Queensland Skilled Migration Program Details

‍TL;DR

• Current status: Queensland’s 2026–27 nomination requirements are published. Registrations of Interest (ROIs) are scheduled to open on 6 November 2026. Check the new requirements and occupation lists before applying.
• Visa options: Queensland can nominate eligible applicants for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
• Nomination pathways: Queensland has pathways for skilled workers already living in Queensland, offshore applicants, Queensland university graduates, building and construction workers, and some regional small business owners.
• Occupation eligibility: Queensland uses separate occupation lists for onshore and offshore applicants. Some occupations are available for both 190 and 491 nomination, while others are limited to subclass 491.
• Application process: Applicants must have a SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) before submitting a Queensland Registration of Interest (ROI). Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation.

Queensland offers state nomination for skilled migrants through the subclass 190 and 491 visas. These pathways can be an option if your occupation and circumstances match the Queensland migration requirements, but the criteria is not the same for every applicant.

Where you live, your occupation, work experience and qualifications can all affect which pathway is available to you. Queensland also has its own nomination requirements on top of the visa requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs.

The pathway details below reflect Queensland’s published 2026–27 nomination criteria. Eligibility depends on your occupation, visa subclass and circumstances, and meeting the minimum conditions does not guarantee an invitation.

What Is the Queensland Skilled Migration Program?

Queensland’s skilled migration program allows the Queensland Government to nominate eligible applicants for certain skilled visas. Migration Queensland manages the state nomination process, while the Department of Home Affairs makes the final decision on the visa itself.

Queensland nominates applicants for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).

A state nomination adds points to your points test score: 5 points for subclass 190 and 15 points for subclass 491. This can help you meet or improve your points score, but a Queensland nomination does not guarantee that the visa will be granted. You still need to meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements for the visa you are applying for.

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Queensland 190 and 491 Visa Options

The subclass 190 and 491 visas are both points-tested skilled visas, but they work differently.

Subclass 190

• Permanent visa
• Queensland nomination adds 5 points to your points test score
• No visa-wide regional restriction
• You become a permanent resident when the visa is granted
• Queensland nominees commit to living and working in Queensland for at least two years after visa grant

Subclass 491

• Provisional visa valid for up to five years
• Queensland nomination adds 15 points to your points test score
• You must live, work and study in a designated regional area
• Eligible holders may later qualify for the subclass 191 permanent visa if they meet the relevant requirements
• Queensland nominees commit to living and working in regional Queensland until at least three years after visa grant

The subclass 491 is designed for regional migration. Our 491 to 191 visa guide explains how the permanent residence pathway works.

The visa available to you can also depend on your occupation and Queensland nomination pathway. Some occupations are available for subclass 491 nomination only.

Queensland Skilled Migration Pathways

Queensland has several skilled migration nomination pathways. The requirements differ depending on where you live and your circumstances.

Skilled Workers Living in Queensland

This pathway is for skilled workers already living and working in Queensland.

Applicants need an occupation on the Queensland Onshore Skills List, at least 65 points and Competent English. The residence and work requirements depend on the visa subclass.

For subclass 190, applicants must have been living and working in Queensland for at least 9 out of the last 12 months immediately before submitting their ROI. For subclass 491, the requirement is at least 6 out of the last 9 months living and working in regional Queensland. Applicants must currently be living and working in Queensland for a Queensland-based employer and continue to meet the pathway requirements at ROI, invitation and nomination stages.

The qualifying employment must be after completing the relevant qualification, be at least 20 paid hours per week, and be in the nominated occupation or a closely related occupation sharing the first three digits of its ANZSCO code. Casual employment and multiple eligible jobs may count. Applicants need to remain in qualifying employment through the ROI, invitation and nomination stages.

Skilled Workers Living Outside Australia

Queensland also accepts ROIs from eligible skilled workers living overseas.

