Tasmanian Skilled Migration Update: 2,050 Places Available — But Subclass 491 Offshore Pathway Now CLOSED for International Applicants

Tasmanian Skilled Migration Update: 2,050 Places Available — But Subclass 491 Offshore Pathway Now CLOSED for International Applicants

Migration Tasmania has released its 2026-27 Skilled Migration State Nomination Program update (effective 5 July 2026, program opens 17 August 2026), and the headline news carries both opportunity and significant change.

The good news: Tasmania has received 2,050 total nomination places for 2026-27, comprising 1,250 Subclass 190 places and 800 Subclass 491 places. The program opens to new Registrations of Interest (ROIs) on 17 August 2026, with weekly invitations commencing 20 August.

The critical change: The Subclass 491 Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles pathway, the invitation-only pathway for overseas individuals to be nominated without requiring a job in Tasmania, will have NO invitations issued in 2026-27. This pathway, which previously allowed skilled migrants to be nominated offshore based on skills and experience, is now closed for this program year.

What this means: If you are an international skilled worker planning to apply to Tasmania for the Subclass 491 visa, you cannot be nominated through the invitation-only overseas pathway. Your options have reset.

Why This Matters: The Government Just Reshaped Your Tasmania Pathway

The closure of the 491 offshore pathway is not arbitrary. Migration Tasmania states: “As the Australian Government has announced that it will be prioritising visa processing for applicants in Australia, Migration Tasmania will not be issuing invitations in this pathway this program year.”

This aligns with Ministerial Direction 119 (effective 25 July 2026), which formally prioritises skilled visa processing for applicants already onshore in Australia. The federal government’s policy is clear: onshore applicants move faster through the queue. Tasmania’s program is calibrating to that priority.

For international skilled workers hoping for a 491 offshore nomination: This represents a pathway reset. You have two options:

1. Secure employment with a Tasmanian health provider or school and pursue Subclass 190 with a job offer
2. Pursue nomination from other states (for this you have to wait until other state nomination programs open)

For most offshore applicants, this means competing in the Subclass 190 pathway, which requires higher points and stronger occupational qualification.

Let’s rebuild your strategy with our expert team. Schedule an appointment with our experienced Migration Agent today.

The Immediate Reality for International Skilled Workers: 491 Offshore Pathway Has No Invitations for 2026-27

If you were planning to apply for Tasmania Subclass 491 via the overseas invitation-only pathway, you need to take action now.

Your situation:

• You are offshore (outside Australia)
• You were hoping for 491 nomination without a job offer
• That pathway is now closed for 2026-27

Your realistic options:

Option A: Secure Employment and Apply for Subclass 190 with Job Offer

• Employment requirement: You must secure a job with a Tasmanian employer (healthcare or education sector)
• Job offer advantage: Significantly improves your nomination chances by demonstrating genuine local employer need
• Visa outcome: Subclass 190 nomination + job offer = stronger application
• When this works: You can arrange employment in Tasmania (challenging but possible for skilled healthcare, education, construction professionals)

Option B: Pursue other Visa first, come to Tasmania and apply ROI for Subclass 491 by Securing Employment in Tasmania

• Employment requirement: You must be employed in Tasmania
• Points boost: 491 nomination adds 15 points to your federal points test (vs. 5 points for 190)
• Timeline: You could initially work on another visa, then apply for 491 nomination once employed in Tasmania
• When this works: You’re willing to come to Australia on a different visa first (e.g., working holiday visa, student visa, temporary work visa) and then secure Tasmanian employment

None of these options is ideal if your plan was simply “be nominated offshore without a job.” The pathway has changed.

See: 491 vs 190 Visa: Which Skilled Visa Gives You a Better PR Chance?

What Changed in the 2026-27 Program: A Complete Breakdown

Tasmania has made several significant updates to its selection criteria and program administration. Understanding these changes is essential whether you’re submitting a new ROI or reconsidering an existing one.

Program Allocation: Total Places Confirmed

Tasmania’s 2026-27 allocation breakdown:

The program has grown by 200 places year-on-year, with both visa types receiving additional allocations.

Priority Attribute Changes: Easier Wording, Stricter Requirements, Better Differentiation

Migration Tasmania found that some applicants had difficulty choosing the right priority attribute for their situation, especially when attributes involved salary ranges or employment duration requirements. Additionally, some priority attributes didn’t clearly distinguish between candidates who had worked in Tasmania for different lengths of time.

