Last updated: 30 March 2026

Subclass 190 Visa: State Nominated Skilled Migration — Permanent Residency with State Support

The subclass 190 is a points-tested permanent visa that gives a state or territory government a say in who gets invited. In exchange for nominating you, the state adds 5 points to your SkillSelect score — which means you need a minimum of 65 points total, with at least 60 coming from your own profile before nomination. The visa is permanent from the day it is granted, so you get full residency rights immediately. There is one meaningful trade-off: you take on a 2-year residency obligation in the state that nominated you.

What Is the Subclass 190 Visa?

The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) sits within Australia’s points-based skilled migration system. It is designed for workers in occupations that are in demand — and specifically, in demand in a particular state or territory. Unlike the subclass 189 skilled independent visa, which requires no sponsorship and no location commitment, the 190 brings a state government into the equation as a nominating partner.

When a state nominates you, they are telling the Department of Home Affairs that your occupation and skills are a match for their labour market. You benefit from 5 bonus points in SkillSelect and an invitation pathway that is often more accessible than the highly competitive 189 pool.

Both visas are permanent from grant date. That means you can live, work, and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely. You can apply for citizenship after meeting the residence requirements. Your immediate family members can be included on your application.

The 190 suits applicants who have a solid points score and an occupation that appears on a state’s nominated occupation list — and who are willing to commit to building their life in that state for at least two years.

What Are the 190 Visa Requirements?

To be eligible for the subclass 190, you need to meet a set of layered requirements. Some come from the Department of Home Affairs; others are set independently by each state or territory. Here is how they group together.

State nomination You must receive a formal nomination from an Australian state or territory government. Each state runs its own programme with its own occupation priorities, eligibility criteria, and application windows. Nomination is not automatic — states assess your profile against their current labour market needs.

Eligible occupation Your nominated occupation must appear on the relevant state or territory’s occupation list. Most states draw from the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), then apply additional filters based on local demand.

Skills assessment You must hold a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. The assessment must be valid at the time you are invited to apply. Different occupations have different assessing bodies — Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, AITSL, and others.

Age You must be under 45 at the time you receive your invitation to apply. Age also affects your points score — the more years away from 45 you are, the more points you can earn from this factor.

Points score You need a minimum of 65 points in the SkillSelect points test. This includes the 5 bonus points that come with state nomination. So your profile, before nomination, needs to reach at least 60 points.

English language You need at least competent English. Depending on your test scores, you may earn additional points for proficient or superior English.

Health and character Standard Australian visa requirements apply. You and any family members included in your application must undergo health examinations and meet character requirements.

How Does the 190 Points Test Work?

The points test is how the Department of Home Affairs ranks skilled migration applicants in the SkillSelect pool. You lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) and receive a score. Higher scores are invited first within each visa subclass.

The 5 bonus points from state nomination are added automatically once your nomination is confirmed. They appear in your EOI and count toward your invitation score.

What this means practically: if your profile scores 65 points before nomination, your effective score becomes 70. If you are sitting at 60 without nomination, the 190 pathway brings you up to the minimum threshold of 65. For many applicants, these 5 points shift the invitation from unlikely to realistic within a reasonable timeframe.

Keep in mind that invitation scores — the cutoff at which the Department actually invites applicants — vary by occupation and round. Some occupations see invitations go to applicants with 65 points; others require 80 or more. Researching your occupation’s recent invitation history is a critical step before you decide which pathway to pursue.

How Does State Nomination Work for the 190 Visa?

State nomination is the defining feature of the 190 visa — and the part of the process that requires the most research. Every Australian state and territory runs its own skilled migration programme independently. They set their own occupation lists, their own eligibility criteria, and their own application windows. What works in South Australia may not apply in New South Wales.

