Australia has released the final nomination numbers for its 2025-26 skilled migration programme, confirming a total of 20,350 visa places across its two key state-nominated pathways.
The figures were published by the Department of Home Affairs, signalling a tighter year for skilled applicants as most states recorded drops in their allocations.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, 12,850 places have been set aside for the Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) visa, while 7,500 places were approved for the Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visa.
“The skilled programme supports states and territories in meeting their labour needs by allowing them to nominate qualified applicants,” the department said.
Australia’s states and territories received the following allocations:
Total: 12,850 (Subclass 190) and 7,500 (Subclass 491), overall 20,350
Most regions saw reductions compared with the previous allocation cycle. Victoria recorded the biggest cut, losing 1,300 Subclass 491 places.
Only Queensland and the Northern Territory received notable increases. Queensland’s Subclass 190 quota rose by 1,250 while the Northern Territory gained 50 additional spots.
The ACT and the Northern Territory recorded no changes under the Subclass 491 visa. South Australia and Queensland saw small increases in their 491 allocations, up by 100 and 150 places respectively.
Australia is projected to face a shortfall of nearly 250,000 skilled workers across finance, technology, and business roles by 2030, according to a new report by the Future Skills Organisation.
The organisation added that even where workers are available, a widening skills mismatch means many do not have the specialised capabilities employers require.