1. What Is the Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa?
The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers who have been nominated by an Australian state or territory government. It sits within the national points-tested skilled migration system, managed through SkillSelect, and adds a state nomination layer on top of the federal requirements.
The "nominated" designation is critical: unlike the Subclass 189, you cannot receive a 190 invitation without first being nominated by a state or territory. The nomination adds 5 points to your base score and unlocks 190-specific invitation rounds. In exchange, visa holders commit to living and working in the nominating state or territory for two years after grant.
The 190 visa was introduced to allow states and territories to nominate skilled workers they need — occupations that may not score high enough in the national 189 pool but are priorities for specific state economies. This is why the 190 is particularly valuable for applicants in healthcare, education, trades, and regional-priority occupations.
2. How the 190 Differs from the 189
The 189 and 190 share most eligibility requirements but differ in three fundamental ways:
| Feature | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 |
|---|---|---|
| Nomination required | No — independent | Yes — state/territory nomination required |
| Points bonus | None | +5 points from nomination |
| Typical invitation threshold | 85–100 pts (occupation-dependent) | 70–90 pts (state and occupation-dependent) |
| Residential obligation after grant | None | 2 years in nominating state/territory |
| Visa duration | 4 years (permanent from day one) | 5 years (permanent from day one) |
| Work rights | Unrestricted nationally | Unrestricted (obligation is residential) |
| Citizenship pathway | Yes | Yes |
For applicants whose base score falls in the 70–80 range, the 190 is typically far more accessible than the 189. For applicants already above 85–90 points, the 189 may be reachable without a state nomination, and the absence of a residential obligation may be preferable.
3. Eligibility Requirements
The federal eligibility requirements for the 190 are the same as for the 189, with the addition of the state/territory nomination requirement:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | Under 45 at the time of invitation. Calculated on the date DHA issues the invitation, not the EOI lodgement date. |
| Skills Assessment | Positive skills assessment from the designated assessing authority for the nominated ANZSCO occupation. Must be valid at invitation and at application lodgement. |
| Nominated Occupation | Occupation must appear on the MLTSSL or STSOL. Each state also maintains its own nomination occupation list, which may be narrower — your occupation must appear on both the federal list and the state's list. |
| English Language | Minimum competent English: IELTS 6.0 in all bands, or equivalent (PTE, TOEFL iBT, OET, CAE). Higher English scores add to the base points total. |
| Points Score | Minimum 65 base points to lodge EOI, plus 5 from nomination = 70 total points. Actual invitation thresholds vary by state and occupation. |
| State/Territory Nomination | Must have a valid nomination from an Australian state or territory government before a 190 invitation can be issued by DHA. |
| Health | All applicants and included family members must meet health requirements and complete a medical examination by an approved panel physician. |
| Character | Police clearances from all countries of residence for 12+ months in the past 10 years. |
4. State Nomination Requirements by State
Each state and territory operates its own 190 nomination program, with its own occupation list, eligibility criteria, and application process. There is no national nomination portal — you apply directly to each state. Below is a summary of each program as at March 2026.
| State/Territory | Program Focus | Key Criteria and Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Priority occupations for NSW economy; professionals and trades | Strong preference for applicants living and working in NSW. Competitive — often requires a high base score or existing employment in NSW. |
| Victoria | Healthcare, IT, engineering, construction, education | Preference for applicants already employed in Victoria. Skills-based nomination with evidence of employment offer or existing role often expected. |
| Queensland | Healthcare, construction, agriculture, IT, trades | Multiple streams including standard skilled and regional focused. Points-based internal ranking. Evidence of intention to settle in QLD required. |
| South Australia | Broad occupation list; consistently active year-round | One of the most accessible state programs. Does not always require a job offer. Proactively nominates for many skilled occupations. Active monitoring of the SA portal recommended. |
| Western Australia | Mining, construction, healthcare, engineering, IT | WA workforce needs drive the list. Some rounds require prior time in WA or a job offer. Very active for trades and healthcare. |
| Tasmania | Healthcare, IT, trades, education, hospitality | Accessible criteria for many occupations. Often requires evidence of genuine intention to live in Tasmania. Some occupations require a job offer. |
| Northern Territory | Very broad; actively seeking all skilled occupations | The most accessible nomination program in Australia by occupation breadth. Does not require a job offer for many roles. Darwin is a regional city with a strong employment market for skilled workers. |
| Australian Capital Territory | Government, IT, healthcare, education | Uses an internal points-based ACT Invitation Round system. Applicants must demonstrate they have the skills and resources to settle in Canberra. ACT is classified as a regional area under some visa conditions. |
State nomination programs open, close, pause, and change criteria without advance notice. The most effective approach is to monitor the immigration website of every state where your occupation appears, and to register for email alerts where available. Applying to multiple states simultaneously is permitted and common practice.
