State and Regional Nomination for Skilled Migration in Australia and New Zealand

Two countries, two systems

Australia and New Zealand both run skilled-migration systems, but they work differently and are administered by different governments. Australia uses points-tested visas with state/territory nomination and designated regional pathways; New Zealand uses its own skilled and employer-linked routes.

Keep them separate: meet the rules of the country you are applying to, and verify everything on that country's official immigration site. This is general information, not immigration advice.

Australian state and territory nomination

In Australia, individual states and territories can nominate skilled applicants for certain visa subclasses. Each state or territory publishes its own occupation needs, eligibility criteria and selection process, and may invite candidates from the SkillSelect pool against those criteria.

State or territory nomination can add points and open visa subclasses that are not available to independent applicants. In return, nomination usually carries commitments — such as living and working in the nominating state — set by that state. Confirm the current criteria on the relevant state's official migration website.

• Check the nominating state's current occupation list and criteria
• Lodge or update your SkillSelect EOI selecting that state
• Meet any residence, employment or commitment conditions
• Use nomination to add points and access nominated visa subclasses

Australian regional pathways

Australia also has designated regional pathways that can provide extra points and dedicated visa subclasses for applicants willing to live and work in defined regional areas. Regional study and regional nomination can both contribute, depending on the visa.

The eligible regional areas, conditions and visa settings are defined by the Australian Government and change. Verify the current regional definitions and requirements on the official Home Affairs source.

New Zealand's skilled and regional routes

New Zealand manages skilled migration through its own system, which has emphasised skilled employment and employer accreditation alongside qualifications and experience. Some pathways are linked to a job offer from an accredited employer or to working in particular regions.

New Zealand's criteria, any points or thresholds, and regional settings are set by Immigration New Zealand and change. Do not assume Australian rules carry over — verify New Zealand's current requirements on immigration.govt.nz.

Comparing nomination and commitments

Both countries' nominated and regional routes typically trade extra eligibility or points for commitments — often living and working in a specified state, region or with a specific employer for a period. Weigh these commitments against your plans before choosing a pathway.

Because criteria, occupations and conditions differ between Australian states, Australian regions and New Zealand — and change over time — confirm each commitment on the official body that runs it before relying on it. No nomination or pathway guarantees a visa or residence.