This is the 2026 invitation rounds and trends analysis for ANZSCO 362211 — Gardener (General). 362211 is on STSOL — invitation pathways are Subclass 190 State-Nominated and Subclass 491 Regional Provisional. Not eligible for Subclass 189 Independent.
For full pathway breakdown see the 362211 pathway guide. For VETASSESS evidence pack see the skills assessment guide. For state-by-state nomination comparison see the state nomination comparison. For cost / timeline see the case study.
How invitation rounds work for 362211
Australia's skilled migration for STSOL-only 362211 operates through:
- State nomination — for 190 and 491. All 8 states currently nominate. Each state runs its own EOI / ROI selection.
- Federal SkillSelect 189 rounds — Zero invitations. 362211 is STSOL-only, not MLTSSL.
- 494 Regional Employer-Sponsored — Employer-driven, no SkillSelect round.
Per-occupation invitation data isn't always published in detail at round level. Verify at the Home Affairs SkillSelect rounds page and the invitation rounds tracker.
State allocations FY 2025–26 for 362211
All 8 states currently nominate:
| State | 190 alloc | 491 alloc | 362211 on 190 | 362211 on 491 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 2,100 | 1,500 | ✓ | ✓ |
| VIC | 2,700 | 700 | ✓ | ✓ |
| QLD | 1,850 | 750 | ✓ | ✓ |
| SA | 1,350 | 900 | ✓ | ✓ |
| WA | 1,000 | 1,000 | ✓ | ✓ |
| NT | 850 | 800 | ✓ | ✓ |
| ACT | 800 | 800 | ✓ | ✓ |
| TAS | 1,200 | 650 | ✓ | ✓ |
State invitation patterns
NSW (Skilled Nominated)
NSW Skilled Nominated runs monthly invitations.
NSW selection drivers:
- Higher points (typically 95+ for 190)
- NSW residence / employment history
- Superior English preferred
- Spouse skills
NSW gardener demand: City of Sydney parks and gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, premium estates (Eastern Suburbs / North Shore / Mosman).
Victoria (Live in Melbourne)
Live in Melbourne continuous ROI processing.
Vic priorities:
- Confirmed Vic employer offer (Burnley TAFE, RBG Melbourne / Cranbourne, Werribee Mansion, premium estates Toorak / Brighton)
- Specialty / heritage gardening experience
- Regional Vic preferences
Queensland (Migration Queensland)
Migration Queensland runs monthly cycles.
QLD priorities:
- Regional QLD employment offer
- Resort / tourism garden experience
- Long-term QLD commitment
QLD gardener demand: Sunshine Coast / Gold Coast resorts, Cairns / Port Douglas tropical garden management, RBG Brisbane, Hamilton Island / Hayman Island resort gardens.
SA (Skilled Migration SA)
SA Skilled Migration runs ROI processing.
SA priorities:
- SA residence / employment
- Adelaide Botanic Garden / Carrick Hill / regional SA estates
- Vineyard / Barossa Valley / Adelaide Hills tourism gardens
WA (WA Migration)
WA Migration runs General Skilled Migration.
WA priorities:
- Perth metro or regional WA work
- Kings Park Botanic Garden, Cottesloe / Peppermint Grove premium estates
- Margaret River / Albany tourism gardens
NT (NT Migration)
NT Migration continuous ROI processing. NT has lower threshold.
NT priorities:
- NT employment offer
- Tropical garden specialty
- George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, Alice Springs / Katherine garden management
ACT (Canberra Matrix)
ACT Migration runs Canberra Matrix fortnightly.
ACT gardener demand: Government House grounds, Australian National Botanic Gardens, ACT Government parks and gardens, National Capital Authority grounds maintenance.
Tasmania (Skilled Migration Tasmania)
Skilled Migration Tasmania monthly rounds. Entire Tas regional for 491.
Tas priorities:
- Tas residence / study / employment
- Heritage garden specialty (Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Mona, Cradle Mountain)
- Long-term Tas commitment
Realistic 362211 invitation scores
| Visa | Typical invitation score | Realistic minimum |
|---|---|---|
| 190 (NSW) | 95+ | 90 |
| 190 (Vic) | 85+ (with employer link) | 80 |
| 190 (QLD) | 85+ | 80 |
| 190 (SA) | 85+ | 80 |
| 190 (WA) | 85+ | 80 |
| 190 (NT) | 80+ | 75 |
| 190 (ACT — Matrix) | 90+ matrix | 85 matrix |
| 190 (Tas) | 80+ | 75 |
| 491 (NSW) | 85+ | 80 |
| 491 (Vic / QLD / SA / WA regional) | 75-80 | 70 |
| 491 (NT / Tas) | 75+ | 70 |
The points calculator confirms your score; the eligibility wizard suggests realistic targets.
Trends to watch in 2026
1. Council parks and gardens demand stable. Local councils across Australia maintain substantial gardener workforces. Sydney / Melbourne / Brisbane / Adelaide / Perth / Hobart all run continuous recruitment.
2. Tourism / resort garden growth. Premium tourism (Hayman Island, Hamilton, Saffire Freycinet, Qualia, Berkeley River) continue investing in garden experiences. Regional 491 pathway favourable.
3. Native plant / water-wise garden expansion. Drought and climate adaptation drive native plant gardening growth. Gardeners with native plant identification expertise differentiate.
4. Botanical garden expansion. RBG Sydney Mount Tomah upgrades, RBG Cranbourne Vic expansion, Adelaide Botanic Garden ongoing — institutional employer pipeline.
5. Sustainable / organic horticulture growth. Organic certification, permaculture credentials, sustainable garden design increasingly valued.
6. Estate / private garden management. High-net-worth residential garden management (Sydney Eastern Suburbs, Mosman, Vaucluse; Melbourne Toorak, Brighton; Perth Peppermint Grove) — stable but discreet sponsorship segment.
7. State STSOL list stability. All 8 states currently list 362211 — high pathway flexibility.
How to maximise your invitation odds
- Maximise federal points. English upgrade is typically cheapest gain.
- Australian native plant knowledge. Differentiates strongly.
- ChemCert credential. Apply post-arrival for premium sponsorship.
- Target the right state. Compare via the state nomination comparison.
- Australian employment offer. State nominations favour confirmed offers.
- Multi-state ROI. Lodge ROIs simultaneously in eligible states.
Tools
- Points calculator
- Visa fee calculator
- Document checklist
- Eligibility wizard
- Invitation rounds tracker
- Skilled Occupation List
- Occupation Shortage List
Authoritative sources
- Home Affairs — SkillSelect invitation rounds
- VETASSESS
- Jobs and Skills Australia
- NSW Skilled Nominated
- Live in Melbourne
- Migration Queensland
- SA Skilled Migration
- WA Migration
- NT Migration
- Canberra Matrix (ACT)
- Skilled Migration Tasmania
Next step
Want to identify the best state for your gardener profile? Book a 30-minute free strategy call with a MARA-registered agent at Global Select.