The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a points-tested permanent residency visa for skilled workers who have been formally nominated by an Australian state or territory government — and it awards 5 bonus points on the points test simply for receiving that nomination. To qualify, your occupation must appear on your chosen state’s skilled occupation list, you need a positive skills assessment, you must be under 45, and you need to score at least 65 points (including the 5 nomination points) to receive an invitation through SkillSelect.
The 5 extra points from state nomination can be the deciding factor for applicants scoring between 65 and 80 on the points test — the competitive range where most invitation rounds are decided. If your occupation is in high demand in a particular state, nomination can also come faster than waiting for a 189 invitation round.
Use our free visa points calculator to calculate your score instantly and see how competitive you are for a subclass 190 nomination.
DISCLAIMER: This disclaimer applies to all content published on immigrationau.com.au and its associated social media channels. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. It is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon for making any visa or migration decisions. Immigration laws and policies are subject to change, and the material may not reflect the most current regulations. For guidance specific to your circumstances, please consult a Registered Migration Agent (MARA) or a qualified Australian lawyer before submitting any applications.
What is the subclass 190 visa?
The subclass 190 is a permanent visa granted by the Department of Home Affairs that allows nominated skilled workers to live and work in Australia as permanent residents from the date of grant. It operates through a two-step process: first, you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, then a state or territory government nominates you from the EOI pool based on their own occupation demand and criteria. The critical difference from the subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) is that the 190 requires a formal state or territory nomination — but rewards you with 5 extra points that can make the difference between receiving an invitation or waiting indefinitely.
Why choose the subclass 190 over the subclass 189?
The subclass 190 is the right choice if your points score is competitive but not high enough to receive a subclass 189 invitation independently. Here is a direct comparison:| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship required | None | State/territory nomination |
| Extra points awarded | 0 | +5 points |
| Live anywhere in Australia | Yes | Yes (with state commitment) |
| Visa type | Permanent | Permanent |
| Minimum points | 65 | 65 (incl. 5 nomination points) |
How state and territory nomination works
Each Australian state and territory runs its own Skilled Migration program with its own occupation lists, eligibility criteria, and nomination quotas — and these change regularly, sometimes monthly.The eight nomination jurisdictions
- New South Wales — strong demand for technology, engineering and healthcare occupations
- Victoria — broad occupation list with significant nomination volumes
- Queensland — focus on regional and healthcare workers
- South Australia — one of the more accessible states for nomination, including offshore applicants
- Western Australia — mining, construction and healthcare occupations regularly in demand
- Tasmania — smaller quota but strong demand for specific trades and healthcare roles
- Australian Capital Territory — targeted nominations, often favouring applicants with prior ACT ties
- Northern Territory — broad acceptance including many occupations not listed elsewhere
Steps to receive a state nomination
- Submit an EOI through SkillSelect indicating interest in state/territory nomination
- Meet the specific criteria of the state you are targeting — including occupation, points score, English level, and often a connection to the state
- Wait for the state to select your EOI and issue a nomination invitation
- Accept the nomination and lodge your subclass 190 visa application within 60 days
Points test requirements for the subclass 190
The subclass 190 requires a minimum of 65 points on Australia’s skills points test — the same minimum as the subclass 189. The key difference is that the 5 points awarded for state nomination count toward your total, meaning your base score before nomination only needs to reach 60 points.Points breakdown by category
| Category | Maximum points |
|---|---|
| Age (25–32 years = maximum) | 30 |
| English language proficiency | 20 |
| Skilled employment experience (overseas + Australian) | 20 |
| Educational qualifications | 20 |
| State/territory nomination | 5 |
| Partner skills | 10 |
| Professional Year in Australia | 5 |
| Community language accreditation (NAATI) | 5 |
| Study in regional Australia | 5 |
| Partner English proficiency | 5 |
Full eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the subclass 190 visa at the time of invitation, you must meet all of the following:Occupation
Your nominated occupation must appear on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) as specified by your nominating state.Skills assessment
You must hold a positive skills assessment from the relevant Australian assessing authority for your occupation. Assessment bodies vary by occupation — for example, Engineers Australia for engineers, VETASSESS for many trade and professional occupations, and the Australian Computer Society for ICT roles.Age
You must be under 45 years of age at the time you receive your invitation to apply.English language
You must demonstrate at least competent English, generally an IELTS score of 6.0 in each band or equivalent. Higher English scores earn more points on the points test.Health and character
You and any family members included in the application must meet Australia’s standard health and character requirements.State nomination
You must hold a valid, current nomination from an Australian state or territory government.Points score
You must score at least 65 points, including the 5 nomination points, at the time of invitation.What happens after the visa is granted
Holders of the subclass 190 are permanent residents from the date of grant and receive the same core entitlements as other permanent residents — the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia, access to Medicare, and a pathway to Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements.The state commitment
When accepting a state nomination, applicants make a commitment to live and work in the nominating state or territory for a defined period after the visa is granted. While this is not enforced as a strict visa condition in all cases, it is a formal obligation applicants acknowledge at the time of nomination acceptance. Taking this obligation seriously is the right approach — and most applicants find that living in their nominating state is straightforward, especially where the nomination reflects genuine employment or community ties.Get expert help with your subclass 190 application
The subclass 190 is an excellent pathway for skilled workers who have the qualifications and experience but need the extra 5 points that state nomination provides — particularly for applicants in occupations with strong state demand who may wait longer for a subclass 189 invitation. Ready to take the next step with your subclass 190 application? At Immigration AU we connect visa applicants with OMARA-registered migration agents near you who specialise in skilled migration and can guide you through state nomination in your own language. Agent on our platform speak English, Hindi, Punjabi, Chinese, Japanese, Nepali, Filipino, Vietnamese, and more — find agents across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, and regional areas across Australia.
DISCLAIMER: This disclaimer applies to all content published on immigrationau.com.au and its associated social media channels. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. It is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon for making any visa or migration decisions. Immigration laws and policies are subject to change, and the material may not reflect the most current regulations. For guidance specific to your circumstances, please consult a Registered Migration Agent (MARA) or a qualified Australian lawyer before submitting any applications. Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs - skilled nominated visa (subclass 190)
The subclass 190 is a permanent visa that legally allows you to live anywhere in Australia. However, accepting a state or territory nomination comes with a formal commitment to live and work in that jurisdiction. While this is not enforced as a strict visa condition in all cases, it is an obligation applicants should take seriously and ideally discuss with a registered migration agent before accepting a nomination from a state they do not intend to settle in.
The subclass 189 requires no sponsorship and allows you to live anywhere in Australia with no commitment. The subclass 190 requires a state or territory nomination but awards 5 extra points on the points test, making it more accessible for applicants who are close to the invitation threshold. Both are permanent residency visas.
Nomination volumes and occupation lists change regularly. Victoria and New South Wales typically have the highest nomination volumes, while South Australia and Tasmania are often more accessible for applicants with lower points scores. A registered migration agent can advise on current state nomination availability based on your specific occupation and score.
Processing times vary but most subclass 190 applications are decided within 5 to 11 months of lodgement, according to current Home Affairs data. Processing time depends on how quickly you provide documents, whether health and character checks are completed promptly, and application volumes at the time.
Yes. Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants on your subclass 190 application. They will also receive permanent residency and will share the same visa grant date as you.
