October 2026 was a busy month for Australian immigration news. Most states reopened their skilled nomination programs for 2026–27. Victoria started charging fees for the first time. Queensland published its new program. New student visa rules came into force. And the way you pay for visas changed too.
If you are hoping for state nomination this year, this is the Australian immigration news that matters most, because October set the rules. Here is what happened in each state, what it costs, and what you should do now. As always, eligibility depends on your individual circumstances.
This update follows our September 2026 migration changes guide, which covers the federal reforms announced on 17 September.
State nomination 2026–27 at a glance
Here is where each state and territory stood by early November 2026.
| State/territory | 190 status | 491 status | Key October news |
| Victoria | Open — ROIs from 26 Oct (reported) | Not yet open | New ROI and nomination fees; Victorian Points Test published; 900 places (reported) |
| New South Wales | Open — selection-based | Closed (reported) | Updated NSW Skills List; first 2026–27 invitation round expected week of 19 Oct; regional NSW DAMA proposed |
| Queensland | Program published 30 Oct | Program published 30 Oct | ROIs open 6 November 2026; everyone needs a new ROI |
| South Australia | Onshore ROIs reopened 22 Oct (reported) | Onshore ROIs reopened 22 Oct (reported) | Limited to people living and working in SA with visas expiring by 31 Jan 2027 |
| Western Australia | Invitation rounds running (reported) | Invitation rounds running (reported) | Round reported on 14 Oct; allocation figures not confirmed [CONFIRM] |
| Tasmania | Open since 17 Aug | Open since 17 Aug | 2,050 places (1,250 for 190, 800 for 491) |
| Northern Territory | Closed (reported) | Onshore by exception only (reported) | NT reports it has enough applications for 2026–27 [CONFIRM] |
| ACT | Open — Canberra Matrix | Open — Canberra Matrix | Invitation rounds continuing |
Victoria state nomination: new fees and a public points test
Victoria reopened its subclass 190 program on 26 October 2026, according to several registered migration practices. Victoria has 900 subclass 190 places for 2026–27 (reported). The subclass 491 program had not opened.
Three changes matter most:
- New fees. An ROI now costs $66 (incl. GST) and a nomination application costs $198 (incl. GST) if you are invited.
- Old ROIs have expired. You must lodge a new ROI through Live in Melbourne.
- The Victorian Points Test is public. It scores age, English, experience, qualifications, skill level, partner skills and Victorian earnings, up to 950 points.
Priority industries are healthcare, social assistance, education and construction. We explain every detail in our Victoria state nomination 2026–27 guide [update link once Blog 1 is live].
NSW state nomination: 190 open, 491 still closed
NSW has opened its 2026–27 subclass 190 program and published an updated NSW Skills List. Several practices reported NSW expected its first 2026–27 invitation round in the week starting 19 October 2026.
NSW uses a selection-based process. Having your occupation on the Skills List does not let you apply directly. NSW selects candidates from SkillSelect. The subclass 491 remains closed to new applicants (reported).
Proposed regional NSW DAMA. The NSW Government is consulting on a Designated Area Migration Agreement for regional NSW. Draft settings include age concessions above the usual limit of 45 and some salary concessions. Greater Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and some other areas would be excluded. This is a proposal only and is not in force.
Queensland state nomination: ROIs open 6 November
Migration Queensland published its 2026–27 State Nominated Migration Program on 30 October 2026. Registrations of Interest open on 6 November 2026.
Key points from the official announcement:
- Everyone must submit a new ROI, including people who lodged one last year.
- Onshore applicants must have lodged their 2025–26 tax return and received their ATO Notice of Assessment before submitting an ROI.
- Only occupations on the 2026–27 Queensland Skilled Occupation Lists are eligible.
- An ROI does not guarantee an invitation.
South Australia state nomination: onshore window reopens
South Australia reopened onshore ROIs on 22 October 2026, according to registered migration practices. The window is limited to people living and working in South Australia whose current visa expires on or before 31 January 2027 and who hold a current SkillSelect EOI. [CONFIRM ON migration.sa.gov.au]
Offshore candidates do not lodge an ROI. South Australia may invite them directly from SkillSelect. Reported priority sectors include building and construction, defence, education, engineering, health and manufacturing.
WA state nomination: rounds running, numbers unclear
Western Australia is issuing invitations for 2026–27. One practice reported an invitation round on 14 October 2026. However, published figures for WA’s 2026–27 allocation conflict between sources, and we could not confirm them on an official page. [CONFIRM ON migration.wa.gov.au]
If WA is your target, keep your EOI current and check the WA skilled migration occupation lists regularly.
