Tasmanian Skilled Migration Program Update: 2026–27 State Nomination Allocations Announced

The Tasmanian Government has announced its skilled migration state nomination allocation for the 2026–27 program year.

Tasmania has received a total of 2,050 nomination places, comprising:

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): 1,250 places

• Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491): 800 places

Migration Tasmania has also confirmed that the Skilled Migration State Nomination Program will reopen for new Registrations of Interest, commonly known as ROIs, in the coming weeks.

The reopening date and updated program requirements will be announced separately.

What does this mean for prospective applicants?

Applicants who are interested in Tasmanian state nomination should begin reviewing their current eligibility and preparing relevant supporting documents.

However, applicants should avoid relying solely on requirements from the previous program year. Migration Tasmania has advised applicants to carefully review the 2026–27 program settings and guidelines once they are released, as eligibility criteria, nomination pathways and priority settings may change.

Submitting an ROI does not constitute a nomination application and does not guarantee an invitation. Under Tasmania’s application process, candidates must generally first meet the relevant visa and state nomination requirements, submit an Expression of Interest through Skill Select and then register their interest through the Migration Tasmania Gateway. Competitive candidates may subsequently be invited to apply for state nomination.

Applications already lodged and awaiting a decision

Applicants who lodged a Tasmanian nomination application before the previous program closed do not need to submit a new application solely because the new program year has commenced.

Migration Tasmania will continue processing undecided applications against the requirements that were in place at the time the application was lodged. Where an application is approved, the applicant will be nominated through Skill Select.

Can a pending subclass 491 application be changed to subclass 190?

A pending subclass 491 nomination application will not automatically be considered for subclass 190 nomination.

Applicants who have already lodged a subclass 491 nomination application but now wish to seek subclass 190 nomination will need to:

1. Withdraw their current subclass 491 nomination application.

2. Wait until the 2026–27 program opens.

3. Register for subclass 190 nomination under the new program.

Applicants should carefully consider their circumstances before withdrawing an existing application. A new subclass 190 invitation is not guaranteed and will depend on the level of interest and the number of available nomination places at that time.

Understanding the difference between subclass 190 and subclass 491

The subclass 190 visa is a permanent skilled visa requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory government.

The subclass 491 visa is a provisional regional skilled visa. Tasmanian nomination for subclass 491 provides eligible applicants with additional points toward the skilled migration points test and allows the visa holder to live and work in a designated regional area. Eligible subclass 491 holders may later pursue permanent residence through the subclass 191 pathway, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.

State nomination and the visa application are separate processes. Migration Tasmania assesses the state nomination application, while the Department of Home Affairs assesses the visa application.

What should applicants do now?

Before the program reopens, potential applicants may consider reviewing:

• Their nominated occupation and skills assessment

• English-language results

• Current Skill Select EOI information

• Employment and residence evidence

• Eligibility for relevant Tasmanian nomination pathways

• Any documents that may expire soon

Applicants should not submit or withdraw an application without first understanding how the decision may affect their overall migration strategy.

Need assistance with your Tasmanian nomination strategy?

The appropriate pathway will depend on factors including your occupation, skills assessment, employment, location, points score and long-term migration goals.

Australia Migration Services can assist with assessing your circumstances, reviewing potential subclass 190 and subclass 491 pathways, and preparing for the reopening of Tasmania’s 2026–27 skilled migration program.

Book For Consultation： https://www.amsmigration.com.au/book-online