Queensland has officially announced its 2026–27 State Nominated Migration Program, with updated occupation lists and revised eligibility criteria for Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa).
Registrations of Interest (ROIs) open on 6 November 2026.
Updated Occupation Lists at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Onshore Occupation List | 209 occupations |
| Offshore Occupation List | 97 occupations (reduced from 113) |
| Subclass 190 Eligible (Onshore) | 170 occupations |
| New Occupations Added (Offshore) | 3 |
Offshore Applicants – Key Engineering & Infrastructure Roles
Several high-demand occupations remain on Queensland’s offshore list:
Construction Project Manager, Engineering Manager, Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Quantity Surveyor, Geotechnical Engineer, Mining Engineer, Environmental Engineer, Surveyor, Urban and Regional Planner
Notable upgrade: Urban and Regional Planner (ANZSCO 232611) is now eligible under both Subclass 190 and 491 — previously it was restricted to 491 only.
3 New Occupations Added to Offshore List
| Occupation | ANZSCO Code |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | 254411 |
| Registered Nurses nec | 254499 |
| Psychotherapist | 272314 |
Revised Eligibility Requirements (Offshore Applicants)
To submit an ROI, offshore applicants must meet:
- Minimum 65 points under Australia’s skilled migration points test
- Competent English or above
- Valid skills assessment for a Queensland offshore list occupation
- At least 1 year of relevant skilled employment in the last 3 years
- Employment must be 20+ hours per week, gained after qualifying education
Key change: Offshore applicants are no longer required to be currently employed in their nominated occupation at the time of ROI submission, invitation, or nomination.
Important Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Published | 30 October 2026 |
| ROI Opening Date | 6 November 2026 |
Additional reminders:
- Onshore applicants must have lodged their 2025–26 tax return and received ATO Notice of Assessment before submitting ROI
- Previous year ROI registrants not nominated must submit a fresh ROI
What This Means for Australia PR Aspirants
Queensland’s updated program opens another pathway for skilled professionals — particularly engineers, healthcare workers, and planners — to pursue state nomination from offshore.
Occupation eligibility alone does not guarantee an invitation. Age, English proficiency, points score, skills assessment, and employment history all play a role in the final outcome.
Considering Australia PR?
Connect with Hodophiles Xplore Visas for a professional assessment of your eligibility, state nomination pathway, and EOI strategy.
