Major Opportunities for Skilled Construction Workers Ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Queensland’s 2026–27 State Nominated Migration Program opened for Registrations of Interest on 6 November 2026, creating significant opportunities for eligible building and construction workers. Under Queensland’s dedicated Building and Construction Workers pathway, eligible applicants may qualify for state nomination after just three months of employment in Queensland, with a preference for Subclass 190 permanent residence nomination wherever possible.
Of particular significance is Queensland’s dedicated Building and Construction Workers pathway, which is designed to attract and retain skilled workers needed to support the State’s expanding construction industry.
With major infrastructure developments underway and preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Queensland continues to prioritise skilled construction workers to address workforce demands across the State.
Under the 2026–27 program, eligible construction workers who have been living and working in Queensland for at least three continuous months immediately before submitting their ROI may qualify for Queensland state nomination, subject to meeting the applicable eligibility criteria.
Migration Queensland has indicated a preference for nominating eligible construction workers under the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa, which provides Australian permanent residency upon grant.
This represents a significant opportunity for eligible tradespeople, construction managers, engineering technicians and other skilled construction professionals who are already contributing to Queensland’s economy.
However, applicants must still satisfy the relevant occupation, skills assessment, English language, points-test and employment requirements. Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee an invitation to apply for Queensland nomination.
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Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Queensland’s Growing Construction Workforce Demand
Queensland is entering an important period of infrastructure development, driven by population growth, housing requirements, transport projects and preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
These developments are expected to create continuing demand for skilled construction professionals across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and regional Queensland.
Migration Queensland has expressly recognised that major infrastructure projects and international events are creating employment opportunities for skilled building and construction workers.
This is significant because Queensland’s migration strategy is not simply concerned with attracting skilled migrants. It is also directed towards supporting industries that are essential to the State’s long-term economic development.
For eligible construction workers already employed in Queensland, the 2026–27 nomination program may offer an opportunity to secure a longer-term future in Australia.
Applicants do not need to be employed directly on an Olympic or Paralympic Games project to qualify for consideration under this pathway. Eligibility depends on satisfying the relevant occupation, employment and other nomination requirements.
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Special Building and Construction Workers Pathway – Only Three Months of Employment Required
One of the most attractive features of Queensland’s Building and Construction Workers pathway is its more flexible employment requirement.
Under the published 2026–27 criteria, applicants may be eligible for Queensland nomination if they have been living and working in Queensland for at least three continuous months immediately before submitting their ROI.
The employment must satisfy several important conditions:
- The applicant must currently be living and working in Queensland for a Queensland-based employer.
- The qualifying employment must have continued for at least three months immediately before submitting the ROI.
- Employment must be undertaken after completion of the relevant qualification.
- The applicant must work at least 20 paid hours per week.
- Employment must be in the nominated occupation or a closely related occupation sharing the first three digits of the relevant ANZSCO code.
- Casual employment may be accepted.
- Multiple eligible jobs may be combined to satisfy the employment requirement.
Applicants must continue to satisfy the relevant employment requirements when submitting their ROI, when invited to apply and when nominated.
This flexibility is particularly beneficial for construction workers who may undertake project-based employment, casual work or work for multiple employers.
However, the three-month requirement is not a general exemption from skilled migration eligibility requirements. Applicants must still satisfy all other Queensland nomination and Commonwealth visa criteria.
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Queensland’s Preference for Subclass 190 Permanent Residence Nomination
A particularly important aspect of the Building and Construction Workers pathway is Queensland’s stated preference for nominating eligible applicants for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa wherever possible.
The Subclass 190 visa provides permanent residence to successful applicants, subject to satisfying the relevant Commonwealth requirements.
This preference is intended to enable eligible construction workers to work across Queensland, rather than being restricted to designated regional areas under the Subclass 491 visa.
However, not every occupation is eligible for Subclass 190 nomination.
Applicants whose occupations are only eligible for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visa, or who otherwise do not meet the Subclass 190 requirements, may be considered for Subclass 491 nomination if they satisfy the applicable criteria.
