Queensland: state nomination and regional areas
Queensland decides whom it nominates for the Skilled Nominated (190) and Skilled Work Regional (491) visas, against its own criteria and occupation list. Brisbane is a major city and does not count as regional. Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast are Category 2 'Cities and Major Regional Centres', and the rest of Queensland is Category 3.
Updated
Nomination program
Queensland publishes its criteria, its occupation list and which visas are open on its official skilled nomination page.
Visas it nominates for
Regional areas in Queensland
Other states and territories
How Queensland nominates
Queensland decides whom it nominates for the 190 and the state-nominated 491. It publishes its criteria, its occupation list and which visas are open on its official skilled nomination page. These change during the program year, so check the date on that page.
Regional areas in Queensland
Brisbane is a major city and does not count as regional. Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast are Category 2 'Cities and Major Regional Centres', and the rest of Queensland is Category 3.
- Brisbane: major city, not regional
- Gold Coast: Category 2, regional
- Sunshine Coast: Category 2, regional
Visas this affects
- Subclass 190: permanent, needs a state or territory nomination (5 points).
- Subclass 491: provisional, regional, needs a nomination or eligible relative sponsorship (15 points).
Common questions
How do I get Queensland state nomination?
Queensland runs its own skilled nomination program and decides whom it nominates, against its own criteria and occupation list. Its official page is linked on this page.
Does Queensland nominate for the 190 and 491?
State and territory nomination is how both the 190 and the state-nominated 491 work. Which visas and occupations Queensland has open changes during the program year, so check its official page:.
Is Queensland regional for the 491?
Brisbane is a major city and does not count as regional. Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast are Category 2 'Cities and Major Regional Centres', and the rest of Queensland is Category 3.