Priority occupations in state nomination: lists and updates

Why the priority occupation list matters

Not every occupation has an equal chance at state nomination. Each state and territory builds its own priority occupation list based on real local labour demand. Some occupations are opened widely across many nomination rounds, while others may be closed or strictly capped. Knowing the priority list helps you understand where you stand and which state to target.

Occupation groups commonly favoured nationwide

Health and healthcare

This is the most highly favoured group in most states, especially in areas outside the major cities:

• Nursing (Registered Nurse, Enrolled Nurse) — regularly on every state’s list
• General Practitioner — especially in short supply in regional areas
• Pharmacist
• Physiotherapist
• Dentist

Engineering and construction

Engineers and skilled trades workers in construction are consistently on priority lists:

• Civil, mechanical and electrical engineers
• Software and IT engineers (depending on the state and the period)
• Electrician, Welder, Plumber
• HVAC technicians (heating, ventilation, air conditioning)

Education

Teachers, especially STEM and special education teachers, are commonly favoured by many states:

• Primary and secondary teachers
• Special needs teachers
• Vocational (TAFE) teachers

Accounting and finance

Accountants appear on many lists, but their priority is gradually declining in the larger states as the market becomes saturated.

Differences between states

No single occupation list applies uniformly across all states. Each state has its own needs:

• NSW: usually higher requirements, with an emphasis on connection to the state; IT occupations are highly competitive
• Victoria: a rich list but a limited quota, prioritising people already living in VIC
• Queensland: opens up for health and construction occupations, especially in regional areas
• South Australia (SA): has more flexible programs, accepting lower scores for some occupations
• Western Australia (WA): prioritises mining, oil and gas, agriculture and health
• Tasmania: shortages across many sectors, with good opportunities for trades and health
• NT and ACT: smaller lists, but less competitive quotas

How and when the list changes

This is something many applicants do not anticipate: the priority occupation list is not fixed. States can:

• Add new occupations when specific labour demand emerges
• Remove occupations when the quota is full or the labour market shifts
• Adjust the points requirement for each occupation
• Suspend the entire list when closing to applications

Changes can happen at any time during the financial year, not just in July. An occupation can be removed from the NSW list in March without much advance notice.

How to track the updated list

1. Each state’s official website: every state has its own migration portal — this is the most reliable source
2. SkillSelect: the DHA SkillSelect system also reflects the accepted occupation lists
3. Community groups and migration forums: real-time updates from people going through the process
4. A migration agent: agents track policy changes regularly and can advise in a timely way

A practical strategy: set a reminder to check the occupation lists of your target states at least once a month, especially in the early part of the financial year (July–September) when new quotas are allocated.