Updated on 20 Jan 2026
This is a 5-year points-tested visa which leads to permanent residency and requires nominated skilled workers to be employed and live in regional Queensland.
Nomination pathways
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Skilled workers living in Queensland
Migration Queensland’s minimum nomination requirements are listed in the table below.
Requirement Eligibility Occupation Have an occupation on the Queensland Onshore Skills List.
Note that Chefs and Cooks are unable to apply by working in takeaway or fast-food businesses.
Points Have a score of 65 or higher in the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ points test. English Have at least competent English, according to the Australian Department of Home Affairs definition. Work experience Regional Queensland for the past 6 months for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), or:
This work experience must be:
- After you completed your qualification
- In an occupation that has the same first 3 digits in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code as your nominated occupation
- At least 20 hours per week.
Commitment to living in Queensland Commit to continue living and working in:
Regional Queensland until at least 3 years after the date your Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is granted.
- Skilled workers living outside Australia
| Requirement | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Occupation |
Have an occupation on the Queensland Offshore Skills List. Note that information on employment in Queensland for certain occupations, such as licencing and registration requirements, should be checked on this list. |
| Points | Have a score of 65 or higher in the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ points test. |
| English | Have at least competent English, according to the Australian Department of Home Affairs definition. |
| Work experience | Have at least 1 year’s skilled employment experience in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation. |
| Commitment to living in Queensland |
Commit to continue living and working in: Regional Queensland until at least 3 years after the date your Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is granted. |
| Requirement | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Have an occupation on the Queensland Onshore Skills List that is indicated as included in the building and construction workforce pathway. |
| Points | Have a score of 65 or higher in the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ points test. |
| English | Have at least competent English, according to the Australian Department of Home Affairs definition. |
| Work experience |
Immediately before registering your interest in Queensland nomination, you have been living and working in Queensland for the past 3 months. This work experience must be:
|
| Commitment to living in Queensland | Commit to continue living and working in Queensland's for at least 3 years |
| Requirement | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Have an occupation on the Queensland Onshore Skills List. |
| Points | Have a score of 65 or higher in the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ points test. |
| English | Have at least competent English, according to the Australian Department of Home Affairs definition. |
| Study |
You have:
Your Queensland degree does not have to be related to your nominated occupation. |
| Work experience | Regional Queensland for the past 6 months for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) |
| Commitment to living in Queensland | Commit to continue living and working in Queensland's for at least 3 years |
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Small business owners in regional Queensland (subclass 491 only).
If you are a migrant currently living in and operating a small business in regional Queensland, that you either purchased or started before 19 September 2025, this pathway may provide you an option for Queensland nomination. The 491 Small Business Owner (491 SBO) stream has two different pathways. You need to meet the criteria for either Pathway 1 or Pathway 2 .
Pathway 1 – Business purchase: To be eligible for Pathway 1, you must purchase an existing registered business outside of South East Queensland for a minimum of $100,000 and employ at least 1 Australian resident. Only submit your Registration of Interest (ROI) once you meet all program requirements.
Pathway 2 – Start-up business: To be eligible for Pathway 2, you must have started your own business and have continuously run that business for a minimum of 2 years. Only submit your Registration of Interest (ROI) once your business is generating a profit and has a turnover of at least $200,000 in the twelve months prior to submitting.
Eligible Postcodes
As part of your visa conditions, you and your dependants must live, work and study in a regional area. Pathway 1 – Business purchase
Businesses purchased after 14 September 2024 (date of contract) must be located in one of the following eligible postcodes:
4370-4390, 4400-4428, 4454-4498, 4570-4571, 4580-4895.
If you signed your contract of business purchase before 14 September 2024, then the full list of 491 regional postcodes is eligible:
4019–4022, 4025, 4037, 4074, 4076–4078, 4124–4125, 4133, 4183–4184, 4207–4275, 4280–4287, 4300–4301, 4303–4498, 4500–4512, 4514–4519, 4521, 4550–4575, 4580–4895.
Pathway 2 – Start-up business
Eligible postcodes include:
4019–4022, 4025, 4037, 4074, 4076–4078, 4124–4125, 4133, 4183–4184, 4207–4275, 4280–4287, 4300–4301, 4303–4498, 4500–4512, 4514–4519, 4521, 4550–4575, 4580–4895.
Contact Details:
Business and Skilled Migration Queensland (BSMQ)
Postal Address:
PO Box 15168
Brisbane City East QLD 4002
Street Address:
Level 8
111 George Street
Brisbane
C/- Decipha
2 Duncan Street
West End
Phone: (07) 3514 3013
Office Hours
9AM – 4PM AEST (GMT +10)
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