State Nomination in 2026-27 Made Simple: Tasmania, the ACT, Queensland and the FNQ DAMA
News · 2026-08-19 · 6 min read
Each Australian state and territory runs its own nomination program, and these programs change often. The 2026-27 program year is no different. Reading every government announcement one by one can be tiring. So in this guide we focus on the one question most future migrants really want answered: based on the current situation, which pathway is the best fit for me?
Below we look at each state in turn. We also cover what employers who sponsor workers in Far North Queensland should keep an eye on. If you are an Indonesian worker hoping to work in Australia from Indonesia, this overview can help you plan your next move.
Tasmania gives applicants the most certainty
Out of all the states and territories, Tasmania offers the most certainty in 2026-27. When you are planning a move overseas, knowing what to expect is very valuable.
Tasmania has confirmed 2,050 nomination places for the year. Of these, 1,250 are for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and 800 are for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). Last year the numbers were 1,200 and 650. So both figures have gone up, and there is really more space this year.
Registrations of Interest opened again on 17 August 2026. Weekly invitations began just a few days after that, on 20 August. You still do not pay anything to register. However, the nomination itself is now more expensive. The application fee has gone up to $387, plus GST, which makes a total of $425.70.
Bad news for most people applying from overseas
This program year, Tasmania is no longer sending subclass 491 invitations to applicants who live outside Australia. This change comes directly from the processing priorities in Ministerial Direction 119. So if you are overseas and planned to use the 491 route into Tasmania, that option is now closed.
There is one small exception. Overseas health professionals and teachers who already hold a job offer from an eligible Tasmanian employer can still apply for subclass 190. They do this through a special Health or Education Sector Job Offer Pathway.
Did you already have a 491 application waiting in the queue? It will not change into a 190 application by itself. You must withdraw it and submit a new Registration of Interest for the 190. Please note that a new invitation is not guaranteed.
The ACT has a new online system, but no numbers yet
Before this program year, Canberra spent its time improving its systems, not changing its rules. A new Migration Application portal started on 30 July 2026. It replaces the old system for both Canberra Matrix entries and full nomination applications.
The new portal has several features the old system did not have:
- login with multi-factor security
- a design that works well on mobile phones
- live tracking of your application
- the option to edit your submission after you lodge it
If you had a submission in the old system, it moves across automatically. But you must create a new account with the same email address you used when you first registered.
Fees and Matrix rules in the ACT
Along with the new portal, fees have increased. The total is now $350. This is made up of a $25 Canberra Matrix fee and a $325 nomination fee.
A Matrix entry stays valid for six months. You can extend it to twelve months if you update it before it expires. Updating costs nothing. But be careful: an update resets your place in a tie-break, because when two entries are equal, ties are decided by the most recent update.
There is also a helpful new option. Applicants whose visa or documents are about to expire, or who face another urgent situation, can ask for faster processing. However, this only applies after you have received an invitation. It will not help you get an invitation sooner.
What we still do not know: Canberra has not yet confirmed the ACT's 2026-27 allocation. That means there is no invitation timetable to plan with. The occupation list is also being reviewed, and changes are expected soon. In simple words, the system works better, but the important details are still on hold.
Queensland has not opened its program yet
Queensland has not started its 2026-27 program. It is still waiting for the federal government to confirm its final nomination allocation.
One thing is already different, though: the cost of applying. From 1 July 2026, fees went up to $573 for offshore applicants and $630.30 (including GST) for onshore applicants. These fees apply to both subclass 190 and 491 invitees.
Our practical advice for anyone aiming for Queensland is simple. Get your documents ready now, so you can act fast when the program opens again. For Indonesian applicants, this can mean preparing an English-language CV, booking an English test such as IELTS or PTE if your visa or employer needs one, and getting Indonesian-language documents translated into English where the visa rules require it.
A note for sponsoring employers in the tropical north
Some employers use the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement to sponsor workers from overseas. For employers in the Far North Queensland DAMA, two changes deserve action now, not later.
Cheaper endorsement when positions are linked
Certain subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) endorsement fees now have a 50% reduction. This only applies when the position is bundled with its matching subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) position. If your nominations are not set up like this already, check whether you are eligible.
Ask for concessions at the start
Age and English concessions cost much less if you include them in the first endorsement. Adding them later can lead to administration fees and slower Department processing. So if there is any chance you will need a concession, request it from the beginning.
Aged care roles stay on the list for now
Three aged care occupations are still available under the DAMA for the moment: Personal Care Assistant, Nursing Support Worker, and Aged or Disabled Carer. Reports say a planned variation that would have removed them is on hold. But nothing is certain. Employers who want to secure these occupations should send their requests soon. Remember that this only affects aged care positions, not disability care roles.
Which option suits you best?
If you must choose today, Tasmania gives the clearest picture. It has confirmed numbers, an open program and a clear pathway for overseas applicants, even if that pathway is narrower now. The ACT has made it easier to lodge, but it has not yet said how many places it will offer. Queensland is still a waiting game. And FNQ DAMA employers have real changes they can use in their sponsorship plans right now.
Rules can change quickly from one program year to the next. Before you spend time or money on an application, take a careful look at your own occupation, location and visa pathway, and check which state's settings truly match your situation. For anyone searching for jobs in Australia for Indonesians, good preparation and up-to-date information are your best friends.
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