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Which Australian State Offers the Easiest PR Pathway for Indian Applicants? (2026 Guide)
For Indian applicants in 2026, Tasmania and South Australia are the easiest Australian states to get PR through state nomination. Tasmania reopened its 2026–27 program on 17 August 2026 with 2,050 nomination places and a lower effective points cutoff than NSW or Victoria. South Australia follows closely for health, engineering and trades occupations. Victoria has reopened for Subclass 190 ROIs but with a much smaller allocation, and NSW has places but is the most competitive.
What “easiest state for PR” really means?
Most Indian applicants treat “easiest state” as a fixed ranking. It isn’t. Each of Australia’s 8 states and territories runs its own nomination program, with its own occupation list, points cutoff, residency requirement and annual quota. The “easiest” state for an Indian software engineer with 85 points is not the easiest state for an Indian registered nurse with 70 points.
A state is “easiest” for you when three things line up:
- Your occupation is on that state’s current nomination list (not just the national MLTSSL).
- Your effective points score meets or beats the state’s recent cutoff.
- You can meet the state’s commitment conditions, usually 2 years living and working in the nominated state after PR.
Everything else, including processing speed, allocation size and English score, is secondary.
Australian state nomination at a glance: 2026 comparison for Indian applicants
| State / Territory | 190 Places (2026–27) | 491 Places | Program Status | Difficulty for Indians | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tasmania (TAS) | 1,250 | 800 | Open (17 Aug 2026) | Easiest | TAS graduates; trades; healthcare |
| South Australia (SA) | ~1,350 | ~900 | Awaiting 2026–27 reopen | Easy | Health, engineering, trades |
| Northern Territory (NT) | Low | Low | Open | Easy for niche roles | NT graduates; regional work |
| ACT (Canberra) | Medium | Medium | Open (Matrix system) | Moderate | ACT residents; IT |
| Western Australia (WA) | Medium–high | Medium | Open | Moderate | Mining, engineering, healthcare |
| Queensland (QLD) | Medium | Medium | Open with conditions | Moderate | Teachers, health, trades |
| Victoria (VIC) | ~900 | Not yet confirmed | 190 ROIs open; 491 awaiting allocation | Hard | Healthcare, IT, priority industries |
| New South Wales (NSW) | High (~3,600) | High | Open but competitive | Hard | IT, finance (very high points) |
Why Tasmania is currently the easiest state for Indian PR applicants
Tasmania’s 2026–27 Skilled Migration Program opened on 17 August 2026, with the first invitation round on 20 August 2026. The state received 2,050 nomination places: 1,250 for Subclass 190 (PR) and 800 for Subclass 491 (regional provisional).
Three reasons Tasmania is winning in 2026:
- Allocation went up. Tasmania’s places increased from 1,850 (2025–26) to 2,050 (2026–27), while the national total shrank from 26,260 to 20,350. Tasmania got a bigger slice of a smaller pie.
- Tasmania uses a priority scoring system (Green / Orange / Gold Pass) that is separate from the federal points test. The state ranks ROIs internally, and your federal points become relevant only after Tasmania issues an invitation. This means you can get nominated without the 90+ points you’d need for NSW.
- Costs are predictable. Submitting a Registration of Interest (ROI) is free, and the 2026–27 nomination fee is AUD 387 (AUD 425.70 inc. GST).
Real applicant data from Tasmania’s weekly rounds
Rather than rely on hearsay, here is what Migration Tasmania’s own published invitation rounds show in 2026:
- 20 August 2026 round: 67 Subclass 190 candidates invited, lowest invited score 580 points (Tasmania’s internal Green Pass score, not federal 190 points).
- 3 September 2026 round: Invitations across both 190 and 491 streams, with Green Pass thresholds dropping as the state issues weekly rounds through the year.
- 29 October 2026 round: 90 invitations, lowest invited score 316 points (internal), with 873 Subclass 190 places still remaining. Tasmania had not run out at the start of November 2026.
For an Indian applicant with federal points of 65–75, Tasmania is often the only state where that score becomes viable.
Tasmania downside you should know
If you accept a 491 nomination from Tasmania, you cannot later apply for a 190 nomination from Tasmania. Choose carefully. Also note that Tasmania will not run the Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles – Invitation Only Pathway in 2026–27.
South Australia: the second easiest state for Indian PR
South Australia nominated 2,250 skilled migrants in 2025–26 (1,350 × 190 and 900 × 491). That program closed on 2 June 2026, and the 2026–27 allocations are being refreshed. SA has historically been generous to:
- Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses, GPs, Medical Practitioners
- Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers
- Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers, Chefs
- ICT occupations (with English and work experience conditions)
In January 2026, SA issued 235 invitations for 190 and 109 for 491 in a single round. For Indian applicants in healthcare and engineering, these are the strongest numbers of any state outside Tasmania.
India specific advantage with SA: SA’s Talented and Prosperous International Graduate and Outer Regional Skilled Employment streams reward Indian international graduates who studied in Adelaide or worked in regional SA, a route many Indian students in Adelaide use.
