Australian Skilled Visa Subclass 190: The Complete 2026 Guide
The Australian Skilled Visa Subclass 190 — officially known as the Skilled Nominated visa — is one of Australia’s most sought-after pathways to permanent residency. It grants skilled workers the right to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely from the very day the visa is granted, with no further visa required to remain in the country.
Unlike the independent Subclass 189 visa, the Subclass 190 requires a nomination from an Australian state or territory government. In return, that nomination adds 5 bonus points to your SkillSelect score — often the critical difference between receiving an invitation and waiting indefinitely.
This guide covers everything you need to know: eligibility requirements, the points test, the state nomination process, costs, processing times, and post-grant obligations — all updated for 2026.
Quick Answer: The Subclass 190 is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory. You must be under 45, score at least 65 points (including 5 nomination points), hold a valid skills assessment, and demonstrate at least Competent English. Successful applicants receive permanent residency from day one.
What Is the Subclass 190 Visa?
The Subclass 190 sits within Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) framework, which is managed through the federal SkillSelect system. It is a points-tested permanent visa designed for skilled workers whose occupations are in demand in a particular state or territory.
Key facts at a glance:
- Visa type: Permanent residency (from day one of grant)
- Pathway: State or territory nominated
- Points minimum: 65 points (including 5 nomination points)
- Age limit: Under 45 at time of invitation
- Travel facility: 5 years from date of grant
- Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after meeting residency requirements
For an overview of how the Subclass 190 compares to other skilled visa options, see our guide to Australian Skilled Visa Subclasses: 189, 190, 491 & 482 Compared.
Key Benefits of the Subclass 190 Visa
- Live and work permanently in Australia from the date of grant
- Work and study anywhere in Australia (subject to a 2-year commitment to your nominating state or territory)
- Sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence
- Clear pathway to Australian citizenship after meeting residency and other requirements
- Access to Medicare and other government services
- 5-year travel facility included with the visa
Subclass 190 Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Subclass 190 visa, you must meet all of the following criteria at the time you receive your Invitation to Apply (ITA):
- Age: Be under 45 years of age
- Occupation: Have a nominated occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- Skills assessment: Hold a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
- English: Demonstrate at least Competent English
- Points score: Score at least 65 points on the federal points test
- State nomination: Receive a nomination from a participating Australian state or territory government
- Invitation: Be invited to apply by the Department of Home Affairs via SkillSelect
- Health and character: Meet health and character requirements
- No outstanding debts: Have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government
English Language Requirement
At a minimum, you must demonstrate Competent English. This is equivalent to an IELTS score of at least 6.0 in each of the four test bands, or a minimum score of 50 in each PTE Academic module. Higher English scores earn additional points (see the points table below).
The Points Test Explained
The Subclass 190 uses a federal points test. You need a minimum of 65 points to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect. However, the minimum is rarely sufficient to receive an invitation — competitive states like New South Wales often see effective thresholds of 85 points or higher.
| Category | Criteria | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 25 to under 33 years | 30 |
| 18 to under 25, or 33 to under 40 | 25 | |
| 40 to under 45 | 15 | |
| English Language | Competent English (minimum) | 0 |
| Proficient English | 10 | |
| Superior English | 20 | |
| Skilled Employment — Australian | Less than 1 year | 0 |
| 1 to under 3 years | 5 | |
| 3 to under 5 years | 10 | |
| 5 to under 8 years | 15 | |
| 8 or more years | 20 | |
| Skilled Employment — Overseas | 3 to under 5 years | 5 |
| 5 to under 8 years | 10 | |
| 8 or more years | 15 | |
| Qualifications | Doctorate (PhD) | 20 |
| Bachelor degree or equivalent | 15 | |
| Diploma or trade qualification | 10 | |
| Other | Australian study requirement | 5 |
| Professional Year (Accounting, ICT, or Engineering) | 5 | |
| Credentialled community language | 5 | |
| Study in regional Australia | 5 | |
| Partner skills (partner has skills assessment and Competent English) | 5 | |
| Single applicant or partner is Australian citizen/PR | 10 | |
| State/Territory Nomination | Subclass 190 nomination | 5 |
Important: The 5 points awarded for state or territory nomination are a significant advantage. Many applicants who cannot secure an invitation for the independent Subclass 189 find that the nomination bonus makes them competitive for the Subclass 190.
