Australia’s Permanent Residency pathway has changed massively in 2026, and international students especially Nepali students are now worried about one thing:
“Which Australian state still has a good PR chance?”
The Australian Government recently released the official 2025–26 state nomination allocations for Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas, and the numbers clearly show a major shift in migration policy.
The biggest surprise?
Regional PR invitations have been reduced heavily in several states, while major city states like Sydney and Melbourne are still receiving strong allocations.
For years, students believed regional Australia was the easiest pathway to PR. But now, Australia seems to be balancing migration differently due to housing pressure, population planning, and workforce demand.
Official Australia PR Invitation Numbers 2025–26
Here are the officially released nomination allocations by the Australian Government for the 2025–26 migration year:
| State / Territory | Subclass 190 PR Visa | Subclass 491 Regional Visa | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria (Melbourne) | 2,700 | 700 | 3,400 |
| NSW (Sydney) | 2,100 | 1,500 | 3,600 |
| Queensland (Brisbane) | 1,850 | 750 | 2,600 |
| South Australia (Adelaide) | 1,350 | 900 | 2,250 |
| Tasmania | 1,200 | 650 | 1,850 |
| ACT (Canberra) | 800 | 800 | 1,600 |
| Western Australia (Perth) | 2,000 | 1,400 | 3,400 |
| Northern Territory | 850 | 800 | 1,650 |
These figures were officially published by Australia’s Department of Home Affairs.
Regional Areas Saw Major Cuts
Now here is the interesting part.
Compared to previous migration years, many regional-focused invitations were reduced significantly. Tasmania, South Australia, and Victoria’s regional allocations dropped sharply compared to earlier years.
For example:
- Victoria’s 491 regional allocation dropped from around 2,000 to just 700
- Tasmania’s total allocation reduced heavily
- South Australia also saw a large reduction in overall invitations
- Western Australia and NSW still maintained comparatively strong numbers
This is why many migration experts are saying that Australia is becoming more selective with regional migration pathways.
Earlier, many students moved to regional areas mainly for PR advantages. But now, Australia wants migrants who genuinely match workforce shortages and long-term economic needs.
Which Australian States Are Still Strong for PR?
Victoria (Melbourne)
Victoria still has one of the highest PR invitation numbers in Australia with 2,700 subclass 190 places. However, competition is extremely high because Melbourne attracts thousands of international graduates every year.
IT, engineering, healthcare, teaching, and construction occupations are still strong here.
New South Wales (Sydney)
NSW continues to dominate total allocations with 3,600 combined places. Sydney remains highly competitive, but applicants with strong work experience and high points still have solid opportunities.
Healthcare and tech professions remain priority sectors.
South Australia (Adelaide)
Adelaide still remains one of the better PR pathways for international students despite reduced allocations. Regional preference is still given in some invitation rounds.
Healthcare, aged care, and trades occupations are reportedly receiving strong attention.
Tasmania
Tasmania’s invitations have become much more competitive in 2026 because allocations reduced while demand increased massively. Some reports even showed invitation slowdowns during March 2026.
Students targeting Tasmania now need stronger profiles than before.
Queensland (Brisbane)
Queensland actually received a surprisingly strong subclass 190 allocation this year. Brisbane continues to grow rapidly and remains attractive for students and skilled migrants.
Construction, healthcare, engineering, and education sectors are still seeing demand.
Which Professions Are Australia Prioritizing in 2026?
Australia is mainly prioritizing occupations facing worker shortages.
Some of the strongest occupations currently include:
- Registered Nurses
- Aged Care Workers
- Civil Engineers
- Software Engineers
- ICT Business Analysts
- Teachers
- Construction Managers
- Electricians
- Mechanical Engineers
- Early Childhood Educators
Recent migration pool data also showed huge demand for software engineers, chefs, civil engineers, and mechanical engineers.
What This Means for Nepali Students
A lot of Nepali students still think:
“Go regional → get easy PR.”
But Australia in 2026 is no longer that simple.
Regional pathways still exist, but invitations are now much more selective than before. The government is clearly trying to reduce excessive migration pressure while focusing only on skilled applicants who truly match labour shortages.
This means students now need:
- Better career planning
- Smarter course selection
- Occupations linked to PR demand
- Strong English scores
- Genuine long-term career goals
Final Advice
Do not blindly choose a state just because someone says “PR is easy there.”
The PR system changes every year.
Instead, focus on:
- Your occupation demand
- Your points score
- Work experience
- English proficiency
- Long-term employability
Australia still offers amazing PR opportunities, but the competition in 2026 is much tougher and much smarter than before.
The students who plan strategically today will be the ones receiving invitations tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Question
There is no single “easiest” state anymore. NSW and Victoria have the highest number of nominations, but competition is also the toughest. Queensland is emerging as a balanced option with strong allocations and relatively lower competition compared to Sydney and Melbourne.
Yes, significantly. States like Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia have seen heavy cuts to their 491 regional allocations. Victoria’s 491 spots dropped from around 2,000 to just 700. This means regional pathways now require a much stronger points score and occupation match than before.
Yes, but the approach needs to change. Regional PR is no longer a shortcut it now requires a genuine occupation match, strong English scores, and relevant work experience. Simply studying or living in a regional area is no longer enough to secure an invitation.
There is no fixed minimum, as points cutoffs vary by state and invitation round. However, most competitive states are currently inviting applicants with 85–90+ points. Having 90 or above significantly improves your chances, especially in high-demand states like NSW and Victoria.
Getting a state nomination is only one part of the process. From submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) on SkillSelect to receiving a nomination and lodging your visa application, each step has strict requirements and timelines. Read our complete step-by-step Australia PR application guide to understand exactly what to prepare.
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