Queensland Skilled Migration Program 2025-26: Breakdown

RACC Australia - Education and Migration Services
Sep 25
7 min read

Overview of Queensland Skilled Migration Program 2025-26

The Queensland Government has announced updates to its Skilled Migration Program for 2025–26, providing clarity and opportunities for skilled workers, international graduates, and business migrants. The program outlines visa options, pathways, and eligibility criteria for those looking to live and work in Queensland.

Visa Options for Migrating to Queensland

If you are interested in relocating to Queensland, there are several skilled and business visa options. Some visas include multiple entry pathways, also called “streams,” which vary based on applicant type and occupation.

Skilled Visa Options

Queensland actively seeks talent to fill critical skill shortages that support the state’s economy.

Migration Queensland nominates for two skilled visa subclasses:

Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) – Allows skilled workers to live and work in Queensland permanently.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Allows skilled workers to live and work in regional Queensland.

Skilled Visa Pathways

Applicants may be eligible under different pathways depending on their situation:

Skilled workers living in Queensland

Requirement	Eligibility
Occupations	Have an occupation on the Queensland Onshore Skills List. Note that Chefs and Cooks are unable to apply by working in takeaway or fast-food businesses.
Points	65 or higher
English	Competent English
Work experience	Immediately before registering your interest in Queensland nomination, you have been living and working in: Regional Queensland for the past 6 months for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), or: Queensland for the past 9 months for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190). This work experience must be: After you completed your qualification In an occupation that has the same first 3 digits in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code as your nominated occupation At least 20 hours per week. QLD Migration also note the following: You must still be in a role that meets the above requirements when you submit your ROI, when you are selected for invitation, and when you are nominated Casual work is accepted Multiple eligible jobs can be combined to meet requirements Work from home is allowed, where your employer has a physical presence in Queensland.
Visa subclass	The Queensland Onshore Skills List outlines which visa subclasses you may be nominated for based on your occupation. Some occupations are only eligible for nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). If you have applied for, or are a current holder of, a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), you are not eligible for nomination for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190). This restriction also applies to the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489).
Commitment to living in Queensland	Commit to continue living and working in: Regional Queensland until at least 3 years after the date your Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is granted, or; Queensland until at least 2 years after the date your Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) is granted.

Skilled workers living outside Australia

Requirement	Eligibility
Occupations	Have an occupation on the Queensland Offshore Skills List. Note that information on employment in Queensland for certain occupations, such as licencing and registration requirements, should be checked on this list.
Points	65 or higher
English	Competent English
Work experience	Have at least 1 year’s skilled employment experience in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation. Only work experience declared as related to your nominated occupation on your Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Australian Department of Home Affairs will be considered. You must still be employed in your nominated occupation (or a closely related occupation) at the time you are invited and nominated.
Visa subclass	The Queensland Onshore Skills List outlines which visa subclasses you may be nominated for based on your occupation. Some occupations are only eligible for nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). If you have applied for, or are a current holder of, a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), you are not eligible for nomination for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190). This restriction also applies to the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489).
Commitment to living in Queensland	Commit to continue living and working in: Regional Queensland until at least 3 years after the date your Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is granted, or; Queensland until at least 2 years after the date your Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) is granted.

Building and construction workers

Requirement	Eligibility
Occupations	Have an occupation on the Queensland Onshore Skills List that is indicated as included in the building and construction workforce pathway.
Points	65 or higher
English	Competent English
Work experience	Immediately before registering your interest in Queensland nomination, you have been living and working in Queensland for the past 3 months. This work experience must be: After you completed your qualification In an occupation that has the same first 3 digits in the ANZSCO code as your nominated occupation At least 20 hours per week. We also note the following: You must still be in a role that meets the above requirements when you submit your ROI, when you are selected for invitation, and when you are nominated Casual work is accepted Multiple eligible jobs can be combined to meet requirements Work from home is allowed, where your employer has a physical presence in Queensland.
Visa subclass	Invited candidates will be nominated for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) unless they do not meet the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ requirements for this visa. (See our notes on 'Are you eligible for consideration' above this table.) If you have applied for, or are a current holder of, a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), you are not eligible for nomination for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190). This restriction also applies to the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489).
Commitment to living in Queensland	Commit to continue living and working in: Regional Queensland until at least 3 years after the date your Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is granted, or; Queensland until at least 2 years after the date your Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) is granted.

Queensland university graduates

Requirement	Eligibility
Occupations	Have an occupation on the Queensland Onshore Skills List.
Points	65 or higher
English	Competent English
Study	You have: A Bachelor Degree, Master’s Degree or PhD from a Queensland university or tertiary institute that meets the Australian Study Requirement Completed 100% of this qualification in Queensland Graduated after 1 July 2021. Your Queensland degree does not have to be related to your nominated occupation.
Work experience	Immediately before registering your interest in Queensland nomination, you have been living and working in: Regional Queensland for the past 6 months for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), or; Queensland for the past 9 months for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190). This work experience must be: After you completed your qualification At least 20 hours per week. Candidates who meet the Queensland university graduate requirements may be working in any Skill Level 1 occupation. We also note the following: You must still be in a role that meets the above requirements when you submit your ROI, when you are selected for invitation, and when you are nominatedCasual work is accepted Multiple eligible jobs can be combined to meet requirements Work from home is allowed, where your employer has a physical presence in Queensland.
Visa subclass	The Queensland Onshore Skills List outlines which visa subclasses you may be nominated for based on your occupation. Some occupations are only eligible for nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). If you have applied for, or are a current holder of, a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), you are not eligible for nomination for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190). This restriction also applies to the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489).
Commitment to living in Queensland	Commit to continue living and working in: Regional Queensland until at least 3 years after the date your Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is granted, or; Queensland until at least 2 years after the date your Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) is granted.

Business Visa Options

Business visas allow investors and entrepreneurs to contribute to Queensland’s growth while pursuing permanent residency. Key streams include:

Business Innovation Stream – For current subclass 188 holders who meet eligibility criteria for the permanent 888 visa and Queensland nomination requirements.
Investor Stream – Similar requirements to the Business Innovation Stream, focused on investment activities.
Significant Investor Stream – For high-value investment applicants meeting 888 visa criteria.
Entrepreneur Stream – Supports innovative business owners with approved provisional visas.
National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) – Exclusive permanent visa for globally recognised leaders in research, entrepreneurship, investment, sports, and creative industries.

Recent Developments in Queensland’s Skilled Migration Program

The 2025–26 program introduces several key updates for skilled workers and international graduates:

New Construction Pathway – Stream created for building and construction occupations, providing a clear route to permanent residency.
491 Small Business Pathway Closure – No longer available for businesses purchased or established after 19 September 2025.
Revised Work Requirements – Minimum hours reduced and casual employment now accepted.
ROI System Relaunch – All applicants must submit a new ROI.
Refined Selection Process – Queue system abolished; selection based on applicant profiles.
Extended EOI Validity – EOIs valid for up to 715 days.
Expanded Flexibility in State of Interest – Applicants need not list Queensland as their sole preference.

Queensland Skilled Migration Program 2025-26: Book a Consultation

The program updates offer significant opportunities for skilled workers, graduates, and business migrants, especially in high-demand fields like construction. With new pathways and policy changes, applicants have multiple options to explore.

If you’re considering Queensland’s skilled migration pathways, it’s crucial to understand the updated eligibility and requirements. Book a consultation with RACC Australia to receive tailored guidance, plan your application strategy, and maximise your chances of a successful nomination. Our experts will guide you through each step of the process.

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