The distinction is important because the Subclass 190 visa provides permanent residence upon grant, whereas the Subclass 491 visa is provisional and may provide a pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 191 visa.
Applicants should therefore carefully assess which visa subclass is available for their nominated occupation before submitting an ROI.
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Which Construction Occupations May Be Eligible?
Queensland’s 2026–27 Onshore Skilled Occupation List identifies occupations that are eligible for consideration under the Building and Construction Workers pathway.
Examples include:
Construction management and technical occupations
- Construction Project Manager – ANZSCO 133111
- Project Builder – ANZSCO 133112
- Architectural Draftsperson – ANZSCO 312111
- Building Inspector – ANZSCO 312113
- Construction Estimator – ANZSCO 312114
- Civil Engineering Draftsperson – ANZSCO 312211
- Civil Engineering Technician – ANZSCO 312212
Building and construction trades
- Bricklayer – ANZSCO 331111
- Carpenter and Joiner – ANZSCO 331211
- Carpenter – ANZSCO 331212
- Joiner – ANZSCO 331213
- Floor Finisher – ANZSCO 332111
- Glazier – ANZSCO 333111
- Fibrous Plasterer – ANZSCO 333211
- Roof Tiler – ANZSCO 333311
- Wall and Floor Tiler – ANZSCO 333411
Plumbing, electrical and mechanical trades
- Plumber (General) – ANZSCO 334111
- Roof Plumber – ANZSCO 334115
- Electrician (General) – ANZSCO 341111
- Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic – ANZSCO 342111
Engineering and fabrication trades
- Metal Fabricator – ANZSCO 322311
- Pressure Welder – ANZSCO 322312
- Welder (First Class) – ANZSCO 322313
These occupations are examples only and do not represent the complete list.
Some occupations may qualify for both Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 nomination, while others may be eligible only for Subclass 491.
Applicants must consult the current Queensland Skilled Occupation Lists and confirm that their occupation is specifically identified as eligible under the Building and Construction Workers pathway.
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Minimum Eligibility Requirements
In addition to the qualifying employment requirement, applicants must satisfy Queensland’s published nomination criteria and the relevant Commonwealth visa requirements.
| Requirement | Queensland’s published criteria |
| Occupation | Eligible occupation on the Queensland Onshore Skilled Occupation List, marked for the Building and Construction pathway |
| Skills assessment | Valid positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation |
| Points test | At least 65 points |
| English | At least Competent English |
| Employment | At least three continuous months of eligible Queensland employment |
| Working hours | At least 20 paid hours per week |
| Residence | Currently living and working in Queensland |
| Subclass 190 commitment | Continue living and working in Queensland for at least two years after visa grant |
| Subclass 491 commitment | Continue living and working in regional Queensland for at least three years after visa grant |
Applicants must also satisfy applicable visa requirements concerning age, health, character and other legislative criteria.
Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to apply for Queensland nomination.
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Selection Is Not Based Solely on Migration Points
A significant consideration for applicants is that Migration Queensland does not select candidates primarily based on their SkillSelect points score.
Instead, Queensland considers a broader range of factors when determining which applicants are best positioned to contribute to the State’s economic and workforce priorities.
Relevant considerations may include:
- Skills and qualifications.
- Employment experience and salary.
- Ability to secure and maintain employment.
- Location of employment within Queensland.
- Age and English proficiency.
- Partner’s skills and English proficiency.
- Current workforce demand and skills shortages, particularly in regional, rural and remote Queensland.
Consequently, an applicant with a higher points score will not necessarily receive an invitation ahead of another applicant whose skills and employment circumstances better align with Queensland’s workforce priorities.
For construction workers, demonstrating stable employment, relevant qualifications and a genuine contribution to Queensland’s construction industry may be particularly important.
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Important ATO Notice of Assessment Requirement
Migration Queensland has also highlighted an important taxation requirement for onshore applicants under the 2026–27 program.
Applicants required to lodge an Australian income tax return for the 2025–26 financial year must have received their Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Notice of Assessment before submitting an ROI.
The taxable income declared in the ROI must match the Notice of Assessment.
