Thinking about visas in Queensland? You'll need to stay on top of the latest 491 and 190 visa requirements which have recently been updated.

Whether you’re a skilled worker, recent graduate, or part of the construction industry, there are several onshore pathways available.

This guide breaks down the eligibility requirements, visa options, and key restrictions so you can understand which pathway may suit your situation.

For onshore applicants, there are three pathways available for both the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) and the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190).

In addition, there is a Small Business Owners in Regional Queensland pathway, which is available for subclass 491 applicants only.

The 3 pathways that are accepting both subclass 491 and 190 visa are:

• Skilled workers living in Queensland pathway
• Queensland University graduates pathway
• Building and construction workers pathway

For these 3 pathways, applicants must:

• Have an occupation on the Queensland Onshore Skills List.
• Have a score of 65 or higher in the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ points test. 
• Have at least competent English, according to the Australian Department of Home Affairs definition.

All 3 pathways in Queensland follow this rule:

If you have applied for, or are a current holder of, a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), you are not eligible for nomination for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190).

This restriction also applies to the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489).

Skilled workers living in Queensland (onshore)

For skilled workers who are currently living and working in Queensland.

Work experience is required immediately before registering your interest in Queensland nomination. You must have been living and working in:

Regional Queensland for the past 6 months for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), or:

Queensland for the past 9 months for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190).

This work experience must also be in an occupation that has the same first 3 digits in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code as your nominated occupation for at least 20 hours per week.

Queensland university graduates pathway

For international graduates with a Queensland Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD, plus relevant work experience.

• Must have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD at a Queensland university or tertiary institution that meets the Australian Study Requirement

• The qualification must have been 100% completed in Queensland

• You must have graduated after 1 July 2021

• Your degree does not need to be related to your nominated occupation

Work experience requirements 

• Queensland University graduates may work in any Skill Level 1 occupation.

• Before registering your interest in Queensland nomination, you must have been living and working:

  • In regional Queensland for the past 6 months for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), or

  • In Queensland for the past 9 months for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190).

Building and construction workers Pathway

For builders, tradespersons, or construction workers with an occupation listed on the Queensland Onshore Skills List under the Building and Construction Workforce Pathway:

• Some occupations are only eligible for subclass 491 nomination, as they appear on the Home Affairs Regional Occupation List (ROL).

• You must have been living and working in Queensland for the past 3 months, with work experience completed immediately before lodging your ROI.

• Your work must be in an occupation with the same first 3 digits of the ANZSCO code as your nominated occupation, for at least 20 hours per week.

All work experience for this pathway must:

• Be completed after you finish your qualification

• Be at least 20 hours per week

• Continue to meet requirements at ROI submission, invitation, and nomination stages

• Allow casual work

• Allow multiple eligible jobs to be combined

• Allow work from home, provided your employer has a physical presence in Queensland

Small business owners in regional Queensland Pathway (for subclass 491 visa only)

This pathway allows small business owners in regional Queensland to be nominated for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).

However, if you purchased or started your business after 19 September 2025, you will not be eligible for Queensland nomination under this pathway.

Full details are available on the Migration Queensland website.