Changes made:

1. Clearer, easier-to-understand priority attribute wording: Reduced confusion about which attribute applies to your situation
2. Revised scoring of priority attributes: Better recognition of longer contribution to Tasmania (favours applicants who’ve been in Tasmania longer)
3. Greater differentiation in points available by employment duration: Applicants with 2 years in Tasmania now score better than applicants with 6 months
4. Updated policy guidance: Clearer rules on leave periods and breaks between jobs

Changes Comparison:

What this means for you: If you submitted an ROI in the 2025-26 program and were ranked mid-tier due to recent arrival or employment uncertainty, the new scoring may now rank you higher. This is why Migration Tasmania explicitly recommends reconsidering your ROI.

Employment Duration Scoring: Longer Contribution Now More Valuable

The revised scoring gives significantly more weight to duration of employment in Tasmania. This rewards genuine commitment and ongoing contribution over short-term placements.

Key change: The TSE Gold priority attribute has been updated to require at least 30 hours per week in at least one job to qualify. This raises the bar for what counts as “full employment” while providing clarity on part-time arrangements.

Impact: If you’ve worked in Tasmania for 2+ years, you’re now ranked better relative to newcomers. If you’ve just arrived or worked part-time hours, your relative ranking may have declined.

Salary and Income Thresholds Updated but Priority Level Unchanged

Income attributes have been updated to Australian median and average earnings. The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (Priority Income Level) remains $57,000 per year or $28.85 per hour.

What changed: Salary-based priority attributes now reference current median/average earnings (which have increased since 2025-26).

What stayed the same: The priority income level threshold ($57,000/year) is unchanged. If you earned at least this amount in 2025-26 and still do, this threshold remains available to you.

Service Fee Increase to $387 Per Nomination Application

The service fee to apply for nomination has increased to $387 (including GST: $425.70). There remains no charge to submit a Registration of Interest.

What this means: Submitting an ROI is still free. Once you’re invited to apply for nomination, you’ll pay $387 to lodge your formal application.

Application Gateway Domain Change: New URL Required

The domain name to access the Migration Tasmania Application Gateway portal has changed. If you have bookmarked the site, you must update your bookmark to https://apply.migration.tas.gov.au. The Application Gateway will not be available until 17 August 2026.

Critical action: If you have saved the old URL, update it now. The portal won’t open until 17 August, and once it does, you’ll need the new URL to access it.

Offshore Health and Education Professionals: Limited Pathway Remains

While the general 491 offshore invitation pathway is closed, there is one remaining pathway for health and education professionals:

Overseas health and teaching professionals who gain employment with a Tasmanian health provider or school will still be eligible for nomination for a Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa in the Overseas Applicant (Health or Education Sector Job Offer) Pathway.

What this means: If you are a doctor, nurse, teacher, or other health/education professional, you can still pursue Subclass 190 nomination if you secure employment with a Tasmanian healthcare provider or school. This requires a job offer but provides a clear pathway.

For International Skilled Workers: Should You Still Apply to Tasmania? What to Do Now

If you’re an international skilled worker considering Tasmania state nomination, the 491 offshore closure changes your decision tree. Here’s what you need to assess right now:

Step 1: Understand Your Points Profile

Before pursuing any Tasmania pathway, calculate your likely points under the federal skilled migration points test:

• Age (18–45 = 30 points; diminishing for older applicants)
• English language proficiency (Proficient = 10 points; Competent = 0)
• Qualification/skilled employment (15–20 points depending on qualification and experience match)
• Work experience (10–20 points depending on years in skilled occupation)

Tasmania’s state nomination adds 5 points (for 190) or 15 points (for 491). If your base points are very low, even nomination won’t get you invited.

