles, there's currently no way to know your realistic timeline — worth keeping other options open in parallel.

Targeting Queensland? You'll Need to Wait

Queensland's 2026-27 program simply hasn't opened yet — the state is still waiting on its allocation from the federal government. There's nothing to apply for right now, but it's worth getting your documentation and occupation assessment sorted in the meantime so you can move fast once the program does open. Remember the fee increase noted above applies from the moment it does.

Working (or Hoping to Work) in Far North Queensland?

If you're job hunting in aged care in Far North Queensland, there's some reassurance: Personal Care Assistant, Nursing Support Worker, and Aged or Disabled Carer remain listed occupations under the FNQ DAMA for now, despite an earlier proposal to remove them, which is reportedly on hold. If you're pursuing one of these roles, it's worth moving on employer sponsorship sooner rather than later, since nothing here is guaranteed to stay in place. This applies specifically to aged care roles — not disability care.

Separately, employers sponsoring under the DAMA now get a 50% discount on certain endorsement fees when a subclass 186 position is bundled with its subclass 482 equivalent — not something you control as a candidate, but worth knowing if you're negotiating sponsorship terms with a prospective employer.

Quick Decision Guide

1) Onshore, want to move fast? Tasmania is open, growing, and actively inviting.
2) Overseas, not in health or teaching? Tasmania's 491 route is closed to you this year — look elsewhere or wait for policy changes.
3) Applying to the ACT? Expect a smoother process but an unclear timeline until the allocation is confirmed.
4)Targeting Queensland? Prepare your documents now; the program itself is still closed.
5) In aged care in Far North Queensland? The occupation list still includes your role — for now.

Visa settings like these shift every program year, and the right state for your job search depends heavily on your occupation, location, and visa pathway. If you want help figuring out which state gives you the best shot, our team can talk you through your options.