Last updated: 30 March 2026

190 Visa Requirements: State Nomination Explained

The subclass 190 visa requirements operate at two levels: the federal requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs, and the state or territory nomination criteria that each jurisdiction sets independently. Both must be satisfied before you can receive an invitation and lodge a visa application.

At the federal level, the 190 requirements mirror the skilled migration standards — occupation on an eligible list, positive skills assessment, minimum 65 points (which includes 5 points for the nomination itself), competent English, age under 45, and health and character checks.

At the state level, each jurisdiction publishes its own nomination conditions. These go beyond federal minimums and often include requirements around where you currently live, how much experience you have in the state, what English score you hold, and whether your occupation is on that state’s specific list for the current program year.

This page covers both layers in full — the federal requirements and a state-by-state overview — so you can identify which nomination pathway is most relevant to your profile.

Core Eligibility Requirements

All 190 visa applicants must satisfy the following federal-level criteria. These cannot be waived or substituted.

The 5 nomination points are only awarded after you receive a formal nomination from a state or territory. You cannot claim them in your EOI before nomination is confirmed — if you have applied for nomination but not yet received it, your EOI score reflects your base score without the bonus.

State Nomination: How It Works

State nomination is the defining feature of the 190 visa. It adds 5 points to your score and unlocks the 190 pathway, but obtaining it requires a separate application process with the state or territory government before (or alongside) your SkillSelect EOI.

The nomination process in sequence

1. Check your occupation on the state list. Each state publishes its own list of occupations open for nomination. These lists are updated regularly — often monthly — and can open or close specific occupations without notice. Your occupation must appear on the nominating state’s list for the 190 at the time you apply.

2. Meet the state’s individual criteria. Beyond the federal minimums, states impose their own conditions. These vary significantly. A state may require that you currently reside within its borders, have a job offer from a local employer, hold a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience, or score above a state-specific points cut-off.

3. Lodge a nomination application. Each state has its own online portal or system for receiving nomination applications. You submit your Expression of Interest or nomination application directly to the state government. States assess applications at their own pace — some process within weeks, others take months depending on program capacity.

4. Receive a nomination outcome. If the state nominates you, they provide a formal nomination letter or confirmation. Some states issue conditional nominations requiring you to submit your 190 visa application within a specific window.

5. Update your SkillSelect EOI. Once you have a confirmed nomination, you add the state nomination to your EOI. This updates your score by 5 points. The Department then considers your EOI in subsequent invitation rounds at the higher score.

6. Receive an invitation from the Department. The Department runs invitation rounds and issues invitations to the highest-scoring EOIs. After being nominated, most applicants receive a 190 invitation relatively quickly — particularly since nominated applicants are drawn from their own allocation within the program.

Points Test Requirements for the 190

The 190 uses the same points test structure as the 189. The 5 points for state nomination are awarded when you have confirmed nomination, and they count toward the 65-point minimum.

Points table for the subclass 190

The 190 nomination adds 5 points. For applicants with a base score of 60, this brings them to exactly the 65-point minimum. For applicants already above 65 on their base score, the nomination makes them more competitive in invitation rounds.

What is a competitive score for the 190?

The 190 runs invitation rounds separately from the 189. States also sometimes run their own direct invitation rounds where nominations trigger immediate invitations. As a result, the cut-off dynamics differ from the 189.

In general, a base score of 60–65 (before nomination) makes the 190 viable where it would not result in a 189 invitation. States with strong demand and limited spots may set their own internal cut-offs above the federal minimum — meaning even having a 190 nomination does not guarantee an invitation at 65 points if the state has set a higher bar.

Monitor the Department’s SkillSelect invitation round data and your target state’s announcement of its own selection criteria for the most current picture.

