Quick Answer Summary
Fast Answer: Tasmania and South Australia are the easiest states to get PR in Australia in 2025-26, thanks to lower EOI score cutoffs, faster processing, and higher nomination availability for a wide range of occupations.
- Tasmania (TAS) — Lowest EOI cutoffs (65+), strong regional migration, fast 4–8 week nomination
- South Australia (SA) — Large quota, broad occupation list, welcoming to offshore applicants
- Queensland (QLD) — Strong demand for healthcare, engineering, and education professionals
- Western Australia (WA) — Mining & construction boom, migration agents Perth in high demand
- Victoria (VIC) & NSW — High quotas but very competitive; best for 75+ EOI scores
- 491 Visa (regional) — Easier pathway to PR, lower bar to enter, converts to PR after 3 years
Overview of PR Pathways in Australia (189, 190, 491)
Australia’s skilled migration program offers three main visa pathways for permanent residency (PR). Understanding these PR pathways in Australia is the first step to choosing the right route.
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent Visa
The 189 visa is a points-tested visa with no state nomination required. It is highly competitive, with most successful applicants scoring 85–100+ points. There is no requirement to live in a particular state or region, making it flexible but also the most difficult to secure.
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated Visa (State Nomination)
The 190 visa requires state nomination, which adds 5 bonus points to your EOI score. It is one of the most popular PR pathways in Australia. Each state runs its own program with different occupation lists, score requirements, and nomination quotas. This is where choosing the right state becomes critical.
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
The 491 visa is a provisional visa that leads to permanent residency after living and working in a regional area for at least 3 years. It provides 15 bonus points on your EOI, making it significantly easier to receive an invitation. Regional migration Australia is actively promoted by the government to ease pressure on Sydney and Melbourne.
Key Point: The 491 visa is the easiest way to get PR in Australia for those with mid-range EOI scores (65–74 points). It is particularly powerful in Tasmania and South Australia.
Unsure where to start? Get a personalised, step-by-step walkthrough with our Registered Migration Agents.
Book a Migration Consultation
State-by-State Comparison: State Nomination Australia 2025–26
The table below compares all six major states across key factors for 2025–26 state nomination in Australia.
Note: EOI cutoffs and nomination quotas are indicative and vary by occupation and residency status. Always check official state migration websites.
Which State is Easiest to Get PR — and Why?
Based on 2025–26 trends, occupation list coverage, and nomination score cutoffs, Tasmania is the single easiest state to get PR in Australia, followed closely by South Australia.
1. Tasmania — Migration Tasmania
Migration Tasmania remains the top choice for applicants with scores between 60–74. Here’s why:
- Accepts applicants with EOI scores as low as 60–65 in many rounds
- Strongly promotes regional migration Australia under the 491 pathway
- Includes diverse occupations — hospitality, trades, healthcare, IT, and more
- Offshore applicants can apply without needing to have lived in Tasmania
- Fast processing: nomination decisions often in 4–8 weeks
- Lower cost of living compared to Sydney and Melbourne
Hobart and Launceston are growing hubs for professionals seeking a quieter lifestyle with access to strong career opportunities. Regional Tasmania especially benefits from the 491 visa with dedicated streams for skilled workers.
2. South Australia — Migration Agent Adelaide Advantage
South Australia (SA) consistently offers one of the largest nomination quotas and broadest occupation lists in Australia. Migration agent Adelaide services have seen rising demand as professionals flock to the state.
- Strong focus on healthcare, construction, IT, and education sectors
- Dedicated streams for business owners, graduates, and skilled workers
- Adelaide offers an affordable lifestyle with a growing tech and health economy
- Offshore applicants welcome; interstate applicants also considered
- DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreements) available in regional SA
3. Queensland — Queensland Australia Migration
Queensland’s migration program has expanded significantly in 2025–26. Brisbane’s growing infrastructure (including post-2032 Olympics investment), combined with Queensland’s strong healthcare and education sectors, make Queensland Australia migration attractive.
- Key occupations: nurses, engineers, teachers, construction workers
- Strong regional 491 options in Cairns, Toowoomba, and Gold Coast
- Generally requires 70+ points but competition is lower than NSW or VIC
- Family-friendly migration pathways make Brisbane especially appealing
Other States: WA, Victoria, and New South Wales
Western Australia — Migration Agents Perth
Perth’s booming mining, energy, and construction sectors create strong demand for skilled workers. Migration agents in Perth report that the WA state nomination program regularly reaches its quota early in the financial year.
- Priority occupations: engineers, electricians, carpenters, IT professionals
- 190 and 491 streams available; 491 has lower cutoffs
- WA’s ‘Designated Regional Area’ status gives regional applicants a major advantage
- Recommend lodging EOI early in the 2025–26 program year for best results
Victoria — Migration Agent in Melbourne
Victoria offers the largest nomination quota but is highly competitive. A migration agent in Melbourne will tell you that most successful 190 applicants score 75 or above. The state prioritises professionals already living and working in Victoria.
- Strong demand in tech, finance, healthcare, and engineering
- Skills Victoria program: competitive, invitation-only rounds
- 491 regional stream available for Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, and other areas
New South Wales — Sydney
NSW is the toughest state for PR nomination. Sydney is a global city with extremely high competition. EOI scores of 80+ are typically required, and most rounds prioritise applicants already living in NSW. The NSW 491 stream is limited but can be an option for those committed to regional areas.
Eligibility & Requirements: 190 Visa Requirements & 491 Visa Australia
The table below summarises the key eligibility criteria across the three main skilled migration visa Australia pathways.
