Queensland State Nomination for 190 and 491: Conditions
Overview of the Queensland Skilled Migration program
Queensland is Australia’s second largest state by area and third by population. With a diverse economy spanning mining, agriculture, tourism, health and construction, Queensland has high and varied demand for skilled labour.
The Queensland Skilled Migration program manages nominations for the 190 and 491 visas. This program aims to attract skilled workers that Queensland is short of, with a particular focus on critical industries.
The administering authority
The program is run by the Queensland Government — Department of Employment, Small Business and Training. All applications are submitted through the Queensland Skilled Migration online portal.
Visa 190 in Queensland
The Queensland 190 visa grants permanent residence to people nominated by Queensland who commit to living in Queensland.
Priority occupations for the Queensland 190 visa usually focus on:
- Health and healthcare: General practitioners and specialists, registered nurses, midwives, pharmacists, physiotherapists, radiographers, occupational therapists
- Engineering and construction: Civil engineers, mechanical engineers, mining engineers, surveyors, construction project managers
- Trades: Electricians, plumbers, boilermakers, refrigeration mechanics, heavy diesel mechanics
- Information technology: Software developers, network engineers, systems analysts
- Education: Primary and secondary teachers, especially in rural and regional areas
- Agriculture and resources: Occupations serving the agriculture and resource extraction industries
Queensland connection requirement:
Queensland usually requires applicants to have one of the following connections:
- Living and working in Queensland
- Studying at an education provider in Queensland
- Having a job offer from an employer in Queensland
- Having a close relative living in Queensland
Visa 491 in Queensland
The Queensland 491 visa is for people who want to live in regional Queensland — the entire state except the Greater Brisbane area.
Regional Queensland is very large and includes major cities such as Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Mackay, Bundaberg, Toowoomba, and the Gold Coast / Sunshine Coast (specific postcodes need to be checked). This is an advantage of Queensland — many areas that are attractive to live in are still counted as regional.
Features of the Queensland 491 visa:
- The occupation list for the Queensland 491 visa usually includes many industries related to agriculture, mining, tourism and community services in remote areas
- A connection to regional Queensland is an important condition
- Opportunities for people who want to live in coastal cities such as Cairns or Townsville
The registration process
Step 1: Check the current occupation list
Go to the Queensland Skilled Migration portal and download the latest occupation list. This list is updated from one opening to the next and may change.
Step 2: Prepare an EOI on SkillSelect
Create and maintain an active EOI in the DHA SkillSelect system.
Step 3: Register through the Queensland Skilled Migration portal
When there is an opening, complete the online registration. The application usually requires information about your connection to Queensland, occupation details, and your EOI number on SkillSelect.
Step 4: Assessment and nomination
Queensland reviews applications based on labour demand and priority criteria. Those selected receive a nomination and then wait for an ITA from DHA.
Particular features of Queensland
Large quota for health and mining: Queensland has particularly high demand for health workers serving hospitals and medical facilities in remote areas, and skilled labour for the mining and oil and gas industries.
Opportunities for offshore applicants: Queensland sometimes opens registration to people overseas as well, especially for occupations with serious shortages where local workers cannot be found.
Processing time: Queensland is known for being relatively fast in assessing nomination applications compared with some other states.
Settlement support: The Queensland Government has support programs for skilled migrants settling in, especially in regional areas.
Notes when registering with Queensland
- Register early as soon as the portal opens, as quota is usually allocated in order of lodgement and assessment
- Make sure your connection to Queensland is clearly stated and has full evidence in the application
- Monitor the Queensland Skilled Migration website and register for email notifications so you don’t miss an opening
- A strong application with good evidence of connection and skills usually has a higher chance than relying on EOI score alone