Applicants who were not required to lodge a tax return may enter $0 taxable income in accordance with Migration Queensland’s published instructions.
Construction workers should ensure that their taxation records, employment information, salary details and other supporting documents are accurate and consistent before submitting an ROI.
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Construction Workers Should Prepare Their Evidence Before Applying
Applicants invited to submit a Queensland nomination application under this pathway are generally required to provide supporting documents within 14 calendar days of receiving their invitation.
Important documents include:
- A valid skills assessment.
- Current visa status evidence, including a VEVO statement.
- Evidence of Queensland residence.
- Employment contracts covering the qualifying three-month period.
- Employer-completed Statements of Service.
- Payslips demonstrating eligible employment.
- Other documentation required by Migration Queensland.
Where an applicant has worked for multiple employers, separate employment evidence may be necessary.
For workers employed through labour hire arrangements, special attention should be given to the Statement of Service requirements, including the requirement for the organisation where the work is performed to complete the relevant form.
Applicants should not wait until receiving an invitation before beginning to collect employment and supporting documents.
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Strategic Considerations for Construction Workers and Employers
The 2026–27 Queensland nomination program creates opportunities not only for individual skilled workers but also for construction businesses seeking to retain experienced employees.
Construction employers frequently face challenges recruiting and retaining skilled tradespeople and technical professionals.
Where a skilled employee qualifies for state nomination, the Subclass 190 pathway may provide an alternative to employer sponsorship.
However, Queensland nomination should be considered alongside other available visa options, including:
- Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visas including the labour agreement stream.
- Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visas.
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189).
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494) visas.
- Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visas.
The appropriate pathway will depend on the worker’s qualifications, occupation, employment history, visa status and long-term objectives.
For construction businesses involved in major infrastructure projects, including developments associated with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a coordinated workforce migration strategy may assist with recruitment and retention planning.
It is important to recognise that Queensland state nomination and employer sponsorship are separate migration processes, each with different requirements.
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Our Recommendations – Act Early and Prepare Carefully
The opening of Queensland’s 2026–27 State Nominated Migration Program is a positive development for eligible construction workers.
The special three-month employment requirement and Queensland’s preference for Subclass 190 nomination make this pathway particularly attractive.
Nevertheless, nomination places remain limited and invitations are competitive.
We recommend that prospective applicants:
- Confirm that their occupation is included in the Building and Construction Workers pathway.
- Verify that they meet the qualifying three-month employment requirement.
- Ensure that their skills assessment, English language results and SkillSelect EOI are valid and accurate.
- Review their taxation records and obtain their 2025–26 ATO Notice of Assessment where required.
- Prepare supporting employment documentation before submitting an ROI.
- Consider carefully whether Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 is the appropriate visa pathway.
Applicants should also be aware that they may select only one visa subclass in their ROI and may have only one valid ROI at a time.
Once submitted, an ROI cannot be amended. If circumstances change or information needs correction, a new ROI must be submitted.
How Rostron Carlyle Lawyers Can Assist
At Rostron Carlyle Lawyers, our Migration Law team assists skilled workers, construction professionals and employers with Australian skilled migration and employer-sponsored visa matters.
Our services include:
- Queensland State Nomination eligibility assessments.
- Subclass 189, 190 and Subclass 491 visa applications.
- Skilled occupation classification and skills assessment advice.
- SkillSelect EOI and Queensland ROI preparation.
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa applications.
- Subclass 186 permanent residence applications.
- Employer sponsorship and Labour Agreement applications.
- Complex migration matters involving previous refusals, health, character and compliance concerns and visa eligibility issues.
With extensive experience in Australian migration law, our team provides practical legal advice tailored to the needs of skilled migrants and Australian employers.
If you are a construction worker currently living and working in Queensland, the opening of the 2026–27 program may provide an important opportunity to assess your eligibility for Australian permanent residence.
To discuss your workforce requirements, get in touch with John Siong, Special Counsel at Rostron Carlyle Lawyers via email at j.siong@rclaw.com.au or by phone on +61 (0)401668989. We encourage eligible applicants to seek professional advice before submitting their ROI.