Step-by-Step Application Process
The Subclass 190 application involves several stages across both state and federal systems. Here is the full process:
- Check your occupation: Confirm your occupation appears on the relevant skilled occupation list and identify the appropriate skills assessing authority.
- Obtain a skills assessment: Apply to the relevant assessing authority and receive a positive assessment for your nominated occupation.
- Prove your English: Sit an approved English test (IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, or OET) if required.
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Lodge your EOI for free in SkillSelect, claim your points accurately, and indicate which states or territories you are interested in.
- Apply for state or territory nomination: Apply directly to one or more state/territory nomination programs. Each has its own occupation list, selection criteria, and application rounds. Nomination is competitive.
- Receive your Invitation to Apply (ITA): If nominated and selected, the Department of Home Affairs issues you an ITA via SkillSelect.
- Lodge the visa application: You must lodge your full visa application within 60 days of receiving the ITA. Pay the application fee and upload all required supporting documents.
- Complete health and character checks: Undergo medical examinations with an approved panel physician and provide police clearance certificates from each country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
- Await the visa decision: The Department of Home Affairs processes applications according to Ministerial Direction No. 105.
For a broader overview of the entire skilled migration process, our guide on how to get a skilled visa to Australia covers every step in detail.
State and Territory Nomination: The Critical Step
Securing a state or territory nomination is the most competitive and variable part of the Subclass 190 process. Each state and territory runs its own nomination program with:
- Its own occupation list (which may differ from the federal list)
- Additional points requirements or selection criteria beyond the federal minimum
- A commitment from the applicant to live and work in that state for at least 2 years
- Different application opening periods — some programs run year-round, others operate in competitive rounds
Overview of State Nomination Programs
| State / Territory | Program Name | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | NSW Skilled Nominated | Very high — points thresholds often 85–100+ |
| Victoria | Victoria Skilled Nominated | Very high — competitive rounds |
| Queensland | Queensland Skilled Nominated | Moderate to high |
| South Australia | South Australia Skilled Nominated | Moderate — broader occupation list |
| Western Australia | WA Skilled Nominated | Moderate — strong focus on resources and healthcare |
| Tasmania | Tasmania Skilled Nominated | Lower competition — strong for regional occupations |
| ACT | ACT Skilled Nominated | Moderate — specific occupation focus |
| Northern Territory | NT Skilled Nominated | Lower competition — broad occupation needs |
Tip: Always check the official migration website of each state or territory directly, as occupation lists and nomination criteria change frequently. Do not rely solely on third-party sources.
Priority Occupations in 2026
States are focusing their nominations on critical shortage occupations. In 2026, priority sectors include:
- Healthcare: Registered nurses, general practitioners, allied health professionals
- Information Technology: Software engineers, cybersecurity specialists, cloud architects
- Construction: Civil engineers, project managers, tradespeople
- Education: Secondary school teachers, early childhood educators
- Clean and renewable energy: Engineers and technicians supporting Australia’s energy transition
Visa Costs
Visa application fees are set by the Australian Government and are subject to change. As of 1 July 2026, the primary applicant fee for the Subclass 190 starts from AUD $6,140. Additional charges apply for secondary adult applicants and dependent children.
Beyond the application fee, budget for:
- Health examination fees (charged by approved panel physicians)
- Police clearance certificate fees (varies by country)
- Skills assessment fees (charged by the relevant assessing authority)
- English test fees
- Migration agent fees (if applicable)
Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator on the Department of Home Affairs website for an exact figure based on your family composition. Concessions may apply for certain Pacific Island or Timor-Leste citizens.