Tasmania state nomination: 2,050 places
Migration Tasmania opened its 2026–27 program on 17 August 2026 with 2,050 nomination places: 1,250 for the subclass 190 and 800 for the subclass 491. That is about 200 more places than 2025–26. Reports indicate Tasmania will not issue invitations under its offshore 491 Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles pathway this year.
Other Australia immigration news from October 2026
State nomination was not the only Australia immigration news last month. These changes also landed in October:
| Change | Start date | Who it affects | Status |
| New Student visa (subclass 500) rules | 2 October 2026 | Onshore temporary visa holders; students hoping to bring family | In force |
| Card surcharge removed from visa payments | 1 October 2026 | Anyone paying a visa application charge by card | In force (reported) [CONFIRM] |
| Expanded biometrics collection | 26 October 2026 | Applicants in India and some other countries | In force (reported) [CONFIRM] |
| Working holiday second/third-year ballot | Not yet set | Working holiday makers | Announced only |
| Skilled visa processing priorities (Directions 121 and 122) | 19 September 2026 | Skilled visa applicants | In force (reported) [CONFIRM] |
Read our full guide to the October 2026 student visa changes.
What does state nomination cost in 2026–27?
Costs vary by state. Here is what was published in October 2026.
| Cost item | Amount | Notes |
| Victoria ROI | $66 incl. GST | New in 2026–27 |
| Victoria nomination application | $198 incl. GST | Only if invited |
| Other states’ nomination fees | Varies | Check each state’s official fees page [CONFIRM per state] |
| Skills assessment | Varies by skills assessment body | Must be valid when you lodge |
| English test | Varies by provider | Higher scores can add points |
| Home Affairs visa application charge (190 or 491) | https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/visa-pricing-estimator | Indexed each 1 July |
| AustraliaMigrate professional fees | https://www.australiamigrate.com/migration-agent-fees/ | Fixed-fee quote after consultation |
What to do now: a step-by-step plan
- Check every state, not just one. Your occupation might be on one list and missing from another.
- Update your SkillSelect EOI. Make sure your points, experience, English and partner details are correct and provable.
- Check that your documents are valid. Skills assessments and English tests expire.
- Lodge new ROIs where needed. Victoria and Queensland both require fresh ROIs for 2026–27.
- Gather proof for onshore streams. Queensland needs your 2025–26 Notice of Assessment. South Australia’s window depends on your visa expiry date.
- Watch for invitation rounds. Most states do not publish cut-off scores in advance.
- Get advice before you pay. A registered migration agent can tell you which states fit your profile.
Common mistakes to avoid this year
- Relying on last year’s ROI. Victoria and Queensland have both reset.
- Paying for an ROI you are not eligible for. Check the occupation list and stream rules first.
- Mixing up “announced” and “in force”. The working holiday ballot is a proposal, not law.
- Trusting unofficial cut-off scores. States rarely publish them.
- Claiming points you cannot prove. Wrong claims can lead to refusal.
- Waiting for one state only. Places are limited across all states. Having a back-up plan matters.
Want to know which state gives you the best chance? Ian Singer (MARN 0001947) and the AustraliaMigrate team can check your occupation and points against every 2026–27 program. Book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Which states are open for state nomination in November 2026?
Victoria (190), NSW (190), Queensland (from 6 November), South Australia (onshore window), Western Australia, Tasmania and the ACT all had 2026–27 programs running or announced by early November 2026. The Northern Territory has reported it has enough applications.
When do Queensland ROIs open for 2026–27?
Queensland ROIs open on 6 November 2026, according to Migration Queensland. Everyone must submit a new ROI.
Is the NSW 491 visa open in 2026–27?
No. NSW has reported that subclass 491 applications remain closed to new applicants for 2026–27.
How many state nomination places does Tasmania have?
Tasmania has 2,050 nomination places for 2026–27: 1,250 for the subclass 190 and 800 for the subclass 491.
Has the Australian Government published every state’s 2026–27 allocation?
Not in full at the time of writing. Some states have announced their own numbers. Check the Department of Home Affairs website for the official national table.
Is the working holiday visa ballot in force?
No. The second- and third-year ballot was announced in September 2026 but had not taken effect at the time of writing.
Where can I follow Australia immigration news each month?
We publish a plain-English roundup of Australian immigration news every month on our latest news page, checked by a registered migration agent. For official updates, use the Department of Home Affairs website and each state’s nomination website.
Do I need a migration agent for state nomination?
No, you can apply yourself. A registered migration agent can help you compare states, check your claims and avoid errors that lead to refusal.
