Executive Summary:
March 2026 was one of the most active months for state nomination activity in the current 2025–26 programme year. South Australia issued 406 invitations in a single round — the largest single round of the month. NSW targeted construction and digital professionals. Western Australia has already burned through 53% of its total annual allocation with months still remaining. Tasmania invited 491 applicants at just 40 base points — the most accessible threshold of any state this cycle. Queensland expanded its onshore construction worker pathway to include casual and self-employed experience. This state-by-state breakdown covers every round, every score, and every allocation figure — plus a clear action plan for where your EOI strategy should go next.
If you have been watching invitation rounds and wondering which state is actually moving — and which is stalling — March 2026 gave us one of the clearest pictures of the year. Multiple states ran active rounds in the first two weeks of the month, allocation figures became sharply clearer, and some genuinely significant policy shifts emerged that change the calculus for applicants in trades, construction, healthcare, and ICT.
The most important headline from March is also the most urgent: Western Australia has used approximately 53% of its 2025–26 allocation with the programme year not ending until 30 June 2026. At the current pace, WA could exhaust its remaining places before the year closes. If WA is part of your strategy, acting now is not optional — it is genuinely time-sensitive.
Here is the complete state-by-state breakdown, what each round means for applicants in different occupation groups, and what you need to do next based on your specific profile.
South Australia — 406 Invitations in a Single Round (3 March 2026)
South Australia delivered the largest single invitation round of the month — 406 invitations split across 242 Subclass 190 and 164 Subclass 491 places. For a state with an allocation of 1,350 for the 190 and 900 for the 491, this is a significant single-round output that signals SA is actively working through its pool rather than rationing invitations conservatively.
| Sector | Invitations Issued | Visa Split |
|---|---|---|
| Health Professionals | 97 | Majority 190 |
| Design, Engineering, Science and Transport | 53 | Mixed 190/491 |
| ICT Professionals | 42 | Predominantly 491 |
| Other Sectors | 214 | Mixed |
Table 1: South Australia March 2026 invitation round breakdown by sector. Total: 406 invitations (242 × 190, 164 × 491).
SA’s monthly round schedule means the next round is expected in early April 2026. For applicants in health, engineering, and ICT — three sectors with direct crossover into SA’s priority list — this is one of the more active and accessible state programs currently running. SA allocation remaining: approximately 944 for the 190 and 736 for the 491 after the March round.
For those considering nursing or allied health qualifications as a PR pathway, SA’s consistent health sector nomination is a relevant data point. Australia nursing colleges that produce graduates in Enrolled or Registered Nursing roles are producing graduates into one of the most consistently nominated occupation groups in the SA program. SA’s 97 health invitations in a single round is not a spike — it reflects sustained structural demand.
New South Wales — Targeted 190 Round, Construction and Digital Focus (4 March 2026)
NSW conducted a Subclass 190 invitation round on 4 March, specifically targeting a defined list of occupations with points scores ranging from 70 to 110. The targeted occupations included Architect, Architectural Draftsperson, Carpenter, Civil Engineer, Community Worker, and Developer Programmer — a list that tells you exactly where NSW’s current workforce priority sits: construction and digital infrastructure, with health as a consistent background thread.
NSW’s priority sectors for the 2025–26 programme year are construction, renewable energy, health, digital and cyber, agriculture, and advanced manufacturing. If your occupation and profile fit any of these sectors, NSW should be an active part of your state nomination strategy.
An important allocation warning for NSW 491 applicants: Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 of the NSW 491 programme have been closed since 19 January 2026, having reached their allocation. Pathway 2 may reopen in April 2026 depending on remaining demand — but this is not confirmed. If you were counting on NSW 491 as your primary strategy, you need an alternative plan in place right now.
NSW allocation: 2,100 (190) / 1,500 (491). The 190 program remains active with monthly rounds continuing.
For applicants with carpentry or construction trade qualifications, the appearance of Carpenter and Civil Engineer in NSW’s March targeted round is a direct signal. A certificate III in carpentry courses Melbourne leads to precisely the occupation NSW is actively nominating — and with the state’s 2,100-place 190 allocation still substantially available, construction trade applicants with competitive points profiles should have NSW firmly on their radar.
Western Australia — Two Rounds, 53% Allocation Gone (3 and 5 March 2026)
Western Australia ran two separate invitation rounds in the first week of March — a trade occupations and construction industry round on 3 March, and a priority non-trade occupations round on 5 March covering both the 491 and 190. Occupation clusters across both rounds included healthcare and nursing, engineering and built environment, hospitality and skilled trades, and education and professional services.
