How I Got My State Nomination for PR – Real Stories

From Ahmedabad to Adelaide and Perth — if you’re a Gujarati tech professional or civil engineer dreaming of Australian PR, state nomination (Subclass 190/491) can be your fastest track. As an experienced Australia PR consultant team serving applicants from Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot, we’ve seen what actually works: the right English test, a clean evidence pack, and a state strategy that matches your profile. Below are three real-style journeys that show how people just like you turned an EOI into a nomination, plus checklists and a 7-day plan you can copy.

Need hands-on guidance now? Talk to our Australia PR Visa Consultants, book PTE Coaching Classes in Ahmedabad, or walk in to meet an Australia PR consultant in Ahmedabad. If you’re comparing pathways, an expert Australia PR Agency saves time and lifts your points game with the right test strategy.

Why State Nomination Still Matters in 2025

Australia’s 2024–25 permanent Migration Program is set at 185,000 places, with 132,200 places in the Skill stream. Within that, the State/Territory Nominated category and the Regional category are each planned at 33,000 places. States and territories also have explicit nomination allocations for 190 and 491. For 2024–25, the combined allocations are 16,500 (190) and 9,760 (491). Translation: if you align your profile with a state’s needs, nomination is very achievable.

Important Update: English Tests from 7 August 2025

From 7 August 2025, the list of accepted English tests widened (e.g., IELTS Academic/General with OSR, PTE Academic, CELPIP General, C1 Advanced, OET, MET, TOEFL iBT, LANGUAGECERT Academic) — but only when taken at a secure test centre. For points and eligibility, this matters a lot. For example, to evidence Competent English via PTE Academic (tests taken on/after 7 Aug 2025), the minimum component scores are now L 47, R 48, W 51, S 54. If you’re chasing more points, aim for Proficient or Superior bands.

If you took a test on or before 6 August 2025, you can still use it for visa purposes (subject to visa rules) up to 6 August 2028. Not sure which test suits you? Book a diagnostic and mock plan through our PTE Coaching Classes in Ahmedabad.

How State Nomination Works (190 & 491) — In 6 Plain Steps

1. Skills Assessment: Get a positive assessment from the right authority (ACS, Engineers Australia, etc.).
2. English Test: Meet the visa/state minimum — then target Proficient/Superior for bonus points.
3. Points & EOI: Calculate points (age, education, experience, English, partner, etc.) and submit an EOI in SkillSelect.
4. Pick Your State Strategy: Check occupation lists, ROI rules, extra criteria (job offer, salary, regional intent).
5. Apply to the State: Lodge state nomination/ROI with complete evidence; respond fast to any requests.
6. Invitation & Visa: Accept nomination quickly, lodge visa on time, complete medicals/PCCs, track processing.

Real Stories: 3 Gujarat Profiles That Converted

Story #1: Aarav (Ahmedabad) — Subclass 190, Victoria (Software/DevOps)

Profile: 31, Master’s in CS, 5.5 years in DevOps (AWS + Terraform), married (spouse with Competent English). Worked on CI/CD, infra as code, and security automation in a product company.

Strategy: Victoria consistently targets high-demand tech roles. Aarav mapped his duties precisely to ANZSCO, showed ongoing employment with payslips/bank credits, and moved from Competent to Proficient English through targeted PTE Coaching and mocks. He quantified impact (e.g., deployment time ↓40%, infra cost optimisations).

• EOI at 80 points; Proficient English added +10 → 90 points.
• Evidence pack: skills assessment, experience letters with duties, payslips, ITR/Form 16, bank salary credits.
• ROI filed as soon as the VIC window opened; complied with all employment-evidence instructions.

Outcome: VIC nomination in 7 weeks; 190 granted. Tech tip: Emphasise uptime, latency, IaC, security compliance — impact data helps Victoria pick you.

Story #2: Dhvani (Surat) — Subclass 190, South Australia (Civil Engineer)

Profile: 28, B.E. Civil, 4.2 years across site and structural roles in Surat/Bharuch; interests in transport/sustainability.

Strategy: South Australia is transparent about occupation and experience thresholds. Dhvani secured robust employer letters (structural analysis, design review, QA), attached project summaries/photos, and switched from IELTS to PTE to target Superior for +20 points.

• Mapped duties to the ANZSCO unit group used by Engineers Australia.
• Added a concise “Why SA” plan (infrastructure pipeline, regional willingness).

Outcome: SA nomination in ~6 weeks. Civil tip: Showcase outcomes (budget saved, safety milestones, ratings) — it proves industry impact.

Story #3: Parth (Rajkot) — Subclass 491, Western Australia (Business Analyst → Data)

Profile: 33, Business Analytics pro moving into data; 6+ years with SQL, Python, dashboards.

Strategy: Western Australia’s SNMP has strong 491 options if you show regional commitment. Parth landed a regional WA job offer (data analyst), completed a short Grad Cert in Data Analytics, and prepared a relocation plan (housing, transport, job-market mapping).

• Targeted PTE prep to hit Proficient.
• Portfolio evidence (case studies, GitHub) to prove real skills.

Outcome: WA 491 nomination granted; visa lodged on time. Switcher tip: Bridge with micro-credentials and a proof-of-work portfolio.

