Queensland has received a small interim allocation of 250 visa nomination places while waiting on the full allocation from the Federal Government. As of 19 September 2025, nominations have reopened for skilled migration under both the subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional) and subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Permanent) visas.
There are several pathways available for skilled workers, international graduates and offshore applicants. Below is a quick rundown of the latest eligibility requirements and some important updates that might affect your application.
Key features
You must obtain a nomination from the Queensland Government, if you wish to migrate to Queensland under:
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – allows nominated skilled workers to live and work in regional Queensland.
- Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) – allows nominated skilled workers to live and work in Queensland as permanent residents.
To be considered you will need to:
- hold a skills assessment*
- submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect with 65 points or more** an
- submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) with QLD.
Subclass 491- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
This is a five-year, points-tested visa that leads to permanent residency after living and working in regional Queensland for at least three years.
After registering an Expression of Interest with the state, you may then be invited to apply for the subclass 491 visa.
There are five streams available for this subclass in Queensland. This includes:
- Skilled Workers (in Queensland)- this stream is for skilled workers currently employed in Queensland, helping to fill priority skills gaps
- Skilled Workers (offshore)- this stream is for skilled workers outside of Australia who can contribute to Queensland’s strongest skilled workforce needs
- Building and construction workers – this steam is to assist with major infrastructure projects and events. Largely geared for 190 visa applicants, but 491 visa is also possible
- Queensland Graduates– this stream is for international graduates who have an eligible qualification from a Queensland university and are currently employed in QLD
- Small Business Owners– this stream is for migrants who are currently living in and operating a small business in regional Queensland (subclass 491 only)
- Note:
- This stream is closed to businesses purchased or started after 19 September 2025 however
- businesses purchased or started before 19 September 2025 may still be invited to apply.
Pathway 1 – 491 – Skilled Workers (in Queensland)
Requirements include:
- Have an occupation on eligible skilled occupations: Queensland Onshore Skills List.
- Note that Chefs and Cooks are unable to apply by working in takeaway or fast-food businesses.
- Have 65 points or more**
- Have Competent English or higher
- Immediately before registering your interest in Queensland nomination, you have been living and working in:
- Regional Queensland for the past 6 months for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
- This work experience must be:
- After you completed your qualification
- In an occupation that has the same first 3 digits in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code as your nominated occupation
- At least 20 hours per week.
- We also note the following:
- You must still be in a role that meets the above requirements when you submit your ROI, when you are selected for invitation, and when you are nominated
- Casual work is accepted
- Multiple eligible jobs can be combined to meet requirements
- Work from home is allowed, where your employer has a physical presence in Queensland.
- Must commit to living and working in regional Queensland for 3 years from date your visa is granted.
Pathway 2 – 491 – Skilled Workers (offshore)
Requirements include:
- Have an occupation on Queensland Offshore Skills List.
- Note that information on employment in Queensland for certain occupations, such as licencing and registration requirements, should be checked on this list.
- Have 65 points or more**
- Have Competent English or higher
- Have at least 1 year’s skilled employment experience in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation. Only work experience declared as related to your nominated occupation on your Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Australian Department of Home Affairs will be considered. You must still be employed in your nominated occupation (or a closely related occupation) at the time you are invited and nominated.
- Must commit to living and working in regional Queensland for 3 years from date your visa is granted.
Pathway 3 – 491 – Building and construction workers
Major infrastructure projects and events, like the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, means there are opportunities across QLD for skilled building and construction workers.
This pathway is for builders, tradespeople or construction workers
To be considered for Queensland nomination, you will need to meet the requirements of both the Australian Department of Home Affairs and Migration Queensland for your chosen visa.
QLD prefer applicants to apply for the 190 under this pathway, but if you are unable to meet the 190 requirements, the subclass 491 visa will be considered.
Requirements include:
- Have an occupation on the Queensland Onshore Skills Listthat is indicated as included in the building and construction workforce pathway.
- Have 65 points or more**
- Have Competent English or higher
- Work experience:
- Immediately before registering your interest in Queensland nomination, you have been living and working in Queensland for the past 3 months.
