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This Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is a permanent migration option for skilled employees who have been nominated by a state or territory government in Australia. Unlike the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), you will gain an additional 5 points towards your migration, as this is a state-nominated application, an application often used by those who are not yet at the high competitive invitation points for independent skilled migration.
This subclass 190 is particularly useful for occupations that are required in particular Australian states or regional economies. Individual states and territories will have their own specific occupation lists, work experience requirements, and their own nomination selection criteria as well as their invitation priorities.
While the state may require applicants to stay and work for at least 2 years, this is still one of the most realistic and reachable PR pathways for skilled migrants in 2026. Knowledge about EOI strategy, state nomination trends, and the competitive invitation scores is of paramount importance.
Feature | Detail |
Visa type | Permanent residency (granted immediately) |
Points bonus from nomination | +5 points added to your SkillSelect score |
Minimum DHA points threshold | 65 points (including the 5 nomination points) |
Age requirement | Under 45 at time of invitation |
Two-year obligation | Live and work in nominating state for 2 years |
Occupation list | MLTSSL or STSOL (varies by state) |
Required before EOI lodgement | |
Processing time | 5 to 12 months |
To be eligible for the 190 visa, you must meet all federal requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs before any state nomination can be considered.
Key requirements:
The 5-point nomination bonus from the 190 is significant, but the invitation score at which your occupation gets called in a SkillSelect round is entirely different from the minimum 65-point floor.
Points Category | Maximum Points |
Age (25–32 years) | 30 |
Qualification (Doctoral degree) | 20 |
English (Superior — IELTS 8+) | 20 |
Australian work experience (8–10 years) | 20 |
Overseas work experience (8–10 years) | 15 |
State nomination (Subclass 190) | 5 |
Competitive invitation scores in most high-demand occupations in 2026 sit between 75 and 95 points. Research your occupation’s recent invitation history; the 65-point minimum is the lodgement floor only.
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The 190 state nomination operates through two separate systems, the federal SkillSelect EOI and each state’s own nomination portal, and confusing the order of these steps is one of the most common application errors.
Submit an Expression of Interest through the federal SkillSelect portal indicating interest in state nomination. Once lodged, do not update your EOI unless your points genuinely increase; updating resets your lodgement date and pushes you back in the queue.
Most states require a separate registration on their own portal called a Register of Interest (ROI) in some states or a direct application in others. NSW requires registration with Investment NSW before being eligible for selection. States select candidates from both their own ROI and the federal SkillSelect pool independently.
If your profile meets the state’s requirements, the state invites you to apply. Processing takes 4 to 12 weeks. If approved, the state nominates you through SkillSelect, adding 5 bonus points.
The Department of Home Affairs invites you to apply for the Subclass 190 visa. You have 60 days to lodge via ImmiAccount. Onshore applicants are automatically granted a Bridging Visa A during processing.
Each state operates its own nomination program with different occupation priorities, points thresholds, and residency requirements. No two states are identical.
State/Territory | Points Threshold | Priority Sectors | Offshore? | Residency Requirement |
South Australia | 65–80 | Engineering, health, ICT, construction | Yes | Commitment to SA |
Tasmania | 75–85 (190) | Healthcare, infrastructure, education | Limited | Employment in TAS required |
New South Wales | 85–100+ | ICT, civil, healthcare | Selected occupations | NSW connection |
Victoria | 70–90 | Health, education, ICT, trades | Selective | VIC connection helpful |
Queensland | 70–85 | Healthcare, engineering, trades | Limited | QLD residents preferred |
Western Australia | 65–85 | Mining, construction, engineering | Yes | Commitment to WA |
Northern Territory | Closed 2025–26 | — | — | Re-opens July 2026 |
ACT | 80–100+ | Government, ICT, professional services | Limited | ACT connection required |
Important: Thresholds change each round. These figures are based on Q1–Q2 2026 data; verify directly with each state before submission.
Subclass 190 visa processing takes 5 to 12 months for most complete applications. Several factors affect the timeline:
Skills assessment currency: Most assessments are valid for three years. If yours expires while we’re processing your application, your request may be delayed. We start processing before it expires.
Health and character checks: Need a medical check-up and police clearances. Complicated health cases and police clearances from different countries may cause delays.
Application completeness: Lost documents, incorrect ANZSCO codes and “gap” between claims in SkillSelect EOI and documents will lead to delays. Each point you have in your SkillSelect EOI will need to be documented for visa lodgement.
Occupation priority: The 2026 priority sectors processing are healthcare, IT, engineering, and teaching jobs.
Choosing between the 190, 189, and 491 depends on your points score, occupation, and whether you can meet state-specific residency requirements.
Situation | Recommended Pathway |
Points 85+ and occupation in strong 189 demand | Subclass 189 (no state commitment) |
Points 70–85 and occupation on state priority list | Subclass 190 (PR at grant) |
Points 65–75 and willing to live regionally | Subclass 491 (15 bonus points, leads to PR via 191) |
Occupation not on 189 list but on state list | Subclass 190 is the only viable option |
Want PR immediately without provisional period | Subclass 190 or 189 only |
Offshore with no Australian work history | 190 or 491 (states actively invite offshore) |
A strategic approach for applicants with 70–80 points: apply for both Subclass 190 and 491 nominations simultaneously in states where you meet both eligibility criteria. Whichever invitation arrives first determines your pathway; the 190 grants PR immediately, and the 491 provides the 15-point bonus and leads to PR via Subclass 191 after three years.
The Subclass 190 visa is one of Australia’s key permanent residency pathways for skilled workers in 2026, but it operates through a two-step system involving both federal and state processes.
Your position is decided through the federal EOI and state nomination will depend on your nominated occupation and the demand for it within certain states. Because of the 5 extra points received with nomination and priority lists, it can make the 190 a better visa for a lot of applicants than the 189.
To improve your chances, understand your points score, check recent invitation trends for your occupation, review state requirements, and ensure your skills assessment is valid. Professional guidance from CDRAustraliaEngineer can also help you choose the right state and prepare a strong application.
The federal minimum is 65 points, including the 5-point nomination bonus. The actual invitation score where your occupation gets called is typically 70 to 95 points depending on occupation and state. Meeting 65 is the lodgement floor, not a guarantee of invitation.
If you are on a 190 visa, you will have to live and work in the nominated state for two years starting from when you were awarded the visa. This is part of the nomination agreement. Once this period of time has expired you will be able to live and work anywhere in Australia.
Yes. SA and WA actively invite offshore applicants across most streams. NSW and Victoria require a demonstrated state connection. Tasmania requires employment already in the state. Always check current state requirements before registering a ROI or EOI.
A SkillSelect EOI is a federal profile ranking you nationally by points and lodgement date. A state ROI is a separate registration on each state’s own portal. Both may need to be active simultaneously and select states from their ROI pool independently of the federal SkillSelect system.
Most complete applications process in 5 to 12 months. Common delay causes include missing documents, expired skills assessments, complex health checks, or police clearances from multiple countries. Healthcare, engineering, and teaching occupations receive priority in 2026.
Yes. Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included. Each must meet health and character requirements. All receive permanent residency under the same visa, with immediate Medicare access and local-rate school fees for dependent children.
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