Tasmania 190 and 491 Visa Program Opens on 17 August 2026: What Applicants Must Check Before Submitting ROI

Tasmania is expected to be one of the first states to open its skilled migration program for the 2026–27 program year. Migration Tasmania has confirmed that the Tasmanian Skilled Migration State Nomination Program will open to new Registrations of Interest on 17 August 2026. 

This is a major update for applicants planning Australian PR through Tasmania. The state has received 2,050 nomination places for the 2026–27 program year. This includes 1,250 places for subclass 190 and 800 places for subclass 491. 

For skilled migrants, international graduates, temporary visa holders and applicants already living in Tasmania, this opening date is important. However, Tasmania nomination is not as simple as moving to the state and submitting an ROI. Applicants must meet the basic visa and nomination requirements, but they also need to understand the priority attributes that decide how competitive they are. 

Aussizz Group has helped 200,000+ applicants to their Australian Dreams, and the most important message for Tasmania applicants is clear: do not look only at the basic eligibility criteria. The real strategy is in the priority attributes. 

Tasmania Has 2,050 Nomination Places for 2026–27 

Tasmania’s allocation for the 2026–27 program year gives applicants a clearer idea of how many nomination opportunities may be available. The total allocation is higher than last year’s fully delivered 2025–26 allocation, which included 1,200 subclass 190 places and 650 subclass 491 places. 

The higher number does not mean every eligible applicant will receive nomination. Tasmania still selects the most competitive candidates through the Registration of Interest system. The allocation simply tells applicants how many nomination places the state has available across the program year. 

New ROIs Can Be Submitted From 17 August 2026 

The program opening date matters because applicants can submit a new Registration of Interest from 17 August 2026. The Application Gateway will not be available before that date. 

Migration Tasmania has also confirmed that weekly invitations to apply for nomination will start from Thursday, 20 August 2026. Invitations will be issued progressively during the year so that places remain available across the program year. 

Subclass 190 Tasmania Gives Permanent PR Pathway With State Commitment

The subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa is a permanent visa pathway. Tasmania nomination for subclass 190 provides 5 additional points toward the skilled points test. 

If nominated by Tasmania, the applicant undertakes to live in Tasmania for at least two years after nomination approval. 

Subclass 190 is attractive because it is a permanent pathway. However, it is also competitive because places are limited and applicants are ranked through the ROI system. 

Subclass 491 Tasmania Can Support Regional PR Planning

The subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Provisional visa allows skilled workers to live and work in Tasmania for up to five years. Tasmania nomination for subclass 491 provides 15 additional points toward the skilled points test. 

Applicants may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through subclass 191 after meeting the required conditions. 

Subclass 491 may suit applicants who are open to regional settlement and have a realistic long-term plan in Tasmania. It should not be treated as a weak option. For some applicants, it may be more realistic than subclass 190. 

Priority Attributes Decide How Competitive Your ROI is

The most important part of Tasmania nomination is the priority attribute system. After submitting an ROI, the Gateway ranks eligible candidates against other applicants. 

Tasmania uses pass colours such as Gold, Green, Orange and Red. Applicants with stronger priority attributes are more likely to move forward. 

This is where many applicants misunderstand Tasmania. A person may meet the basic stream criteria but still receive a lower priority outcome. In a competitive program, that may not be enough. 

Realistically, applicants should aim for Gold, Green or Orange-Plus attributes. Basic eligibility alone can be weak if many other candidates have stronger claims. 

Orange-Plus Attributes Can Change the Invitation Chance

Orange-Plus attributes are especially important because Migration Tasmania treats candidates with at least one Orange-Plus priority attribute as high priority among Orange Pass applicants. 

This means an Orange Pass applicant with Orange-Plus strength may be invited before other Orange candidates. 

Applicants should not relocate, study or submit ROI only because they meet the minimum time requirement. The priority attribute ranking can decide whether the application is actually competitive. 

The 2026-27 Program Brings Changes to Priority Attributes

Migration Tasmania has announced several updates to priority attributes, selection policy and program guidance for the new program year. These changes are designed to make the system clearer and better aligned with Tasmania’s nomination priorities. 

The update also notes that applicants who submitted an ROI in the last six months may wish to withdraw and submit a new ROI because the revised priority ranking may improve chances for some candidates. 

This is not something applicants should do blindly. Withdrawing and resubmitting should be assessed based on whether the new ranking actually improves the profile. 