Here is how the process generally works across most states:

1. Check the state’s occupation list. Your occupation must appear on the state’s current list. Lists change — sometimes quarterly. Always check the live version on the state’s migration website.
2. Review state-specific requirements. Beyond the occupation, states often require a minimum points score above the federal minimum, evidence of connection to the state (employment, study, or family), a minimum salary threshold, or specific qualifications.
3. Prepare your state nomination application. This is separate from your Department of Home Affairs visa application. Each state has its own portal and document requirements.
4. Apply during an open window. Some states run continuous intake; others open in short rounds that fill quickly. Timing matters.
5. Receive nomination. If the state approves your application, they issue a nomination. You then update your EOI in SkillSelect to include the nomination, which adds your 5 points and flags you for the 190 visa subclass.
6. Wait for a federal invitation. The Department of Home Affairs draws from the SkillSelect pool in regular invitation rounds. Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge your visa application.

Different states have different priorities at any given time. South Australia and Tasmania have historically been more accessible for a wider range of occupations. Victoria and NSW tend to prioritise high-demand sectors and sometimes require demonstrated ties to the state. Queensland and Western Australia often focus on occupations critical to their resource and infrastructure sectors.

Some states use a Register of Interest (ROI) model — you express interest, the state assesses your profile, and they invite you to apply for nomination if you meet their criteria. Others allow direct applications without a preliminary expression of interest step.

190 State Nomination Numbers (July 2025 – February 2026)

The following table shows the number of 190 nominations issued by each state and territory in the first eight months of the 2025–26 program year.

Source: Department of Home Affairs, 2025-26 program year

Victoria and NSW dominate nomination volumes, reflecting the size of their skilled labour markets. However, high nomination totals also mean more competition within those state programmes. States with lower totals — including the ACT and NT — can be more accessible for applicants whose occupation is prioritised by those states.

Which State Is the Right Fit for Your Profile?

There is no single answer. The right state depends on your occupation, your points score, whether you are onshore or offshore, and where you are willing to live.

A few broad signals: if your occupation is on a short list of high-demand roles, you may have options across multiple states and can compare requirements and processing times. If your occupation appears on only one or two state lists, those states are your practical options regardless of preference.

Connection to the state often matters. Some states give explicit priority to applicants who are already working or studying there. If you have an existing employer or professional network in a particular state, that connection can strengthen your nomination application.

We cover the specific requirements and current occupation priorities for each state in our individual state pages — including NSW state nomination. Use those pages alongside this guide to identify your most viable pathway.

Which Occupations Are Eligible for the 190 Visa?

The federal government determines which occupations can qualify for the 190 visa at a national level. Eligible occupations are drawn from two lists:

• MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List): Occupations on this list are eligible for the 189, 190, and 491 visas.
• STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List): Occupations on this list can access the 190 and 491 but not the 189.

This is an important distinction. If your occupation is on the STSOL, the 190 (or 491) is your primary points-tested permanent residency pathway — the 189 is not an option.

From there, each state applies its own filter. A state’s nominated occupation list is always a subset of the combined federal lists. Your occupation being on the MLTSSL or STSOL does not guarantee it appears on a given state’s list.

Some of the occupations that have consistently appeared across multiple state lists include:

• Registered nurses and midwives
• Civil and structural engineers
• ICT professionals (software engineers, cybersecurity analysts, data scientists)
• Accountants and auditors
• Construction project managers
• Teachers (primary, secondary, early childhood)
• Electricians and other licensed trades
• Medical imaging professionals

This list shifts with labour market conditions. An occupation that was paused in one state may open in another. Checking the current live lists — not guides that may be months out of date — is the only reliable way to confirm your eligibility.

How Do You Apply for the 190 Visa Step by Step?

The 190 application process has two distinct phases: securing state nomination, then lodging the federal visa application. Here is the full sequence.

Step 1: Get a skills assessment Contact the assessing authority for your occupation and submit your qualifications and work history for assessment. Processing times vary — some take two months, others six or more. Start this early.

Step 2: Take an English language test Sit an accepted test (IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge C1 Advanced) and achieve at least the competent English threshold. Higher scores earn more points.

Step 3: Calculate your points score Use the Department of Home Affairs points calculator to estimate your score before and after nomination. Be honest about your score — submitting inaccurate information has consequences.

Step 4: Research state nomination options Cross-reference your occupation against current state occupation lists. Identify which states your occupation qualifies in. Review each state’s additional requirements and current processing status.

Step 5: Apply for state nomination Submit your state nomination application through the relevant state government portal. Provide all required documents. Wait for the state’s decision — processing times range from weeks to several months depending on the state.