Occupation List Requirements

The 190 uses a broader range of occupation lists than the 189. While the 189 is restricted to the MLTSSL, the 190 can draw from:

• The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
• The Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
• State-specific occupation lists (maintained by each state and territory)

This broader eligibility means that if your occupation is not on the MLTSSL but does appear on the STSOL, you may still be eligible for the 190 through a nominating state that includes that occupation on their list.

Each state publishes its occupation list (sometimes called a State Migration Occupation List or equivalent). These lists are reviewed regularly. An occupation that is on a state’s list this month may be removed in the next review — or vice versa. Check the relevant state’s current list at the time you are ready to apply.

Practical implication

If your occupation is on the MLTSSL, you have more nomination options — most states include MLTSSL occupations on their lists. If your occupation is only on the STSOL, you may be limited to states that specifically include it. Some states also add occupations that are not on either federal list, based on local labour market needs.

State-Specific Nomination Requirements

Beyond the federal criteria, each state and territory imposes its own nomination conditions. These vary considerably. The overview below reflects typical requirements — check each state’s current nomination guidelines for the most accurate and up-to-date conditions.

New South Wales

NSW typically requires applicants to demonstrate a genuine connection to the state — through current residence, a job offer from an NSW employer, or evidence that settling in NSW is consistent with their circumstances. NSW often sets its own minimum points scores above the federal 65-point minimum during high-demand periods. See our guide to NSW skilled migration nomination for detail.

Victoria

Victoria’s skilled nomination program has historically required that applicants either live in Victoria or have a strong case for settling there. Victoria often prioritises occupations with genuine local skills shortages and adjusts its list based on state economic priorities.

Queensland

Queensland’s program includes both skilled and graduate streams. The skilled stream requires applicants to demonstrate ties to Queensland or a credible intention to relocate. Queensland periodically opens and closes streams based on program capacity.

Western Australia

WA’s skilled migration program is known for being more flexible about residence requirements in some circumstances, particularly for applicants with relevant WA job offers. WA also operates a separate pipeline for offshore applicants in key industries.

South Australia

South Australia actively recruits skilled migrants and has one of the more accessible nomination programs. SA sometimes accepts applications from offshore applicants without a prior SA residence requirement, depending on the occupation and program year.

Tasmania

Tasmania’s program is smaller and more targeted. It tends to focus on specific skill shortages relevant to Tasmania’s economy and may require evidence of genuine intent to settle in Tasmania.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

The ACT program is primarily for skilled workers already living and working in Canberra or surrounds. The program focuses on genuine local employment and connection to the territory.

Northern Territory

The NT has one of the more open nomination programs due to its chronic skills shortages. It often accepts offshore applicants and has nomination criteria that are more flexible than larger states.

Commitment to State Obligation

When you accept state nomination and subsequently receive a 190 visa grant, you formally commit to living and working in the nominating state for two years. This obligation is part of the nomination agreement you sign with the state, not just an informal undertaking.

The obligation means:

• You should genuinely plan to settle in the nominating state
• You should not nominate a state you have no intention of living in purely to obtain the 5-point bonus
• The Department may consider your compliance with this commitment when assessing future visa applications, citizenship applications, or sponsorship requests

The 190 visa itself does not carry enforcement mechanisms that restrict you from moving states after grant — it is a permanent visa and grants full freedom of movement throughout Australia. However, the nomination agreement you sign is a formal commitment to the state government, and non-compliance can affect your migration record.

Choose your nominating state based on where you genuinely intend to live, not only based on which state has the most accessible nomination criteria.

Skills Assessment Requirement

The 190 uses the same skills assessment framework as the 189. You must obtain a positive assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your ANZSCO occupation before you can submit an EOI.

The assessing authority is determined by your occupation, not the state you are applying through. State nomination does not change which authority assesses your skills. For example, a civil engineer applying through any state will still be assessed by Engineers Australia.

See the occupation-to-assessing-authority mapping in the skills assessment section on the 189 requirements page for a guide to common authorities by occupation category.