The critical figure from WA is the allocation status. WA has used approximately 53% of its 2025–26 programme allocation, with roughly 1,600 places remaining across both visa subclasses. WA’s total allocation is 2,000 (190) and 1,400 (491). At the pace WA is moving through its pool, there is a genuine risk that remaining places are exhausted before the programme year ends on 30 June 2026.
If WA is part of your nomination strategy — for any occupation — the action required is immediate. Submit your EOI if you have not already. Do not wait for another round to confirm demand. The 1,600 remaining places will not last the full programme year at current invitation rates.
WA’s inclusion of hospitality and skilled trades in both March rounds is relevant for applicants in commercial cookery and construction. A certificate III in commercial cookery leads to cook and chef roles that WA consistently nominates — and with the state’s mining and tourism economy driving sustained hospitality demand, this occupation group is likely to remain active in WA rounds for as long as places last.
Tasmania — 33 Invitations, 491 Invited at Just 40 Points (11 March 2026)
Tasmania issued 33 invitations on 11 March — 14 for the 190 (Gold pass profiles only) and 19 for the 491. The standout number from this round is the lowest invited 491 score: 40 base points. That figure makes Tasmania the most accessible state in the entire current programme cycle for applicants with lower points scores.
Here is why that matters in practice. The Subclass 491 itself adds 15 points to your score for General Skilled Migration purposes. An applicant with 40 base points who receives a Tasmania 491 nomination effectively has 55 points toward their visa application — and the visa cutoff for 491 is 65 points. Add a modest English improvement or an additional year of work experience and the pathway becomes viable for applicants who thought their points score put PR out of reach.
Tasmania also operates on a weekly Register of Interest (ROI) cycle rather than monthly rounds, which means applicants get faster feedback on their profile’s competitiveness — a meaningful practical advantage when you are trying to manage timing across multiple state strategies.
TAS allocation: 1,200 (190) / 650 (491). The 190 program requires Gold pass status, which means a stronger overall profile. The 491 at 40 points is the accessible entry point for lower-scoring applicants.
For applicants considering course options to build a nomination-eligible profile, Tasmania’s low 491 threshold is particularly relevant when combined with qualifications in genuine shortage occupations. Cheapest courses for international students in Australia in shortage occupations — particularly trades and healthcare — can deliver nomination-eligible profiles at a significantly lower overall cost than metropolitan qualification pathways in more competitive occupation groups. Use the Australia PR calculator to model how a Tasmania 491 nomination changes your overall score and competitiveness.
Queensland — Construction Pathway Expands, Casual Work Now Counts (12 March 2026)
Queensland invited applicants for onshore occupations under both 491 and 190 on 12 March, with points ranging from 65 to 95+5. The most significant policy development from QLD this month is an expansion of the onshore construction worker pathway — specifically the decision to count casual and self-employed work experience toward the minimum hours requirement. This is a meaningful change that significantly broadens eligibility for tradies already working in Queensland.
| Visa Type | Onshore Experience Required | Minimum Weekly Hours | Casual/Self-Employed Counts? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 190 Visa | 9 months onshore | 20 hours per week | Yes — from March 2026 |
| 491 Visa | 6 months onshore | 20 hours per week | Yes — from March 2026 |
Table 2: Queensland onshore construction worker pathway requirements — updated March 2026.
Queensland’s motivation for expanding this pathway is straightforward: the state is in the middle of a sustained infrastructure buildout tied to its Big Build programme and the preparation for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. The demand for construction workers — carpenters, bricklayers, concreters, electricians, plumbers, and fabricators — is structural and multi-year. QLD is not nominating construction workers out of short-term convenience. It is building a workforce it needs for a decade of infrastructure delivery.
For applicants with a certificate III in bricklaying, a certificate IV in building and construction, or a certificate III in engineering fabrication trade, Queensland’s expanded construction pathway is one of the most direct nomination opportunities currently available. If you are already working in Queensland in a construction trade — even casually — check whether your occupation and experience hours now qualify you for a nomination submission.
QLD allocation: 1,850 (190) / 750 (491).
