Queensland 2026–27 nomination: ROIs open 6 November and onshore applicants need an ATO NOA

Queensland has published its 2026–27 State Nominated Migration Program pathways, occupation lists and evidence requirements. Registrations of Interest open on 6 November 2026; publication of the program does not mean applicants can already lodge an ROI.

A key evidence point applies to onshore candidates. Before lodging an ROI, they must have lodged the 2025–26 tax return and received the ATO Notice of Assessment. A tax return receipt, accountant's draft or a return still awaiting assessment should not be described as satisfying that requirement.

1. What is published and what is not yet open

Only one valid ROI can be held at a time and an ROI cannot be edited after submission. If occupation, location, employment, points or subclass information changes, a new ROI may be required. Where multiple ROIs are submitted, Queensland considers only the latest.

2. General onshore pathway: 9 of 12 months for 190 and 6 of 9 for 491

The requirement must continue at ROI, invitation and nomination. Casual employment is accepted and multiple eligible jobs may be combined, but each job still needs to satisfy the occupational relationship, paid-hours and employer-location settings.

Queensland also states that it will not nominate an applicant for 190 if the person has been nominated for, applied for or holds a Queensland 491 or 489. Federal occupation access does not by itself establish Queensland 190 access for that person.

3. Offshore pathway: one year of eligible skilled employment in the last three

At ROI, an offshore candidate needs at least one year of employment in the nominated occupation or a closely related occupation sharing the first three ANZSCO digits within the previous three years. It must be post-qualification and at least 20 hours weekly. Casual and multiple eligible jobs may be combined.

The current page does not require the applicant to remain employed in the occupation at ROI, invitation or nomination. The one-year history must still be true, declared in the EOI and supported by evidence.

4. Queensland graduates: separate state employment and federal points questions

5. Construction pathway: three continuous months, but occupation coverage matters

An occupation included in Queensland's Building and Construction Workers pathway may use three continuous months of Queensland residence and employment before ROI for either 190 or 491. The work remains post-qualification, at least 20 paid hours weekly and in the nominated or first-three-digit related occupation.

Queensland aims to consider eligible construction candidates for 190 where possible. Candidates who are not eligible for 190, including 491-only occupations, may be considered for 491. A construction employer or worksite does not replace checking that the occupation is marked for this pathway on the Onshore Skills List.

6. Regional small-business pathway: purchase closed, narrow start-up transition remains

Businesses started after 19 September 2025 are ineligible under this transition, and those started before 1 June 2024 are no longer eligible. The business must be in an eligible regional area, wholly owned by the applicant or jointly only with a spouse or de facto partner, and continue until at least three years after 491 grant. Passive, home-based, virtual-office, daigou and some agency businesses are excluded.

7. Queensland does not simply rank every EOI by total points

The 65-point threshold and Competent English are baseline requirements, not Queensland invitation cut-offs. Queensland may consider skills and qualifications, employment history, salary and ongoing employability, work location, age, English, partner skills and English, and workforce shortages—particularly in regional, rural and remote areas.

Another person's invitation score or a single reported case is not a universal cut-off. Occupation-list inclusion indicates possible list access, not full personal eligibility, competitiveness or a guaranteed invitation.

8. Preparation before 6 November

1. Identify the pathway, occupation list and available 190 or 491 subclass.
2. Check occupation, points, employment, location and subclass in SkillSelect against the intended ROI.
3. For an onshore application, obtain the 2025–26 ATO Notice of Assessment rather than relying on a pending return.
4. Prepare the assessment, English, residence evidence, contracts, Statements of Service, payslips and employer-location evidence.
5. Graduates also check qualification, 100% Queensland study, completion date and work skill level; SBO candidates check start date, profit, turnover and ownership.
6. Prepare for the 14-calendar-day evidence window after invitation instead of planning to create core documents later.

Frequently asked questions

Are ROIs open now?

No. The official announcement says they open on 6 November 2026. Preparation can begin now, but publication is not the opening date.

I lodged my tax return but the NOA is pending. Can I lodge the ROI?

The onshore requirement says the return must be lodged and the 2025–26 ATO NOA received before ROI. A pending NOA or accountant's draft is not the stated document.

Can an offshore applicant lodge if not currently employed?

Current employment at ROI, invitation or nomination is not listed as mandatory, but at least one year of qualifying skilled work in the last three years must be genuine, declared and supported, together with every other requirement.

Can Skill Level 1 work used for the graduate pathway also earn EOI work points?

Not automatically. The Queensland employment-period rule and federal EOI skilled-employment points are separate tests. Unrelated work does not become points-eligible merely because it is Skill Level 1.

Does an earlier ROI improve invitation prospects?

Queensland describes competitive selection rather than a simple first-in queue. Consistency and evidence are more important than rushing an unsupported ROI.

Want to review your Queensland evidence before 6 November?

Contact XIVisa on WeChat at xivisa1 with your current location, visa and expiry date, nominated occupation and ANZSCO code, assessment, English, EOI points, Queensland residence and work periods, and whether the 2025–26 ATO NOA has been received. We can help organise the general pathway, evidence and timeline. There is no need to send passport details in the first message, and invitations, nomination or visa outcomes are not guaranteed. This article is general information and not individual immigration advice.