Official source: Check live stream status on the South Australian Government’s skilled migration portal.
ACT, NT, WA, QLD: the mid-tier for Indian applicants
- ACT (Canberra) uses the Canberra Matrix, a points based system weighted toward applicants already living and working in Canberra. If you’re an Indian graduate who studied at ANU or UC, ACT is strong. Cold applying from India is harder.
- Northern Territory (NT) is excellent for Indian applicants with trades, hospitality or healthcare occupations who are willing to commit to Darwin or Alice Springs for 3+ years.
- Western Australia (WA) has deep demand in mining, engineering, nursing and construction. Indian engineers (civil, mining, electrical) often clear WA faster than NSW. WA requires evidence of settlement capacity and, for some streams, a job offer.
- Queensland (QLD) nominates teachers, healthcare workers and selected trades. Living in regional QLD helps. Brisbane only applicants face more competition.
Why NSW and Victoria are NOT easy, even if they look attractive to Indian applicants
Indian applicants often target Sydney and Melbourne first because that’s where family, networks and jobs are. Reality check for 2026:
- Victoria has reopened for Subclass 190 ROIs in its 2026–27 program, but with an allocation of roughly 900 places, far below the 2,700 it had for the 190 in 2025–26. It ranks ROIs on its own Victorian Points Test rather than your federal points, and it now charges fees (AUD 60 for an ROI and AUD 180 for a nomination application, both excluding GST). Subclass 491 ROIs are not open yet. Check the official Live in Melbourne site for the latest status.
- NSW is open with ~3,600 nomination places, but invitation scores in recent rounds have been 85+ federal points for IT and engineering, a bar most Indian applicants under 33 with IELTS 7 cannot clear without 3+ years of Australian experience.
If you’re set on Sydney or Melbourne, the practical path is: get PR via Tasmania or SA, then relocate after your 2 year moral commitment ends.
Which state should an Indian applicant actually pick? A decision guide
- Is your occupation on Tasmania’s 2026–27 list? Start a Tasmania ROI first. Lowest effective threshold.
- Are you a nurse, GP, engineer or trades person? Add South Australia (track their 2026–27 reopening).
- Did you study in Australia? Pick the state where you studied. State graduate streams usually have the lowest bar.
- Is your occupation on Victoria’s priority list and do you score well on the Victorian Points Test? Submit a 190 ROI now, but treat it as a bonus option because the allocation is small.
- Do you have 85+ federal points, strong English (PTE 79+) and an ICT or finance occupation? NSW becomes realistic.
- Are you willing to live regionally for 3 years? Add 491 pathways in TAS, SA, NT or regional QLD/WA. The 491 gives 15 bonus points vs. 5 for the 190.
- Points below 65? Fix the inputs first (English, skills assessment, partner points, Professional Year) before chasing nomination.
Compare the exact state obligations with your long term plan on our pillar page: How long do you have to live in Australia to get PR?
Step by step: how an Indian applicant gets state nomination in 2026
- Confirm your occupation. Match your ANZSCO code to the state occupation list, not just the national list.
- Get your skills assessment from the right authority: ACS for ICT, Engineers Australia for engineering, AHPRA / ANMAC for healthcare, VETASSESS for most other roles.
- Score your English. PTE Academic is the fastest option for Indian applicants. Aim for 65+ (Proficient) at minimum and 79+ (Superior) for 20 points.
- Calculate federal points honestly. Age (max 30), English (max 20), work experience (max 20), education (max 20), partner (max 10), state nomination (5 for 190, 15 for 491).
- Submit an EOI in SkillSelect with the state(s) you want to be considered by.
- Submit a state ROI or application on the state’s own portal.
- Wait for a state invitation. If invited, submit the full nomination application within the deadline (usually 14 days).
- State nomination approved. You now get 5 or 15 extra points, which triggers your SkillSelect invitation from Home Affairs.
- Apply for the 190 / 491 visa within 60 days of the SkillSelect invitation. Pay the government fee (approx. AUD 4,765 for the primary applicant).
- Visa grant typically comes 6–14 months after visa lodgement for the 190, and the 491 is often faster.
For Subclass 190 specifics, see our 190 Visa Australia 2026 guide. For 189, see our Skilled Independent 189 Visa guide.
Common mistakes Indian applicants make with state nomination
- Treating the state list and the national list as the same. They’re not. Your ANZSCO code can be on MLTSSL but not on a state’s current list.
- Submitting EOIs to every state at once without reading commitment clauses. States check this and may reject applicants they see as shopping around.
- Choosing 491 just for the 15 points, without planning for 3 years of regional living. The 491 is a 5 year visa, and if you miss the regional earnings threshold you lose the pathway to 191.
- Taking the IELTS score once and stopping. Retaking PTE for Superior English (20 points) is often cheaper and faster than any other points lever.
- Trusting unofficial screenshots over official state portals. State occupation lists and program status change mid year, as Victoria’s reopening shows.
