This is the 2026 invitation rounds and trends analysis for ANZSCO 361311 — Veterinary Nurse. 361311 is not eligible for Subclass 189 Independent — invitation pathways are Subclass 190 State-Nominated and Subclass 491 Regional Provisional via state nomination. Subclass 186 Direct Entry, Subclass 494 Regional Employer, and Subclass 482 Core Skills are employer-sponsored.
For full pathway breakdown see the 361311 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 Australian invitation rounds work for 361311
Australia's skilled migration program for 361311 vet nurses operates entirely through state nomination plus employer sponsorship — there is no Subclass 189 federal pathway. The two channels:
- State nomination — for 190 and 491. All 8 states currently include 361311 on their nomination programs per FY 2025–26. Each state runs its own EOI / ROI selection.
- Employer sponsorship — for 186 DE (CSOL), 494 regional, 482 Core Skills. No invitation round; sponsor lodges nomination, applicant lodges visa.
Per-occupation invitation data isn't surfaced in detail at federal SkillSelect rounds because the federal channel doesn't actively invite 361311. State governments publish more granular data through their portals. Verify per-round cutoffs at the Home Affairs SkillSelect rounds page and at the invitation rounds tracker.
State allocations FY 2025–26 for 361311
All 8 states currently include 361311 on both 190 and 491 lists:
| State | 190 allocation | 491 allocation | 190 eligible for 361311 | 491 eligible for 361311 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Per-occupation slot allocations within each state are not published — each state runs its Skills List with priority weighting.
State invitation patterns
NSW (Skilled Nominated)
NSW Skilled Nominated invitations run monthly. NSW operates a Skills List reviewed annually. 361311 is currently on the NSW list for both 190 and 491.
NSW selection drivers:
- Higher federal points (typically 90+ for 190 invitations)
- NSW residence / employment history
- Critical / shortage occupation priority
- English score (Proficient / Superior strongly preferred)
- Spouse skills
NSW issues invitations approximately the third week of each month. Plan EOI lodgement at least 30 days before expected cycle.
Victoria (Live in Melbourne)
Victorian state nomination runs through Live in Melbourne Registration of Interest. Vic invites continuously rather than in fixed monthly rounds.
Vic priorities (FY 2025–26):
- Health, aged care (vet nursing maps to health-adjacent priority)
- Engineering / construction
- Education / teaching
- Agricultural / animal care (regional)
- Specialist skill shortage
Vic vet nurse invitations: strong demand from regional Vic vet practices (Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Warrnambool). Vic's substantial mixed-animal / equine / agricultural vet practice sector drives demand.
Queensland (Migration Queensland)
Migration Queensland runs monthly nomination cycles. QLD currently includes 361311 on both 190 and 491 lists.
QLD selection priorities:
- Regional QLD employment offer (outside Brisbane / Gold Coast metro for 491)
- High English score
- Specialist experience (ECC, surgery, dentistry, exotics)
- Long-term QLD commitment
QLD invites monthly. Sunshine Coast (Australia Zoo region), Gold Coast hinterland, Townsville, Cairns, and Toowoomba are high-demand regional QLD areas for vet nurses.
SA (Skilled & Business Migration)
SA Skilled Migration runs ROI processing through Department for Industry, Innovation and Science.
SA priorities:
- SA residence / employment
- Critical occupation (vet nursing classified as supply chain critical)
- Regional SA (outside Adelaide metro)
- Australian study at SA institution
SA vet nurse demand: Adelaide vet clinics, regional SA mixed practice (Eyre Peninsula, Mid-North, Murray Mallee). Specialty hospital SASH (Adelaide).
WA (WA Migration)
WA Migration runs General Skilled Migration List. 361311 currently on WA list.
WA priorities:
- WA residence / employment
- Regional WA work (outside Perth metro)
- Mining / pastoral / agricultural sector experience
WA vet nurse demand: Perth metro clinics, regional WA mixed practice (Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Broome). Specialty referral SASH Perth.
NT (NT Migration)
NT Migration runs continuous ROI processing.
NT priorities:
- NT employment offer
- Long-term NT residence intent
- Indigenous community work
- Critical industries
NT vet nurse demand: Darwin / Alice Springs / Katherine vet clinics; pastoral vet practice Northern Territory cattle stations; Indigenous animal management programs.
ACT (Canberra Matrix)
ACT Migration runs the Canberra Matrix updated fortnightly.