Step 6: Receive nomination and update your EOI Once nominated, update your SkillSelect EOI to reflect the 190 subclass and your nomination. Your points total will increase by 5.

Step 7: Receive a federal invitation The Department of Home Affairs issues invitations in regular rounds. You cannot predict the exact date, but you can monitor your score against recent invitation data for your occupation.

Step 8: Lodge your visa application You have 60 days from the date of your invitation to submit the complete application through ImmiAccount. Pay the application fee and upload all required documents.

Step 9: Health examinations and police checks The Department will request health examinations and police clearance certificates for you and any family members included in your application. Organise these promptly — delays here can extend processing.

Step 10: Visa grant Once all checks are complete and the Department is satisfied, your visa is granted. You become a permanent resident of Australia from grant date.

What Is the 2-Year Residency Obligation?

When a state nominates you for the 190 visa, they are making an investment in your contribution to their region. In return, you take on a commitment to live and work in that state for at least two years after the visa is granted.

This is sometimes described as a “moral obligation” rather than a hard visa condition — you will not have your visa cancelled simply for moving states after a few months. However, the practical consequences are real.

If you apply for Australian citizenship, you will be assessed on whether you met your residency commitments. The Department of Home Affairs has indicated that failing to honour state nomination obligations is a relevant factor in citizenship and future visa decisions.

If you want to apply for a different skilled visa in the future — or apply for nomination from another state — your history of meeting your obligations will likely be considered.

In practice, two years goes quickly if you are building your career and life in the nominating state. Most applicants who commit to a state do so because they have genuine reasons to be there — an employer, a professional community, or a lifestyle preference. The obligation formalises what is often already the plan.

What the obligation does not mean: you cannot take a holiday interstate, you cannot have family in another state, and you are not prohibited from ever leaving the state. It is a residency commitment, not a geographic lock.

How Long Does 190 Visa Processing Take?

The Department of Home Affairs does not publish guaranteed processing timeframes. Based on current data, most 190 visa applications are decided within 5 to 10 months of lodgement. Some straightforward cases resolve faster; complex cases or those requiring additional information can take longer.

Several factors influence how quickly your application moves:

Completeness of your application. Applications with all documents correctly submitted from day one process faster than those requiring follow-up requests. Missing a police clearance or health examination referral is one of the most common causes of delay.

Health and character processing times. The Department outsources health examinations to specific panel doctors. Results are transmitted directly. If your circumstances require additional medical review, this adds time.

Your occupation and nomination state. High-volume occupations and states with a larger share of applicants may experience longer processing queues at certain points in the programme year.

Time of year. The Australian migration programme year runs July to June. Processing can slow near the end of the financial year as annual visa caps fill.

The state nomination phase adds time before you even reach the federal application stage. State processing can range from 4 weeks to 6 months depending on the state and their current volume.

We recommend treating the combined state nomination and federal processing timeline as 9 to 18 months from when you start the state nomination process to when you might expect a visa grant. Plan your employment arrangements, lease agreements, and family logistics with that window in mind.

How Much Does the 190 Visa Cost?

These are the Department of Home Affairs visa application charges as of the current programme year.

Source: Department of Home Affairs, 2025-26 program year Fees are subject to annual adjustment on 1 July.

Beyond the visa application fee, budget for the following associated costs:

The total out-of-pocket cost for a single applicant, excluding agent fees, typically falls in the range of AUD $6,000 to $8,500. A couple or family with children will pay proportionally more.

State nomination fees are generally modest — several states charge nothing. NSW and some others charge a nominal administration fee. Check the specific state programme page for current fee information.

What Documents Do You Need for the 190 Visa?

Organising your documents before lodgement reduces delays and avoids follow-up requests from the Department. Here is what most 190 applications require.

