Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated Visa

The Subclass 190 is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency. It operates under the points-tested skilled migration program.

Key features

• Permanent residence from the day it's granted
• Live and work in the nominating state/territory for at least 2 years
• +5 bonus points on top of your base points score
• Full Medicare access
• Sponsor eligible relatives for PR after becoming a permanent resident
• Apply for Australian citizenship once eligible

Why choose 190 over 189?

• Lower competition: State nomination pools are smaller than 189 pool
• +5 bonus points: Critical boost for occupations close to the cut-off
• State-specific occupation lists: Some occupations only available via 190

To be eligible for the 190 visa, you must:

• Have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list (MLTSSL or STSOL)
• Have a positive skills assessment for the occupation
• Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect
• Be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency
• Meet the points-test pass mark of 65 points (with the +5 state nomination bonus)
• Be aged between 18 and 44 inclusive
• Have Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band, or equivalent)
• Be invited to apply
• Meet health and character requirements
• Commit to living and working in the nominating state for at least 2 years

Each Australian state/territory has its own nomination requirements, occupation lists, and application processes:

• New South Wales (NSW) — Sydney-focused; high-demand occupations
• Victoria (VIC) — Melbourne-focused; strong demand for healthcare, ICT, engineering
• Queensland (QLD) — Brisbane and regional QLD; growing tech and construction
• South Australia (SA) — Adelaide; commitment to live and work required
• Western Australia (WA) — Perth and regional WA; mining and resources
• Tasmania (TAS) — Hobart; smaller market, easier nomination
• Northern Territory (NT) — Darwin; smaller market, easier nomination
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT) — Canberra; matrix-based system

Typical state nomination requirements

• Occupation on the state's nominated occupation list
• Commitment to live and work in the state for at least 2 years
• Sufficient points score (varies by state and occupation)
• English language proficiency
• May require financial settlement evidence

Stage 1: Skills Assessment

Apply for skills assessment with the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation.

Stage 2: Lodge EOI in SkillSelect

Indicate your interest in being nominated by a state/territory. You can nominate one or more states.

Stage 3: State Nomination Application

Apply to the state/territory for nomination. Provide evidence of your skills, employment, and commitment to the state.

Stage 4: Receive Nomination and Invitation

If approved, the state nominates you in SkillSelect. You then receive an invitation to apply for the 190 visa.

Stage 5: Visa Application

Within 60 days of invitation, lodge your visa application with all supporting documents.

The visa application charge for the primary applicant is approximately AUD 6,140. Additional charges apply for adult and child dependants.

State nomination fees vary — most states do not charge, but some charge a small processing fee (e.g., $200–$300).

Skills assessment, English test, and migration agent fees are separate.

Typical median processing is 6–9 months from invitation, but can extend to 12+ months during high-demand periods. State nomination processing is additional (typically 4–12 weeks depending on state).

Can I apply for 190 in multiple states?
Yes, you can indicate interest in multiple states in your EOI. Each state has its own criteria.

What if I want to move to another state after getting PR?
You should live in the nominating state for at least 2 years. After that, you're free to move.

Does 190 lead directly to PR?
Yes, the 190 visa grants permanent residence from the date it's granted.

Can I switch from 190 to 189?
Yes, you can update your EOI in SkillSelect to remove state nomination and be considered for 189.

What happens if my nomination is withdrawn?
If the state withdraws nomination before your visa grant, your application may be refused.

• Free 30-minute initial eligibility assessment
• State selection strategy — match your profile to best-fit state
• Skills assessment coordination
• State nomination application preparation
• EOI lodgement
• Visa application and document preparation
• Ongoing case management until grant
• Citizenship pathway planning