Check your points here: Skilled Migration Points Simulation

Step 2: Assess Your Realistic Pathway

Path A: Pursue Nomination from Other States

• Can you wait until nomination programs in other states open?
• Do you have skills that match the other states’ occupations?
• Are you willing to relocate to other states?
• Decision: Proceed if you are open to waiting for nomination program in other states

Path B: Subclass 190 with job offer

• Can you secure employment with a Tasmanian employer?
• Do you have contacts or recruitment avenues in Tasmania?
• Are you willing to arrange employment before visa application?
• Decision: Proceed if you can realistically arrange employment

Path C: Initial offshore visa + later 491 nomination

• Can you access another visa to come to Australia first (student, working holiday, temporary work)?
• Are you willing to invest time coming to Australia on another visa before applying for 491?
• Do you have industry connections or recruitment contacts in Tasmania?
• Decision: Proceed if you have the financial capacity and flexibility for a multi-step migration

What You Should Do This Week:

1. Assess your points profile. Calculate your realistic federal points. If you’re under 65 points without nomination, Tasmania nomination alone may not be sufficient.
2. Review the new priority attributes. Visit the Migration Tasmania website and review the 2026-27 priority attributes. Determine which attributes apply to your situation.
3. Decide on your pathway. Will you pursue 190 without job offer, 190 with job offer, or a staged approach through another visa first?
4. Book a consultation. If your situation is complex (low initial points, uncertain about priority attributes, considering multiple options), professional guidance can save months of planning.
5. Monitor the August 17 opening. Once ROI submissions open, don’t delay. Weekly invitations begin 20 August, and early submission may provide a competitive advantage.

For Current 2025-26 ROI Holders: Withdraw and Resubmit? Here’s the Decision Tree

If you submitted an ROI in the 2025-26 program and haven’t yet been invited to apply, you now face a decision: keep your existing ROI, or withdraw and submit a new one under the 2026-27 scoring criteria?

Migration Tasmania explicitly states: “Candidates who have submitted an ROI in the last six months may wish to withdraw it and submit a new one, as the changes to priority attribute ranking criteria may significantly improve chances of selection for many people.”

When You SHOULD Withdraw and Resubmit:

1. You recently arrived in Tasmania (less than 6 months ago)
   • Why: Old scoring ranked short-term arrival poorly; new scoring may improve your ranking as you accumulate more months
   • Action: Wait until you have 6+ months in Tasmania, then resubmit
2. Your employment situation has improved (you now have full-time work, higher salary, different role)
   • Why: New scoring attributes your current employment more favorably than your 2025-26 situation
   • Action: Resubmit now to reflect your improved circumstances
3. You were previously unclear about which priority attribute applied to you
   • Why: New wording is clearer; you may now qualify for a better-ranked attribute
   • Action: Review the new attributes, ensure you’re in the highest-ranked category possible, then resubmit
4. Your situation now meets Gold Pass requirements (30+ hours per week employment)
   • Why: Gold Pass is now easier to understand and more strictly defined; if you now qualify, resubmit
   • Action: Confirm you work 30+ hours/week, then resubmit

When You SHOULD Keep Your Existing ROI:

1. You were ranked highly in 2025-26 (high scores, stable employment, long tenure in Tasmania)
   • Why: Your old ROI already positioned you well; new scoring won’t dramatically improve your ranking
   • Action: Keep your existing ROI; you’re ahead in the queue
2. You have very strong points and don’t need a better attribute ranking
   • Why: If you were invited months ago but declined, your points alone may carry you
   • Action: Keep existing ROI; focus on preparing application materials
3. Resubmitting would put you at the back of the queue
   • Why: If your 2025-26 ROI was submitted months ago, withdrawing resets your queue position
   • Action: Only resubmit if your circumstances have genuinely improved (new employment, better salary, longer tenure)

Example Scenarios:

Scenario 1: Short-Tenure Applicant

• Submitted ROI in January 2026 (just arrived in Tasmania)
• Ranked 200th in queue
• Now it’s July 2026; you’ve been in Tasmania for 6 months
• Decision: RESUBMIT. You now have longer tenure, which the new scoring favours
• Benefit: You may rank 50th instead of 200th under new criteria

Scenario 2: Stable Employed Applicant

• Submitted ROI in May 2025 (12 months in Tasmania)
• Ranked 50th in queue
• Employment and circumstances unchanged
• Decision: KEEP EXISTING ROI. New scoring won’t dramatically improve your standing, but you’re already well-positioned
• Benefit: You’re ahead in the queue; resubmitting risks losing your position

Scenario 3: Improved Employment Applicant

• Submitted ROI in March 2026 (was part-time, under 30 hours/week)
• Ranked 150th in queue
• Now (July 2026): Secured full-time employment (35+ hours/week, meets Gold Pass)
• Decision: RESUBMIT. New scoring rewards full-time employment more highly
• Benefit: You likely jump from 150th to 80th due to improved employment status

Migration Agent’s Expert Perspective

Indah Melindasari, MARN 0961448, Registered Migration Agent, ONEderland Consulting

“The closure of Tasmania’s 491 offshore pathway is the federal government’s policy imprint on state-based nomination programs. Ministerial Direction 119 explicitly prioritises onshore applicants, and Tasmania is aligning with that direction. This is strategic, not punitive.

