Queensland Skilled Migration 2026–27: Are You Ready for the 6 November Open

The state has released its 2026–27 skilled migration requirements, with Registrations of Interest opening on 6 November 2026.

For skilled workers living in Queensland and overseas, now is the time to review eligibility, check employment evidence and prepare an accurate submission.

Applicants who registered in a previous program year without receiving nomination must submit a new Registration of Interest (ROI) to be considered this year.

What is a Registration of Interest?

An ROI tells Migration Queensland that you would like to be considered for state nomination. It is separate from your Expression of Interest (EOI), the profile submitted through the Australian Government’s SkillSelect system.

Queensland considers eligible applicants for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).

Each ROI covers one visa subclass only, and you can have only one active ROI at a time. An ROI cannot be edited after submission. If your circumstances change or you need to correct information, you must submit a new one. Only the most recent ROI will be considered.

Living and working in Queensland?

Under the skilled workers living in Queensland pathway, the qualifying period depends on your chosen visa:

• Subclass 190: You must have been living and working in Queensland for at least 9 of the last 12 months immediately before submitting your ROI.
• Subclass 491: You must have been living and working in regional Queensland for at least 6 of the last 9 monthsimmediately before submitting your ROI.

You must currently work for a Queensland-based employer and continue to meet the relevant requirements at ROI submission, invitation and nomination.

Eligible employment must be gained after completing your qualification, involve at least 20 paid hours per week, and be in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation. Casual employment is accepted, and eligible jobs can be combined.

Applying from overseas?

For the offshore skilled worker pathway, you must have at least one year of eligible skilled employment within the last three years when submitting your ROI.

The experience must be gained after qualification, involve at least 20 hours per week, and relate to your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation. Queensland considers employment declared as related work in your EOI.

You do not need to be currently employed in your nominated occupation when submitting your ROI, receiving an invitation or being nominated. However, occupation-specific employment, registration or licensing requirements may apply.

Check your occupation and eligibility

Queensland has separate occupation lists for applicants living in Queensland and those living overseas. Your occupation must appear on the relevant list, and some occupations are eligible for subclass 491 nomination only.

Applicants must also meet the applicable skills assessment or professional registration requirements, the required English standard and the minimum points threshold of 65, alongside all other relevant state and federal criteria.

Separate requirements apply to Queensland graduates, building and construction workers, and regional small business owners. Check the pathway that matches your circumstances before preparing your ROI.

Onshore applicants: have your tax documents ready

Migration Queensland’s opening announcement states that onshore applicants must lodge their 2025–26 tax return and receive their ATO Notice of Assessment before submitting an ROI.

The Notice of Assessment is issued after the Australian Taxation Office processes your tax return. The onshore checklist provides an exception where you were not required to lodge a return for that financial year. Check how this applies to your circumstances before submitting.

A higher points score does not guarantee an invitation

Queensland states that it does not primarily select candidates based on their points score.

Selection may consider qualifications, work experience, salary, employment location, age, English ability and a partner’s skills. Queensland’s workforce needs also influence selection.

Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee an invitation, and state nomination does not guarantee a visa grant.

Prepare before an invitation arrives

Invited applicants have 14 calendar days to provide supporting evidence. Preparing early gives you time to obtain employment references, check records and resolve inconsistencies.

Employers can assist eligible staff by providing accurate contracts, payslips and employment statements that support the duties, hours and employment periods claimed.

How can we help?

SCA Connect can assess your eligibility, identify the relevant Queensland pathway, review your EOI and ROI, and assist with supporting documentation.

For employers, we can explain migration options for skilled employees and the employment evidence required.

Planning to submit an ROI? Book a consultation to understand your options and prepare your

Information current as at 4 November 2026. Program requirements may change. This article provides general information and is not individual migration advice.