Australia State Nomination Quota Allocation 18th November 2025 – Full 190 & 491 Breakdown and What Skilled Migrants Must Do Next

In a major development for skilled migration applicants, the Australian Government has officially released the State & Territory Nomination Quota Allocation for the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) as of 18 November 2025.

These updated quotas directly impact how many skilled migrants will be invited for state sponsorship in the 2025-26 program year – and for thousands of applicants eagerly awaiting visa invitations, this announcement defines migration strategy for the financial year 2025-26.

At Aussizz Group, we have helped more than 180,000+ applicants turn their Australian dreams into reality. Based on our real-time client numbers, industry research and policy analysis, we break down what the new quotas mean for you, which states now hold the strongest opportunity, and how to strategically position your Expression of Interest (EOI) to maximise the chance of receiving an invitation.

Official Quota Allocation – 18 November 2025

State / Territory Nomination Numbers

Total Quota Distribution

State-by-State Insights: Where Opportunities Are the Strongest

Victoria – Biggest share of 190 nominations (2,700 places)

• Victoria has secured the highest quota for Subclass 190 and offers structured pathways for STEM, education, construction, IT, health and research fields.
• EOIs with high points (85–95) and strong employment evidence may move quickly.
• Best suited for: Engineers, ICT Professionals, Registered Nurses, Medical professionals, Researchers, Early Childhood and Secondary Teachers.

Western Australia – Strongest opportunity for regional migration

• WA stands out for Skilled Work Regional (491) opportunities with 1,400 places, the second highest nationwide.
• Its rapidly expanding mining, construction, infrastructure and healthcare sectors have a critical shortage.
• Best suited for: Carpenters, Electricians, Civil & Mining Engineers, Welders, Nurses, Social workers, Construction supervisors.

New South Wales – Heavy competition but large intake

• With 2,100 places for 190 and 1,500 places for 491, NSW remains a premier migration destination.
• However, given the state’s large migrant population, invitation benchmarks may remain high.
• Likely points expectation: 90+ for ICT & engineering; 85–95 for health and education.

Queensland – Balanced opportunity across 190 & 491

• Queensland has secured 1,850 places for 190 and 750 for 491, indicating accessible pathways but also controlled competition.
• Popular streams: Graduate stream, skilled employment, small business program (491).

South Australia & Tasmania – High 491 positioning

• SA: 900 regional places (strength for regional education, health & agriculture)
• TAS: lower allocation but predictable processing, favourable for offshore

The ACT & NT – Smaller quotas, more targeted

• Ideal for applicants with a narrow occupation alignment and Canberra matrix or NT workforce experience.

Trend Analysis Based on Invitation Patterns

Migration trends over the last two rounds indicate:

Optimisation Strategy for Skilled Visa Applicants

Target states based on quota-to-demand ratio

• WA & Queensland strongest options for 491
• Victoria strongest for 190
• NSW competitive, require high strategy alignment

Maximise points score

Enhance points via:

• Superior English
• Work experience evidence
• Australian qualifications
• Partner skills
• NAATI + Professional Year

Move regional if competitive in metro

• Regional shifts significantly improve sponsorship chances.

Ensure employment relevance

• States heavily reward occupation-aligned employment.

Keep your documents decision-ready

• Skills assessment, English, employment evidence, references, pay slips.

Why Now is the Best Time to Apply?

With 20,350 nomination seats available, the window is open – but competition is fierce and programs may close early once seats fill.

Delays in:

• Updating EOI
• Gathering evidence
• Applying to correct streams
  …could result in missing out on invitations that others are receiving.

Why Choose Aussizz Group?

Aussizz Group has guided 180,000+ migrants to education, work and PR success in Australia.

We support applicants with:

• Tailored EOI strategy based on state quota capacity & occupation demand
• Document preparation & stream selection
• Best-fit state recommendation (based on occupation, points & location)
• Monitoring updates & invitation pattern analysis
• End-to-end visa application assistance

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Will the new quota guarantee faster invitations?

While increased quota availability improves opportunities, invitations still depend on competition, EOI ranking and state criteria. Applicants with high points, current employment in critical sectors and updated EOIs will benefit first.

Q2. Do offshore candidates have a chance for nomination?

Yes – but offshore invitations are limited and typically reserved for priority occupations such as health, engineering and education. Demonstrating employment readiness and strong documentation is essential.

Q3. Is 190 better than 491?

Both are powerful pathways to PR. 190 is direct PR, while 491 provides a regional route to PR through 191 after 3 years. Applicants with lower points or regional job prospects may find 491 more realistic.

Q4. What points are competitive now?

Recent trends show 75–85 points for trades and essential services and 85–95 points for engineering, ICT and medical occupations.

Q5. Does moving to a regional area improve chances?

Yes- multiple rounds demonstrate clear priority for regional candidates already living and contributing locally.

Final Word

The 18 November 2025 quota announcement marks a decisive shift in the skilled migration landscape. With 20,350 nomination seats available, now is the moment to act strategically, move fast, and align your profile to a state with real demand.

Whether you’re an engineer, healthcare professional, trades expert, educator or IT specialist – your pathway to Australian PR is open, but timing and planning are critical.

Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to secure your PR through Subclass 190 or 491, speak to an expert who understands the real-time landscape.

Book a personalised migration consultation with Aussizz Group

www.aussizzgroup.com

Your Australian future starts today – and we’re here to unlock it.