States will receive fixed invitation quotas rather than unlimited nomination slots. This means you must meet both the national points test and specific state criteria to secure one of their limited nominations.
Expect each state to publish its own occupation list, favoring skills in high-demand sectors like healthcare in Queensland or mining in Western Australia. Align your occupation with your target state’s list.
Under the new quotas, many states will require a minimum residency commitment (often two years) in regional areas. This ensures migrants fill genuine local skill gaps.
Research each state’s published quota and priority occupations. Tailor your Expression of Interest to include state-specific criteria. Consult a migration agent to navigate multiple nomination streams.