Processing Times
Processing times for the Subclass 190 vary depending on the volume of applications and the complexity of individual cases. As a general guide:
- State nomination processing: Approximately 4 weeks to 6+ months, depending on the state and the volume of applications in each round
- Federal visa application processing: Typically several months after lodgement; the Department publishes current processing timeframes on its website
As of mid-2026, the Department of Home Affairs is processing Subclass 190 applications lodged from February 2025 onward. Always check the official visa processing times tool on the Home Affairs website for the most current estimates, as these figures change regularly.
Post-Grant Obligations
Once your Subclass 190 visa is granted, you have ongoing obligations:
- 2-year state commitment: You are expected to live and work in the nominating state or territory for approximately 2 years after the visa is granted. This commitment is taken seriously — breaching it can affect future applications, including citizenship.
- Freedom to relocate: After fulfilling your 2-year commitment, you are free to live and work anywhere in Australia.
- Comply with Australian law: As a permanent resident, you must comply with all Australian laws.
- Travel facility: The visa includes a 5-year travel facility from the date of grant. After this period, you will need to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident, unless you have become an Australian citizen.
Subclass 190 vs Subclass 189: Key Differences
The two most common permanent skilled visa pathways are often compared. Here is a quick summary of the key differences:
| Feature | Subclass 190 | Subclass 189 |
|---|---|---|
| Nomination required? | Yes — state or territory | No — fully independent |
| Bonus points | +5 for nomination | No bonus |
| Residency obligation | 2 years in nominating state | None — live anywhere |
| Competitiveness | Varies by state and occupation | Extremely high — no nomination buffer |
| Permanent from day one? | Yes | Yes |
If you are also considering the temporary skilled regional pathway, the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa may be a relevant stepping stone for employer-sponsored applicants.
2026 Program Allocation
The Australian Government allocates a set number of places to the Subclass 190 each program year as part of the national Migration Program. For 2025–26, approximately 12,850 places are reserved for Subclass 190 applicants, forming part of a combined allocation for state-nominated and regional visas. Note that program allocations are set by the Government and are subject to change — always verify the current figures on the official Department of Home Affairs website.
Important Tips Before You Apply
- Verify occupation lists regularly: Skilled occupation lists are updated frequently. An occupation that is eligible today may be removed or modified. Always check the official Department of Home Affairs website before submitting your EOI.
- Be accurate in your EOI: Submitting false or misleading information can result in visa refusal or cancellation, and may affect future applications.
- Consider a MARA-registered migration agent: The Subclass 190 process is complex and highly competitive. A registered migration agent (MARA) can provide personalised advice tailored to your circumstances.
- Apply to multiple states: You can express interest in nomination from multiple states simultaneously. This increases your chances of receiving a nomination, particularly if you are flexible about where you live.
- Monitor state nomination rounds: Some states open and close nomination rounds with little notice. Set up alerts and check state migration websites regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Subclass 190 a permanent visa?
Yes. The Subclass 190 is a permanent residency visa. Holders gain the right to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely from the date of grant — no further visa is required to remain in the country.
How many points do I need for the Subclass 190?
You need a minimum of 65 points to submit an EOI. However, the effective invitation threshold varies significantly by state and occupation. Competitive states like New South Wales and Victoria may require 85 points or more to receive a nomination and invitation.
Can I live anywhere in Australia on a Subclass 190?
You are expected to live and work in the nominating state or territory for approximately 2 years after the visa is granted. After fulfilling this commitment, you are free to relocate anywhere in Australia.
How long does the Subclass 190 take to process?
Processing times vary. State nomination can take anywhere from 4 weeks to 6 months or more. Federal visa application processing adds further time. Check the official Department of Home Affairs processing times tool for current estimates.
What is the difference between the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491?
The Subclass 190 is a permanent visa granted from day one. The Subclass 491 is a temporary (5-year) regional visa that requires the holder to live and work in a designated regional area. The 491 can lead to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa after meeting residency and income requirements.
Official Resources
Immigration rules change frequently. Always verify information directly with official sources before making any decisions:
- Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa — Department of Home Affairs
- Your relevant state or territory government migration website
- The SkillSelect portal (accessed via the Home Affairs website)