2022-23 Update for State and Territory Visa Nomination
State/Territory nominated skilled visas are points-based and allow qualified workers nominated by Australian state or territory governments to live and work in Australia as permanent residents. To apply for a State/Territory nominated skilled visa, applicants must first obtain a Nomination from the State/Territory government. Please note that in addition to the minimum requirements set by Home Affairs, each state/territory government has its own requirements that all applicants wishing to be nominated must meet. Navigating state/regional requirements is often complex.
The State and Territory nominated (subclass 188, 190 and 491) visa allocations for 2022-23 have been published by the Department of Home Affairs as follows:
State/Territory |
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa |
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa |
Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) |
ACT |
800 |
1,920 |
10 |
NSW |
7,160 |
4,870 |
260 |
NT |
600 |
840 |
15 |
QLD |
3,000 |
1,200 |
235 |
SA |
2,700 |
3,180 |
70 |
TAS |
2,000 |
1,350 |
10 |
VIC |
9,000 |
2,400 |
170 |
WA |
5,350 |
2,790 |
40 |
Total |
30,610 |
18,550 |
810 |
Skilled nominated (Subclass 190) visa allocations (2022 – 2023)
For the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa, a total of 30,610 places have been allocated for 2022-23, which is above the planning level of 20,000. Victoria leads all the States and Territories with an allocation of 9,000 places, increasing by 5,500 (or 157%) from the last financial year. It is followed by New South Wales, 7,160 places have been allocated to the state with an increase of 3,160. The second biggest growth is given to Western Australia, the allocation grows from 2,100 for 2021-22 to 5,350, which accounts for an increase of more than 150% and is just slightly lower than that of Victoria. Queensland and Tasmania also welcome the allocation growth rate of 154% and 82% respectively. For more details, please refer to the below comparison table.
Comparison table to FY2021-22
State/Territory |
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa |
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa |
Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) |
ACT |
+200 |
+520 |
-20 |
NSW |
+3,160 |
+1,230 |
-1,940 |
NT |
+100 |
+140 |
-60 |
QLD |
+1,820 |
+350 |
-1,165 |
SA |
+100 |
-150 |
-930 |
TAS |
+900 |
-850 |
-35 |
VIC |
+5,500 |
+1,650 |
-1,580 |
WA |
+3,250 |
+1,700 |
-320 |
Total |
+15,030 |
+4,490 |
-6,050 |
Skilled Worker Regional (Subclass 491) visa allocations (2022 – 2023)
For the Skilled Worker Regional (subclass 491) visa, New South Wales enjoys the biggest allocation of 4,870 places for 2022-23, growing from 3,640 for 2021-22. Western Australia and Victoria have been named the two biggest increasing states for this visa, with an increase of 1,700 and 1,650 places respectively. However, Tasmania loses 850 places followed by South Australia. While there are 4,490 more places for 2022-23, the number is still lower than this financial year’s planning level (25,000).
For the total of subclass 190 and 491 visas, Victoria is the biggest winner for 2022-23 with an increase of 7,150 places. New South Wales still leads all States and Territory with the biggest allocation of 12,030. 4,950 more places have been allocated to Western Australia in addition to 3,190 places for 2021-22, which is an increase of 155%. South Australia is the only state losing the total allocation, which is 50 places.
While it is encouraging news for people who are interested in the 190 and/or 491 visas. The bad news is that there is a significant discrepancy for the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) between the planning level for 2022-23 and State and Territory nominated visa allocations. Despite the planning level being set for 9,500 places, all the States and Territories were only allocated 810 places in total. We are waiting for the Department’s clarification on this matter.
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