This is the 2026 state nomination comparison for ANZSCO 399111 — Boat Builder and Repairer. For pathway guide, skills assessment, invitation trends, and cost / timeline, see the linked cluster.
The summary
| State | 190 | 491 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | ✓ | ✓ | Sydney superyacht refit, Hawkesbury / Newcastle marine |
| VIC | ✓ | ✓ | Hastings Marine, Sandringham yachts |
| QLD | ✓ | ✓ | Gold Coast Marine Precinct (Riviera / Maritimo) — Australia's biggest cluster |
| SA | ✓ | ✓ | Adelaide marine; points-friendly |
| WA | ✗ | ✗ | Not eligible — 186 DE / 494 (Fremantle marine) |
| NT | ✓ | ✓ | Darwin marine — niche |
| ACT | ✓ | ✓ | No boat industry; structurally weak Matrix |
| TAS | ✓ | ✓ | Hobart wooden boat tradition |
7 of 8 states nominate.
The 189 Independent option
Before state nomination, evaluate 189 Independent (MLTSSL):
- No sponsor / state nomination / regional commitment.
- PR on grant.
- Confirmed invitation rounds 2022 / 2024 / 2025.
If your points sit at 70-85+ (Superior English, strong experience), 189 is typically the cleanest path. If points 65-75, state nomination 190 (+5) or 491 (+15) becomes essential.
QLD — the strongest market
QLD eligibility for 399111: 190 ✓ / 491 ✓. Allocations FY 2025-26: 1,850 for 190, 750 for 491.
Industry fit — strongest in Australia:
- Gold Coast Marine Precinct (Coomera) — Australia's densest boat-building cluster:
- Riviera Australia — Australia's largest premium motor yacht manufacturer. - Maritimo — premium motor yachts. - Quintrex (BRP Marine). - Major refit operations (The Boat Works). - Coomera is regional ✓.
- Sunshine Coast (Mooloolaba) — marine cluster.
- Sanctuary Cove Marine Precinct (regional).
- Gold Coast Marine Trade Centre at Gold Coast Marine Precinct.
QLD is structurally the strongest single state for 399111 boat builder migration.
NSW — Sydney superyacht + regional
NSW eligibility: 190 ✓ / 491 ✓. Allocations: 2,100 / 1,500.
Competitiveness: 75-90 EOI points.
Industry fit:
- Sydney superyacht refit (Mosman, Rushcutters Bay, Berry's Bay) — Sydney metro, not regional.
- Newcastle marine — Hunter region regional ✓.
- Hawkesbury / Pittwater — boat builders, repair.
VIC — Live in Melbourne
VIC eligibility: 190 ✓ / 491 ✓. Allocations: 2,700 / 700.
Industry fit:
- Hastings Marine cluster (Mornington Peninsula) — partial regional.
- Sandringham yacht builders (metro).
- Geelong / Port Phillip Bay — regional.
SA — points-friendly
SA eligibility: 190 ✓ / 491 ✓. Allocations: 1,350 / 900. All of SA regional.
Industry fit: Adelaide West Beach / Glenelg marine, Port Adelaide; smaller market.
WA — NOT ELIGIBLE
WA does not nominate 399111. Fallback: 186 DE / 482 / 494 with WA sponsor.
Industry fit (via employer-sponsored):
- Fremantle marine — Perth metro (not regional, but 186 DE viable).
- Bunbury / Geraldton marine — regional WA, 494 applicable.
NT — MigrationNT
NT eligibility: 190 ✓ / 491 ✓. Allocations: 850 / 800. Limited NT boat industry; Darwin Harbour marine.
ACT — Canberra Matrix
ACT eligibility: 190 ✓ / 491 ✓. Allocations: 800 / 800. No significant ACT boat industry — Matrix structurally weak.
TAS — Hobart wooden boat tradition
TAS eligibility: 190 ✓ / 491 ✓. Allocations: 1,200 / 650. Whole of TAS regional.
Industry fit:
- Hobart wooden boat tradition — Wooden Boat Festival hub.
- Custom yacht refit / repair.
- Cruise / charter yacht maintenance.
Realistic state selection
Offshore senior boat builder, no Australian connection, 70+ EOI points:
- Tier 1: 189 Independent — confirmed invitation history.
- Tier 2: QLD 190 / 491 (Gold Coast Marine Precinct).
- Tier 3: NSW 190 (Sydney superyacht refit).
Offshore with sponsor offer:
- 186 DE — 6-12 months PR. Riviera / Maritimo / Sunshine Coast marine sponsor.
Offshore wooden boat specialist:
- TAS 190 / 491 (Hobart tradition).
Onshore in WA:
- 186 DE / 482 / 494 (no state nomination).
Onshore in ACT:
- ACT Matrix weak — relocate to QLD / NSW / TAS preferable.
The honest recommendation
For most overseas boat builders, QLD Gold Coast Marine Precinct + 189 Independent parallel-track is the realistic primary strategy:
- 186 DE with Riviera Australia / Maritimo (Coomera QLD — regional ✓) — 6-12 months PR.
- 189 Independent if 70-85+ EOI points — invitation history confirmed.
- 190 QLD as backup — Gold Coast Marine Precinct + Sunshine Coast.
QLD's marine industry is Australia's largest by volume. Riviera and Maritimo alone employ several thousand staff across boat-building trades.
For wooden boat / superyacht specialists, TAS (Hobart wooden boat) or Sydney superyacht refit are stronger fits.
Tools
- Points calculator
- Visa fee calculator
- Document checklist
- Eligibility wizard
- Invitation rounds tracker
- ANZSCO search
Authoritative sources
- NSW Skilled Nominated
- Live in Melbourne (VIC)
- Migration Queensland
- Migration SA
- MigrationNT
- ACT Skilled Migration
- Migration Tasmania
- Trades Recognition Australia
- Boating Industry Association
Next step
Want help picking the right state (or going via 189) for your boat builder profile? Book a 30-minute free strategy call with a MARA-registered agent at Global Select.