5. Points, EOI, and Nomination Process
The sequence matters
The 190 process has a specific sequence that must be understood to avoid wasted effort:
- Complete your skills assessment and English test — these are prerequisites for both the EOI and the state nomination application
- Lodge your EOI in SkillSelect, nominating the 190 subclass (and 189 and 491 if eligible)
- Apply for state/territory nomination — separately, on each state's portal
- The state nominates you — this is recorded in SkillSelect and adds 5 points to your EOI
- DHA issues an invitation — this is a separate step from the state nomination; DHA controls invitation timing
- Lodge the visa application in ImmiAccount within 60 days of the invitation
The state nomination and the DHA invitation are two separate approvals from two separate agencies. Having state nomination does not automatically trigger a DHA invitation — you must be at or above the invitation threshold in the DHA pool.
Typical invitation thresholds in 2025–26
| State | Approximate 190 Threshold (2025–26) |
|---|---|
| NSW / Victoria | 80–90 points (including nomination bonus) |
| South Australia / Tasmania / NT | 70–80 points (including nomination bonus) |
| Queensland / WA / ACT | 75–85 points (occupation and round-specific) |
These are approximations. The Department publishes SkillSelect quarterly reports that show actual invitation thresholds per subclass — reviewing the most recent report before lodging your EOI will give you the most accurate benchmark.
6. How to Apply
Step 1: Skills assessment
Obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated ANZSCO occupation. This is required before submitting an EOI or a state nomination application. Assessment timelines vary by authority — allow 8–16 weeks minimum for most pathways.
Step 2: English test
Complete an approved English language test. Results must not be more than 3 years old at the time of invitation (requirements vary by assessing authority). Aim for the highest score you can achieve — each tier (Competent → Proficient → Superior) adds 0, 10, or 20 points to your total.
Step 3: Lodge your EOI in SkillSelect
Submit an EOI declaring your points and nominating the 190 (and 189/491 if eligible). Points must be accurate and supportable with evidence. The EOI is valid for 2 years.
Step 4: Apply for state nomination
Apply directly to each state whose program is open and whose occupation list includes your role. Each state has its own portal and application requirements. You can apply to multiple states simultaneously. Some states require an Expression of Interest to the state before a full application — check each state's process.
Step 5: Receive nomination and invitation
If a state nominates you, the 5 points are added to your SkillSelect EOI. DHA then issues an invitation when your score places you at or above the 190 invitation threshold. The invitation is valid for 60 days — lodge the complete visa application within this window.
Step 6: Lodge the visa application
Lodge the Subclass 190 application in ImmiAccount with all required documents. Evidence must support every point claimed in your EOI. Processing typically begins from the date of complete lodgement.
7. Obligations After Grant
The two-year state obligation
Upon grant, 190 visa holders take on an obligation to live and work in the nominating state or territory for two years. This is recorded as a visa condition (currently condition 8576). It is enforced less rigorously than the Subclass 491 regional condition, but it is a genuine visa obligation — not an administrative formality.
Practical implications:
- You should establish genuine residency in the nominating state, including utility bills, lease agreements, and tax records at a state address
- Moving interstate before the two years are complete may constitute a breach of condition
- The Department reviews address and tax records when you subsequently apply for citizenship — inconsistencies will be identified
- The obligation does not prevent interstate work travel for employment purposes, but principal place of residence should remain in the nominating state
After the two years
Once the two-year obligation period has passed, you are free to live and work anywhere in Australia. The 190 is a permanent visa — there is no further condition on your residence location after the obligation period. You can apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the general citizenship residency requirements (4 years lawful residence in Australia, the last 12 months as a permanent resident).
Sponsoring family members
As a permanent resident, you can sponsor eligible family members to migrate to Australia through the appropriate family visa stream. The two-year state obligation applies to you as the primary visa holder — family members you include in the original 190 application are also subject to the condition, but subsequent family visa applications are subject to standard family stream rules.