Victoria — Rolling Assessment, No Fixed Rounds (13 March 2026)
Victoria does not run scheduled invitation rounds. Registrations of Interest are assessed on a rolling basis according to skills demand across the state’s priority occupation list. A single report from mid-March suggests a 190 invitation was issued on 13 March for a Management Accountant with 90 points — though this has not been confirmed through the official VIC portal.
For Victoria, the key strategic point is that the rolling assessment model means there is no specific round to target or miss — but it also means less transparency about where your profile sits in the queue. VIC has the largest 190 allocation of any state at 2,700 places, with a relatively smaller 491 allocation of 700. The size of the 190 allocation makes VIC an important part of any state strategy for occupations the state actively prioritises — particularly in health, education, engineering, and social services.
ACT — Matrix Round Pending
The ACT Canberra Matrix round is tentatively expected between the week of 9 and 23 March 2026, though the timing has not been officially confirmed as of publication. Income thresholds for ACT 190 and 491 nominations increased from 1 February 2026 — a change that affects eligibility for lower-income applicants. The ACT continues to prioritise 491 invitations over 190 and focuses heavily on Canberra-based employment as a nomination criterion.
Northern Territory — Portal Closed
The NT nomination portal remains closed for the 2025–26 programme year, having received sufficient applications to meet its allocation. No further nominations are expected from the NT until the new programme year begins 1 July 2026.
The Full Allocation Picture: Where Every State Stands Right Now
| State | 190 Allocation | 491 Allocation | Status | March 2026 Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Australia | 1,350 | 900 | ✅ Active | 406 invitations issued |
| New South Wales | 2,100 | 1,500 | ✅ Active (491 Pathways 1 and 3 closed) | Targeted 190 round — construction and digital |
| Western Australia | 2,000 | 1,400 | ⚠️ Filling fast — ~1,600 places left | Two rounds — trades, construction, healthcare |
| Tasmania | 1,200 | 650 | ✅ Active | 33 invitations — 491 cutoff at 40 points |
| Queensland | 1,850 | 750 | ✅ Active | Construction pathway expanded — casual work counts |
| Victoria | 2,700 | 700 | ✅ Active — rolling assessment | Management Accountant invited at 90 points (unconfirmed) |
| ACT | TBC | TBC | ⏳ Pending | Matrix round expected mid-March to April |
| Northern Territory | TBC | TBC | 🔴 Closed | Portal closed for 2025–26 year |
Table 3: State and territory nomination allocation status and March 2026 activity summary.
What This Means for Different Applicant Profiles — Your Action Plan
If you are waiting on a Subclass 189 invitation: The 189 quota for 2025–26 is effectively exhausted for most occupations. State nomination through 190 or 491 is your most realistic current pathway. Use the PR calculator to check your current score and assess which state’s criteria your profile best fits. Do not sit on a 189-only EOI strategy and hope the quota opens — the programme year ends 30 June 2026.
If your points are between 65 and 75: Tasmania is the standout option this cycle. The 491 invited at 40 base points in March — add the 15-point nomination bonus and you are at 55 points before any other improvements. If your occupation appears on Tasmania’s list and you can commit to regional living, this is the most accessible state nomination currently operating. It is worth checking whether your courses in Australia for permanent residency align with Tasmania’s priority occupation groups before submitting your ROI.
If you are targeting Western Australia: Move immediately. With approximately 1,600 places remaining and the state running multiple rounds per month, WA could close before 30 June 2026. Healthcare, engineering, hospitality, and construction trades are all active in WA rounds. If your occupation is on WA’s list, your EOI should already be submitted.
If you are a construction worker in Queensland: Check the updated onshore construction pathway criteria now. Casual and self-employed experience now counts toward the minimum hours requirement — a change that may make you eligible when you previously were not. Occupations qualifying under this pathway include carpenters, bricklayers, concreters, fabricators, and related trades. For those with a certificate III in bricklaying or a certificate IV in engineering already completed, confirm whether your current Queensland work experience meets the updated threshold.
If you are in healthcare or nursing: SA, WA, NSW, and VIC all actively nominated health professionals in March. Cheapest nursing courses in Australia for international students that lead to Enrolled or Registered Nursing qualifications are producing graduates into one of the most consistently nominated occupation groups in the entire state nomination system. If you are approaching the end of your nursing qualification, have your state nomination strategy prepared and ready to submit the moment you complete your skills assessment.
