Visa subclass 190 · Skilled (points-tested) · permanent
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated: 2026 eligibility, points and processing
The 190 is Australia’s state-nominated permanent residence visa for skilled workers. A state or territory government nominates you against its annual quota, adds 5 points to your test score, and in return expects you to live and work in that state for 2 years post-grant.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated is a permanent visa for skilled (points-tested) applicants.
- ✓Points test: 65 minimum, 80+ competitive (current rounds).
- ✓Processing: 11 months median (source: Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026).
- ✓Primary VAC1: $4,640. VAC2 (English): $4,885 where applicable.
- ✓Path to PR: PR granted on visa approval.
At a glance
Stream
permanent, open for new applications
Age limit
Under 45 years at time of invitation.
Work rights
Unrestricted nationally. PR from grant. 2-year state commitment is a moral obligation under the nomination, not a visa condition.
Path to PR
PR granted on visa approval. Citizenship eligible after 4 years’ lawful residence including 12 months as PR.
Eligibility
Eligibility checklist
Every box below must tick before lodgement. Missing any one of them either makes the visa impossible or pushes the applicant into a different subclass.
- Under 45 years of age at time of invitation
- Competent English (IELTS 6 each band or equivalent)
- Nominated occupation on the state’s current Skilled Occupation List (each state publishes its own list, updated annually)
- Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
- State or territory nomination (separate application; criteria vary by state, e.g. job offer, work experience in state, study in state)
- Score at least 65 points on the points test including the 5 points for state nomination
- Meet health and character requirements
- Sign a state commitment to live and work in the nominating state for at least 2 years
Points test
Points threshold for subclass 190
Source: Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect invitation round results. Cut-offs are updated each round and vary by occupation.
Processing time
How long does it take?
Published by Home Affairs as 25th, 50th and 90th percentile times. Individual processing can be faster or slower depending on documentation, country of passport and decision-ready status.
| 25% of applications | 50% (median) | 90% of applications |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 11 months | 18 months |
Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026. See current processing times across all subclasses.
Cost
Visa Application Charge
| Applicant | VAC1 (lodgement) |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | $4,640 |
| Partner (secondary) | $2,320 |
| Child (secondary) | $1,160 |
| VAC2 (non-functional English, primary) | $4,885 |
VAC1 from 1 July 2025. State nomination application fees range from $0 (Victoria) to around $300 (some states) and are separate.
In depth
What you actually need to know
The 190 is the most common pathway to PR for points-tested skilled migrants. Each state and territory runs its own nomination program, with annual quotas set by Home Affairs each financial year. NSW and Victoria run the biggest programs but also have the tightest occupation lists; Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory are typically more accessible for niche occupations.
State nomination is a two-step process. First you lodge an EOI in SkillSelect and indicate the states you are willing to be nominated by. Each state pulls EOIs that match its current invitation criteria and issues a state-level invitation. You then have a deadline (usually 14–60 days) to submit a state nomination application, which is reviewed against state-specific criteria (work experience in state, current employment, language proficiency above the federal minimum, etc.). When the state nominates you, Home Affairs auto-invites you to lodge the 190.
The 2-year state commitment is built into every state nomination program but it is not strictly written into the visa as a condition 8539 in most cases. Practically, breaking the commitment is unlikely to trigger visa cancellation but it can affect any future dealings with that state (further state nominations for family, business visa nominations, etc.) and is on the record.
Visa conditions to know
- 8539 may apply: visa-holder must live, work and study in the nominating state for 2 years (moral undertaking, not strictly enforced as a visa condition but breaching it can affect future state nominations).
Occupations covered
Occupations on each state’s published Skilled Occupation List. Lists are tighter than the federal MLTSSL and reflect each state’s industry needs.
Pathway to permanent residence
PR granted on visa approval. Citizenship eligible after 4 years’ lawful residence including 12 months as PR.
Common questions
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated – common questions
Which state nominates the most 190 applicants?
In the 2024–25 program, New South Wales and Victoria received the largest 190 allocations, followed by Queensland and Western Australia. South Australia and Tasmania have smaller allocations but are often more accessible because they actively target niche occupations not on the bigger states’ lists.
Can I move states after I get my 190?
Legally yes – the 190 is a PR visa with no enforceable geographic conditions. Morally and practically, breaking the 2-year commitment is on the record and can affect future dealings with the state (e.g. a relative’s nomination). Most agents advise serving at least 2 years before considering an interstate move.
Do I have to have a job offer for a 190?
Some states require a job offer in your nominated occupation (e.g. parts of WA’s graduate streams). Others nominate based on skills and an EOI alone. Read each state’s current invitation criteria carefully; they change every year.
What is the difference between 190 and 491?
The 190 is a PR visa from grant; the 491 is a 5-year provisional visa that transitions to PR (subclass 191) after 3 years of regional residence and income. 491 adds 15 points to the test (vs 5 for 190), but you are tied to designated regional areas for the full 5 years.
Source
Primary source for this page
Information on this page is summarised from the Department of Home Affairs visa listing for subclass 190. Always confirm details against the primary source before lodging.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-nominated-190 →
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