Which Australian State Is Easiest to Get Nominated By for My Occupation?

This is one of the most common questions British applicants ask, and the honest answer is that there is no single state that is easiest for everyone. State nomination is competitive, occupation-specific, and affected by each state’s own migration priorities at the time you apply.

At Skyline Migration Lawyers, we usually caution clients against choosing a state first and an occupation second. The better approach is to see where your occupation is genuinely in demand and where your profile best fits the current program settings.

How state nomination works

The 190 and 491 visas can both involve nomination by an Australian state or territory. In return, you receive extra points, and that can make a critical difference to whether you are invited. States are generally looking for people whose skills support their labour market needs and broader population goals. [web:34][web:35][web:39]

Each state runs its own program and sets its own criteria. That means the easiest state for an engineer may be different from the easiest state for an accountant, a healthcare worker, or a tech professional.

What states look at

States may consider your occupation, points score, English level, years of experience, current location, work history, study history, and sometimes whether you already live in the state or are willing to relocate there.

Some states also focus heavily on applicants already living and working locally, while others are more open to offshore candidates where the occupation is in strong demand.

Why “easiest” is the wrong question

A better question is which state gives you the strongest realistic chance of nomination based on your profile. The state that looks simplest on the surface may not be the one where your occupation is actually prioritised.

The right strategy is usually to compare states against your own profile, then narrow the options to those that fit your occupation, points position, and location flexibility.

What we usually recommend

For clients, we normally look at the current occupation lists, the state’s eligibility rules, and the likely demand for the applicant’s occupation before suggesting a nomination strategy. That is the only sensible way to approach state nomination because the criteria change and the competitive landscape can shift quickly.

If you are open to regional Australia, your options may widen further because the 491 can sometimes be more accessible than a metro-focused 190 pathway.