Australian State Skilled Migration 2025 Updates - Tasmania, NSW and ACT
- skylarkmigrationma
- Nov 3
- 4 min read
Australia’s state and territory migration programs are starting to open for the 2025-26 program year, with new eligibility rules, updated fees, and revised occupation lists.
Here’s what you need to know about the latest updates for Tasmania, New South Wales (NSW), and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), based on the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) notice from 10 October 2025.
Tasmania Skilled Migration 2025 - Program Now Open
The Tasmanian Skilled Migration State Nomination Program officially opened on 6 October 2025, with several improvements designed to make the process simpler and more transparent.
Key Changes in Tasmania’s 2025–26 Program
A more user-friendly Migration Tasmania website
Updated and clearer minimum eligibility criteria
Revised priority attributes
A new ROI ranking system for better transparency
Adjusted income thresholds, reflecting national earnings data and the updated Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)
Simplified and clearer policy guidance under the Additional Information, Exclusions and Definitions section
Nomination service fee increased to $370 ($407 including GST), while ROI submissions remain free
Tip: If you submitted an ROI in the last six months, consider withdrawing and resubmitting. The new priority ranking criteria might significantly improve your selection chances.
Full program details and eligibility information are available on the Migration Tasmania website.
New South Wales (NSW) Skilled Migration 2025 - Opening Soon
The NSW Skilled Migration Program will open once the final state and territory visa allocations are confirmed by the Australian Government.
Investment NSW has already updated the website and will issue a newsletter once applications are open.
Program Overview NSW will continue with last year’s settings with only a few adjustments.
Key Updates for 2025-26
Updated Skills List: revised for both NSW and Regional NSW
TSMIT/CSIT Definition: now officially included in the program’s criteria
Study in Regional NSW: exceptions apply for applicants whose arrival was delayed by student visa processing issues (Pathway 3 - Direct Application)
Nomination Fees: now $363 for both subclass 491 and 190 nominations, adjusted in line with CPI
Invitation Rounds: Invitations will be issued every 2-3 weeks until the yearly allocation is reached. Regular updates will be provided throughout the program year.
For more details, visit the official NSW Government Skilled Migration page.
ACT Skilled Migration 2025 - Updated Occupation List and Guidelines
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has introduced several important updates to its Skilled Migration Program for 2025-26.
On 15 September, the ACT held an invitation round based on an interim allocation of 165 places (85 for subclass 190 and 80 for subclass 491). A total of 71 approvals were issued, carried over from the 2024-25 program year. The final allocation for 2025–26 is still awaiting confirmation from the Australian Government.
Key ACT Program Changes for 2025-26
1. Updated Occupation List The previous Critical Skills List has been renamed the ACT Migration Occupation List and reduced from 152 to 105 ANZSCO 4-digit unit groups. Future invitations will only apply to occupations on this updated list, regardless of when the Canberra Matrix was submitted.
2. Updates to ACT Nomination Guidelines Minor clarifications have been made to improve transparency and process flow:
PhD Applicants: invitations will now be issued during regular invitation rounds instead of every seven business days
Subclass 457/482 Pathway: applicants must be employed for at least six months with their sponsoring employer
Subclass 491 vs 190 Invitations: subclass 491 invitations will be issued before subclass 190 invitations, providing better clarity on invitation order
These changes apply to future invitation rounds only. Applications from the September 2025 round remain unaffected.
3. Processing and Allocations Until the final allocation is confirmed, the ACT Government will continue assessing applications already in the queue. If the interim allocation is reached, processing will continue, but nominations will only be issued once the final quota is approved.
Tentative invitation round dates will be announced after final allocations are released.
More information is available on the ACT Government Migration page.
Summary: Key Takeaways Across States
State/Territory | Program Status | Notable Changes |
Tasmania | Open (6 Oct 2025) | Clearer eligibility, new ranking system, updated fees |
NSW | Opening soon | Updated skills list, adjusted fees, clarified definitions |
ACT | Interim round complete | New occupation list, guideline updates, processing ongoing |
As Australia’s migration year progresses, more states will announce their allocations and updated pathways. Keeping track of official announcements is essential for anyone planning to apply for a state nomination in 2025-26.
Final Thoughts on State Skilled Migration Updates 2025
Each state and territory continues to refine its skilled migration processes this year, focusing on transparency and efficiency. These updates may seem minor, but they can make a significant difference to your eligibility and ranking.
Before you submit your ROI, check the latest occupation lists, nomination guidelines, and income thresholds for your target state. If you are unsure how the changes affect you, speaking with a registered migration professional can help you plan your best pathway forward.
At Skylark Migration, our team monitors every state update to help clients make well-informed, strategic decisions about their visa goals.
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