This is the 2026 state nomination comparison for ANZSCO 399514 — Make Up Artist. For pathway guide, skills assessment, invitation trends, and cost / timeline, see the linked cluster.
The summary
| State | 190 | 491 | Industry strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | ✓ | ✓ | Sydney Disney Studios + Vogue fashion + Australian Fashion Week |
| VIC | ✓ | ✓ | Docklands Studios + Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival |
| QLD | ✓ | ✓ | Gold Coast Village Roadshow Hollywood + bridal market |
| SA | ✓ | ✓ | Adelaide Festival + SA Film Corporation |
| WA | ✗ | ✗ | NOT ELIGIBLE |
| NT | ✓ | ✓ | Limited |
| ACT | ✓ | ✓ | Small Canberra market |
| TAS | ✓ | ✓ | Hobart film + Dark Mofo / MONA |
7 of 8 states nominate.
NSW — strongest market
NSW eligibility: 190 ✓ / 491 ✓. Allocations 2,100 / 1,500.
Industry fit — strongest in Australia:
- Disney Studios Australia (Sydney) — Marvel + Disney+ productions.
- Fox Studios Australia — film make-up.
- ABC Ultimo + SBS Artarmon — broadcaster make-up.
- Sydney fashion industry — Vogue Australia, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire HQs.
- Australian Fashion Week (May Sydney) — annual major event.
- Sydney bridal market.
VIC — Melbourne fashion + film
VIC eligibility: 190 ✓ / 491 ✓. Allocations 2,700 / 700.
Industry fit:
- Docklands Studios Melbourne — film make-up.
- Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival.
- Melbourne TV networks.
- Melbourne fashion industry.
- Melbourne bridal market.
QLD — Gold Coast Hollywood + bridal
QLD eligibility: 190 ✓ / 491 ✓. Allocations 1,850 / 750.
Industry fit — strong international:
- Village Roadshow Studios Gold Coast (regional) — Hollywood productions.
- NRG Studios Gold Coast (regional).
- Brisbane TV networks.
- Gold Coast bridal market — Australia's premier wedding destination.
SA — Skilled & Business Migration
SA eligibility: 190 ✓ / 491 ✓. Allocations 1,350 / 900. All of SA regional.
Industry fit: Adelaide Festival + SA Film Corporation + Adelaide fashion.
WA — NOT ELIGIBLE
WA does not nominate 399514. Fallback: 494 with regional WA sponsor (limited).
Industry fit (via 494): Perth fashion + bridal + Margaret River wedding destinations.
NT — limited
NT allocates 850 / 800. Limited Darwin film + fashion market.
ACT — Canberra Matrix
ACT allocates 800 / 800. Limited Canberra film + fashion market.
TAS — Hobart film + Dark Mofo
TAS allocates 1,200 / 650. All of TAS regional.
Industry fit: Tasmanian film production + Dark Mofo / MONA art events.
Realistic state selection by background
Film / TV make-up specialist:
- Tier 1: NSW (Sydney Disney + Fox Studios).
- Tier 1: QLD 190 / 491 (Gold Coast Village Roadshow — regional).
- Tier 2: VIC (Docklands Melbourne).
Fashion / editorial make-up specialist:
- Tier 1: NSW (Sydney Vogue / Harper's / Australian Fashion Week).
- Tier 2: VIC (Melbourne Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival).
Bridal make-up specialist:
- Tier 1: NSW / VIC / QLD (Sydney / Melbourne / Gold Coast wedding markets).
- Tier 2: All states (bridal market exists in every state).
SFX / prosthetic specialist:
- Tier 1: NSW (Disney / Fox Sydney) + QLD (Gold Coast Hollywood).
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
- Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Australia
- Screen Australia
Next step
Want help picking the right state for your make up artist specialty? Book a 30-minute free strategy call with a MARA-registered agent at Global Select.