English Language Requirements

Competent English is the federal minimum for the 190 visa. The scoring thresholds for each approved test are identical to the 189:

Some states impose higher English requirements than the federal minimum for their nomination criteria. For example, a state may require proficient English (IELTS 7.0 in each band) for certain occupations even though the federal requirement for visa eligibility is competent English. Check the specific state’s nomination guidelines for the English requirement that applies to their program.

Age Requirement

The 190 visa has the same age requirement as the 189: you must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation. Age is assessed at the date the Department issues the invitation, not the date of your EOI submission or state nomination application.

The points-for-age structure is identical to the 189 visa points table above.

Health and Character Requirements

Health and character requirements for the 190 are identical to those for the 189 visa. You and all secondary applicants must:

• Complete medical examinations through a HAP-approved panel physician after lodging your application
• Provide police clearance certificates from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
• Disclose any criminal history or relevant proceedings

The health examination covers a chest X-ray, physical examination, and any additional tests the Department requires based on your background or travel history. Results are uploaded to your ImmiAccount directly by the panel physician.

Document Checklist

Prepare these documents before receiving your invitation so you can lodge promptly within the 60-day window.

Identity documents

• Current passport (all pages)
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate or relationship evidence (if applicable)
• Change of name documentation (if applicable)

Qualifications and skills

• Academic transcripts for all qualifications claimed in the points test
• Degree certificates
• Certified English translations of non-English documents
• Skills assessment outcome letter with reference number
• Professional Year certificate (if applicable)

Employment evidence

• Reference letters from all employers claimed for points — company letterhead, authorised signatory, specifying title, duties, dates, and employment type
• Payslips or tax records corroborating dates
• Employment contracts (if available)

State nomination

• State nomination letter or formal nomination confirmation
• Any additional documents required by the nominating state

English proficiency

• Official test score report (valid at time of invitation)

Health and character

• HAP-approved medical examination (arranged and uploaded by physician)
• Police clearances from all countries of 12-month+ residence in past 10 years

Additional (if applicable)

• Partner’s skills assessment (if claiming partner skills points)
• Evidence of NAATI credential
• Evidence of regional or Australian study for points

What to Do Next

If your occupation is on a state’s 190 list and your base score reaches 60 points (which the state nomination bonus brings to 65), the 190 is worth pursuing actively. The practical starting points are confirming your occupation on the current state list, understanding that state’s specific nomination criteria, and ensuring your skills assessment is complete.

For a comprehensive overview of the 190 visa including processing times, invitation round data, and how it compares to the 189, see our subclass 190 visa overview. For context on where the 190 fits in Australia’s permanent residency in Australia framework, see our PR overview.

Frequently Asked Questions About 190 Visa Requirements

Does the 5-point state nomination bonus count toward the 65-point minimum?

Yes. The 5 points awarded for state nomination are included in the 65-point minimum threshold. You need 60 base points from other factors plus the 5 nomination points — or any combination totalling 65 or more — to meet the minimum. Without the nomination, you would need 65 base points to meet the minimum, which would mean the 190 offers no advantage over the 189 in terms of eligibility threshold.

Can I apply to multiple states for 190 nomination at the same time?

Yes. There is no rule preventing you from applying to multiple state nomination programs simultaneously. States assess applications independently and have no visibility over other state applications you may have lodged. Applying to multiple states increases your chances of receiving a nomination, particularly if your occupation appears on several state lists. If you receive multiple nominations, you choose one to accept and proceed with.

What happens if I do not stay in the nominating state for 2 years after the visa is granted?

The 2-year commitment is a formal obligation you agree to as part of accepting state nomination. If you do not meet it, the Department may take it into account when assessing any future visa applications or Australian citizenship applications. It does not invalidate your permanent visa grant — the 190 is a permanent visa — but it is a serious obligation that forms part of your migration record. Settle in the state you genuinely plan to live in rather than nominating strategically for administrative reasons alone.