Identity documents

• Passport (current and any expired passports from the past 10 years)
• Birth certificate
• National identity card (if applicable)

Skills and qualifications

• Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Professional registrations or licences

Employment history

• Employment reference letters (on company letterhead, signed, with duties described)
• Payslips or tax records corroborating employment periods
• ABN registration documents (if self-employed)

English language

• Official score report from IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, OET, or Cambridge

State nomination

• Copy of your state nomination letter or certificate

Health

• Health examination results (arranged through an approved panel physician — the Department will send you a referral)

Character

• Police clearance certificates from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years

Relationship and family documents (if applicable)

• Marriage certificate or de facto relationship evidence
• Birth certificates for dependent children
• Adoption papers or custody documents where relevant

Keep certified translations for any document not in English. The Department requires translations prepared by a NAATI-accredited translator or an equivalent qualified translator in your country.

How Does the 190 Compare to the 189 and 491?

These three visas are the main points-tested skilled migration pathways. They are related but serve different situations.

The 189 is the most straightforward pathway — no location obligation, no nomination dependency — but invitation scores are often higher because you compete without any bonus points and against a global pool. It is only available for MLTSSL occupations.

The 190 is a good middle ground. The 5-point bonus makes invitations more accessible than the 189 for many occupations, and the 2-year state commitment is manageable for most applicants who have genuine ties to the nominating state. It is also available to STSOL occupations that cannot access the 189.

The subclass 491 regional visa offers the largest points bonus (15 points) and opens access to regional areas of Australia, but it is provisional — you must live and work in a regional area for three years before being eligible to apply for the subclass 191 permanent visa. It suits applicants whose score falls short of 190 invitation levels, or who are genuinely interested in regional career opportunities.

For a detailed side-by-side comparison, see our 189 vs 190 comparison page.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 190 Visa

How many points do you need for a 190 visa?

The minimum is 65 points, which includes the 5 bonus points from state nomination. This means your profile needs to reach at least 60 points before nomination is factored in. In practice, the score you need for an actual invitation depends on your occupation and the current competition in the SkillSelect pool. Some occupations see invitations at 65; others require 75, 80, or more. Checking recent invitation data for your specific occupation is a critical part of planning your application.

Which states nominate for the 190 visa?

All eight Australian states and territories participate in the 190 programme: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory. Each runs its own programme with its own occupation list, eligibility criteria, and application process. What one state requires may differ significantly from another.

Do you have to live in the nominating state?

Yes — you take on a 2-year residency obligation in the state that nominated you. This is not a formal visa condition that would result in cancellation, but it is a commitment that can affect your citizenship application and future immigration decisions if you do not honour it. Most applicants find two years passes naturally if they have established work and community connections in the state.

What is the difference between the 190 and 189 visa?

The 190 requires state nomination and adds 5 points to your score, but comes with a 2-year residency obligation and is available to a wider range of occupations. The 189 requires no nomination, has no location restriction, and is available only to MLTSSL occupations — but tends to require a higher score to receive an invitation. Both are permanent visas granted at the same cost.

Can you apply for 190 nomination from outside Australia?

Yes. Most states accept offshore applications for 190 nomination. However, some states give priority to onshore applicants or those who can demonstrate an existing connection to the state — employment with a local employer, previous study in the state, or close family. If you are offshore, research each state’s current position on offshore applicants before committing time to a nomination application that may face lower priority.

What Should You Do Next if the 190 Visa Fits Your Profile?

The 190 is a practical pathway for skilled workers whose occupation appears on state lists and who are ready to commit to building their career in a particular state. Before you move forward, work through these questions.

Is your occupation on a state list right now? Lists change. Confirm your occupation’s current status on the live state government websites — not third-party summaries that may be outdated.

What is your current points score? Calculate your score before nomination. If you are at 60 or above, the 190 brings you to the minimum threshold. If you are below 60, you may need to build your score through additional experience, a higher English test result, or other factors before the 190 is viable.

Which state makes sense for your life and career? Two years is a real commitment. Think about where you have professional connections, where your occupation is in genuine demand, and where you would want to live.

Have you started your skills assessment? If not, this is your first concrete step. Skills assessment takes time — start the process now, even while you are still researching visa options.

Achieving permanent residency in Australia through the skilled migration programme is a structured process. The 190 pathway rewards preparation: the better you understand the state nomination landscape and your own profile, the more precisely you can target your application.

Use our state-specific guides, visa comparison pages, and points calculator to get a clear picture of where you stand. When you are ready to map out a strategy, we are here to help you think it through.