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Tasmania, ACT or Queensland: a Ugandan applicant's guide to the 2026-27 nomination year

Visa guide · 2026-08-19 · 5 min read

State and territory nomination programs change every year, and 2026-27 is no exception. Rather than read each press release, a skilled worker in Kampala or Entebbe can start with a simple question: given where things stand, which pathway is realistic from outside Australia? Here are the answers state by state, plus a note for employers using the Far North Queensland agreement.

Tasmania: clearest numbers, narrowest offshore door

Tasmania has confirmed 2,050 nomination places for the year. That is 1,250 under the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and 800 under the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), compared with 1,200 and 650 last year. Registrations of Interest reopened on 17 August 2026, and the first weekly invitations began on 20 August. Registering costs nothing, while nomination now carries a fee of $387, or $425.70 with GST.

For applicants abroad there is a hard limit. Because of Ministerial Direction 119's processing priorities, Tasmania has stopped inviting overseas applicants for the subclass 491 this program year. Overseas health professionals and teachers who already hold a job offer from an eligible Tasmanian employer can still apply for the 190 through a Health or Education Sector Job Offer Pathway. Anyone with a 491 application in the queue must withdraw it and lodge a new Registration of Interest for the 190; an invitation is not certain.

The ACT: better process, same wait

A new Migration Application portal opened on 30 July 2026 for Canberra Matrix entries and nominations. It offers multi-factor login, mobile access, real-time tracking and editing after lodgement. Existing submissions transfer, but you need a new account with the original email address. The total fee is $350, made up of $25 for the Matrix and $325 for nomination. A Matrix entry lasts six months and can run to twelve if updated before expiry. Updating costs nothing, yet it resets your place in a tie-break because ties go to the most recent update. People facing a visa or document expiry can ask for expedited processing, but only after an invitation. The ACT has not confirmed its 2026-27 allocation, and its occupation list is under review.

Queensland: waiting

The 2026-27 program has not opened because the final allocation from the federal government is outstanding. Fees rose on 1 July 2026 to $573 for offshore applicants and $630.30, GST-inclusive, for onshore applicants, covering both subclass 190 and 491 invitees. Have your documents ready so you can move the day it opens.

A note for employers: the Far North Queensland DAMA

Two changes deserve attention. A 50% reduction now applies to certain subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) endorsement fees, but only when the position is bundled with its subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) position. And age and English concessions are cheaper to include in the first endorsement than to add later, because late additions can trigger administration fees and slow processing. Personal Care Assistant, Nursing Support Worker and Aged or Disabled Carer remain on the DAMA for now; a proposed variation to remove them is reportedly on hold, though nothing is certain. This affects aged care positions, not disability care roles.

What to do from Uganda

1. Decide whether your situation matches Tasmania's narrow offshore route or whether you should wait for the ACT and Queensland.
2. Gather UNEB and DIT or degree certificates, references and, if asked, Interpol police clearance.
3. Check whether your occupation needs a skills assessment; a Ugandan qualification does not equal one automatically.
4. Use a migration agent registered with the MARA for advice on lodging.

Common mistakes to avoid in a shifting program year

• Planning around last year's allocation of 1,200 and 650 instead of this year's numbers.
• Forgetting that an ACT update resets the tie-break position.
• Leaving a CV unchanged; Build AI CV can help you present your experience for a nominating employer.
• Ignoring other markets: see what New Zealand's project pipeline means for skilled migrants.

You can also browse the live job listings to see how employers describe roles.

Frequently asked questions

Which state is most certain this year?

Tasmania, with confirmed numbers, an open program and a defined route for overseas applicants.

Is Queensland open?

Not yet. It is waiting for its final allocation.

What does Ministerial Direction 119 do here?

Its processing priorities led Tasmania to stop issuing subclass 491 invitations to overseas applicants.

Can an employer reduce endorsement fees?

For certain subclass 186 endorsements bundled with a subclass 482 position, a 50% reduction applies.

Is this only for Ugandans?

No. Jobs are open to everyone; this guide is written for Ugandan readers.

Key takeaways

• Tasmania: 2,050 places, ROI open since 17 August 2026, narrow offshore pathway.
• ACT: new portal, $350 total fee, allocation unconfirmed.
• Queensland: not open, fees up to $573 offshore.
• Prepare documents early and talk to an agent registered with the MARA.
• Related reading: Australia's migration debate for skilled workers.

#state nomination #ugandan #tasmania #act #queensland #dama