Offshore applicants need an occupation on Queensland’s 2026–27 offshore skilled occupation list, a valid skills assessment, at least 65 points and Competent English. When submitting an ROI, they must have at least one year of eligible skilled employment within the preceding three years in their nominated or a closely related occupation, as declared in their SkillSelect EOI.

Offshore applicants do not have to be currently employed in their nominated occupation when submitting an ROI, receiving an invitation or being nominated. Their qualifying work experience must have been gained after completing their qualification, be at least 20 hours per week, and be in the nominated occupation or a closely related occupation with the same first three ANZSCO digits.

Occupation eligibility is particularly important for offshore applicants because the Queensland Offshore Skills List shows whether an occupation is available for subclass 190, subclass 491 or both.

Queensland University Graduates

International graduates who complete an eligible qualification in Queensland have a separate nomination pathway.

Applicants need a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or PhD from a Queensland university or tertiary institution that meets the Australian Study Requirement. They must have completed 100% of the qualification in Queensland and graduated after 1 July 2022.

Graduates seeking subclass 190 nomination must have lived and worked in Queensland for at least 9 out of the last 12 months immediately before their ROI. For subclass 491, it is at least 6 out of the last 9 months in regional Queensland. They must currently be living and working in Queensland for a Queensland-based employer, with qualifying work after completing the relevant qualification.

Under this pathway, eligible employment can be in the nominated occupation, a closely related occupation or any Skill Level 1 occupation, even if the work is unrelated to the qualification. However, work used to claim skilled-employment points in SkillSelect must be in the nominated or a closely related skilled occupation. Queensland also requires at least 20 paid hours per week.

Building and Construction Workers

Queensland also has a dedicated pathway for eligible building and construction workers.

Applicants need an occupation identified for this pathway on the Queensland Onshore Skills List, at least 65 points and Competent English. They generally need to have lived and worked in Queensland for at least three months immediately before submitting an ROI.

The employment must be at least 20 paid hours per week after completing the qualification, in an occupation with the same first three ANZSCO digits as the nominated occupation. The pathway requires three months of qualifying Queensland residence and work immediately before the ROI, and applicants must remain eligible at the invitation and nomination stages.

Queensland generally seeks to nominate eligible building and construction applicants for subclass 190. Subclass 491 may apply where the applicant does not meet the requirements for subclass 190 or where the occupation is only eligible for regional nomination.

Small Business Owners in Regional Queensland

The Small Business Owner pathway is different from the other skilled worker pathways and is available for subclass 491 nomination only.

It is for eligible migrants living in regional Queensland who operate a qualifying start-up business. The former business purchase pathway is closed. The remaining start-up pathway has strict business-start dates, operating-period and financial requirements.

For the remaining start-up pathway, businesses generally need to have been started between 1 June 2024 and 19 September 2025. Eligible ROIs must be submitted before 30 April 2027. The business must be profitable and have at least $200,000 turnover in the preceding 12 months; a limited exception to the two-year operating requirement applies to certain later start-ups. Check Migration Queensland’s Small Business Owner pathway for the exact transitional criteria.

Because the business, ownership, turnover, regional location and timing requirements are quite specific, applicants considering this pathway should check the current Small Business Owner criteria rather than relying on the general skilled worker requirements.

Queensland Skilled Occupation Lists

An occupation being eligible for skilled migration at the federal level does not automatically mean Queensland will nominate it.

Queensland uses separate occupation lists for applicants living in Queensland and those applying from overseas:

• Queensland Onshore Skilled Occupation List (2026–27)
• Queensland Offshore Skilled Occupation List (2026–27)

These lists show which occupations Queensland considers and whether an occupation can be nominated for subclass 190, subclass 491 or both. The onshore list also identifies occupations included in the building and construction pathway.

Some occupations are only available for subclass 491 nomination. This is why it is worth checking both your occupation and the available visa subclass before looking at the rest of the Queensland criteria.

