Queensland announced that it has started accepting Registrations of Interest (ROIs) for its state-nomination programs under the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visas for the 2025-26 programme year with 2,600 nomination places allocated.
Key details
The skills-occupation lists for 2025-26 have been published for both onshore and offshore applicants in Queensland, covering a broad range of occupations including but not limited to construction, engineering, education and healthcare.
- 2,600 nomination places were allocated, which is more than double than the previous year, with 1,850 places for Subclass 190 and 750 places for Subclass 491.
The ROIs opened in Queensland on 19 September 2025. Applicants are required to submit a new ROI for this programme year if they seek nomination; only one ROI submission may be active at a time. You won't need to submit a new EOI as long as the details are updated.
Some of the changes for 2025-26 include: acceptance of casual work to count towards the work-experience requirement, a minimum of 20 hours work per week in many cases.
Among their priority occupation list, Queensland has emphasised the need for skilled workers in building and construction. To ensure that all skilled migrants with construction skills can work in any area of Queensland, they will nominate building and construction workers for the subclass 190 visa.
- Migrants working and living in regional and remote Queensland will be prioritised to help support critical workforce shortages.
What this means for applicants
If your nominated occupation is listed on Queensland’s current onshore or offshore skilled occupation lists, you may be eligible to lodge an ROI. But being listed alone doesn’t guarantee nomination — you must meet Queensland’s minimum nomination criteria (and the federal visa criteria) and then be selected.
- Some occupations are only eligible for Subclass 491. You can only select one visa subclass in the ROI as only one ROI is considered active at a time. If you would like to update your details or change your subclass preference, you can resubmit a new ROI, and only the most recent submission will be considered. The date you submit or update your EOI/ROI will not impact your selection for nomination.
- Applicants already residing in Queensland must show evidence that their employer has a physical presence in Queensland if they are working remotely. They will not accept candidates who work from virtual office or working for interstate company.
- Onshore applicants applying for Subclass 491 nomination must show evidence that their workplace is in a regional area. Working from home for a Brisbane-based company is usually not accepted, unless your employer can provide compelling justification, assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- Queensland encourages eligible applicants in the building and construction sector to apply for the Subclass 190 instead of the Subclass 491, as the state intends to nominate them for the 190 to allow them to work anywhere in Queensland.
- Casual work experience can now be counted toward the minimum requirement if the applicant provides the required evidence, works at least 20 hours per week, and the role relates to the nominated occupation.
Strategic tips
Check the occupation list — Confirm your ANZSCO code is included on Queensland’s current onshore or offshore lists and the corresponding eligible subclass. Applicants in the building and construction sector are encouraged to apply for Subclass 190.
Ensure your skills assessment and English test is valid — While English tests are valid for three years from the date of issue, skill assessment have different validity, please check with each skill assessing authority.
Prepare your nomination documentation — To avoid potential state nomination refusal, ensure you can provide evidence on the claims made in your EOI and ROI, especially your work experience evidence, if you are working remotely or self-employed.
Monitor for invitation rounds — Even after ROI submission, selection depends on quotas and rounds. Stay informed about Queensland’s selection rounds and any changes to criteria.
Final thoughts
Queensland’s early opening of ROIs for 2025-26 is a positive signal that the state is actively recruiting skilled workers in key sectors like construction, engineering, education and healthcare. For skilled applicants whose occupation is eligible and ready with documentation and criteria, this offers a timely opportunity. Preparation now will help maximise your chances when nomination invitations are issued.
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