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Australia Approves 20,350 Skilled Migration Visas for the 2025–26 Program Year

November 23, 2025 5:57 am

Australia Approves 20,350 Skilled Migration Visas for the 2025–26 Program Year

Australia has officially announced its skilled migration visa allocations for the 2025–26 program year, approving a total of 20,350 spots. These visas are available under the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 programs. While most states will face reduced quotas, Queensland and the Northern Territory will see slight increases.

The Department of Home Affairs has finalized the nomination numbers, confirming the distribution of places across two primary visa pathways:

Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) Visa
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) Visa

1. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

The Subclass 190 visa is a permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory. This visa allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia. To qualify, you need:

A job from the skilled occupation list
A skills assessment
A minimum score on the points test
A nomination from a state or territory

2. Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

The Subclass 491 visa is a temporary visa designed for skilled workers intent on living and working in regional areas of Australia. This visa lasts up to five years and can lead to permanent residency. Eligibility requirements include:

A suitably skilled job
Meeting the points test
A nomination from a regional area or a family member in that region

Breakdown of Visa Allocations

The new allocation specifies 12,850 places for the Subclass 190 visa and 7,500 for the Subclass 491 visa. Here’s the detailed distribution among states and territories:

State/Territory	Subclass 190	Subclass 491	Total
New South Wales	3,000	1,000	4,000
Victoria	2,700	700	3,400
Queensland	1,850	750	2,600
Western Australia	2,000	1,400	3,400
South Australia	1,350	900	2,250
Tasmania	1,200	650	1,850
Northern Territory	850	800	1,650
Australian Capital Territory	900	300	1,200
Total	12,850	7,500	20,350

Changes from Last Year

While most regions have received fewer allocations than in previous years, Queensland and the Northern Territory benefit from small increases. Victoria experienced the largest decrease, losing 1,300 spots in the Subclass 491 category. Additionally, Queensland’s Subclass 190 quota grew by 1,250 spots, while the Northern Territory gained 50.

The allocations for the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory under the 491 visa remain the same as last year. South Australia and Queensland also received incremental increases in their 491 allocations.

Importance of These Changes

These allocations dictate the number of skilled migrants each region can nominate in the upcoming year. With a reduction in available places, competition for state nomination is expected to intensify, particularly for the Subclass 190 visa.

Final Thoughts

Migrants aspiring for permanent residency through skilled migration should carefully monitor each state’s nomination requirements and occupation lists. These could be updated soon to align with the latest changes. This is a crucial opportunity; stay informed to maximize your chances of success!