If you’ve started researching skilled migration to Australia, you’ve probably asked yourself which Australian state is best for your occupation It’s a natural place to start but it’s also the question most likely to send you down the wrong path.

There is no single “easiest” or “best” state for everyone. What actually matters is whether your occupation, skills assessment, points score, English level and work history line up with what a particular state or territory is currently prioritising. An occupation with almost no opportunities through the national list can still have a genuine pathway through a specific state or territory program and the reverse is true too. The goal of this guide isn’t to hand you a shortcut. It’s to help you understand how to identify the state that’s genuinely the best fit for your profile, and how to verify that fit before you invest time in an application.

Why Your Occupation Matters for State Nomination

Every Australian state and territory runs its own nomination program alongside the national occupation lists and 2026–27 program allocations. At the federal level, the Department of Home Affairs maintains the core skills lists including the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and, more recently, the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) framework that several states now reference when setting their own priorities.

States and territories then layer their own criteria on top. A state will typically publish its own occupation list often expressed at the ANZSCO unit group level along with specific requirements around:

• current sector shortages and priority industries for that state
• whether the pathway is open to offshore applicants, onshore applicants, or both
• minimum work experience in the nominated (or a closely related) occupation
• residency or employment history within that state
• points test thresholds above the national minimum
• whether nomination places for that occupation have already been filled for the program year

This is why the same occupation can be wide open in one state and closed in another during the same month. A Civil Engineer might find strong opportunities in one jurisdiction focused on infrastructure, while a neighbouring state has already reached its allocation for that unit group. None of this is static it moves throughout the program year, which is exactly why relying on a list you found six months ago is one of the most common (and avoidable) mistakes skilled migrants make.

Which Australian State Is Best for Your Occupation?

Rather than ranking states, it’s more useful to look at how demand tends to cluster by occupation category while remembering that current criteria always need to be verified before you act.

Healthcare

Nurses, doctors, aged care and disability support workers, allied health professionals and medical imaging specialists are consistently represented on multiple state occupation lists, reflecting genuine, persistent workforce shortages across metropolitan and regional Australia. Because healthcare shortages tend to be widespread rather than concentrated in one place, healthcare professionals often have more flexibility to compare several states rather than being tied to just one. Registration and accreditation requirements (through AHPRA or the relevant body) still apply regardless of which state nominates you, so that step should be confirmed early.

IT & Technology

Software engineers, ICT business analysts, cybersecurity specialists and developers remain firmly represented on the national MLTSSL and feature heavily in state programs targeting digital economy growth. Some states run priority sector lists specifically for technology and cybersecurity roles, while others assess ICT occupations against broader economic priorities. Because ACS (the Australian Computer Society) is the mandatory assessing authority for most ICT occupations, getting that skills assessment sorted early is a practical first step regardless of which state you’re considering. Our breakdown of how ICT Business Analysts compare across states at 75 points is a useful example of just how differently the same occupation can perform state to state.

Engineering

Civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and mining engineers tend to track state infrastructure and resources investment cycles. A state investing heavily in transport or energy infrastructure may prioritise civil or electrical engineering occupations, while a resource-focused state may lean toward mining and mechanical engineering. Engineers Australia is the relevant assessing authority for most engineering occupations, and demand can shift meaningfully year to year as major projects move through planning and construction phases.

Education

Early childhood, primary and secondary teachers appear on several state lists, particularly where regional and outer-metropolitan schools face recruitment challenges. Some states prioritise specific teaching specialisations (such as STEM or special education) over general primary teaching, so checking the exact unit group and any subject-specific notes is important rather than assuming “teacher” is automatically eligible.

Trades

Electricians, plumbers, welders, motor mechanics and other construction-related trades are well represented, particularly under regional (491) pathways, where several states extend trade occupations further than they do under their metropolitan 190 lists. Trades often carry licensing requirements specific to the state you intend to work in, on top of the skills assessment — worth factoring into your research from the outset.

Occupation-to-State Comparison

The table below is a starting framework, not a guarantee. Use it to identify which jurisdictions are worth investigating for your occupation category, then verify current eligibility on official state and territory sources before proceeding.

This table reflects general patterns only. Occupation eligibility, allocation numbers and pathway availability change throughout the program year This table reflects general patterns only. Occupation eligibility, allocation numbers and pathway availability change throughout the program year always confirm directly with the relevant state or territory government before submitting an Expression of Interest or Registration of Interest. For a sense of how quickly individual state lists can shift, see our coverage of NSW’s 190 program changes for accountants and Victoria’s 190 priority occupations for 2026 — both illustrate why a state that suits one occupation this quarter may not suit it the next.always confirm directly with the relevant state or territory government before submitting an Expression of Interest or Registration of Interest.

