Nursing EOI in Australia: SkillSelect Snapshot for Registered Nurses (189, 190 & 491)

Registered Nurses remain one of Australia's most in-demand skilled occupations, consistently appearing on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). The June 2026 SkillSelect EOI pool snapshot reveals exactly how competitive the nursing migration landscape has become across the 189, 190, and 491 visa streams.

As at June 2026, the combined nursing EOI pool across all ANZSCO 2544 occupations stood at 116,156 Expressions of Interest, representing approximately 5% of the total SkillSelect pool of 2,314,533 EOIs. Below, we break down the volume by visa stream, status mix, points outcomes, occupation hotspots, and state nomination data.

This report covers all ANZSCO Unit Group 2544 nursing occupations — Registered Nurses (nec), Critical Care, Medical, Aged Care, Surgical, Perioperative, Mental Health, Paediatrics, and others. Data is drawn from SkillSelect's point-in-time EOI pool export as at June 2026. Status categories reflect the cumulative pool, including EOIs submitted up to two years earlier.

Nursing EOI Pool at a Glance (June 2026)

The nursing EOI pool is heavily concentrated in state-nominated pathways. The 190 (State/Territory Nominated) stream accounts for the largest share of nursing EOIs, followed by the 491 Regional stream — together representing nearly three-quarters of all nursing expressions of interest on record.

Where Nursing Applicants Stand: EOI Status Breakdown

Of the 116,156 nursing EOIs on record, the majority remain in Submitted status — actively awaiting consideration. However, over a third are Closed, reflecting the two-year expiry window and the competitive nature of invitations.

Points Analysis: What It Takes to Be Invited as a Nurse

Points scores among invited nursing EOIs vary significantly by visa stream. The 189 Points-Tested stream shows the most competitive landscape, while the 491 Regional stream offers more accessible thresholds.

Top Nursing Occupations by EOI Volume

Registered Nurses nec (ANZSCO 254499) leads all nursing occupations with Top: 42,201 EOIs — over a third of the entire nursing pool. Critical Care (254415) and Medical (254418) complete the top three.

State Nomination Snapshot for Nurses (190 & 491)

State nomination is a critical pathway for nurses in Australia. NSW, Victoria, and Western Australia lead the volume of nursing EOIs submitted for state nomination, though invited shares remain low across all states — underscoring the competitive nature of the nomination process.

What This Means If You're a Registered Nurse Planning to Apply

• State nomination is the dominant pathway — nearly 75% of nursing EOIs are in the 190 and 491 streams — targeting a state or regional nomination should be your primary strategy.

• A competitive points score matters more for the 189 — the 189 Points-Tested stream shows an average invited score of 80.6, with a maximum of 110 — nurses able to reach 80+ points are in a stronger position.

• Niche specialisations face less competition — with only 2,408 nursing EOIs for Mental Health and 2,405 for Paediatrics against 42,201 for Registered Nurses nec, specialising can reduce competition.

• Invited rates are low — plan for the long term — only 2.5% of nursing EOIs currently hold invited status, with state invited shares ranging from 0.9% (ACT, TAS, NT) to 3.3% (WA).

• Skills assessment and registration come first — before submitting an EOI, overseas-qualified nurses must complete ANMAC skills assessment and obtain AHPRA registration — including meeting the IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent) English language requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions — Nursing EOI & PR Pathways

Is nursing on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List?

Yes, all ANZSCO Unit Group 2544 nursing occupations are on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), making them eligible for the Subclass 189 (Points-Tested), 190 (State Nominated), and 491 (Regional) visa streams. Australia consistently lists nursing as a priority occupation due to ongoing domestic demand.

How many points do I need for nursing PR in Australia?

Based on the June 2026 data, invited nursing EOIs show a minimum of 60 points (189) and an average of 80.6 across the 189 stream. State nomination adds 5 points, and regional nomination adds 15 points. Aiming for 75+ points before submitting your EOI is a realistic target for a competitive application.

Which state is best for nursing state nomination (190)?

NSW leads with 11,056 submitted nursing EOIs, followed by VIC (8,768) and WA (7,680). However, invited shares are similar across states — around 2-3%. Your choice should factor in each state's specific nomination criteria, occupation lists, and regional workforce needs rather than volume alone.

Do I need ANMAC skills assessment before my EOI?

Yes. Most overseas-qualified nurses need a positive skills assessment from ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council) before lodging an EOI. You also need to be registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) to practise — this is a separate process from the migration skills assessment.

Can I apply for the 491 regional visa as a nurse?

Absolutely. The 491 Regional stream holds 33,827 nursing EOIs (29.1% of the nursing pool) and offers a more accessible points threshold — an average of 93.8 invited points. The 15 bonus points for regional nomination make it the most accessible pathway for nurses with lower points scores.

What is the difference between ANMAC and AHPRA?

ANMAC is the skills assessment body for migration purposes — they assess whether your nursing qualifications are equivalent to Australian standards. AHPRA is the registration body that allows you to legally practise as a nurse in Australia. You typically need both: a positive ANMAC assessment for your EOI, and AHPRA registration before you can work. The English requirement is IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent) for both pathways.

Source: Department of Home Affairs, SkillSelect EOI pool data (CSV export), snapshot as at the June 2026 data pull. Nursing occupation data filtered to ANZSCO Unit Group 2544 (Registered Nurses). Figures reflect the point-in-time EOI pool, not a log of new submissions, nominations, or invitations issued specifically during June.