Pro Tip: The 491 visa adds 15 bonus points to your EOI score automatically. If you score 65 on the points test, you effectively compete at 80 points — dramatically improving your chances of an invitation.
Processing Times by State — 2025–26
Understanding how long the process takes helps you plan your move. Below are estimated processing timelines for state nomination and visa grant.
Note: Visa grant processing times are managed by the Department of Home Affairs and vary by individual circumstances. State nomination times are state-controlled.
How to Get PR in Australia: Step-by-Step Guide
- Check your occupation against the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and the relevant state occupation list for your target state.
- Complete a skills assessment with the appropriate assessing authority (e.g., Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, ACS, AHPRA).
- Take an English language test (IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL iBT) and achieve the required score for your visa subclass.
- Calculate your points test score carefully. If you score 65–74, target Tasmania, SA, or the 491 visa pathway.
- Lodge your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect on the Department of Home Affairs website.
- Apply for state nomination through your chosen state’s migration office (e.g., Migration Tasmania, Skills SA, Migration Queensland).
- Receive an invitation to apply (ITA) and lodge your visa application within the deadline (usually 60 days).
- Submit all documentation, health checks, and police clearances as required.
- Receive your visa grant and make arrangements to move to Australia or your nominated regional area.
- For 491 holders: Live and work in the regional area for 3 years, meet income thresholds, then apply for the 191 permanent visa.
Latest 2025–26 Trends in Australian Migration
The Australian government has significantly expanded the skilled migration program in 2025–26, with the total migration planning level at 185,000 places for the general skill stream.
- Regional migration is a national priority: the 491 and 494 visa programs have been expanded
- Occupation lists have been updated to include more health, tech, and trade roles
- Fast-track nomination streams are available in Tasmania and SA for critical occupations
- The Australia golden visa residency investment pathway (via Business Innovation stream) remains open for high-net-worth individuals investing in Australian business or state bonds
- AI and cybersecurity professionals are in growing demand across all states
- Post-study work rights have been extended, making it easier for international graduates to transition to skilled migration
- Biometric and digital application processes have streamlined processing times significantly in 2025
Investment Pathway: The Australia golden visa residency investment option (Business Innovation & Investment visa, Subclass 188/888) requires a significant business or investment background. State nomination is available in all states but WA and SA offer competitive options. Minimum investments typically start from AUD 800,000 to AUD 1.5M depending on the stream.
Common Mistakes & Tips to Increase Your PR Chances
Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying to a highly competitive state (NSW, VIC) with a score below 75
- Nominating an occupation not on the state occupation list
- Submitting an incomplete or inaccurate skills assessment
- Waiting too long — nomination quotas fill up fast, especially in WA and QLD
- Underestimating English test requirements; always aim for a higher band than required
- Ignoring regional options — many applicants overlook Tasmania and regional SA
Tips to Boost Your Chances
- Target Tasmania or SA if your EOI score is between 65–74
- Use the 491 visa as a stepping stone — it is the easiest way to get PR in Australia for mid-range scorers
- Check state occupation lists monthly as they are updated regularly
- Improve your points: additional work experience, higher English scores, and partner skills add valuable points
- Work with a registered migration agent in your target city for the most accurate state-specific advice
- Lodge your EOI as early as possible in the new financial year (July–8 rounds are often the most generous)
How Edvise Hub Can Help
Navigating Australia’s complex skilled migration system can be overwhelming. Edvise Hub is a trusted migration support service helping applicants worldwide with PR guidance, document preparation, state nomination strategy, and EOI optimisation.
Whether you are targeting migration Tasmania, planning your move to Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, or Melbourne, or exploring the Australia golden visa residency investment pathway, Edvise Hub’s experienced team provides personalised support at every step of the process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Which state is easiest to get PR in Australia in 2025–26?
A: Tasmania and South Australia are the easiest states, with the lowest EOI cutoffs and fastest state nomination processing.
Q: What is the easiest way to get PR in Australia?
A: The 491 visa (regional) is the easiest PR pathway for applicants with 65–74 points, as it adds 15 bonus points and converts to permanent residency after 3 years.
Q: What are the 190 visa requirements for state nomination?
A: You need a valid skills assessment, an English test, a minimum EOI score of 65, and an occupation listed on your target state’s occupation list.
Q: How does the 491 visa lead to permanent residency?
A: After 3 years of living and working in a designated regional area, 491 holders can apply for the Subclass 191 permanent visa.
Q: Is migration Tasmania suitable for offshore applicants?
A: Yes, Tasmania actively accepts offshore applicants in many occupations and often has lower EOI cutoffs than mainland states.
Q: What is the Australia golden visa residency investment pathway?
A: It is the Business Innovation & Investment visa (Subclass 188/888) for high-net-worth individuals investing in Australian business or complying investments.
Q: Do I need a migration agent to apply for state nomination?
A: It is not mandatory, but working with a registered migration agent in your target state significantly improves your chances of a successful nomination.
Conclusion
Choosing the right state is one of the most important decisions in your Australian PR journey. For most skilled migrants in 2025–26, Tasmania and South Australia offer the clearest path to permanent residency, with the lowest barriers, fastest processing, and broadest occupation coverage.
If you have a higher points score (75+) and are already based in Melbourne or Sydney, Victoria and NSW are viable options. Meanwhile, Queensland Australia migration and Western Australia continue to grow as destinations for healthcare, engineering, and mining professionals.
Whatever your situation, start early, target the right state, and get expert migration guidance to maximise your chances. The PR you have been working towards is within reach.