Infographic 2 placement — Occupation-to-State Matrix (see Section 9)

State Nomination vs National Skilled Migration

It helps to understand how state nomination fits into the wider skilled migration picture. Australia’s General Skilled Migration program is built around three main points-tested pathways, and our skilled migration program overview covering the 189, 190 and 491 visas covers this in depth but here’s the short version:

• Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent): No state or territory nomination required. Your occupation must be on the national MLTSSL, and you compete purely on points.
• Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated): Requires nomination from a state or territory, which adds 5 points to your score. You commit to living and working in the nominating state, generally for at least the first two years.
• Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional): A provisional visa requiring nomination by a state/territory or sponsorship by an eligible regional relative. It adds 15 points and requires living and working in a designated regional area, with a pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa after meeting the relevant conditions.

If your occupation isn’t competitive enough for an independent 189 invitation, state nomination through the 190 or 491 can be the difference between a realistic pathway and an indefinite wait.

How to Find Out Which State Can Nominate Your Occupation

This is where theory turns into action. Work through these steps in order:

1. Identify your ANZSCO occupation and confirm the exact 6-digit code, not just the general job title.
2. Confirm your skills assessment requirements with the relevant assessing authority for that occupation.
3. Check the current state and territory occupation lists not a list from a previous program year.
4. Review state-specific eligibility criteria, including any additional conditions attached to your unit group.
5. Check whether work experience is required, and in which occupation specifically.
6. Check English and points requirements, since some states set thresholds above the national minimum.
7. Check residence or employment conditions, particularly whether the pathway is open to offshore applicants.
8. Check whether the relevant pathway is currently open state programs pause and reopen throughout the year as allocations are used.
9. Compare your profile against the state’s current priorities, not just whether your occupation technically appears on a list.
10. Recheck the official criteria immediately before proceeding with an Expression of Interest or Registration of Interest.

Our SkillSelect and Expression of Interest guide can help with step 8, and our points calculators for the subclass 189, subclass 190 and subclass 491 visas can help with steps 6 and 9.

Can My Occupation Be Nominated by More Than One State?

Yes in principle, your occupation can appear on more than one state or territory’s list at the same time. But eligibility in one jurisdiction does not automatically transfer to another. Each state applies its own conditions around residency, employment history, allocation numbers and current priorities, so an occupation that’s wide open in one state might carry extra conditions or be closed entirely in another. Treat each state as a separate assessment rather than assuming a “yes” in one place means a “yes” everywhere.

Do Australian State Occupation Lists Change Often?

Yes, and often more frequently than applicants expect. Lists and criteria shift because of:

• labour market demand and shortage data
• annual migration allocations set for each state and territory
• state and federal government policy priorities
• broader changes to national skilled migration settings
• sector-specific shortages easing or intensifying

Some states update lists once per program year; others make interim adjustments when allocations fill faster than expected or new shortages emerge. This is exactly why checking current, official information not a blog post or forum thread from last year — matters so much.

What If My Occupation Isn’t on Any State List?

It’s frustrating, but it isn’t necessarily the end of the road. Consider:

• whether your occupation is eligible under the national 189 pathway, independent of state nomination
• whether a different state or territory’s criteria might apply, even if your current shortlist doesn’t include it
• whether your occupation classification has changed or been reviewed recently ANZSCO codes and eligible unit groups are periodically updated
• reviewing future program updates, since lists are refreshed regularly
• seeking professional advice where your situation involves multiple qualifications, career changes, or an occupation that’s difficult to classify

What we don’t recommend is trying to select a different occupation code purely to become eligible. Your nominated occupation must genuinely reflect your skills, qualifications and work history — assessing authorities and the Department of Home Affairs scrutinise this closely.

Does State Nomination Lock Me Into That State Permanently?

Not permanently, but it does come with obligations you should take seriously. A subclass 190 nomination typically involves a commitment to live and work in the nominating state for a defined period after grant — commonly around two years — while a subclass 491 visa carries its own regional residence and work requirements tied to the pathway to permanent residency. These are different from a strict legal restriction that prevents you from ever moving. Because the detail varies by visa condition and by state expectation, this is an area where you should review the current Department of Home Affairs visa conditions and the relevant state’s nomination undertaking directly, rather than relying on general assumptions.

Which State Is Easiest to Get Nomination From?

