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Queensland university graduates

Queensland’s universities welcome students from all over the world. Upon completion of your degree, there may be options for you to stay and work in Queensland.

Who is this pathway for?

If you are an international graduate of a Queensland university or higher education institution who has started growing your career in Queensland, this pathway may help you turn your student journey into a long-term career in Queensland. 

Under this pathway, your application may be prioritised for invitation under Queensland’s selection process. In addition, your Queensland qualification does not need to be related to your nominated skilled occupation. The pathway also offers greater flexibility in meeting the work experience criteria, as you may be eligible if you are working in any Skill Level 1 occupation, even if it is not your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation.  

Please note: Queensland’s work experience requirements are separate from the Department of Home Affairs points test. While any Skill Level 1 occupation may be used to meet Queensland’s work experience requirement under this pathway, you can only claim points in your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) for employment that is related or closely related to your nominated skilled occupation.  

We welcome Registrations of Interest (ROIs) from candidates who meet our nomination requirements.  

Nomination places are limited, so please read the information below carefully before submitting your ROI.

Are you eligible?

To be considered for Queensland nomination, you must meet the eligibility criteria of both the Australian Department of Home Affairs and Migration Queensland.

Australian Government visa eligibility

Migration Queensland may nominate eligible applicants for either the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) or the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). Detailed eligibility requirements for these visa subclasses are available on the Department of Home Affairs website:

    • Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
    • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

Migration Queensland nomination eligibility

Migration Queensland’s nomination eligibility criteria are listed in the table below.


Requirement

Eligibility
Occupation 

Have a valid skills assessment for an occupation on the Queensland onshore skilled occupation list. 

Note that Chefs and Cooks are not eligible to apply if they work in takeaway or fast-food businesses.

Points 

Have a score of 65 or higher in the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ points test. 

EnglishHave at least competent English, according to the Australian Department of Home Affairs definition.
Study

You must:

    • hold a Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree or PhD from a Queensland university or Queensland tertiary institution that meets the Australian Study Requirement
    • have completed 100% of this qualification in Queensland 
    • have graduated after 1 July 2022

Your Queensland degree does not have to be related to your nominated occupation.

Work experience

You must be living and working in Queensland for a Queensland-based employer and meet the employment requirements outlined below:

    • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491): You must have been living and working in Regional Queensland for at least 6 out of the last 9 months immediately before submitting your ROI.
    • Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190): You must have been living and working in Queensland for at least 9 out of the last 12 months immediately before submitting your ROI.

You must continue to meet this requirement when you:

    • submit your ROI
    • are invited to apply
    • are nominated

Your work experience must:

    • have been gained after completing your qualification
    • beat least 20 paid hours per week
    • be either:
      • in your nominated occupation
      • in a closely related occupation with the same first 3 digits of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code as your nominated occupation
      • in any Skill Level 1 occupation​

Please note:

    • ​While any Skill Level 1 occupation may be used to meet the work experience requirement under this pathway, you can only claim points in your EOI for employment that is/was in your nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation.
    • Skill Level 1 occupations generally require a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification
    • Casual employment is accepted.
    • Multiple eligible jobs maybe combined to meet the work experience requirement.​

Visa subclass

 

The Queensland onshore skilled occupation list outlines the visa subclasses available for Queensland nomination based on your occupation.  

Some occupations are only eligible for nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).  

Migration Queensland will not nominate you for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) if you have been nominated for, have applied for, or hold a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) or a Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489).

Commitment to living in Queensland  

As part of your nomination, you must commit to continuing to live and work in Queensland after your visa is granted:

    • in Regional Queensland until at least 3 years after the date your Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is granted; or
    • in Queensland until at least 2 years after the date your Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is granted.

How do we select and invite candidates to apply for Queensland nomination?

The Queensland State Nominated Migration Program is highly competitive. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee that you will be invited to apply for nomination. 

Migration Queensland does not primarily select candidates based on the Department of Home Affairs points test score claimed in their (EOI). 

Migration Queensland applies its own selection and invitation process, using information provided in applicants' EOIs and ROIs to identify those best positioned to contribute to Queensland's economic and workforce priorities. Invitations are issued to the most competitive applicants at the time of selection.

Migration Queensland selection factors may include:

    • Skills and qualifications
    • Work experience, salary, and ability to secure and maintain employment
    • Location of employment within Queensland
    • Age
    • English proficiency
    • Partner's skills and English proficiency

Current workforce demand and skills shortages across Queensland are also considered, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas. 

Please note that approval of a Queensland nomination does not guarantee a successful visa outcome. All visa applications are assessed and decided by the Department of Home Affairs, which is responsible for determining whether applicants meet the relevant visa requirements.

