Queensland State Nomination 2026-27 ROI: Opens 6 November

Registrations of Interest for Queensland's 2026-27 state nomination program open on Friday 6 November 2026 (06/11/2026). If you are a skilled worker already living and working in Brisbane or elsewhere in Queensland, the preparation you do this week matters. Every applicant must lodge a brand new registration, onshore applicants need a 2025-26 tax assessment in hand, and an ROI cannot be edited once it is submitted. This guide walks through the official Queensland and Home Affairs steps in plain language, so you know what to gather before the Queensland state nomination opening date arrives.

What Migration Queensland Published and Why 6 November 2026 Matters

On Friday 30 October 2026, Migration Queensland published its State Nominated Migration Program for 2026-27. Its announcement states that "Registrations of Interest (ROIs) will open on 6 November 2026" and that program requirements "have been updated for 2026-27". In other words, last year's settings should not be assumed to apply.

The program covers nomination for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). Queensland is the state nominating authority, while the Department of Home Affairs decides the visa itself. Migration Queensland also cautions that, because the program is highly competitive, submitting an ROI "does not guarantee an invitation". Please read everything below with that in mind.

Source: Migration Queensland, 2026-27 program published

Step 1: Your SkillSelect EOI, Skills Assessment and Notice of Assessment

Before you register with Queensland, line up three things. First, a valid skills assessment for an occupation on the Queensland onshore skilled occupation list; Migration Queensland's onshore criteria require it for both the 190 and the 491. Second, a SkillSelect Expression of Interest. Home Affairs states that you can update your EOI "any time before receiving an invitation to apply for a skilled visa", so keep it accurate.

Third, and easy to miss: onshore applicants "must have lodged their 2025-26 tax return and received their ATO Notice of Assessment" before submitting an ROI. The ROI asks for your taxable income for the 2025-26 financial year as recorded on that Notice of Assessment. If your return is not lodged yet, that is the first job.

Sources: Home Affairs, Expression of interest; Migration Queensland, 2026-27 program published

Queensland ROI Rules in the State's Own Words

Migration Queensland's How to apply page sets out rules that catch people out each year:

• "All applicants must submit a new ROI for the 2026-27 program", including people who registered in an earlier year.
• "You can only select one visa subclass in your ROI and can only have one active ROI at a time."
• "Once submitted, an ROI cannot be updated."

Because you can choose only one subclass and cannot edit afterwards, decide carefully between the 190 and the 491 before you click submit. Choosing well depends on your occupation, your location of work and your points, so this is a good moment to confirm the facts with a registered agent rather than guess.

Source: Migration Queensland, registering your interest

Onshore Eligibility for Subclass 190 and 491 Nomination

For onshore applicants, Migration Queensland's published criteria include the following:

• Subclass 190: living and working in Queensland "for at least 9 out of the last 12 months immediately before submitting your ROI".
• Subclass 491: living and working in Regional Queensland "for at least 6 out of the last 9 months immediately before submitting your ROI".
• A score of 65 or higher in the Home Affairs points test.
• At least competent English, according to the Home Affairs definition.
• A valid skills assessment for an occupation on the Queensland onshore skilled occupation list.

The occupation list shows which subclass each occupation can be nominated for, and some occupations are eligible only for the 491. An occupation that is not on the list is not eligible for Queensland nomination in 2026-27. To understand how these lists fit together, see our guide to the skilled occupation list for 189, 190 and 491.

Source: Migration Queensland, skilled workers living in Queensland

How Queensland Selects Candidates: Not Points Alone

Many applicants assume the highest points score wins. Migration Queensland says otherwise. When selecting candidates for invitation, it "may consider factors including" skills and qualifications, work experience, salary, location of employment in Queensland, age, English, partner skills and current workforce demand.

The practical lesson is to present your whole profile honestly and completely, not only your points total. We cannot tell you whether you will be invited, how many places exist or how often invitations will be issued; Queensland has not published that detail on the pages we reviewed, and we will not speculate.

"Please note that the Queensland State Nominated Migration Program is highly competitive." Migration Queensland, How to apply

After You Register: 14 Days, 60 Days and the Residence Commitment

If you are invited, the clock moves quickly. Migration Queensland states that if you do not submit a complete application within 14 calendar days, your application will be closed. Gather your documents early so that an invitation does not catch you unprepared. Our skilled visa document checklist is a useful starting point.

If Queensland nominates you, you then have 60 days to lodge your visa application with the Department. The 14-day window is a Queensland process step, not a Home Affairs time limit.

Nomination also carries a commitment to stay. For the 190, you commit to living in Queensland until at least 2 years after the visa is granted; for the 491, in Regional Queensland until at least 3 years after grant. Please weigh this before you register.

Queensland State Nomination Preparation Checklist and Common Mistakes

Two mistakes come up repeatedly with state nomination. The first is assuming a previous registration carries over; Migration Queensland is clear that everyone lodges a new ROI for 2026-27, even if you registered before and were not nominated. The second is lodging before the paperwork is ready, for example, before the Notice of Assessment has arrived. Because an ROI cannot be updated once submitted, a rushed registration cannot be tidied up afterwards.

Use this list to prepare before 6 November 2026:

• Confirm your skills assessment is valid and your occupation is on the Queensland onshore list.

• Lodge your 2025-26 tax return and obtain your Notice of Assessment.

• Update your SkillSelect EOI so your points and details are accurate.

• Confirm your months of Queensland work meet the 9-of-12 (190) or 6-of-9 (491) test.

• Decide which single subclass your ROI will target.

• Collect identity, qualification, employment, and English evidence in advance.

Migration Queensland's published rules and the Department's requirements can change, so check the official pages on the day you lodge. If a page differs from this article, the official page prevails.

Where Migration Star Can Help

Migration Star is a registered migration practice in Eight Mile Plains, Brisbane, and our principal agent is Rohit Sharma, MARA No. 1797395. We can review your occupation, skills assessment and work history against the published Queensland criteria, and talk through which subclass may suit your circumstances, subject to meeting the criteria and Department requirements. We do not guarantee any nomination or visa outcome. You can read about our services or meet our team. To discuss your situation, book a 30-minute Migration Consultation ($165), call 07 3519 5619 or visit Level 2, 8 Clunies Ross Court, Eight Mile Plains QLD 4113. Book here: https://www.migrationstar.com.au/book-a-consultation

Information current as at 03/11/2026. Migration outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Visa criteria may change.

Information current as at 03/11/2026. Migration Star is a registered migration practice. Principal agent Rohit Sharma, MARA No. 1797395. Migration outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Visa criteria may change. This article is general information only and does not constitute migration advice. For advice on your specific situation, book a consultation at migrationstar.com.au.

Migration Star | MARA No. 1797395 | migrationstar.com.au | 07 3519 5619