This is the wrong question, even though it’s the one most people search for. There is no universally “easiest” state — what looks easy for one applicant’s profile can be genuinely difficult for another’s. Best-fit depends on a combination of:

• your occupation and its current demand
• your points score
• your work experience and how recently it was gained
• your English test results
• your age
• your current or intended employment
• whether you’re open to state residence requirements
• the state’s current demand for your specific occupation
• current nomination criteria and points thresholds
• whether the relevant pathway is open right now

Not sure which state nomination pathway fits your occupation and profile? DMS Migration can help you assess your options and understand which pathways may be worth considering. Book a consultation with DMS Migration.

How Do I Know Which State to Apply To?

A simple framework can cut through the noise:

Occupation → Skills Assessment → State Eligibility → State Demand → Personal Profile → Current Invitation/Nomination Conditions → Best-Fit Pathway

Start with your occupation and get your skills assessment sorted first — nothing else can be confirmed without it. From there, check which states currently list your occupation, then narrow further based on real demand signals (not just presence on a list). Layer your personal profile — points, English, experience, willingness to relocate — over the top, and finally check the live invitation and nomination conditions before committing to a state. This sequence avoids the most common mistake: falling in love with a state before confirming your occupation is genuinely competitive there.

Choosing a state for your skilled migration application is rarely about finding the “easiest” option. It’s about matching your occupation, skills assessment, experience and personal circumstances against what a specific state or territory needs right now — and being willing to revisit that assessment as programs open, close and evolve throughout the year.

FAQ Section

Can my occupation be nominated by more than one state? Yes, your occupation can appear on more than one state or territory’s list at the same time. However, eligibility in one state doesn’t automatically apply in another — each jurisdiction sets its own residency, experience and allocation conditions, so each state needs to be checked and assessed separately.

Do Australian state occupation lists change often? Yes. Lists and criteria are reviewed regularly and can change due to labour market shortages, annual allocation numbers, government policy priorities and sector-specific demand. Some states update once a year; others adjust mid-year. Always check the current official list rather than one referenced in an older article.

What if my occupation isn’t on any state list? Check whether you’re eligible under the national subclass 189 pathway, review whether other states’ criteria might apply, and confirm your ANZSCO classification is current. Lists are refreshed periodically, so an occupation excluded today may be reviewed in future updates. Avoid selecting a different occupation code purely to gain eligibility — your nominated occupation must genuinely reflect your skills and experience.

Does state nomination lock me into that state permanently? Not permanently, but it does carry obligations. A subclass 190 nomination typically involves a residence and work commitment in the nominating state for a defined period, while a subclass 491 has its own regional residence conditions tied to the pathway to permanent residency. Review the current Department of Home Affairs visa conditions and the specific state’s nomination undertaking for exact detail.

How do I check whether my occupation is currently eligible? Confirm your exact ANZSCO occupation code, obtain (or check the validity of) your skills assessment, and cross-reference the current occupation lists published by the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant state or territory government. Because lists change, this should be checked immediately before you submit an Expression of Interest or Registration of Interest.

Which state is easiest to get nomination in Australia? There’s no universally “easiest” state. Ease depends on your occupation, points score, experience, English results, age, employment situation and how closely your profile matches a state’s current priorities and nomination conditions at the time you apply.

How do I know which state to apply to? Work through this sequence: identify your occupation, complete your skills assessment, check which states currently list that occupation, assess real demand (not just list presence), compare against your personal profile, and confirm current invitation and nomination conditions before committing to a pathway.

Conclusion

Working out which Australian state genuinely fits your occupation, points and personal circumstances can feel like solving a moving puzzle because in many ways, it is one. DMS Migration is a MARA-registered agency that helps skilled professionals assess their occupation against current state nomination criteria, understand which visa pathway realistically suits their profile, and avoid the common mistakes that come from relying on outdated lists. If you’d like clarity on your specific situation, contact DMS Migration for a personalised assessment. We can’t guarantee a nomination, an invitation or a visa outcome but we can help you understand your options with accurate, current information.

Amitava Deb

• Amitava is a gold medallist from India’s premier technical institute, IIT Kharagpur.
• He has worked with some of the world’s top companies such as Sony Australia Pty. Ltd., Siemens AG Germany, Clarity International Ltd., Reliance Communications and Optus Sydney.
• Amitava is a Chartered Professional Engineer accredited by Engineers Australia. He is a full member of this esteemed association.
• He is a member of the Australian Computer Society, Tele Management Forum and Worldwide Institute of Software Architects.
• Amitava is a well-recognised name in the ICT Professional Community in Australia.