Discover the top Australian states for new migrants in 2025, balancing in-demand jobs like nursing and IT, affordable housing in Adelaide and Perth, and vibrant lifestyles in Brisbane. Compare Victoria vs NSW vs Queensland for skilled migration pathways to PR.
Introduction
Australia welcomed over 315,000 net overseas migrants in the year to March 2025, fueling economic growth amid persistent labor shortages in healthcare, engineering, and construction. For new arrivals, choosing the right state means aligning skills with the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) Australia, navigating housing costs amid a national rental crisis, and embracing diverse lifestyles from urban buzz to coastal calm. This guide explores the best state to migrate in Australia 2025, weighing job opportunities for immigrants, cost of living by state, and family-friendly options. Whether targeting state nomination for a 190 visa or regional pathways via 491 visa, find tailored insights to kickstart your Australian dream.
In-Demand Jobs: Aligning Skills with Australia’s Labour Market Shortages
Australia’s economy demands skilled workers, with the 2025 Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) highlighting over 450 roles facing shortages. Top in-demand jobs include registered nurses ($65,000–$120,000 AUD annually), software engineers ($104,000–$153,750), and electricians ($90,000–$130,000), per Jobs and Skills Australia’s March 2025 report. These align with the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) and Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), easing pathways like the Skilled Independent (189) visa for high-salary roles.
States prioritize differently. New South Wales (NSW) targets digital tech, renewable energy, and healthcare, offering robust job opportunities in Sydney’s finance and IT hubs. Victoria focuses on advanced manufacturing and education, with Melbourne’s tech scene booming for engineering jobs Australia visa holders. Queensland emphasizes construction and trades, where Brisbane’s growth supports highest paying jobs for migrants in renewables. Western Australia (WA) leads in mining and engineering, with Perth’s high wages drawing IT jobs Australia skilled visa applicants. South Australia (SA) seeks healthcare and defense roles, while Tasmania prioritizes agriculture and tourism.
For migrants, check your occupation against state-specific lists like Queensland’s skilled occupation list or Victoria’s priority list. Use the Australia migration points calculator to assess eligibility—aim for 65+ points, boosted by state nomination (5 points for 190 visa state sponsorship, 15 for 491 visa regional Australia). Regional migration Australia options, including DAMA visas, fast-track PR for trades like electricians or plumbers. In 2025, nursing migration Australia and healthcare jobs remain gateways, with 541,600 projected openings by 2034. Secure a skills assessment from bodies like AHPRA for nurses or ACS for IT pros, then submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect. This strategic match not only lands roles but accelerates the fastest PR pathway Australia 2025.
Housing Affordability: Navigating Property Prices and the Rental Crisis
Australia’s rental crisis persists, with median weekly rents hitting $627 in 2025, up 8.5% year-on-year, while median house prices average $820,000 across capitals. New migrants face trade-offs: Sydney’s median home at $1.05 million suits high earners but strains budgets, taking 10.6 years to save a deposit nationally. For the best state for housing affordability Australia, look beyond the east coast.
Adelaide (SA) shines as the cheapest state to live in Australia, with median houses at $650,000–$814,000 and weekly rents around $500—30% below Sydney or Melbourne. Perth (WA) follows at $560,000–$918,000, bolstered by mining-driven stability. Brisbane (QLD) offers value at $720,000, with growth tempered by new supply. In contrast, Melbourne ($797,000–$1.035 million) and Sydney face cooling prices but high entry barriers, per CoreLogic 2025 data.
Regional areas ease the burden: Tasmania’s Hobart boasts sub-$500,000 medians and low utilities ($300/month), ideal for family-friendly states Australia. Cost of living Australia by state varies—groceries average $160 weekly nationwide, but utilities hit $400 in Sydney versus $305 in Perth. Factor in transport: a monthly pass costs $200 in Melbourne but $115 in Adelaide.
Migrants benefit from incentives like first-home buyer grants in QLD and WA, plus regional 491 visa perks for lower deposits. Monitor property prices Australia 2025 via ABS data; stabilization is forecast as supply rises to 175,000 new homes annually from 2025–26. Prioritize states with multicultural communities Australia for support networks, reducing isolation in high-cost areas. Smart budgeting—shared housing initially, plus employer relocation aid—turns challenges into opportunities.
Lifestyle and Migration Pathways: Comparing States for Long-Term Settlement
Lifestyle seals the deal for new migrants, blending climate, safety, and community. Safe cities Australia for new migrants include Adelaide (top-ranked for low crime) and Canberra (ACT), both scoring 8/10 on livability. For best climate Australia for migrants, Perth’s beaches and 300 sunny days appeal to outdoor lovers, while Brisbane’s subtropical vibe suits families.
Compare key contenders: Victoria vs New South Wales vs Queensland migration reveals trade-offs. NSW (Sydney) excels in multicultural vibrancy and job diversity but lags in affordability—high costs offset by world-class amenities. Victoria (Melbourne) offers cultural depth and education hubs, ideal for best state for international students to PR, though variable weather and $200 monthly transport add hurdles. Queensland (Brisbane) wins for relaxed, family-friendly states Australia, with lower costs ($720,000 medians) and growth in renewables—perfect for Melbourne vs Sydney vs Brisbane for migrants seeking balance.
Perth migration advantages shine in WA: high wages, beaches, and isolation fostering tight communities, though limited diversity outside resources. Adelaide skilled migration in SA provides affordability and wine-country charm, with defense jobs boosting stability. Tasmania regional visa benefits via 491 pathways offer serene landscapes and quick PR, but slower pace suits retirees over young professionals. Canberra job opportunities for migrants in public sector roles add security, with excellent schools.
State nomination Australia via 190/491 visas varies: Easiest states include Tasmania (1,850 places, flexible for graduates) and SA (2,250 total), per 2025–26 allocations. WA’s 3,400 spots favor construction; QLD’s 2,600 target trades. High points (85+) boost chances in competitive VIC (3,400) and NSW (3,600). For high salary jobs for 189 visa, aim for WA or NSW. Overall, best lifestyle Australia migrants favors QLD for its 1.78% growth and sunshine.
State Nomination and PR Pathways: Securing Your Visa in 2025
Australia’s 2025–26 program caps skilled migration at 185,000, with states nominating for 190 (permanent) and 491 (provisional to PR after three years). Total allocations: 12,850 for 190, 7,500 for 491. The easiest state to get PR in Australia? Tasmania, with low competition and streams for graduates/remote workers.
NSW (3,600 places) prioritizes construction and cyber roles via ROI; closed some 491 streams due to demand. Victoria (3,400) targets health/IT with continuous invites, favoring 85+ points EOIs. Queensland (2,600) offers onshore/graduate paths, emphasizing QLD employment. WA (3,400) pauses briefly but seeks graduates in mining/health. SA (2,250) expands to all occupations, ideal for South Australia state nomination occupations like engineering.
Tasmania (1,850) runs weekly rounds, prioritizing PhDs and locals. Lodge EOIs early; update for changes. For 189 visa, high-demand SOL Australia roles like nurses score invites at 90+ points. Consult MARA agents for tailored advice—your occupation ceiling and points dictate success.
Conclusion
Queensland emerges as the best state in Australia for new migrants in 2025, blending Brisbane’s job growth in construction and healthcare, affordable housing at $720,000 medians, and sunny, family-oriented lifestyle. It outshines NSW’s high costs and Victoria’s competition while matching WA’s wages with easier regional access. Weigh your skills against state lists, prioritize 190/491 nominations, and use tools like the points calculator. Start your EOI today—secure a future Down Under with informed steps toward PR and prosperity.
