The 2025–26 NSW nomination program year has demonstrated just how competitive state nomination for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) has become.
NSW opened Pathway 1 (Work in Regional NSW) and Pathway 3 (Regional NSW Graduate) and due to overwhelming demand, both pathways reached capacity and closed within a single day.
This rapid closure highlights a critical reality: when state nomination pathways open, there is little to no warning and no room for delay.
Subclass 491 Pathway 1 – Work in Regional NSW (Closed)
Pathway 1 was available to applicants:
- Working in their nominated (or closely related) occupation
- Employed in a designated regional area of NSW
- With at least 6 months of continuous employment with one regional NSW employer
- Earning at or above the TSMIT or CSIT salary threshold
Applicants seeking a TSMIT/CSIT concession were required to have employer approval before applying.
Pathway 1 is now closed for the 2025–26 program year.
Subclass 491 Pathway 3 – Regional NSW Graduate (Closed)
Pathway 3 targeted recent graduates who:
- Completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in regional NSW
- Nominated an occupation on the NSW Regional Skills List
- Completed their qualification within the last 2 years
- Studied in a field related to their nominated occupation
Pathway 3 is also now closed after reaching its allocation.
Limited Places & Extended Processing Times
NSW has a fixed allocation of Subclass 491 nominations each year. Once places are exhausted:
- Applications close without notice
- No further lodgements are accepted
Due to high application volumes, processing times will exceed the estimated six weeks for both pathways.
Key Takeaway: Be Ready Before Pathways Open
The 2025–26 program year made one thing clear:
If your skills assessment, English test, points calculation and documents aren’t ready when a state pathway opens, you may miss out entirely.
State nomination windows can open and close in a matter of hours.
How AVIE Can Help
At Australian Visa and Immigration Experts (AVIE), we help clients prepare before nomination pathways open, not after they close.
We assist with:
- Skills assessments
- English testing strategy
- State nomination readiness
- Subclass 491 visa and PR planning
If you’re targeting state nomination, preparation is no longer optional. Contact AVIE to start your strategy early.