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State Nomination for Doctors, Nurses and Health Professionals

Information current as at late October 2026. State programs open, close and change their lists during the year, so check the state’s current settings with us before you lodge.

State and territory nomination is a way to permanent or provisional residence that does not depend on a single employer. You lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, a state or territory nominates you, and you apply for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190, permanent) or the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491, provisional, leading to the 191). Every state lists health occupations and most treat healthcare as a priority sector.

This page summarises how nomination works for health professionals and where each state stood in late October 2026. Our main site has a detailed page for each state, with the full health occupation tables.

190 or 491: the basics

Subclass 190 Subclass 491
Type Permanent Provisional (5 years), then the 191 permanent visa
Where you live In the nominating state, with a commitment to stay (usually two years) In a designated regional area of the nominating state
Points At least 65, plus 5 points for nomination At least 65, plus 15 points for nomination
Age and English Under 45, at least competent English Under 45, at least competent English
Skills assessment Required (for doctors, based on Medical Board registration) Required
Visa charge from 1 July 2026 $6,140 main applicant $6,140 main applicant

Healthcare visa applications are in the highest priority group for processing under Ministerial Direction 122 (from 19 September 2026), but priority does not change the criteria.

Where each state stood in October 2026

State or territory Status in late October 2026 Detailed page
New South Wales 190 open: NSW Skills List published 15 October 2026, first invitation round the week of 19 October 2026. 491 closed until the regional list is released. NSW for medical professionals
Victoria 190 registrations of interest open for 2026-27. 491 settings not finalised. Victoria publishes a priority healthcare occupation list. Victoria for medical professionals
Queensland 2025-26 program closed with places filled. Waiting for 2026-27 allocations and settings. Queensland for medical professionals
Western Australia Inviting in 2026-27 under its current published settings, with invitation rounds in September and October 2026. Health is a priority sector. Western Australia for medical professionals
South Australia Registrations of interest open from 22 October 2026 for some SA residents; offshore candidates invited from EOIs. Health is a priority industry. South Australia for medical professionals
Tasmania 2026-27 program opened 17 August 2026. Health workers with Tasmanian experience are given high priority. Tasmania for medical professionals
Australian Capital Territory 2026-27 criteria not yet published; invitation rounds held under the 2025-26 settings. ACT for medical professionals
Northern Territory 2026-27 portal opened 21 August 2026 and has since closed except for limited 491 onshore exceptions. Northern Territory for medical professionals

What states usually look for in health professionals

  • Medical Board registration that matches your occupation (for example general registration or specialist registration as a GP).
  • Many states want you to be living or working in the state, or to hold a job offer there. Some offshore streams accept doctors with a confirmed job.
  • GP and specialist occupations are listed by most states, but not every state lists every specialty. Check the state table on the pages above.
  • If you already have an employer, compare state nomination with the 482 and 186 route, which may be faster and does not need points.

How state nomination works

  • Get registered and assessed

    Obtain registration (if your profession requires it) and a positive skills assessment. For doctors, see Ahpra registration pathways.

  • Check points and English

    Calculate your points and book an English test if you need more points or to prove competent English.

  • Lodge your EOI

    Lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect, selecting the 190, the 491 or both, and the state.

  • Apply to the state

    Some states require a registration of interest or a direct application; others invite from SkillSelect. Provide evidence of residence, employment and any job offer the state requires.

  • Lodge the visa

    If nominated, you receive a visa invitation and have 60 days to lodge your 190 or 491 application with Home Affairs.

Frequently asked questions

Some states nominate offshore candidates, particularly health professionals with a job offer, but many streams require you to live or work in the state. Check the detailed state pages linked above.

It depends. State nomination is not tied to one employer, but it needs points and depends on the state program being open. If you have a job offer, a 482 followed by a 186 is often more predictable.

There is no single answer. It depends on where you live and work, your experience and the program year. Several states give nurses high priority; we can compare your options.

Not always. Some streams require one (for example where you live offshore or for certain occupations), while others rely on residence and work in the state.

You can lodge separate EOIs or select multiple states where the system allows, but you can only accept one nomination at a time, and some states ask you to commit only to them.

Related pages

Keep reading on our health professionals site:

Book a consultation with our health visa team