Last Updated: 05 Aug 2026
Tasmania has announced several changes to its Skilled Migration State Nomination Program for the 2026–27 financial year.
Overall, the updated program gives greater priority to applicants who have built a genuine connection to Tasmania through long-term residence, relevant employment and Tasmanian study.
Here are the key changes.
Tasmania Receives More Nomination Places
Tasmania has received 2,050 state nomination places for the 2026–27 financial year:
- 1,250 places for the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
- 800 places for the Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
This is an increase of 200 places compared to the previous financial year.
Applicants Who Have Only Lived in Tasmania Gain Priority
Tasmanian graduates and established residents may receive an additional 15 priority points if they have only lived, worked or studied in Tasmania during their time in Australia.
These are points used by Tasmania to rank nomination candidates – not additional points for the federal skilled migration points test.
The extra points can improve an applicant’s ranking but will not guarantee an invitation by themselves.
More Priority for Graduates Working in Related Roles
Tasmanian graduates can now receive significantly more priority points when their employment is related to their Tasmanian studies:
- 9–12 months: 50 points for subclass 190 or 45 points for subclass 491
- 12–18 months: 75 points for subclass 190 or 70 points for subclass 491
- More than 18 months: Up to 100 points for subclass 190 or 95 points for subclass 491
Relevant work completed before graduation may also count towards the required employment period.
This is a positive change for students who start gaining relevant work experience while completing their studies in Tasmania.
Stricter Gold Pass Requirements for Skilled Workers
To receive a Gold Pass under the Tasmanian Skilled Employment pathway, applicants must now have:
- Worked in Tasmania for at least six months; and
- At least one job that consistently provides a minimum of 30 hours per week.
Hours from multiple jobs cannot be combined to meet the 30-hour requirement.
Updated Employment and Income Rules
The existing income threshold of $57,000 per year or $28.85 per hour is now called the priority income level.
Tasmania has also clarified that:
- Annual salaries are generally calculated using a 38-hour working week.
- Casual workers must use their base rate before casual loading.
- Applicants can combine working hours from multiple jobs, but generally cannot combine income to meet an income threshold.
- Employment must be paid at the correct award or market rate.
These changes make it important for applicants to check how their salary, working hours and employment arrangements are calculated before claiming priority points.
More Supporting Documents May Be Required
Applicants may now need to provide clearer evidence of their employment, including:
- An ATO superannuation payment statement
- Evidence of the applicable award and job classification
- A summary of hours when combining multiple casual jobs
- A USI transcript for Tasmanian graduates who completed a VET qualification
Some Subclass 190 Applicants May Be Considered for Subclass 491
Applicants who meet a Tasmanian subclass 190 pathway but cannot meet the federal requirements for a subclass 190 visa may still submit their Registration of Interest under the subclass 190 pathway.
Where approved, Tasmania may nominate the applicant for a subclass 491 visa instead. The applicant must clearly explain their circumstances and include subclass 491 as an option in their SkillSelect EOI.
What Do These Changes Mean for Applicants?
The overall direction of Tasmania’s 2026–27 program is clear.
Applicants who have lived in Tasmania for longer, gained stable employment and worked in a role related to their studies or skills assessment are likely to be in a stronger position.
However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee nomination. Applicants are ranked against other candidates based on their priority attributes, and only the most competitive applicants will be invited.
Start Preparing Before Invitations Begin
Migration Tasmania will begin issuing weekly invitations from Thursday, 20 August 2026.
Invitations will be released progressively throughout the financial year to ensure nomination places remain available across the program period.
However, applicants should not wait until invitations begin to assess their options. Preparing early gives you more time to review your eligibility, strengthen your priority attributes and ensure your documents are ready when an invitation is received.
Our experienced migration agents can assess your profile, explain how the updated priority system applies to your circumstances and help you prepare for Tasmania’s 2026–27 nomination program.
Contact us today to assess your eligibility and put yourself in the strongest possible position before weekly invitations begin.
