This is the 2026 state nomination comparison for ANZSCO 392311 — Printing Machinist. For pathway guide, skills assessment, invitation trends, and cost / timeline, see the linked cluster.
The summary
| State | 190 | 491 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | ✓ | ✓ | Sydney metro printers, strong-points candidates |
| VIC | ✓ | ✓ | Melbourne + regional book printing (Maryborough) |
| QLD | ✓ | ✓ | Brisbane / Gold Coast + regional packaging |
| SA | ✓ | ✓ | Adelaide + lower-competition entry |
| WA | ✗ | ✗ | Not eligible — employer-sponsored only |
| NT | ✓ | ✓ | Niche, NT-connection required |
| ACT | ✓ | ✓ | ACT residents + ACT job |
| TAS | ✓ | ✓ | TAS-connection candidates |
7 of 8 states nominate. Choosing the right state depends on your points profile, state connection, and industry target.
NSW — Skilled Nominated
NSW runs Skilled Nominated selecting from EOIs by occupation and points. NSW does not publish per-occupation cutoffs publicly.
NSW eligibility for 392311:
- 190 ✓ (no specific stream caveat)
- 491 ✓
- Allocations FY 2025-26: 2,100 for 190, 1,500 for 491
Competitiveness: NSW typically requires the highest scores nationally — 80-95 EOI points for offshore candidates without NSW connection. NSW residents (current 482 / 485 / partner / student visa) and candidates with NSW job offers are prioritised.
Industry fit: NSW hosts Australia's deepest print employer market. IVE Group (Banksmeadow, Silverwater), Bluestar, Daniels Printing, Visy / Orora / Pact packaging across Western Sydney. Realistic post-arrival job market.
VIC — Live in Melbourne
VIC runs invitations via Live in Melbourne. VIC's traditional focus has been on health / ICT / engineering / education; trade occupations invited more selectively.
VIC eligibility for 392311:
- 190 ✓
- 491 ✓
- Allocations FY 2025-26: 2,700 for 190, 700 for 491
Competitiveness: VIC typically targets 80-90 EOI points. VIC residence / employment heavily prioritised.
Industry fit: Excellent for book printing (McPherson's Printing in Maryborough — regional Vic 491 candidate sweet spot; Bambra Press / Ligare / Print Bound in Melbourne metro), packaging (Orora, Visy, Amcor), and commercial print.
QLD — Migration Queensland
QLD runs Migration Queensland preferring candidates with QLD job offers.
QLD eligibility for 392311:
- 190 ✓
- 491 ✓
- Allocations FY 2025-26: 1,850 for 190, 750 for 491
Competitiveness: QLD job offer + 70-80 EOI points usually viable. Offshore candidates without QLD connection face longer waits.
Industry fit: Brisbane print clusters (Inkwise, Snap Print, Currie Group customers) plus growing regional packaging (Visy / Orora in Toowoomba, Townsville, Mackay) and large-format / signage operations.
SA — Skilled & Business Migration
SA runs Migration SA with stronger pathways for general skilled migration. SA has historically been an easier state for trade occupations.
SA eligibility for 392311:
- 190 ✓
- 491 ✓
- Allocations FY 2025-26: 1,350 for 190, 900 for 491
Competitiveness: SA typically 65-80 EOI points for 491; 75-85 for 190. Whole-of-SA outside Adelaide CBD counts as regional for 491.
Industry fit: Adelaide print industry has consolidated significantly. Surviving operators: Lane Print Group, Finsbury Green, Detmold (packaging — Brompton).
Why SA often suits offshore trade candidates
SA has historically been more receptive to offshore trade candidates than NSW / VIC. If your points sit at 65-75, SA 491 is often the most realistic state-nominated pathway.
WA — NOT ELIGIBLE
WA does not nominate 392311 for 190 or 491 in FY 2025-26.
This rules out state-nominated pathways for WA-targeted migration. The fallback is employer sponsorship:
- 186 Direct Entry via CSOL with WA sponsor.
- 482 Core Skills → 186 TRT.
- 494 Regional Employer — applicable to most of WA outside Perth metro.
WA print industry is small but functional: Quality Press, Vanguard Press, Daniels Printing WA, plus packaging (Pact, Orora Perth).
NT — MigrationNT
NT runs MigrationNT with strong NT-commitment requirements.
NT eligibility for 392311:
- 190 ✓
- 491 ✓
- Allocations FY 2025-26: 850 for 190, 800 for 491
Competitiveness: NT requires demonstrated NT connection (job offer, NT residence, NT family, NT study). NT job offer is often decisive.
Industry fit: NT's print industry is tiny — Darwin / Alice Springs commercial print + government printing. Limited employer pool. Whole of NT counts as regional for 491 and 191.
ACT — Canberra Matrix
ACT uses Canberra Matrix — separate scoring from Home Affairs points.
ACT eligibility for 392311:
- 190 ✓
- 491 ✓
- Allocations FY 2025-26: 800 for 190, 800 for 491
Competitiveness: ACT Matrix heavily favours ACT residents + ACT job. Offshore candidates without ACT connection face long odds. Realistic Matrix score 55-65 (critical stream) or 65-75 (non-critical) for invitation.
Industry fit: Small commercial print + government printing sector. Realistic ACT pre-press / press jobs ~50-100 per year across all roles.
TAS — Migration Tasmania
TAS runs Migration Tasmania with Tas-connection / commitment requirements.
TAS eligibility for 392311:
- 190 ✓
- 491 ✓
- Allocations FY 2025-26: 1,200 for 190, 650 for 491
Competitiveness: TAS job offer (or family in TAS) + 65-80 EOI points typically required. Whole of TAS counts as regional for 491 and 191.
Industry fit: Tasmanian print industry is small — Mercury Walch (Hobart), Premium Print (Launceston), plus regional commercial printers. Limited but functional.
Realistic state selection by candidate type
Offshore senior printer, no Australian connection, 80+ EOI points:
- Tier 1: NSW Skilled Nominated, VIC Live in Melbourne — competitive but possible.
- Tier 2: SA 190, TAS 190 — better odds with state connection.
Offshore printer, 65-75 EOI points, willing to relocate regionally:
- Tier 1: SA 491 — typically more accessible than other states.
- Tier 2: NT 491 (with NT job), TAS 491 (with TAS job).
- Tier 3: VIC 491 regional, NSW 491 regional.
Onshore 482 / 485 / partner visa holder in metro state:
- 190 in current state — strong NSW resident or VIC resident bonus.
- 491 in current state, then 191 PR.
Onshore in ACT:
- ACT Matrix with strong ACT job + Proficient/Superior English.
Onshore in WA:
- WA state nomination NOT available — focus on 186 / 482 / 494 with WA employer.
Common state-selection mistakes
- Over-targeting NSW without points. NSW competitiveness is highest. Without 85+ EOI points or NSW connection, NSW invitations are slow.
- Ignoring SA. SA's lower competition is genuinely an opportunity for 65-75 point candidates.
- Choosing ACT without ACT history. ACT Matrix is structurally hostile to offshore candidates.
- WA without checking eligibility. WA does not nominate 392311 — easy to overlook.
- Multi-state EOI without commitment. States cross-check EOI commitments and reject candidates showing soft commitment.
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
Next step
Want help picking the right state and visa for your printing machinist profile? Book a 30-minute free strategy call with a MARA-registered agent at Global Select.