Offshore from Kenya? Which Australian state looks most workable for 2026-27
Visa guide · 2026-08-19 · 5 min read
Short answer: for an applicant outside Australia, Tasmania currently offers the most certainty, but only for a narrow group. The ACT has a new portal and no confirmed numbers, and Queensland has not opened. If you are a skilled worker in Nairobi, Mombasa or elsewhere in Kenya and you are weighing a state nomination for subclass 190 or subclass 491, this is where each jurisdiction stands in the 2026-27 program year.
The three jurisdictions at a glance
| Jurisdiction | Where it stands | What it means from overseas |
|---|---|---|
| Tasmania | 2,050 places confirmed; invitations running | No subclass 491 invitations for overseas applicants; a narrow subclass 190 route for health professionals and teachers with a job offer |
| ACT | New portal live; allocation unconfirmed | Easier lodging, but no invitation schedule to plan around yet |
| Queensland | 2026-27 program not yet open | Fees are higher; have documents ready |
Tasmania in detail
Tasmania has locked in 2,050 nomination places: 1,250 under the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and 800 under the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), up from 1,200 and 650 last year. Registrations of Interest reopened on 17 August 2026, and weekly invitations began on 20 August. Registering costs nothing, but being nominated now costs more: the application fee has risen to $387, which is $425.70 once GST is added.
The catch is for people abroad. Following Ministerial Direction 119's processing priorities, Tasmania has stopped issuing subclass 491 invitations to overseas applicants this program year. The one narrow exception is overseas health professionals and teachers with a job offer from an eligible Tasmanian employer, who can apply for subclass 190 through a dedicated Health or Education Sector Job Offer Pathway. A subclass 491 application already in the queue will not convert automatically; you would need to withdraw it and lodge a fresh Registration of Interest for the 190, with no certainty of an invitation.
The ACT and Queensland
The ACT's new Migration Application portal went live on 30 July 2026 for both Canberra Matrix entries and full nomination applications. It adds multi-factor login, a mobile-friendly interface, real-time tracking and the ability to edit a submission after lodging. Old submissions carry over, but you must create a new account with the same email address. Fees are $350 in total: a $25 Canberra Matrix fee and a $325 nomination fee. A Matrix entry lasts six months and can be extended to twelve if updated before it lapses; updating costs nothing, but it resets your tie-break position because ties are decided by the most recent update. Expedited processing exists for visa or document expiry, though only after an invitation. The ACT's 2026-27 allocation is unconfirmed and its occupation list is under review.
Queensland is still waiting on its final allocation from the federal government. Fees rose from 1 July 2026 to $573 for offshore applicants and $630.30 including GST for onshore applicants, for both subclass 190 and 491 invitees.
A sensible way to decide
- Match your occupation to each state's list when it is published, not to last year's.
- If you are a health professional or teacher with an eligible Tasmanian job offer, the 190 pathway is worth a close look.
- If your occupation needs a skills assessment, check that early; RPLDirect explains how recognition of prior learning can support Australian qualifications.
- Keep KCSE, degree and NITA certificates, employer references and any police certificate ready, and see the job listings for roles employers are describing.
- Speak to a migration agent registered with the MARA before lodging anything.
Common mistakes with state nomination from overseas
- Waiting for an invitation that Tasmania no longer issues for the 491 to offshore applicants.
- Assuming a Kenyan qualification equals an Australian licence or skills assessment.
- Updating an ACT Matrix entry without realising it resets the tie-break.
- Paying an agent who is not registered with the MARA.
Frequently asked questions
Does Tasmania still invite offshore applicants?
Not for the subclass 491. Overseas health professionals and teachers with a job offer can use the 190 pathway.
Can I convert a 491 application to a 190?
Not automatically. You would withdraw it and lodge a new Registration of Interest.
When does the ACT release its numbers?
The allocation has not been confirmed, so there is no schedule yet.
Why does Queensland have two fee levels?
$573 applies to offshore applicants and $630.30, GST-inclusive, to onshore applicants.
Is state nomination only for Kenyans?
No. Jobs and visa pathways are open to everyone; this article is written for Kenyan readers.
Key takeaways
- Tasmania has the most clarity: 2,050 places and an open program, but a narrow offshore route.
- The ACT has a better portal and an unconfirmed allocation; Queensland is still waiting.
- Prepare documents now and confirm requirements with an agent registered with the MARA.
- Related reading: the wider migration debate and why construction wants faster skilled visas.
#state nomination #skilled migration #tasmania #queensland #act #kenya
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