Tasmania 190 Skilled Employment Stream Needs More Than a Job

The upcoming discussion around the Tasmania 190 Skilled Employment stream is important because many applicants think having a job in Tasmania is enough. It may not be. 

A job can support the pathway, but the job must fit the stream, documents, salary, hours and priority attributes properly. 

A weak employment claim can create problems. If the selected priority attributes are not supported during assessment and the applicant’s score falls below the published three-month average, nomination will not be approved. 

This makes evidence preparation very important. 

Overseas 491 Invitation-Only Pathway Will Not Issue Invitations in 2026-27 

One major update is that Tasmania will not issue invitations for the subclass 491 Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles invitation-only pathway in the 2026–27 program year. 

The pathway is for overseas skilled applicants without a job in Tasmania, but Migration Tasmania has said no invitations are planned this year due to the Australian Government’s priority for visa processing for applicants in Australia. 

Basic Criteria Can Look Easy, But the Full Strategy is Harder 

The most common mistake in Tasmania planning is looking only at the minimum requirement. A person may see a stream that requires a certain period of residence, study or employment and assume nomination is simple. 

That is not how the system works. Tasmania can be a very good option, but it rewards the right profile. Applicants should check whether they are likely to be competitive before making major decisions such as relocating, changing course or accepting a job. 

Final Advice Before Submitting a Tasmania ROI 

Tasmania’s 2026–27 program opening on 17 August 2026 is a major opportunity for applicants considering subclass 190 or subclass 491 nomination. The state has received 2,050 nomination places, including 1,250 for subclass 190 and 800 for subclass 491. 

However, the strongest applicants will not be the ones who only meet the basic criteria. The strongest applicants will be those who meet the visa requirements, fit a Tasmania nomination pathway, claim the right priority attributes and provide evidence for every claim. 

Applicants should aim to understand whether their profile is Gold, Green, Orange-Plus, Orange or Red before building a strategy. Submitting an ROI without checking priority strength can lead to disappointment. 

Aussizz Group can help applicants review Tasmania 190 and 491 pathways, priority attributes, ROI strategy, skilled employment stream requirements and alternative PR options. 

Aussizz Group has helped 200,000+ applicants to their Australian Dreams, and the right guidance can help applicants avoid costly relocation, ROI and nomination mistakes. 

FAQs

Q1. When will Tasmania’s 2026-27 skilled migration program open? 

Tasmania’s 2026–27 Skilled Migration State Nomination Program will open to new Registrations of Interest on 17 August 2026. 

Q2. How many nomination places does Tasmania have for 2026-27?

Tasmania has received 2,050 nomination places for 2026–27. This includes 1,250 places for subclass 190 and 800 places for subclass 491. 

Q3. When will Tasmania start issuing invitations?

Migration Tasmania will commence weekly invitations to apply for nomination from Thursday, 20 August 2026. 

Q4. Is submitting a Tasmania ROI free?

Yes. There is no charge to submit a Registration of Interest. However, if invited to apply for nomination, the nomination application fee is $387 plus GST. 

Q5. Does meeting Tasmania’s basic criteria guarantee nomination?

No. Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee nomination. Only the most competitive ROIs are selected for invitation. 

Q6. What are Gold, Green and Orange Passes in Tasmania ROI?

Gold Pass candidates can apply for nomination immediately. Green Pass candidates are likely to be invited within six months depending on places. Orange Pass candidates may be invited depending on competition and priority attributes.

Q7. What is Orange-Plus in Tasmania nomination?

Orange-Plus refers to higher-priority attributes among Orange Pass candidates. Applicants with at least one Orange-Plus attribute are treated as high priority among Orange candidates.

Q8. Can offshore applicants apply for Tasmania 491 in 2026-27?

Tasmania has stated that no invitations are planned for the subclass 491 Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles invitation-only pathway in 2026–27. Offshore health and teaching professionals with Tasmanian job offers may still have relevant subclass 190 pathways.

Q9. Should I withdraw and resubmit my old Tasmania ROI?

Migration Tasmania has noted that some candidates who submitted an ROI in the last six months may wish to withdraw and submit a new one because updated priority attribute ranking may improve chances. This should be checked carefully before taking action.

Q10. Can Aussizz Group help with Tasmania 190 and 491 ROI planning?

Yes. Aussizz Group can help applicants review Tasmania nomination pathways, priority attributes, ROI strategy, subclass 190 and 491 options, and alternative PR pathways.