Queensland’s 2026–27 occupation lists are published. Applicants should check the list for their location and confirm whether their occupation is eligible for subclass 190, subclass 491 or both, including any pathway-specific conditions. The lists can change, so recheck them before submitting an ROI.

If you are unsure how state occupation lists fit with the broader Australian system, our Skilled Occupation List guide explains how the different lists are used.

Queensland Skilled Migration Eligibility

There are two levels of eligibility to consider for Queensland skilled migration.

First, you need to meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements for the subclass 190 or 491 visa. These include requirements around your age, points score, English, nominated occupation and skills assessment.

You then need to meet the additional requirements set by Migration Queensland for the pathway you are using.

The main skilled worker pathways generally require:

• an occupation on the relevant Queensland occupation list
• at least 65 points on the Department of Home Affairs points test
• at least Competent English
• a suitable skills assessment or accepted professional registration where required
• the relevant work experience for your pathway
• any applicable Queensland residence or regional residence requirement

Reaching the minimum requirements does not mean an invitation is automatic. Migration Queensland can also consider factors such as your qualifications, work experience, age, English and partner skills. For some onshore pathways, factors such as salary and employment location can also form part of the selection process.

This means a 65-point score should be treated as a minimum eligibility threshold, not as a Queensland invitation score.

Applicants also need to continue meeting the Queensland requirements while waiting for selection and when applying for nomination. A change in employment, residence or another eligibility factor can affect the application.

How to Apply for Queensland State Nomination

Queensland has published its 2026–27 criteria, with ROIs scheduled to open on 6 November 2026. The process involves both an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Home Affairs and a separate Registration of Interest (ROI) with Migration Queensland.

An EOI is submitted through SkillSelect and contains information used for your skilled visa points and eligibility. A Queensland ROI tells Migration Queensland that you want to be considered for state nomination.

The process works as follows.

1. Check the Visa and Queensland Requirements

Start by checking that you meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements for subclass 190 or 491 and the Queensland requirements for the pathway you plan to use.

Your occupation, skills assessment, English, points and any Queensland work or residence requirements should be checked before submitting an ROI.

2. Submit or Update Your SkillSelect EOI

You need a current EOI in SkillSelect before registering your interest with Queensland.

Make sure the information is accurate and that you can provide evidence for the claims you make. Our guide on how to submit an EOI in SkillSelect covers the process in more detail.

You do not need to create a new EOI every program year if your existing EOI is still valid and accurate. SkillSelect EOIs are valid for two years, although Queensland does not consider EOIs that are close to expiring.

3. Submit a Queensland ROI When Registrations Open

The ROI is submitted separately to Migration Queensland.

All applicants must submit a new ROI for 2026–27, even if they registered in the previous program year. You can choose only one visa subclass and have one valid ROI at a time. Once submitted, an ROI cannot be edited; to correct it or update changed circumstances, submit a new ROI, which replaces the earlier one. The ROI asks for your SkillSelect EOI number, passport number, ANZSCO occupation code, chosen subclass and relevant pathway details. Onshore applicants also need their 2025–26 ATO Notice of Assessment unless they were not required to lodge a tax return. Check the official ROI instructions before submitting.

4. Wait to See if You Are Selected

Submitting an ROI does not mean you have been nominated.

Migration Queensland selects candidates based on the program criteria, available nomination places and other selection factors. Applicants must continue to meet the relevant Queensland requirements while waiting.

5. Apply for Queensland Nomination if Invited

If selected, you have 14 calendar days to lodge your nomination application, upload the required documents and pay the non-refundable application fee.

Migration Queensland assesses the information provided in your EOI, ROI and supporting documents before deciding whether to approve the nomination.

6. Apply for the Visa

If Queensland approves the nomination, the Department of Home Affairs issues an invitation to apply for the relevant visa.

You have 60 days to lodge your visa application after receiving the Home Affairs invitation. The Department of Home Affairs then assesses the visa application separately from Queensland’s nomination decision.