ACT Matrix drivers (for vet nurses):
- ACT residence (5-30 pts)
- ACT employment (5-20 pts)
- ACT study (5-20 pts at ACT institution — CIT, UC, ANU)
- High English (extra Matrix points)
- Spouse skills
ACT vet nurse demand: ACT Government veterinary services, ANU research animal facility, RSPCA ACT, Canberra-based vet clinics.
Tasmania (Skilled Migration Tasmania)
Skilled Migration Tasmania runs monthly rounds.
Tas priorities:
- Tas residence / study / employment
- Long-term Tas commitment
- Critical-skill occupations
Tas vet nurse demand: Hobart / Launceston / Devonport vet clinics, Tassal salmon vet services, University of Tasmania School of Veterinary Sciences. Entire state qualifies as regional for 491.
Realistic 361311 invitation scores
Based on historical state nomination patterns:
| Visa | Typical invitation score | Realistic minimum |
|---|---|---|
| 190 (NSW) | 95+ | 90 |
| 190 (Vic) | 85+ (with regional employer link) | 80 |
| 190 (QLD) | 85+ | 80 |
| 190 (SA) | 85+ | 80 |
| 190 (WA) | 85+ | 80 |
| 190 (NT) | 80+ | 75 |
| 190 (ACT — Canberra Matrix) | 90+ Matrix | 85 Matrix |
| 190 (Tas) | 80+ (with Tas connection) | 75 |
| 491 (NSW) | 85+ | 80 |
| 491 (Vic regional) | 80+ | 75 |
| 491 (QLD regional) | 80+ | 75 |
| 491 (SA regional) | 75+ | 70 |
| 491 (WA regional) | 75+ | 70 |
| 491 (NT) | 75+ | 70 |
| 491 (Tas regional — entire state) | 75+ | 70 |
These are realistic estimates based on historical patterns. The points calculator confirms your current score; the eligibility wizard suggests realistic targets.
Trends to watch in 2026
1. Continued vet nurse shortage. Australia's veterinary services sector faces sustained shortage. Pet ownership grew rapidly post-pandemic (~62% of households). The number of registered vet nurses hasn't kept pace with demand. Industry estimates suggest 30-40% short across general practice.
2. Specialty hospital expansion. SASH (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth) and Animal Referral Hospital (Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne) continue expanding. Specialty hospitals routinely sponsor experienced VTS-credentialed nurses.
3. Greencross / corporate consolidation. Greencross Vets (Petbarn / PETstock parent) operates 200+ clinics. Continuous corporate-level sponsorship for vet nurses across all states.
4. Rural / mixed practice critical shortage. Apiam Animal Health, Provet Magill, and other rural-focused practices struggle to staff regional clinics. 491 / 494 regional pathways heavily favoured for rural placements.
5. University teaching hospital intake. University of Sydney Camden, University of Melbourne Werribee, UQ Gatton, Murdoch Perth, Charles Sturt Wagga all employ vet nurses at teaching hospital scale.
6. State-specific registration tightening. Victoria, NSW, ACT increasingly tighten vet nurse registration requirements. Some states mandate registration through veterinary practitioners board. Verify state-specific post-arrival requirements.
7. Emergency / Critical Care growth. Animal Emergency Service (AES) Brisbane / Gold Coast / Sunshine Coast / NSW operates 24/7 emergency centres. SVES Sydney runs full ECC + specialty referral. Demand for VTS-ECC credentialed nurses is high.
How to maximise your invitation odds
- Maximise federal points. Aim for 80+ before adding state nomination boost. English upgrade (Proficient → Superior) is typically the cheapest 10-point gain.
- Specialty certification. VTS (Veterinary Technician Specialist) credentials in any specialty (Anesthesia, Dental, ECC, Surgery, etc.) significantly differentiate you and improve sponsor interest.
- Target the right state. Compare via the state nomination comparison.
- Australian employment offer. State nominations strongly favour candidates with confirmed offers. Approach Greencross Vets recruitment, specialty hospitals, regional practices directly.
- Multi-state ROI strategy. Lodge ROIs simultaneously in multiple eligible states.
- Stay current. Subscribe to the invitation rounds tracker.
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
- Jobs and Skills Australia
- VETASSESS
- 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 read the round patterns against your specific vet nurse profile and identify the best state to target? Book a 30-minute free strategy call with a MARA-registered agent at Global Select.