QLD

Queensland nomination

Queensland has historically been one of the more approachable programs, nominating across a broad range of professional and trade occupations, and it usually opens earlier in the program year than the southern states.

What connection they want

Queensland has run distinct streams for people already working in Queensland, for graduates of Queensland institutions, and for offshore applicants in shortage occupations - each with different evidence requirements.

How the program behaves

Because the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast count as regional, Queensland is one of the easier places to satisfy a regional commitment without moving somewhere genuinely remote.
Queensland has at times required a job offer for particular streams, and at other times not. Check the stream, not the state.

Watch for thisQueensland opening early is an advantage only if you are ready. Skills assessment and English test in hand before the program opens is the difference between applying and watching.

Subclass 190: Yes
Subclass 491: Yes
Nomination points: 190: +5 / 491: +15
Regional coverage: Regional Queensland is everything outside Greater Brisbane - including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Program year: 2026-27

Official QLD program site →

Current occupation lists, thresholds and opening dates live there, not here. Check it before you act on anything.

Regional postcodes in QLD

These are the designated regional area postcodes for Queensland, as published by the Department of Home Affairs. Category 2 and Category 3 are both regional; anything not listed is Category 1 and attracts no regional concessions.

Category	Postcodes
Category 2 Cities and major regional centres	4019–4022, 4025, 4037, 4074, 4076–4078, 4207–4275, 4300–4301, 4303–4305, 4500–4506, 4508–4512, 4514–4516, 4517–4519, 4521, 4550–4551, 4553–4562, 4564–4569, 4571–4575
Category 3 Regional centres and other regional areas	4124–4125, 4133, 4183–4184, 4280–4287, 4306–4498, 4507, 4552, 4563, 4570, 4580–4895

Brisbane postcodes are Category 1 and are not regional. Some Queensland Category 2 postcodes do not apply to visas granted before 5 March 2022.

Is your postcode regional?

Check any Australian postcode against the Department of Home Affairs designated regional area list.

When this postcode data was checked. Transcribed from the Department of Home Affairs designated regional area postcodes page, which the Department last updated on 23 September 2024. Copied and verified here on 21 July 2026. Postcode boundaries are set by legislative instrument and do change - confirm against the official page before relying on this for a visa application.

Why there are no occupation lists or point thresholds on this pageState nomination criteria change several times a year, sometimes mid-year and usually without notice. A list copied here would be wrong within months, and a wrong list is worse than no list. What you get instead is the durable shape of each program, plus a direct link to the official source for the detail. Reviewed 21 July 2026.

Before you commit to QLD

Confirm your occupation appears on the current QLD list - state lists are much narrower than the national list.
Get your skills assessment and English test done. Most states will not consider you without them.
Work out your points score, then check it against what QLD has recently invited.
Check whether QLD requires its own registration separate from your SkillSelect EOI.
Be honest about the commitment. Nomination is granted on the basis that you will live and work there.

Check my points and pathways →Compare all states

Registered migration agents

We are building a directory of MARN-registered agents and immigration lawyers. Listings are checked against the public register before they appear.

How the directory works

Placement shown on the QLD nomination page.

General information, not migration advice. myPRJourney summarises publicly available information about Australian visas so you can understand your options. It does not assess your case, and it is not a substitute for advice from a registered migration agent (MARN) or Australian legal practitioner. Migration rules, occupation lists, income thresholds and state nomination criteria change frequently and sometimes without notice. This page was last reviewed on 21 July 2026. Always confirm current requirements directly with the Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.