The Strategic Shift in Australian State Nomination 2025

For skilled migrants planning their move to Australia, the key to success is no longer simply having high points score. It rests on aligning your skills with the specific, evolving needs of an Australian state or territory. The Federal Government’s Visa Quota Allocation 2025-2026 is focused on quality over quantity, dedicating approximately 71% of the total migration program to the Skilled Stream. This makes the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa the most critical pathways.

State and Territory Governments, using their individual allocation, are actively targeting migrants who can immediately fill Australian State Skills Shortages in critical sectors. The Strongest Job Growth Australian States 2025 are those that offer the clearest and most direct path to nomination for skilled professionals working in High Demand Occupations by Territory. Understanding a state’s State Migration Program Priorities is the first step toward securing your Permanent Residency Australia (PR) Pathways.

Decoding Job Growth: Allocations and Core Demands

The job landscape for skilled migrants in 2025 is dominated by national shortages in key sectors, which each state is addressing via its own nomination program. Analysing the 2025 Occupation Shortage List and state allocations reveals the primary drivers of Skilled Migrant Job Growth by State.

Top-Tier Growth Sectors Nationally

According to data from Jobs and Skills Australia, national demand remains highest in four critical areas, driving Projected Job Creation Australia 2025:

  1. Health and Aged Care Jobs: Driven by an aging population, this is a Critical National Priority. Roles like Registered Nurses, Aged Care Workers, and Allied Health Professionals are consistently in high demand across every state.
  2. Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline: Major government projects in housing, renewable energy, and transport create a chronic shortage of Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, and Skilled Tradespeople Australia (Electricians, Carpenters, Plumbers).
  3. Tech Sector Growth by State: Digital transformation continues to fuel demand for Software Engineers, Cyber Security Specialists, and Data Scientists. While the highest salaries are in Sydney and Melbourne, regional hubs are emerging rapidly.
  4. Education and Teaching Shortages: Early Childhood and Secondary School Teachers are universally sought, offering strong, fast-tracked pathways in many jurisdictions.

State-by-State Breakdown: Where to Focus Your EOI

The Labor Market Outlook by State is not uniform. A state’s strategy often dictates which applicants get an invitation, making some states more accessible or competitive than others.

Victoria (VIC): The High-Value Target

Victoria, with the highest allocation of Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) places (2,700 for 2025-26), has positioned itself as a magnet for high-value talent.

  • Key Focus: The state prioritizes applicants already living and working in Victoria and often uses high local salary as a tie-breaker, particularly in the ICT and Professional Services sectors.
  • Priority Sectors: Victoria Skilled Migration Priorities (VIC) are laser-focused on Digital Technology, Health, Education, and Advanced Manufacturing.
  • Verdict: Highly Competitive. Best for high-earning, onshore professionals. Offshore applicants must demonstrate truly exceptional skills in priority fields.

Queensland (QLD): Strong Growth and Expanded Quota

Queensland has significantly increased its nomination allocation for 2025-26, more than doubling its places, signaling an aggressive push for skilled workers to support its diverse economy.

  • Key Focus: Queensland Skilled Migration Streams (QLD) are targeting both metropolitan and regional needs through separate pathways for onshore workers, graduates, and offshore candidates.
  • Demand: Strongest demand is in Mining and Resources Sector Forecast (WA, QLD), construction, and tourism-related health and hospitality roles.
  • Verdict: Promising. The large increase in quota makes it a top contender for Strongest Job Growth Australian States 2025, particularly for those willing to commit to Regional Migration Australia (Subclass 491).

New South Wales (NSW): Sharp Targets in a Competitive Market

While New South Wales (NSW) has a smaller confirmed quota compared to its historical size, it remains a prime destination due to the sheer volume of jobs in Sydney.

  • Key Focus: New South Wales Job Outlook (NSW) is selection-based, meaning applicants must be working in an occupation highly relevant to the state’s economic needs, such as health, ICT, or construction.
  • Verdict: Competitive, but High-Volume. Ideal for high-scoring, experienced applicants with current employment or clear job prospects in Sydney’s corporate and digital sectors.

Regional Leaders: Western Australia (WA) and Tasmania (TAS)

For a clearer, points-test-friendly pathway, applicants should look at states with strong Regional Migration Australia (Subclass 491) programs.

  • Western Australia (WA): Although operating under an interim quota, WA remains a powerhouse. Job Market Western Australia (WA) is booming, driven by the Mining and Resources Sector Forecast (WA, QLD). Their 491 streams often offer more flexible requirements for offshore candidates and local graduates.
  • Tasmania (TAS): Tasmania Skilled Migration (TAS) consistently offers the most structured pathway, with the Tasmania Skilled Employment Pathway being a reliable route for those who study or secure long-term employment in the state. The commitment to Regional Migration Australia (Subclass 491) is strong here.

Maximising Your State Nomination Success

The window of opportunity in the 2025-26 program year demands a strategic approach. Meeting minimum eligibility is not enough; you must prove exceptional alignment with state priorities.

  • Prioritise Onshore Employment: For almost every state, being currently employed in your skilled occupation within the state significantly boosts your chances of an invitation for the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190).
  • Target the Right Visa: If your occupation is not a top priority for a permanent Subclass 190 visa in a major city, pivot to the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) pathway. This visa is generally less competitive and offers an excellent route to permanent residency after three years.
  • Align with Critical Sectors: Ensure your ANZSCO Codes and work experience fit squarely within the identified Key Growth Sectors (Health, Tech, Construction, Education). If you are a Software Engineer, focus your EOI on the Digital Technology sector requirement for states like Victoria.

Conclusion

The states offering the Strongest Job Growth for Skilled Migrants in 2025 are Victoria, Queensland, and the high-demand, regional hubs of Western Australia and Tasmania. Your success depends on a targeted strategy that prioritizes state-specific occupational lists, securing local employment, and committing to the state’s economic priorities. The time to act on Australian State Nomination 2025 is now, by meticulously preparing your Expression of Interest (EOI) to reflect these key demands.