How to apply – Skilled visas
Step 1 – Review the requirements
To begin, check that you meet the criteria of both the Australian Department of Home Affairs and Migration Queensland for your selected nomination pathway.
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:
Migration Queensland nomination eligibility
If eligible, please make sure you also review the Migration Queensland documentation checklist.
Step 2 - Submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect
Submit a new or update an existing Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ SkillSelect system. Ensure all information in your EOI is accurate and up to date.
You must indicate in your EOI whether you are seeking nomination for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), or both. If invited to apply for Queensland nomination, you will only be considered for one visa subclass based on the nomination pathway and visa subclass selected in your Registration of Interest (ROI).
You are responsible for ensuring that all points claimed in your EOI are accurate and meet the requirements of the Department of Home Affairs points test.
You may select Queensland and other Australian states or territories as your preferred jurisdiction in your EOI. Selecting other jurisdictions will not affect your eligibility to be considered for Queensland nomination.
If you are living in Queensland, your EOI must list Australia as your "Usual Country of Residence".
Queensland does not require applicants to submit a new EOI each program year. EOIs lodged in SkillSelect remain valid for two years from the date of submission. For nomination purposes, Queensland will consider EOIs that are up to 715 days old. However, EOIs due to expire within 14 days will not be considered. If your EOI is approaching expiry and you wish to remain eligible for Queensland nomination, you must submit a new EOI in SkillSelect and complete any subsequent application steps.
Step 3 – Submit a Registration of Interest on Migration Queensland website
To be considered for Queensland nomination, you must submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) on the Migration Queensland website. All applicants must submit a new ROI for the 2026-27 program, including those who submitted an ROI in a previous program year and have not received Queensland nomination.
You must meet Queensland's nomination criteria at the time you submit your ROI. Only applicants who meet the eligibility criteria at the time of ROI submission will be considered for nomination.
You can only select one visa subclass in your ROI and can only have one active ROI at a time. Once submitted, an ROI cannot be updated. If your circumstances change or you need to amend any information, you must submit a new ROI. If multiple ROIs are submitted, only the most recent ROI will be considered.
When completing your ROI, you will be required to inform:
- your SkillSelect EOI number
- your passport number
- the ANZSCO code of your nominated occupation
- the visa subclass you are seeking nomination for
- confirmation that your work experience meets the requirements of your selected Queensland nomination pathway
- Queensland employment and residency details (onshore applicants)
- your taxable income for the 2025-26 financial year recorded on your Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Notice of Assessment for the year ended 30 June 2026 (onshore applicants)
- your partner's English proficiency and skilled occupation ANZSCO code (if applicable)
If you would like a copy of your ROI for your records, save or print the confirmation page after submission. Migration Queensland cannot provide copies of submitted ROIs.
Please note that the Queensland State Nominated Migration Program is highly competitive. Submitting an ROI does not guarantee an invitation to apply for Queensland nomination, nomination approval, or a successful visa outcome. Queensland nomination applications are assessed by Migration Queensland, while visa outcomes are determined by the Department of Home Affairs.
Step 4 – Migration Queensland selects candidates to apply for Queensland nomination
Migration Queensland assesses and selects candidates to apply using information provided in their EOI and ROI.
Queensland nomination is highly competitive, and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an invitation to apply. Invitations are issued to top ranking candidates aligned to Queensland's economic and workforce priorities at the time of selection.
While the Department of Home Affairs points test forms part of the information considered, Migration Queensland does not select candidates solely on the basis of their EOI points score.
When selecting candidates for invitation, Migration Queensland may consider factors including:
- 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.
Step 5 – Migration Queensland invites candidates to apply for Queensland nomination
If selected, you will receive an invitation from Migration Queensland to apply for Queensland nomination at the email address listed in your EOI.
You will have 14 calendar days to:
- upload the required documents and application form; and
- pay the non-refundable application fee.
If you do not submit a complete application within 14 calendar days, your application will be closed, and you will not be invited to apply again during the same program year.
We will assess your application based on the information provided in your EOI, ROI and supporting documents. We may request additional information to assist with our assessment.
You must continue to meet all Queensland nomination criteria for your selected pathway at the time you are invited to apply for Queensland nomination and at the time you are nominated.
If your Queensland nomination is approved and you later identify that you provided incorrect information or claimed points you were not eligible for in your EOI, you will not receive another Queensland nomination during the same program year, even if you take steps to amend the information and update your points score in a new EOI.
Step 6 – Applying to the Australian Government for your skilled visa
If your application is successful and you are nominated by Queensland, you will receive an invitation from the Australian Department of Home Affairs to apply for the relevant visa subclass. You will have 60 days to lodge your visa application for either the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) or the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
Applicants who do not lodge their visa application with the Australian Department of Home Affairs within the specified timeframe will not be invited to apply for Queensland nomination again in the same program year.