Australia continues to rely on regional skilled migration to address workforce shortages and support economic growth across the country. Each year, Australian states and territories nominate thousands of skilled workers under regional migration programs such as the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa and the Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa.
Many prospective migrants ask:
Which Australian state attracted the most regional skilled migrants in 2025?
Let’s take a closer look at the latest trends and what they mean for your migration journey.
Why Regional Skilled Migration Matters
The Australian Government encourages skilled professionals to settle in regional areas by offering additional migration opportunities and state nomination pathways.
Regional migration helps:
- Address skill shortages
- Support regional economic growth
- Increase Australia’s workforce
- Provide skilled migrants with additional pathways to permanent residency
Many occupations receive greater opportunities through regional nomination than through independent migration.
Which State Led Regional Skilled Migration?
Based on recent nomination trends and visa allocations, South Australia emerged as one of Australia’s strongest performers in regional skilled migration.
South Australia has consistently welcomed large numbers of skilled migrants through its state nomination programs due to:
- High demand for skilled workers
- Flexible nomination pathways
- Strong support for international graduates
- Opportunities for offshore applicants
- Growing regional industries
The state continues to attract professionals in healthcare, engineering, ICT, construction, education, agriculture, and many other sectors.
Other High-Performing States
Western Australia
Western Australia continues to experience strong demand for skilled migrants due to its booming mining, construction, healthcare, and engineering sectors.
Popular occupations include:
- Civil Engineers
- Registered Nurses
- Electricians
- Software Engineers
- Construction Managers
Tasmania
Tasmania remains one of the most attractive regional destinations because of its:
- Smaller population
- Strong state nomination pathways
- Growing healthcare sector
- Tourism and hospitality opportunities
Many graduates also choose Tasmania because of additional migration options after study.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory continues to attract skilled migrants in occupations experiencing severe shortages.
Industries include:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Trades
- Agriculture
- Community Services
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Although Canberra is Australia’s capital city, it is classified as a regional area for migration purposes.
ACT offers:
- Competitive state nomination programs
- High demand for professionals
- Opportunities in ICT, engineering, finance, and public administration
Queensland Regional Areas
Regional Queensland continues to attract skilled workers in:
- Agriculture
- Tourism
- Healthcare
- Construction
- Hospitality
Cities such as Townsville, Cairns, Toowoomba, and Rockhampton remain popular destinations.
Most In-Demand Occupations
Some of the occupations receiving strong regional demand include:
- Registered Nurses
- Software Engineers
- Civil Engineers
- Secondary School Teachers
- Early Childhood Teachers
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Construction Managers
- Accountants
- ICT Business Analysts
- Chefs
- Motor Mechanics
- Social Workers
- Physiotherapists
- Agricultural Consultants
Demand may vary by state and occupation list.
Benefits of Regional Skilled Migration
Choosing regional Australia offers several advantages:
✅ Additional points for Subclass 491 applicants
✅ State nomination opportunities
✅ Faster invitation prospects for many occupations
✅ Access to regional employment opportunities
✅ Pathway to permanent residency
✅ Lower cost of living in many regional locations
Which State Should You Choose?
There is no single “best” state for every applicant.
The right destination depends on factors such as:
- Your occupation
- Skills assessment
- English language score
- Work experience
- State nomination criteria
- Employment opportunities
- Lifestyle preferences
Selecting the most suitable state can significantly improve your chances of receiving an invitation.
How IRM Global Can Help
At IRM Global, we assist skilled professionals with:
- Skilled migration eligibility assessments
- Occupation selection
- Skills assessment guidance
- State nomination advice
- Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Visa application support
- Document preparation
- Migration strategy planning
Our team works closely with applicants to identify the most suitable migration pathway based on their individual profile.
