NT Has Opened.
When Is NSW's Turn?
THE NEW-YEAR STATE NOMINATION TIMELINE, AND WHAT TO FINISH BEFORE THE DOORS OPEN
The new program year's state nomination doors are opening one by one:
the Northern Territory opened last Friday,
while the NSW website still shows a closure notice.
The door is still shut. That is exactly the time to get ready | Source: Pexels
01／How to read the timeline
The new visa program year starts on 1 July, but for state nomination applicants, that is not the starting gun. The process runs in two steps: the federal government first allocates nomination places to each state and territory, and each jurisdiction then finalises its criteria and reopens its channels. There is a lag between the two, and the gap between the first door and the last can run to months.
The Northern Territory is out in front this year. Its official notice confirms the NT has received its full allocations for 2026-27 from the Australian Government, and opened to new applications on 21 August for all onshore streams and selected offshore streams, noting that the eligibility criteria have been updated for the new program year.
The NT website notice: full 2026-27 allocations received, applications open from 21 August
And NSW? Its website still carries a closure notice: applications are closed for the current program year because all available nomination places have been fully allocated, and the government is reviewing the program settings and eligibility criteria for the next program year, with updates to be published in due course.
The current NSW website notice: all places allocated, next year's settings under review
In other words, as at publication, NSW's door is not open, and no opening date has been announced. Going by past years, NSW has not been early in receiving its full allocation, and in the interim there tend to be only scattered invitation rounds.
Nobody knows when the door opens; but once it does, the competition is white-hot from day one.
02／Five things to finish before the door opens
First, tidy up your EOI.
Under NSW's lodgement guidance, an EOI seeking NSW nomination needs to target a single visa subclass and specifically select NSW. An EOI that asks for everything, everywhere, may simply not be considered.
Second, keep your skills assessment in date.
NSW requires supporting documents to be valid when the nomination application is lodged. If your assessment is close to expiry, renew it now, not after an invitation lands.
Third, check the date on your English test.
The same logic applies: an expired result cannot be revived, and re-sitting takes time. Look up your expiry date today.
Fourth, self-check the 190 residency criteria.
The NSW website lists three alternatives: working in NSW in your nominated occupation; or having continuously resided in NSW for at least 6 months; or having continuously resided offshore for at least 6 months. If you have just moved to Sydney, or just returned overseas, check your own timeline. Being caught in the middle is the most avoidable kind of regret.
Fifth, match yourself to the right 491 pathway.
NSW's 491 has three routes: Pathway 1 requires 6 months of continuous work for an employer in a NSW regional area; Pathway 2 is by invitation only from Investment NSW; Pathway 3 is for recent graduates of regional NSW institutions. Under current guidance, Pathway 2 and Pathway 3 applicants must also meet the relevant NSW or offshore residence requirements; new-year settings may change, so rely on the official version when the program reopens. The three pathways need very different documents, so decide which one is yours before the door opens.
Also remember the two things NSW keeps repeating: invitation rounds run throughout the year with no fixed dates and no advance notice; and the state itself strongly advises against relying on NSW nomination as your only option.
03／What if you cannot wait?
If your visa is expiring, do not stake your status on NSW's opening date. The NT notice spells it out plainly: a nomination is not guaranteed before a visa expires, and people whose visas are close to expiring should seek professional advice as soon as possible to keep their stay lawful. That rule applies to every state.
NT is already open; other states and territories are expected to update their new-year arrangements in turn, but the timing is not uniform. Follow each official website. Where you qualify, it makes sense to prepare more than one option. But remember: state and territory nominations usually require a genuine commitment to live and work in the nominating jurisdiction, and the exact stay, visa conditions and nomination agreement requirements vary by region and visa subclass. NT, for example, requires applicants to commit to living and working there for at least 3 years after visa grant; 491 visa holders must also comply with federal regional visa conditions.
Choosing a state is, in practice, choosing where you will live for the next few years. Do not pick only by which door opens first.
We will publish an updated guide as soon as NSW opens or releases its new-year settings.
The day the door opens is not the day to start preparing.
Have everything ready to submit,
and when the opportunity comes, all you have to do is press send.
Sun Lawyers · Sydney Office
This article is current as at 24 August 2026; state program status can change at any time. If you would like to assess your position for the new program year, or your visa is expiring and you need to plan urgently, please contact Sun Lawyers. We provide services in English and Chinese.
Phone: 02 9267 4988 | Email: enquiry@sunlaws.com
Sydney Office: Suite 703 & 704, 265 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Web: sunlaws.com.au
This article is for general legal information only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult us for advice specific to your situation.