For international skilled workers, this creates urgency and clarity: if you want to come to Tasmania, you now need either a strong points profile (for 190 nomination) or a job offer. The invitation-only offshore pathway that previously allowed ‘skills-based’ nomination without employment is no longer available.

The priority attribute changes are genuinely designed to reward commitment. The old system rewarded short-term arrivals and uncertain employment arrangements. The new system rewards sustained contribution. If you’ve been in Tasmania 18 months and stable, you’re now ranked much better than someone who just arrived. That’s fair.

For existing ROI holders, I see three groups:

1. Those who arrived recently and should resubmit; your circumstances have improved
2. Those who are stable, employed, established; keep your ROI and prepare your application
3. Those whose circumstances haven’t changed; keeping your ROI is the safer play

The mistake I see is people panicking and resubmitting when they shouldn’t, or holding onto old ROIs when they should refresh. Use the decision tree. Be honest about your circumstances. And if you’re uncertain, consult before deciding; the $387 nomination fee is significant, and you want to get this right.”

Program Timeline and Invitations: Weekly Updates Begin 20 August

The 2026-27 program will operate on a weekly invitation cycle with transparent scorecard updates.

Key Dates:

• 17 August 2026: Application Gateway opens to new ROI submissions
• 20 August 2026: First weekly invitations issued; weekly scorecard updates begin

Weekly Scorecard Information:

Each week, Migration Tasmania will publish:

• Number of ROIs invited to apply for nomination
• Lowest scores invited
• Nomination places available
• Total ROIs on hand
• Lowest ROI score you would need at time of processing (based on 3-month average of lowest invited scores)

What this means: You will see in real-time how competitive each week is. If scores required jump from 75 to 80 over a month, you’ll see that data weekly. This transparency allows you to gauge your realistic chances.

Important Caveat on Published Scores:

The published three-month average score is predictive. If your own score falls below this published average during assessment and you haven’t met all selected priority attributes, your nomination may not be approved.

Translation: Just meeting the published score is not enough. You must also satisfy all your stated priority attributes. If you claimed “TSE Gold” but then can’t prove 30+ hours/week, your nomination won’t be approved even if your score is high.

Do you need advice on the best action to take next? Discuss your situation with our Skilled Migration team. Contact us here. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means: Your Tasmania Pathway Just Reset — Here’s Your Next Move

Migration Tasmania’s 2026-27 program update marks a significant shift in strategy. The closure of the 491 offshore pathway is aligned with the federal government’s policy (Ministerial Direction 119) prioritising onshore applicants.

If you are an international skilled worker:

• Don’t delay decision-making. The program opens 17 August. You need to decide your pathway now, not August 15.
• Assess your points honestly. If you can’t reach 70+ points without state nomination, Tasmania nomination alone may not be sufficient.
• Understand the new priority attributes. Review them carefully. Your ranking depends on accurately claiming the attributes you genuinely meet.
• Consider staged migration if needed. If your points are marginal, coming to Australia on another visa first, securing Tasmanian employment, then applying for 491 may be a more realistic path.

If you are a current 2025-26 ROI holder:

• Make your withdraw/keep decision this week. Don’t wait until mid-August to decide.
• Use the decision tree provided above. Are your circumstances genuinely improved? Have you met all your claimed priority attributes? Is your ranking strong enough to keep?
• If resubmitting, do it early. Once 17 August opens, early submission may provide a competitive advantage.
• Prepare your application materials now. Whether keeping or resubmitting, get your documentation ready. Once invited, you’ll have limited time to lodge.

The hard truth: The 491 offshore pathway closure means some offshore applicants will not be nominated by Tasmania in 2026-27. That’s the policy shift. If you cannot pursue 190 nomination (with or without a job offer) and cannot arrange employment in Tasmania, Tasmania state nomination may not be available to you this year.

The good news: Tasmania has increased its total allocation to 2,050 places. If you’re competitive for 190 nomination and willing to relocate to Tasmania, your chances are realistic. The program rewards genuine commitment and sustained contribution. If you have that, you have a pathway.

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