2024/2025 Financial Year: State Nomination Quota Usage in Australia – Which States Still Have “Last-Minute” Opportunities?

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has released the state nomination quota usage data for the 2024-2025 financial year, as of February 28th 📊. Currently, the Northern Territory (NT) has closed early, and with only 3 months left until the end of the financial year, which states still offer “last-minute” opportunities?

State Nomination Quota Usage in the First Half of the Financial Year

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has released the state nomination quota usage data for the 2024-2025 program year, covering the period from July 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025, for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) nominated by state and territory governments.

Image Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs Official Website

As of February 2025, the 190 visa quota usage has exceeded 9,500, with a usage rate of nearly 60%. The 491 visa has used over 5,100 quotas, accounting for 53%.

190 Visa Usage:

• Victoria: 91.3%, only 260 places left
• Northern Territory: 90%, only 81 places left
• South Australia: 69%, only 933 places left

491 Visa Usage:

• Victoria: 76.8%, only 465 places left
• South Australia: 58.5%, only 332 places left
• Tasmania: 58.3%, only 317 places left

As of the end of February 2025, 8 months of the financial year have passed. If we calculate based on average monthly usage, approximately 33% of the quotas should remain for both 190 and 491 visas across regions.

State Data Analysis

Victoria (VIC)

Current Status: Invitations are issued frequently every month, and both 190 and 491 quotas are in high demand, with the risk of early closure.

Preferred Applicants:

• Priority to applicants in the Education sector
• Mandatory local work experience + language proficiency/high salary competitiveness
• High-quality partners may earn additional points

Northern Territory (NT) 190

Current Status: The application channels have already closed early, with quotas fully allocated to local graduates.

Current Dynamics: The immigration department is speeding up the processing of backlog cases.

NT 491 Remaining: 428 places, with a window open for offshore applicants.

South Australia (SA) 190

Progress: Only 31% of the quota remains (more than half the financial year has passed).

Characteristics: Historically, SA has used its quota aggressively.

Warning: The state may run out of quota soon.

SA 491

Remaining: 42%, which is more plentiful than 190.

Advice: 491 applicants should ensure their materials are well-prepared to gain a competitive edge.

Western Australia (WA)

Contradictory Data:

• ❗ Total quota 5,000 (190: 3,000 + 491: 2,000)
• ❗ Nearly 6,500 pre-invitations have been issued (including 5,000 in Nov-Dec and 1,500 in January). Reality: The actual remaining quota is tight, and processing delays create a false impression of ample availability. Advice: Those who have been invited should immediately lock in their application materials.

New South Wales (NSW)

Remaining: Over 60% of the quota for both 190 and 491 visas (only 4 months remain in the financial year).

February usage: 190 (226 places) / 491 (107 places).

Selection Criteria:

• ✅ Priority occupation list
• ✅ Work experience + English proficiency
• ✅ Highly competitive individual applicants

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Remaining Quotas: 190 (515 places) / 491 (358 places).

Current Dynamics: A new round of invitations will be issued by March 27.

Processing Focus: Speeding up the review of already submitted applications.

Tasmania (TAS)

Remaining Proportion: Both 190 and 491 quotas have 41%-46% left.

Invitation Distribution: Invitations are issued steadily every week.

Golden Opportunity: Priority is given to applicants in high-demand industries (including key workers).

Queensland (QLD)

Strategy Adjustment: Lessons learned from last financial year have led to stricter quota management.

Occupational Focus: Engineering, Nursing/Social Work/Childcare sectors are the key areas of focus.

Overall Analysis

From the data, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, and Western Australia have relatively abundant remaining quotas; Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania are on track with normal usage; Victoria has nearly exhausted its quota, and the Northern Territory has already closed early.

Additionally, the Australian government is set to announce the 2025-2026 financial year’s budget on March 25. For those on their migration journey, the most important thing to watch will be the government’s allocation of permanent residency quotas for the coming year. While Australia is unlikely to abandon migration in the long term, due to diverse opinions across society, some adjustments in numbers and proportions are very likely.

If you have any questions about Australian visa applications or need professional assistance, feel free to contact Riverwood Migration. We specialise in providing transparent and professional migration services to help you successfully obtain employer-sponsored visas and achieve your dream of moving to Australia.