Queensland Skilled Migration 2026–27: 190, 491, Eligibility and ROI Guide

QUEENSLAND SKILLED MIGRATION · 2026–27

Queensland has published its 2026–27 skilled nomination requirements. Start by checking the pathway that matches your location, occupation, work history and qualifications. A SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) and a Queensland Registration of Interest (ROI) serve different purposes.

Official sources checked: 11 November 2026. General information from A2MS – Aussie Academics & Migration Services. Individual migration advice is provided by Sunil Choudhary, Principal Registered Migration Consultant, MARN 2418425.

What is happening in the 2026–27 program?

Migration Queensland announced an ROI opening date of 6 November 2026 and its pathway pages direct eligible candidates to the relevant ROI forms. Applicants who submitted an ROI in an earlier program year must submit a new ROI for 2026–27 if they have not received Queensland nomination. Check the live official page before submitting because program availability can change.

Onshore applicants should check the 2025–26 Australian Taxation Office Notice of Assessment requirement before submitting. The onshore checklist specifies an exception where a tax return was not required for that financial year. Program announcement · 2026–27 ROI instructions

Subclass 190 or subclass 491?

You must meet the relevant visa requirements as well as Queensland’s pathway criteria. For subclass 190, Home Affairs specifies an age below 45 at invitation, at least competent English and a points score of at least 65. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee an invitation. Home Affairs: subclass 190 · Home Affairs: subclass 491

Which Queensland pathway should you check?

1. Skilled workers living in Queensland

You must currently live and work in Queensland for a Queensland-based employer. The published qualifying periods immediately before ROI submission are:

• 190: living and working in Queensland for at least nine of the previous 12 months.
• 491: living and working in regional Queensland for at least six of the previous nine months.

Work must be after qualification, at least 20 paid hours per week, and in the nominated occupation or a closely related occupation sharing its first three ANZSCO digits. Casual work and multiple eligible jobs can be accepted. Requirements must continue to be met at invitation and nomination.

Check the onshore occupation list, available visa subclass and any restrictions. Chefs and cooks working in takeaway or fast-food businesses are excluded under this pathway. Official onshore criteria

2. Skilled workers living outside Australia

The offshore pathway requires a valid skills assessment for an occupation on Queensland’s offshore list and at least one year of eligible skilled employment within the previous three years when submitting the ROI. Work must be after qualification, at least 20 hours per week and in the nominated or closely related occupation.

You do not have to be currently employed in that occupation when submitting the ROI, receiving an invitation or being nominated. However, the experience relied on must be declared as related employment in your EOI. Check occupation-specific employment, registration and licensing conditions. Official offshore criteria

3. Building and construction workers

This pathway may allow eligible workers to qualify after three continuous months living and working in Queensland immediately before submitting an ROI. You must currently work for a Queensland-based employer, hold the required assessment and have an occupation specifically included in this pathway.

Qualifying work must be after qualification, at least 20 paid hours per week and in the nominated or closely related occupation. Queensland aims to nominate eligible construction workers for subclass 190 wherever possible; subclass 491 may be considered where applicable. This is not automatic nomination after three months. Official construction criteria

4. Queensland university graduates

The published study criteria include a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or PhD from an eligible Queensland institution, meeting the Australian Study Requirement, completed entirely in Queensland, with graduation after 1 July 2022.

Your Queensland qualification need not relate to the nominated occupation. Eligible employment can be in your nominated occupation, a closely related occupation, or any ANZSCO Skill Level 1 occupation. However, employment accepted for Queensland’s pathway does not automatically earn EOI employment points.

The work periods are nine of the previous 12 months for 190, or six of the previous nine months in regional Queensland for 491, with at least 20 paid hours weekly after qualification. Other occupation, assessment and visa criteria still apply. Official graduate criteria

5. Regional small business owners: limited transition arrangements

The business-purchase pathway is closed. The remaining start-up arrangements are restricted to eligible businesses started between 1 June 2024 and 19 September 2025; this is not a pathway for starting a new business now.

The official page requires a profitable business, turnover of at least $200,000 in the preceding 12 months and an ROI before 30 April 2027. A limited two-year-operation exemption applies to specified later start dates. Ownership, location, occupation and ongoing operation conditions also apply. Obtain advice before relying on this exception. Official small-business transition rules

Check occupation lists and nomination commitments

Use the list for your actual pathway: onshore occupations or offshore occupations. An occupation can be eligible for 491 without being eligible for 190. The small-business pathway has different occupation rules.

Queensland’s worker pathways include commitments to live and work in Queensland for 190 or regional Queensland for 491. The published periods are generally two years for 190 and three years for 491; the starting event differs for onshore and offshore candidates. Check your pathway’s wording. Queensland also restricts 190 nomination for people already nominated for, applying for, or holding a 491 or 489 visa.

Selection considers more than the EOI points score, including skills, employment, earnings, location, age, English and partner factors. Eligibility, nomination and visa approval are separate outcomes. Selection and commitments · Offshore commitments

Prepare your evidence before submitting an ROI

Prepare your passport, skills assessment or applicable registration evidence, employment records and pathway-specific documents. Onshore applicants may also need VEVO, accepted residential evidence and a 2025–26 ATO Notice of Assessment. Queensland’s checklist distinguishes employees from self-employed applicants.

If invited, Queensland generally requires supporting evidence within 14 calendar days. Do not wait until an invitation to discover that your work history cannot be documented. Official document checklist

EOI, ROI, nomination and visa application: the sequence

1. Check Home Affairs eligibility and the Queensland pathway.
2. Prepare evidence and ensure your SkillSelect EOI is accurate.
3. Submit a new 2026–27 ROI for the relevant pathway and one visa subclass.
4. If invited, follow Queensland’s document, payment and submission instructions.
5. If nominated and invited by Home Affairs, prepare the separate visa application by the deadline in your invitation.

Only one Queensland ROI can be valid at a time. An ROI cannot be edited after submission; changed circumstances require a new ROI, and only the latest is considered. ROI rules

Queensland nomination fees

The published nomination fee for both 190 and 491 is AUD573 offshore or AUD630.30 onshore, including GST. The SBO fee is AUD630.30. Queensland states that its fees are non-refundable; GST applies to payments made within Australia, including through a representative. These fees are separate from Home Affairs charges and professional fees. Check the amount before paying. Official fees

How A2MS can help

Sunil Choudhary, Founder & Director and Principal Registered Migration Consultant (MARN 2418425), can assess your pathway, occupation, evidence and points claims, and explain nomination and visa requirements.

Discuss your Queensland migration options

Related A2MS guidance: subclass 190 · subclass 491 · points calculators.

General information only. Official sources last checked on 11 November 2026. Criteria, fees and availability may change. No invitation, nomination, permanent residence or visa grant is guaranteed.