If you are in early childhood education: This sector did not feature prominently in March trade-focused rounds, but it consistently appears in SA, VIC, and ACT nomination lists. A graduate diploma in early childhood education for international students leads to Early Childhood Teacher registration — an occupation on the PR listed courses in Australia pathway with active nomination in multiple states. Check VIC’s rolling assessment list and SA’s upcoming April round for eligibility.
If you are in engineering or welding: WA and QLD both actively nominated engineering and fabrication occupations in March. A certificate III in engineering fabrication trade and welding training Melbourne qualifications lead directly into the occupation groups both states targeted. WA’s mining sector and QLD’s infrastructure pipeline sustain demand for fabricators and welders that is structural rather than seasonal.
If you are considering a course change to improve your nomination prospects: Before making any study changes, understand the new rules for course change in Australia — the six-month minimum completion requirement for your principal course applies before any transfer is permitted. A poorly timed course change can affect your student visa conditions and delay your PR timeline significantly more than staying the course.
What Is Coming in April 2026 and Beyond
| Date | Event | Impact on Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Early April 2026 | SA next invitation round | Monthly schedule continues — health, engineering, ICT |
| April 2026 (TBC) | NSW 491 Pathway 2 may reopen | Could open approximately 1,500 additional places |
| April 2026 | NSW next 190 round | Monthly schedule — construction and digital focus expected |
| Mid-2026 | Revised CSOL 2026 occupation list | May add or remove eligible occupations — check your ANZSCO code |
| 1 July 2026 | New 2026–27 programme year begins | Fresh allocations across all states — new strategy cycle opens |
Table 4: Key upcoming dates for state nomination rounds and policy changes — April to July 2026.
The most important date in this table is 1 July 2026 — the start of a fresh programme year with new allocations across all states. For applicants who miss out on 2025–26 places, the new year brings a reset. But for states like WA where the current allocation may exhaust before June, there will be a period of no available places between closure and the new year opening. Do not plan to wait it out if your occupation is active in WA right now.
The possible revised CSOL list in mid-2026 is also worth watching. Occupation list revisions can add newly eligible occupations — opening nomination to applicants who currently fall outside the eligible pool — or remove occupations that the government determines are no longer in genuine shortage. If your ANZSCO code sits in a field that has been trending toward oversupply, a mid-year list revision could affect your nomination eligibility. Confirm your occupation’s current list status before submitting any EOI or ROI, and check the Australia PR calculator to model how list changes might affect your overall profile competitiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions: State Nomination March 2026
Q1. Which state is currently the easiest to get nomination from?
Based on March 2026 round data, Tasmania offered the lowest invitation threshold — 491 applicants were invited at just 40 base points. Combined with the 15-point 491 bonus, this is the most accessible nomination currently operating. SA is also running active monthly rounds across multiple sectors including health and engineering.
Q2. Is Western Australia still accepting EOIs?
Yes — but urgently. WA has used approximately 53% of its 2025–26 allocation, leaving roughly 1,600 places. At current invitation rates, WA could exhaust its allocation before 30 June 2026. If WA is relevant to your occupation and profile, submit your EOI immediately.
Q3. What happened to NSW 491?
NSW 491 Pathways 1 and 3 closed on 19 January 2026 after reaching their allocation. Pathway 2 may reopen in April 2026 depending on demand. If you were relying on NSW 491, you need an alternative state strategy in place now.
Q4. Does casual work count for Queensland’s construction pathway?
Yes — from March 2026. Queensland expanded its onshore construction worker pathway to include casual and self-employed work experience, provided the applicant meets the minimum hours requirement (20 hours per week for the qualifying period). This applies to both the 190 (9 months experience) and 491 (6 months experience) pathways.
Q5. When does the new state nomination programme year begin?
The 2026–27 programme year begins 1 July 2026, bringing fresh allocations across all states. States that exhaust their 2025–26 allocation before June will have no available places until the new year opens. Plan your timing accordingly and do not assume a closed state will reopen before July.
Q6. How do I know which state to target for my occupation?
Each state publishes its occupation list and nomination criteria on its official government portal. Cross-reference your ANZSCO code with each state’s current priority list, honestly assess whether your profile meets their specific criteria, and use the PR calculator to understand how a state nomination bonus (5 points for 190, 15 points for 491) changes your overall SkillSelect competitiveness before deciding which states to pursue.
Disclaimer: State nomination requirements, occupation lists, and allocation figures are subject to change. Always verify current availability and criteria with the relevant state or territory government portal before submitting your EOI or ROI. This article reflects data available as of March 2026 and may no