What should you do next?

If you meet the eligibility requirements for this pathway, you may submit an ROI for Queensland nomination for either a Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) or a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).

Please note:

    • you can only select one visa subclass in your ROI
    • you can only have one valid ROI at a time
    • once submitted, an ROI cannot be updated
    • if your circumstances change or you need to amend information, you must submit a new ROI
    • if you submit multiple ROIs, only your most recent ROI will be considered

Before submitting your ROI, make sure:

    • your EOI in SkillSelect is up to date and accurate
    • you can provide documents to support the information in your EOI and ROI
    • you have reviewed our How to apply page and Frequently asked questions

Document checklist

If you are invited to apply for Queensland nomination under the Queensland University Graduates pathway, you will be required to provide evidence supporting the claims made in your application within 14 calendar days of receiving your invitation.


This form is available when you receive an invitation from Migration Queensland. Please make sure all the required questions are answered and the form is signed.

Please provide a high-quality colour scan of your passport bio page.  

  • The passport number must match the passport number provided in your ROI.  

  • If your passport has been renewed since submitting your ROI, provide both the old and new passport bio pages.

Please provide a recent copy of your Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) statement. This document provides details of your current visa status, conditions and validity.

Please provide a valid skills assessment for your nominated occupation. 

Some occupations must provide evidence of registration instead. Medical professionals and some allied health workers should provide evidence of current registration, such as registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Solicitors should provide a Certificate of Admission. 

Please provide one of the following documents showing your name and current Queensland residential address: 

  • Residential lease agreement 

  • Utility bill (such as an electricity or water bill) issued within the last three months 

Bank statements, phone bills and internet bills are not accepted. 

If you cannot provide one of the documents listed above, please provide a Commonwealth statutory declaration made by the applicant confirming: 

  • your current residential address 

  • the date you commenced residing at that address; and 

  • the reason you are unable to provide an accepted form of evidence of residential address.

Please provide a complete employment contract for all eligible Queensland employment used to satisfy the qualifying work experience period (6 months or 9 months, depending on your selected visa subclass). The qualifying period is calculated by counting backwards from the date you submit your ROI. 

  • The contract must show that you work at least 20 paid hours per week in your nominated occupation, a closely related occupation, or a Skill Level 1 occupation. 

  • Please do not include employment contracts for work that is not being used to satisfy the qualifying work experience period requirement. 

  • Please refer to the Document Checklist page for information on what to provide if you are self-employed.

This form is available on the Documents and forms page. Please provide a completed and signed form for all eligible Queensland employment used to satisfy the qualifying work experience period (6 months or 9 months, depending on your selected visa subclass). The qualifying period is calculated by counting backwards from the date you submit your ROI. 

  • The form must be completed and signed by your employer, either by your direct supervisor or a representative of the HR department. 

  • If you have worked for more than one employer during the qualifying work experience period, a separate Statement of Service form must be completed by each employer. 

  • If you are employed through a labour hire company, your Statement of Service form must be completed by the organisation where you perform your work, rather than the labour hire company. 

  • Please ensure that any gaps or interruptions in employment with the employer, including periods of unpaid leave, are declared in the Employment History section of the form. 

  • Please refer to the Document Checklist page for information on what to provide if you are self-employed.

Payslips must demonstrate your eligible Queensland employment during the qualifying work experience period (6 months or 9 months, depending on your selected visa subclass). The qualifying period is calculated by counting backwards from the date you submit your ROI. 

Please provide payslips for each employer you are relying on to meet the qualifying work experience period. 

For each employer, provide up to 3 payslips covering the relevant employment period: 

  • one from the beginning of the employment period; 

  • one from the middle of the employment period, if applicable; and 

  • one from the end of the employment period, or the most recent payslip if you are still employed. 

If you are relying on short-term employment and cannot provide 3 payslips, provide the payslips available for that period. 

Please refer to the Document Checklist page for practical examples covering employment with a single employer, employment with multiple employers, and self-employment.

Please provide your Notice of Assessment (NOA) for the 2025–26 financial year. This document can be accessed through your ATO account in myGov. Please refer to the ATO Notice of Assessment page on how to find your NOA.

Please provide a copy of your graduation certificate or course completion letter from a Queensland university/institution. The document must show the qualification awarded, study location and date of completion/graduation. 

  • You must have graduated after 1 July 2022 to be eligible for the Queensland Graduates pathway.

Register your interest in Queensland nomination

If you meet the eligibility requirements and can provide the required supporting documents, you can register your interest in Queensland nomination.


Submit your ROI
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