Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa
The Subclass 190 visa is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory. It provides a direct pathway to permanent residency and requires commitment to live and work in the nominating state.
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa
Overview
The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa is a points-tested permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory government in Australia. It is designed to meet regional skill shortages and is ideal for those who may not meet the invitation threshold for the Subclass 189 visa.
State nomination adds 5 points to your total score, improving your chance of receiving an invitation through the SkillSelect system.
Key Features
- Permanent residency for you and eligible family members
- Requires nomination by an Australian state or territory
- Priority visa processing
- Additional 5 points for state nomination
- Access to Medicare, education, and other government benefits
- Pathway to Australian citizenship
Eligibility Criteria
You must meet the following:
- Have a nominated occupation on the relevant state's occupation list
- Under 45 years of age at the time of invitation
- Submit a valid EOI through SkillSelect
- Obtain a positive skills assessment
- Achieve at least 65 points, including the 5 from state nomination
- Meet English language requirements (Competent English minimum)
- Be invited to apply
- Meet health and character requirements
Application Process
- Check State Requirements: Each state has different rules, occupation lists, and priorities.
- Skills Assessment: Get a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation.
- Submit EOI: Lodge an EOI via SkillSelect.
- Apply for Nomination: Submit a nomination application to your preferred state or territory.
- Receive Nomination: If approved, you'll receive a nomination which boosts your EOI score by 5 points.
- Receive Invitation: Based on your total points, you may receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
- Lodge Visa Application: Apply for the Subclass 190 visa within 60 days of invitation.
Cost
- Main Applicant: AUD 4,640
- Additional Applicant (18+): AUD 2,320
- Additional Applicant (<18): AUD 1,160
- State Nomination Fees: Varies (AUD 0 to AUD 800+ depending on state)
Processing Time
| Application Stage | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| State Nomination | 4 to 12 weeks |
| Visa Grant (Post Invite) | 4 to 8 months |
Commitment to State
By accepting a 190 visa nomination, you are expected to live and work in the nominating state for at least 2 years. While this is not legally binding, breaking the commitment can affect future sponsorships and credibility.
State-by-State Nomination Requirements
Each state has its own:
- Skilled Occupation List (State SOL)
- Nomination eligibility rules
- Application fees
- Priority sectors
Here is a summary with links to each official portal:
New South Wales (NSW)
- Targeted invitations only
- Highly competitive
- Prioritises candidates with high points, strong work experience
- NSW Nomination Page
Victoria (VIC)
- Offers subclass 190 and 491
- Targets specific sectors (health, STEM, education, digital)
- Favors onshore applicants in skilled employment
- Victoria Nomination
Queensland (QLD)
- Managed by Migration Queensland
- Requires a job offer or current employment in some streams
- Regional applicants given preference
- Migration Queensland
Western Australia (WA)
- Occupation list includes health, trades, engineering
- Offers a Graduate stream for WA international graduates
- Work experience and English criteria vary by stream
- WA Migration Services
South Australia (SA)
- Clear eligibility matrix system
- Offshore candidates with high points can apply
- Separate graduate, talent, and small business streams
- Move to South Australia
Tasmania (TAS)
- Welcomes offshore and onshore applicants
- Several nomination pathways, including study and job offers
- One of the most accessible for lower-point candidates
- Migration Tasmania
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
- Requires registration on Canberra Matrix
- Points-based nomination system separate from EOI
- Favors long-term Canberra residents or workers
- Canberra Matrix
Northern Territory (NT)
- Remote/regional priority
- Requires commitment to live and work in the NT
- Work experience or study in NT often required
- The Territory Migration
Points System (Including Nomination Bonus)
The 190 visa uses the General Skilled Migration points test. Points are awarded for:
- Age
- English proficiency
- Education
- Work experience
- Partner qualifications
- Study in Australia
- Community language
- State Nomination (+5)
Use the official Points Calculator to estimate your score.
Family Members
You can include the following family members in your application:
- Spouse or de facto partner
- Dependent children
- Other dependent relatives (in limited cases)
They must also meet health and character requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change states after visa grant?
While not illegal, moving to a different state soon after receiving your visa may be seen as a breach of good faith. It may affect your ability to receive sponsorship again.
Is a job offer required for nomination?
Some states require employment or a job offer (QLD, NT), while others do not (TAS, SA).
Can I apply offshore?
Yes, some states accept offshore EOIs. Always check current requirements as they change regularly.
Summary
The Subclass 190 visa is an excellent permanent residency pathway for skilled professionals who may not reach the 189 invitation threshold. It allows you to leverage state-specific demand and live permanently in Australia. The key is to align your skills with the current needs of a particular state or territory.
Useful Links
Tags: `skilled visa`, `subclass 190`, `state nomination`, `australian pr`, `EOI`, `migration`, `permanent residency`, `regional migration`, `state visa`, `points test`