The Tasmanian Skilled Migration State Nomination Program opened to new Registrations of Interest (ROIs) on 17 August 2026, with revised nomination requirements, priority attributes and supporting-document rules.
Nomination Allocation & Invitation Schedule
Tasmania has been allocated a total of 2,050 nomination places for 2026-27, comprising 1,250 places for the subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) visa and 800 places for the subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visa.
Weekly invitations to apply for nomination will commence on Thursday 20 August 2026. Invitations will be issued progressively throughout the year, interrupted by the usual Christmas break, and are expected to cease on or around 27 May 2027.
Once invitations begin, the “Processing Times” page on the Migration Tasmania website will be updated weekly and will include a three-monthly average of the lowest ROI score required for nomination at the time of assessment.
Weekly Publication of Invitation Data
Migration Tasmania intends to publish weekly information showing:
- the number of ROIs invited;
- the lowest ROI scores invited;
- the number of nomination places remaining;
- the number of ROIs on hand; and
- an indicative nomination threshold based on the average of the lowest scores invited during the preceding three months.
The three month average will be particularly important. If an applicant cannot substantiate a claimed priority attribute during assessment and the resulting ROI score falls below the published three-month average, the nomination application will not be approved.
An invitation to apply does not guarantee state nomination or the grant of a visa. Applicants must satisfy the relevant nomination criteria and the Australian Government’s visa requirements.
Who Tasmania is Looking to Select
The selection framework continues to prioritise candidates who have demonstrated a contribution to Tasmania and are connected to the workforce, or who are very likely to become so.
Key priorities include:
- length of residence in Tasmania,
- length and stability of employment,
- employment aligned with the applicant’s skills,
- qualifications and career background,
- skills in critical workforce areas such as health and education, and
- higher-skilled, higher-paid employment associated with stronger long-term workforce participation.
Key Changes to Priority Attributes
The 2026–27 program places greater emphasis on sustained Tasmanian employment, secure working arrangements and demonstrated commitment to living in Tasmania.
Major changes include:
- clearer wording for priority attributes;
- increased differentiation based on the duration of Tasmanian employment;
- revised scoring to give greater recognition to longer contributions to Tasmania;
- updated rules for leave, employment gaps and multiple jobs;
- revised income thresholds;
- stricter requirements for the Tasmanian Skilled Employment Gold attribute; and
- additional restrictions affecting massage therapists and certain motor mechanic and service technician roles.
Employment and income
The priority income level remains $57,000 per year or $28.85 per hour.
Employment must generally average at least 20 hours per week. For the Tasmanian Skilled Employment Gold attribute, an applicant must have worked in Tasmania for the previous six months and hold at least one job providing a minimum of 30 hours per week. Hours from multiple jobs cannot be combined for this attribute.
Where multiple jobs are used to meet other requirements:
- the hours may be combined in limited circumstances;
- income from different jobs cannot be combined;
- each job relied upon must independently satisfy any relevant income threshold; and
- casual workers must use their base hourly rate before casual loading.
Longer periods of Tasmanian employment now generally attract higher scores.
Important Employment Rules
Employment must generally average at least 20 hours per week. Multiple jobs may be combined to meet minimum hours in some circumstances, but special rules apply where an income threshold must be met.
Where an applicant relies on multiple jobs:
- income from different jobs cannot be combined;
- each job counted toward the minimum hours must independently meet the relevant income threshold; and
- lower-paid work cannot be combined with higher-paid work to satisfy an income-based attribute.
For casual employees, the base hourly rate must be used before casual loading. Where an applicant ordinarily works more than 38 hours per week, the hourly rate – not an inflated annual salary – will be assessed.
Additional Changes From 1 December 2026
New restrictions will affect some occupations:
- Massage therapists: employment will generally only be recognised where it is performed in a health, allied health, aged care or disability care setting.
- Motor mechanics: employment will generally only be recognised where the employer’s main business is vehicle repair.
- Service technicians: employment will generally only be recognised in an authorised manufacturer dealership where the role primarily involves servicing that manufacturer’s vehicles for customers.
Applicants in these occupations should carefully review whether their employment will continue to qualify.
Updated Document Requirements
Applicants may need to provide additional evidence, including:
- an Australian Taxation Office superannuation payment statement;
- a summary of hours where casual employment across multiple jobs is claimed;
- evidence of the applicable award or enterprise agreement and classification level;
- a Unique Student Identifier transcript for relevant vocational qualifications; and
- a supervisor’s letter where current PhD research is claimed.
Employment arrangements that are inconsistent with the employer’s business or involve unusual financial transactions may receive additional scrutiny.
No Overseas Subclass 491 Invitations
Tasmania does not plan to issue invitations under the subclass 491 Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles – Invitation Only Pathway in 2026–27.
However, overseas health and teaching professionals who secure employment with a Tasmanian health provider or school may remain eligible for subclass 190 nomination through the relevant job-offer pathway.
Should Existing ROIs Be Updated?
Candidates who lodged an ROI within the last six months should review their position under the revised criteria. In some cases, withdrawing an existing ROI and submitting a new ROI may produce a higher priority ranking.
There is no fee to submit an ROI. The state nomination application fee is now $387 plus GST, or $425.70 including GST.
What this means for applicants?
The updated program gives greater priority to applicants who can show longer-term employment, secure work and a genuine commitment to Tasmania.
You may need to review your options if you:
- currently live, work or study in Tasmania;
- recently completed a Tasmanian qualification;
- previously submitted an ROI;
- work in Tasmania across several jobs;
- operate a business in Tasmania; or
- have a Tasmanian job offer in the health or education sector.
An invitation to apply does not guarantee nomination. Every priority attribute claimed in an ROI must be supported by appropriate evidence.
How We Can Assist
The revised rules are detailed, and selecting an incorrect pathway or priority attribute may reduce your prospects of receiving or retaining an invitation.
If you are considering Tasmanian nomination – or already have an ROI on hand- this is an appropriate time to review your eligibility, score and documents under the new criteria.
To arrange an assessment with Migration Affairs, contact:
📧 info@migrationaffairs.com.au
🌐 migrationaffairs.com.au/contact
📞 +61 2 8226 8777
Changes to the migration program can occur without notice. The above information is not intended to be legal advice and is correct as of the date of writing this article.