- Reusing an old Victorian ROI. ROIs from earlier program years have expired, so you must submit a new one for 2026–27.
- Delaying the skills assessment. ACS and Engineers Australia can take 8–12 weeks. Start before your English test, not after.
FAQ: easiest state for Australia PR (for Indian applicants)
1. Which state charges the lowest nomination fee for Indian applicants?
Fees vary by state and change each program year. Tasmania charges nothing to submit an ROI and AUD 387 for nomination in 2026–27. Victoria now charges AUD 60 for an ROI and AUD 180 for a nomination application (both excluding GST). Federal visa fees (about AUD 4,765 for the primary applicant) are set by Home Affairs and don’t change between states.
2. Can I get PR in Australia from India without ever living there first?
Yes. If you qualify for Subclass 189 or 190, you get PR directly on arrival. The 491 regional visa, however, requires 3 years of regional living before you can apply for the permanent 191.
3. Does Tasmania really invite applicants with 65 federal points?
Tasmania uses its own internal priority score, not your federal 65. If you rank well on Tasmania’s Green Pass (strong local ties, in demand occupation, English), you can be invited with 65 federal points, then get 5 bonus points for the 190 or 15 for the 491.
4. Which state is best for Indian software engineers and IT professionals?
In 2026, Tasmania and South Australia are easier entry points. NSW historically favoured IT but now requires very high points, and Victoria has only a small 190 allocation with its own ranking system. Western Australia is a strong backup for Indian IT professionals.
5. Can an Indian student in Australia apply directly for state nomination after graduation?
Yes. Most states have graduate streams. Studying in Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin or Canberra significantly increases your nomination chances versus Melbourne or Sydney.
6. How long does state nomination take for Indian applicants?
From submitting an ROI to receiving nomination it typically takes 4–12 weeks, depending on the state. From nomination approval to PR visa grant it takes another 6–14 months for the 190, and it is faster for the 491.
7. Is Victoria open for Indian applicants in 2026–27?
Partly. Victoria has opened Registrations of Interest for the Subclass 190 in its 2026–27 program, and offshore applicants can be considered. Subclass 491 allocations were not yet confirmed at the time of writing. The allocation for the 190 is small, so competition is high. Check the official Live in Melbourne website before you apply.
8. Do old Victorian ROIs still count in 2026–27?
No. ROIs submitted in earlier program years have expired. If you want to be considered for Victorian nomination in 2026–27, you must log in to the Live in Melbourne portal and submit a new ROI.
9. What is the difference between the 190 and 491 visas for Indian applicants?
The 190 is a permanent visa from day one and adds 5 points for state nomination. The 491 is a 5 year provisional regional visa that adds 15 points, but you must live and work in a designated regional area and meet the income requirement for 3 years before you can apply for the permanent 191.
10. How many points do I need for state nomination?
The federal minimum for points tested skilled visas is 65, and that total includes the state nomination points. So you need about 60 points before nomination for the 190, and about 50 for the 491. States also apply their own cutoffs and ranking systems, so a higher score and a strong occupation match improve your chances.
11. Which state is best for Indian nurses and healthcare workers?
South Australia and Tasmania have historically been the most welcoming to registered nurses, enrolled nurses and doctors, with Queensland and Western Australia also nominating healthcare roles. Victoria has prioritised health occupations for the 491. You will need registration with the relevant Australian body (AHPRA / ANMAC) before nomination in most cases.
12. Can I apply to more than one state at the same time?
You can register interest with more than one state, but you can accept only one nomination. Each state has its own commitment rules, and some check whether you are serious about living there. Apply only where you would genuinely be willing to live and work.
13. How long must I stay in the nominating state after getting PR?
Most states expect a moral commitment of about 2 years of living and working in the state after your visa is granted. For the 491, you need to live and work in a designated regional area for 3 years to qualify for the 191. Breaking these commitments can affect future visa and citizenship applications.
14. Do I need a job offer to get state nomination?
Not always. Many streams, especially for in demand occupations, don’t require a job offer. Some states and streams, such as certain Western Australia and Northern Territory pathways, ask for a job offer or give priority to applicants who have one. Check the specific stream you plan to use.
15. Is it better to wait for a 189 invitation instead of chasing state nomination?
For most Indian applicants with 65–80 points, state nomination is the more realistic route. The 189 does not need a state sponsor, but invitation scores in recent rounds have generally been well above the 65 minimum. You can keep an EOI active for the 189 while you pursue a state nomination at the same time.
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Mr. Suman Prem is the Founder and CEO of GIEC Global India, an international education and immigration consultancy serving students, skilled professionals, and families across India. With experience in the education and migration industry, he leads the organisation in helping individuals explore international study opportunities, student visas, skilled migration, permanent residency (PR), and other immigration pathways.
Under his leadership, GIEC Global has developed a presence across multiple international destinations, supporting clients with overseas university admissions, education counselling, visa guidance, and immigration services. The organisation focuses on providing personalised guidance, transparent communication, and professional support to help clients make informed decisions about their international education and migration goals.
