This is the 2026 state nomination comparison for ANZSCO 394112 — Cabinet Maker. For pathway guide, skills assessment, invitation trends, and cost / timeline, see the linked cluster.
The summary — no state nomination
| State | 190 | 491 | 186 DE / 482 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | — | — | ✓ Sydney sponsor market largest |
| VIC | — | — | ✓ Melbourne sponsor market |
| QLD | — | — | ✓ Brisbane / Gold Coast sponsor market |
| SA | — | — | ✓ Adelaide sponsor market |
| WA | — | — | ✓ Perth sponsor market |
| NT | — | — | ✓ Darwin sponsor market (limited) |
| ACT | — | — | ✓ Canberra sponsor market |
| TAS | — | — | ✓ Hobart sponsor market |
— = not applicable (no state nomination available under 394112 due to CSOL-only listing).
State choice for 394112 is about sponsor location, not nomination. 186 DE / 482 work in any Australian state where you have a sponsor.
The strategic alternative — switch to 394111
For state nomination 190 / 491 access, use ANZSCO 394111 Cabinetmaker (MLTSSL listing):
| State | 394111 190 | 394111 491 |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | ✓ | ✓ |
| VIC | ✓ | ✓ |
| QLD | ✓ | ✓ |
| SA | ✓ | ✓ |
| WA | ✓ | ✓ |
| NT | ✓ | ✓ |
| ACT | ✓ | ✓ |
| TAS | ✓ | ✓ |
All 8 states nominate 394111. See the 394111 state nomination comparison for state-by-state criteria.
NSW — sponsor market
NSW does not nominate 394112 (no STSOL listing). But 186 DE / 482 with NSW sponsor is available.
Industry fit — strongest in Australia:
- Sydney metropolitan housing market — largest residential demand nationally.
- Premium kitchen / bathroom specialists — Sydney + suburbs.
- Commercial fit-out / shopfitting — Sydney CBD.
- Premium furniture / cabinetry — King Living HQ (Sydney), Coco Republic, MCM House.
- Regional NSW (for those targeting regional lifestyle) — Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Central Coast, Wollongong (186 DE / 482 viable here too).
VIC — sponsor market
VIC does not nominate 394112. 186 DE / 482 with VIC sponsor is available.
Industry fit:
- Melbourne residential / renovation market.
- Jardan Furniture, Designs of Australia premium cabinet operations.
- Commercial fit-out across CBD + outer suburbs.
- Regional Vic growth corridors (Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat — sponsor here too).
QLD — sponsor market
QLD does not nominate 394112. 186 DE / 482 with QLD sponsor available.
Industry fit — booming:
- Brisbane / Gold Coast / Sunshine Coast residential market.
- Olympic 2032 infrastructure / construction pipeline.
- Regional QLD growth (Toowoomba, Townsville, Cairns).
SA — sponsor market
SA does not nominate 394112. 186 DE / 482 with SA sponsor available.
Industry fit:
- Adelaide residential / renovation market.
- Wallspan, regional SA kitchen / cabinetmaker employers.
WA — sponsor market
WA does not nominate 394112. 186 DE / 482 with WA sponsor available.
Industry fit:
- Perth residential market.
- Mining-region housing demand.
- Regional WA cabinet making opportunities.
NT — sponsor market (limited)
NT does not nominate 394112. 186 DE / 482 with NT sponsor available — but NT cabinet making industry is small.
ACT — sponsor market
ACT does not nominate 394112. 186 DE / 482 with ACT sponsor available.
Industry fit:
- Canberra residential market.
- Government / institutional fit-out (Federal Government).
TAS — sponsor market
TAS does not nominate 394112. 186 DE / 482 with TAS sponsor available.
Industry fit:
- Hobart / Launceston residential.
- Tasmania artisan / specialty furniture cluster.
Realistic state selection for 394112
For 394112 specifically:
Sponsor offer is the deciding factor — not state nomination availability.
| Sponsor Location | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Sydney sponsor | 186 DE Sydney metro (PR fast). |
| Melbourne sponsor | 186 DE Melbourne metro. |
| Brisbane sponsor | 186 DE Brisbane metro. |
| Regional sponsor anywhere | 186 DE / 482 regional. For 494 regional pathway specifically, switch to 394111 (which has 494 eligibility). |
Realistic recommendation by candidate type
Offshore senior cabinetmaker, confirmed Australian sponsor offer:
- Use 394112 for 186 DE — 6-12 months to PR.
- State is determined by sponsor location.
Offshore cabinetmaker, no sponsor offer, strong points (75-85+):
- Switch to 394111 for 189 Independent or 190 / 491 — no sponsor needed.
Offshore cabinetmaker, 65-75 EOI points, willing regional:
- Switch to 394111 for 491 (15-point regional bonus) or 494 regional employer sponsorship.
Onshore in Australia (485 / partner / WHM visa):
- If you have sponsor wanting fast PR — 394112 186 DE / 482 → 186 TRT.
- If you're targeting points-tested — 394111 189 / 190.
The honest recommendation
For 394112 candidates: state nomination is not the question — sponsor location is.
Choose state based on:
- Where is your sponsor located? That's where you'll live.
- Sponsor type alignment — premium kitchen (national networks), shopfitting (Sydney HQ contractors typically), premium furniture (Sydney / Melbourne metro), regional kitchen / construction.
- Lifestyle preference — metro vs regional, climate, housing affordability.
For most candidates, the bigger strategic question is 394111 vs 394112 code choice, not state-by-state nomination comparison.
Tools
- Points calculator
- Visa fee calculator
- Document checklist
- Eligibility wizard
- Invitation rounds tracker
- ANZSCO search
Authoritative sources
- Home Affairs visa pricing
- Subclass 186 details
- Subclass 482 details
- Trades Recognition Australia
- Cabinet Makers and Designers Association
Next step
Want help comparing 394112 (sponsor-tied 186 DE) vs 394111 (state nomination 190 / 491) for your specific case? Book a 30-minute free strategy call with a MARA-registered agent at Global Select.