- This work experience must be:
- After you completed your qualification
- In an occupation that has the same first 3 digits in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations(ANZSCO) code as your nominated occupation
- At least 20 hours per week.
- You must still be in a role that meets the above requirements when you submit your ROI, when you are selected for invitation, and when you are nominated
- Casual work is accepted
- Multiple eligible jobs can be combined to meet requirements
- Work from home is allowed, where your employer has a physical presence in Queensland.
- Must commit to living and working in regional Queensland for 3 years from date your visa is granted.
Pathway 4 – 491 -Queensland Graduates
This pathway is for international graduates who have a Queensland bachelor degree, master’s degree or PhD, and relevant work experience.
Requirements include:
- Have an occupation on the Queensland Onshore Skills List.
- Have 65 points or more**
- Have Competent English or higher
- Qualification/study – you have:
- A Bachelor Degree, Master’s Degree or PhD from a Queensland university or tertiary institute that meets the Australian Study Requirement
- Completed 100% of this qualification in Queensland
- Graduated after 1 July 2021.
- Your Queensland degree does not have to be related to your nominated occupation.
- Work experience:
- Immediately before registering your interest in Queensland nomination, you have been living and working in:
- Regional Queensland for the past 6 months for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
- This work experience must be:
- After you completed your qualification
- At least 20 hours per week.
- Candidates who meet the Queensland university graduate requirements may be working in any Skill Level 1 occupation.
- You must still be in a role that meets the above requirements when you submit your ROI, when you are selected for invitation, and when you are nominated
- Casual work is accepted
- Multiple eligible jobs can be combined to meet requirements
- Work from home is allowed, where your employer has a physical presence in Queensland.
- Must commit to living and working in regional Queensland for 3 years from date your visa is granted.
Pathway 5 – 491 – Small Business Owners
Subclass 491 Small Business Owners program will close from 19 September:
- businesses purchased or started after 19 September 2025 will not be eligible
- businesses purchased or started before 19 September 2025 may still be invited to apply.
There are two pathways you can choose under this stream. They are:
- Business purchase
- To be eligible for Pathway 1, you must purchase an existing registered business outside of South East Queensland for a minimum of $100,000 and employ at least 1 Australian resident.
- Business start-up
- you must have started your own business and have continuously run that business for a minimum of 2 years.
- Only submit your Registration of Interest (ROI) once your business is generating a profit and has a turnover of at least $200,000 in the twelve months prior to submitting.
As this is a complex pathway, please contact us if you believe you meet the below. We will then assess your suitability.
Subclass 190- Skilled Nominated Visa
This is a permanent visa and allows you to live and work in Australia.
After registering an EOI and ROI with the state, you may then be invited to apply for the subclass 190 visa.
There are four streams available for this subclass in Queensland. These include:
- Skilled Workers (in Queensland)- this stream is for skilled workers currently employed in Queensland, helping to fill priority skills gaps
- Skilled Workers (offshore)- this stream is for skilled workers outside of Australia who can contribute to Queensland’s strongest skilled workforce needs
- Building and construction workers – this steam is to assist with major infrastructure projects and events.
- Queensland Graduates– this stream is for international graduates who have an eligible qualification from a Queensland university and are currently employed, helping to fill priority skills gaps
The 190 pathways follows the same requirements as the 491 (see above) however:
- For pathway 1 – skilled workers (in QLD) and pathway 4 Queensland Graduates:
- immediately before registering your interest in Queensland nomination, you have been living and working in Queensland for the past 9 months for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190).
- You must commit to continue living and working in Queensland until at least 2 years after the date your Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) is granted.
- If you have applied for, or are a current holder of, a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), you are not eligible for nomination for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190). This restriction also applies to the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489).
The above is a guidance only as States are prone to change requirements without informing us. Please contact us if you are considering applying.
* A skills assessment is conducted by a relevant authority of your nominated occupation. The list of these authorities can be found here. We can assist you in determining the relevant authority and help you receive a positive outcome upon your skills assessment.
**The Department of Home Affairs website also has a points calculator here. The friendly team at Hammond Migration can also assist you in determining which points may be available to you.
With demand for points-based visas continuing to rise, it’s important to be prepared. Scheduling an appointment with us is the best way to confirm your eligibility and take the next step with confidence.