Quick Checklist: Convert Your EOI into a Nomination

• Validate your ANZSCO match (duties + evidence) before you even press “submit”.
• Pick the right test (IELTS/PTE/CELPIP/MET, etc.), but remember: test centre only counts.
• Build a neat evidence pack: skills assessment, experience letters with duties, payslips, bank credits, tax records, contracts.
• Track state ROI windows and requirements; prepare templates in advance.
• Write a focused “Why this state” statement (demand fit, your skills, regional intent for 491, settlement plan).
• Respond quickly to any state/Case Officer requests.

Points Playbook (2025): Where Gujaratis Win/Lose

• English: Points swing the most here. If PTE suits you, chase Proficient/Superior. Join PTE Coaching Classes in Ahmedabad and schedule two mocks per week.
• Experience: Duties must mirror ANZSCO — not generic HR lines.
• Partner Skills: Partner English/skills can add valuable points (check validity windows).
• Regional Advantage: 491 is easier if your regional commitment looks genuine (job search steps, networking, short study).
• Timing: Lodge ROI as soon as the window opens. Quotas move quickly.

Data That Shapes Strategy

• Planning levels: Skill stream = 132,200 places in 2024–25; State/Territory Nominated and Regional each at 33,000.
• State nomination allocations: Total 2024–25 allocations are 16,500 (Subclass 190) and 9,760 (Subclass 491) across states/territories.
• Community context: At 30 June 2023, there were 845,800 Indian-born residents in Australia (10.3% of the overseas-born population) — strong networks for Gujarati professionals.

What States Actually Look For

Although every state sets its own rules, successful nominations typically show:

1. Verified skills fit (positive assessment + duties mapped to ANZSCO).
2. English that meets or beats the visa/state requirement (Proficient/Superior for points).
3. Compelling state intent (job offer/contract, regional plan, or clear rationale).
4. Complete, consistent documentation that’s easy to review.

Before you lodge, read your target state’s official page. See: South Australia nomination requirements and Western Australia’s SNMP guidance.

Tools & Templates We Recommend

• EOI Points Calculator: Update after every test result, work anniversary, or qualification.
• Evidence Folder Structure: /01_ID /02_Education /03_SkillsAssessment /04_Experience /05_Payslips /06_BankSalary /07_Tax /08_English /09_WhyThisState
• “Why-This-State” Statement: 4 clear paragraphs: demand fit, your proof, regional commitment (491), settlement plan.
• Mock Interview Sheet: Projects, metrics, relocation steps — especially for onshore applicants.

FAQs

Which visa — 190 or 491 — should I choose?

190 gives you permanent residence from grant; 491 is a regional provisional visa that can lead to PR via 191 if you meet conditions. If your points are tight or you’re open to regional life, 491 can be a faster invite.

How long do state nominations take?

It varies by state and evidence quality. We often see responses in 4–10 weeks when criteria are met and documents are clean.

What English score should I target?

Aim for Proficient or Superior to boost points. For PTE Academic (tests on/after 7 Aug 2025), Competent requires L47/R48/W51/S54. For exact bands by visa, check DHA pages.

Can my spouse add points?

Yes. Depending on the visa, your partner’s English/skills can add points. Ensure test validity and the right evidence format.

Do states prefer onshore applicants?

Some do, especially for occupations in active demand. But offshore applicants still receive nominations if the evidence and state intent are strong.

Get Help from a Local Team That Knows Gujarat Profiles

Speak with an experienced Australia consultancy that actively supports tech professionals and civil engineers from Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot. For walk-in guidance, consult an Australia PR consultant in Ahmedabad. For faster points gains, join our focused PTE Coaching Classes in Ahmedabad. Prefer a call first? Explore Australia immigration pathways and book a slot.

Book a Free PR Strategy Call

7-Day Action Plan to Kickstart Your Nomination Journey

• Day 1: Confirm ANZSCO; list assessing authority, fees, timeline.
• Day 2–3: Book your English test; set two mocks; fix weakest components first.
• Day 4: Draft “Why this state” and your ROI checklist.
• Day 5: Collect experience letters with duties mirroring ANZSCO.
• Day 6: Scan payslips, bank salary credits, tax proofs; name files clearly.
• Day 7: Submit EOI; watch for state windows; lodge ROI within hours of opening.

Conclusion: Real Stories, Real Tactics, Real Outcomes

These journeys weren’t about luck; they were about aligning evidence, English scores, and timing. If you can show a credible skills match, add points with the right test, and present a convincing state intent, nomination is absolutely possible — even in a competitive year. Start with your strongest lever (often English), organise your proof, and hit the ROI window early.

Bonus for Your Web Team: CTR Boosters

• Suggested SEO Title: How I Got My State Nomination for PR (190/491) – Real Stories & 7-Day Plan [2025]
• Meta Description: Three Gujarat-focused success stories (tech + civil), the Aug-2025 English-test update, state allocations, and a 7-day plan to secure your Australian state nomination.
• Suggested Slug: /state-nomination-pr-real-stories-190-491
• Internal Links: Home → Australia Immigration → State Nomination (190/491) → PTE Coaching Ahmedabad → Contact

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Sources

DHA – Migration Program planning levels (incl. 2024–25 state allocations)

DHA – English language visa requirements (updated 7 Aug 2025)

DHA – Competent English (component scores)

DHA – India country profile (population)

South Australia – Nomination Requirements

Western Australia – State Nominated Migration Program