Who this may suit
People living, studying or working in Tasmania who are considering state nomination, and overseas applicants checking whether a pathway is available.
Key considerations
- The 2026–27 program is operating: Migration Tasmania reported subclass 491 nomination invitations on 15 October 2026.
- The Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles invitation-only pathway is not open, with no invitations planned for 2026–27.
- State ROI priority scores are separate from federal visa points. Meeting a minimum does not guarantee selection or a visa.
Current program status
Migration Tasmania announced an opening to new ROIs from 17 August 2026. Its subsequent 15 October invitation report confirms that nomination invitations are being issued. Check the live update before acting, because pathways, selection settings and available places can change.
The offshore subclass 491 invitation-only pathway has a different status: its official page says it is not currently open and will not issue invitations in 2026–27. Do not treat the general program opening as an offshore invitation opportunity. Overseas health and teaching applicants should separately check the state’s subclass 190 job-offer pathway.
Check the latest Tasmania nomination update →
Federal visa eligibility comes first
Subclass 491 is a five-year provisional visa for living, working and studying in designated regional areas. This guide covers Tasmanian state nomination; eligible-family sponsorship is a separate route.
The main applicant needs an eligible occupation, a suitable skills assessment, competent English, an invitation and at least 65 federal points. You must be under 45 at visa invitation and satisfy health, character and the other applicable requirements. State nomination can contribute 15 federal points; those points are conditional on the nomination remaining effective.
A future subclass 191 application is not automatic. Its regional provisional stream requires, among other things, at least three years holding an eligible visa and compliance with its conditions. Review that pathway separately when planning long-term settlement.
Understand the subclass 491 visa →
Read about the subclass 191 pathway →
Which Tasmanian pathway fits?
Identify the pathway before calculating selection priority. Each has its own minimum requirements, definitions, exclusions and documents. These are starting points, not a complete eligibility checklist.
For 491 Skilled Employment, the job does not generally have to match the skills assessment, but appropriate qualifications or experience must support a different role under the state’s OSCA definitions. Self-employed applicants and contractors have additional related-assessment and business-history requirements.
- Tasmanian Skilled Employment: the published 491 pathway generally requires nine months of qualifying employment at the priority income level, or 12 months under the lower-pay option (at least the National Minimum Wage), averaging at least 20 hours weekly. The priority level is currently $57,000 annually or $28.85 hourly, excluding specified additions. Employer, contract, family-location and role requirements also matter; the lower-pay option has extra employer-evidence requirements.
- Tasmanian Skilled Graduate: qualifying completed study must be full-time and on-site, with at least 40 CRICOS weeks and a year of Tasmanian residence from commencement. Qualification rules include a diploma or higher, or a qualifying Certificate III linked to specified OSCA occupation groups. Check course eligibility before enrolling.
- Tasmanian Established Resident: the 491 pathway requires at least two years’ Tasmanian residence, limits time spent elsewhere in Australia, and has qualifying employment requirements. Remote work is excluded from this 491 pathway.
- Tasmanian Business Operator: the published pathway requires at least 12 months operating a qualifying Tasmanian business, appropriate ownership, personal income and remaining business profit. Buying a business alone does not establish eligibility. Independent contractors and subcontractors must consider other pathways.
Compare Tasmania’s permanent subclass 190 pathways →
EOI, ROI, nomination and visa: the sequence
First check federal eligibility and your state pathway. Create a SkillSelect EOI identifying Tasmania. Then lodge an ROI through the Migration Tasmania Application Gateway when eligible. The ROI ranks your circumstances for state selection; it does not replace the EOI.
The Gateway uses priority attributes and pass categories. An ROI is valid for six months, and selection depends on the applicable category, competition and remaining places. If invited to lodge a nomination application, prepare the evidence and meet the 28-day state deadline.
An approved nomination leads to the separate Home Affairs visa stage. The federal visa invitation has its own 60-day application period. Keep both deadlines distinct and verify the dates in the actual invitations.
Read Tasmania’s application steps →
Two points systems, two different questions
Federal SkillSelect points determine whether you satisfy the visa points requirement. Tasmania’s ROI score and priority attributes rank state candidates. An ROI score published after a round must not be described as the federal points needed for a 491 visa.
Selection claims must already be true and supported. Migration Tasmania checks them during assessment and publishes a rolling threshold used where claimed attributes cannot be verified. Its current guidance also says a Gold-pass application fails if the Gold attribute is not met, regardless of total score. Do not select a future salary or employment milestone as though it has already occurred.
Documents and practical preparation
Keep a single timeline of residence, study and employment. Match every EOI and ROI claim to evidence, and separate the date you meet a minimum requirement from the date you qualify for an additional priority attribute.
- Prepare the skills assessment, English evidence, qualifications and current EOI record.
- For work claims, organise contracts, duties, pay records and relevant tax and superannuation evidence. Check how leave, job changes or concurrent work affect the claim.
- For study or residence claims, retain completion records, course details, travel dates and evidence of where you and relevant family members live.
- Plan around your existing visa expiry. An EOI does not provide a bridging visa; waiting for an ROI invitation does not itself extend your current permission to stay.
How we can help
Ausdirect can compare Tasmanian pathways, check visa eligibility and review EOI and ROI evidence, taking account of your current visa expiry.
Questions to consider
Does studying in Tasmania guarantee a 491 nomination?
No. The course and residence conditions, federal visa eligibility and competitive state selection all need to be considered.
Is Tasmania’s offshore 491 pathway open?
No. At the 17 October 2026 check, its official page confirmed no invitations for 2026–27. Check for later changes.
Your next step
Bring a dated residence, study and work summary. Agree a secure channel before sharing personal documents.