By Oz Unpacked · Updated
The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory and invited to apply. It lets eligible applicants live and work in Australia, with state nomination forming an important part of the pathway.
You need an eligible occupation, a suitable skills assessment, competent English and at least 65 points, including five points for nomination. You will also need to submit an expression of interest through SkillSelect and follow the relevant state or territory’s nomination process. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee nomination, an invitation or a visa grant.
At a Glance
| Question | Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa |
|---|---|
| Is it permanent? | Yes. The visa lets you stay in Australia indefinitely. |
| Do I need a job offer? | No employer sponsor is required; a state or territory may require or favour a job offer. |
| Do I need state nomination? | Yes. A state or territory must nominate you. |
| What is the minimum points score? | 65 points, including 5 points for nomination. This minimum does not guarantee selection or an invitation. |
| Is there an age limit? | You must be under 45 when invited to apply. |
| Can I apply from overseas? | Yes. You can submit an expression of interest from inside or outside Australia; state criteria vary. |
| What is the government application charge? | A$6,140 for the main applicant at 2 November 2026; additional applicant charges and limited concessions may apply. |
What the 190 Visa Lets You Do
The subclass 190 is a permanent visa. If granted, it allows you to stay in Australia indefinitely, work and study, and access Medicare if eligible. You may be able to sponsor eligible relatives and apply for citizenship later if you meet the separate citizenship requirements.
The 190 is not a provisional regional visa. A nominating jurisdiction may ask you to commit to living and working there for a period, and you should understand those expectations before accepting nomination. Permanent visa conditions and a state’s nomination undertaking are distinct. Professional registration or licensing may also be needed to work in a regulated occupation.
The visa includes a five-year travel facility from grant. Permanent residence lets you remain in Australia indefinitely, but returning after that facility expires generally requires an appropriate resident return visa or another travel authority. Our guide to Australian permanent residency explains travel, healthcare and other practical benefits in more detail.
Who Can Apply for a Subclass 190 Visa?
To apply through the points-tested stream, you need to meet these federal requirements as well as the criteria of the nomination program you choose:
- Occupation: Your nominated occupation must be eligible for the subclass 190 and for the relevant state or territory program.
- Skills assessment: You must declare a suitable assessment at invitation. Home Affairs guidance says a suitable assessment obtained during the 60-day invitation period may be accepted by a delegate in the circumstances described on the visa page. Check the current wording and your individual situation before relying on this pathway.
- Age: You must be under 45 when invited to apply.
- English: You generally need at least competent English at invitation.
- Points: You must meet the 65-point threshold, including the five points for subclass 190 nomination, and substantiate your claims.
- Nomination and invitation: A state or territory must nominate you and you must receive the corresponding invitation before applying.
- Other requirements: Health, character and all other applicable visa requirements must be met.
Meeting the federal threshold does not make you eligible for a particular state program. Jurisdictions may require residence or employment in that state, a job offer, an occupation on a narrower list, a separate registration of interest, or evidence of a genuine commitment to settle there. Review the exact current program criteria before spending money or making plans.
Step 1: Check Your Occupation and Skills Assessment
First, check the Home Affairs skilled occupation list to make sure your occupation is available for subclass 190. The list also identifies the relevant assessing authority, whose document and assessment rules you will need to follow. State and territory programs can use narrower occupation lists or apply additional sector priorities.
Your job title alone does not establish the right occupation, so compare the occupation description with your actual duties, qualifications and experience. Depending on the assessing authority’s requirements, you may need to gather qualifications and transcripts, detailed employment references, contracts and pay evidence. An overseas qualification or familiar job title does not by itself confirm a positive assessment.
Most applicants should arrange a suitable assessment before submitting an EOI. The 190 invitation process has a specific assessment rule: you declare that you have a suitable assessment when invited, and Home Affairs says an assessment obtained within the 60-day invitation period may be accepted by a delegate.
For an assessment obtained before invitation, Home Affairs says it must be no more than three years old at invitation and must still be within any shorter validity period. The invitation-period provision does not mean that an expired or unrelated assessment will qualify, so check the exact requirements and exceptions before relying on it.
Some medical practitioners may use specified Australian registration evidence and some legal practitioners may rely on admission to practise, subject to the detailed rules.
A provisional assessment issued for a subclass 485 application is not generally suitable for a points-tested skilled visa. If your assessment relies on an Australian qualification obtained while you held a student visa, the qualification must be from a CRICOS-registered course. Check the detailed conditions on the official page.
Step 2: Work Out Your Points
SkillSelect calculates an indicative score from your EOI. Your age, English, skilled employment, qualifications, partner circumstances and other eligible factors can contribute points, as can state or territory nomination. You will need evidence to support every claim when you apply.
Age and English points
Age at invitation gives you 25 points at 18–24, 30 points at 25–32, 25 points at 33–39 or 15 points at 40–44. For English, competent scores 0, proficient 10 and superior 20 points.
Competent English is required, even though it adds no points. Citizens of Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States who hold a valid passport from that country can demonstrate competent English; extra proficient or superior points need the evidence specified for those levels.
Approved test and score rules changed on 7 August 2025. Check Home Affairs' current table for your test date and format; tests taken entirely at home online are not accepted. Assessing and registration authorities may set separate English requirements.
Points for skilled employment
Eligible work must be paid skilled employment in your nominated or a closely related occupation, in the 10 years before invitation. Home Affairs defines employed work as at least 20 paid hours a week.
| Eligible skilled employment | Overseas work | Australian work |
|---|---|---|
| Less than one year | 0 | 0 |
| At least one but less than three years | 0 | 5 |
| At least three but less than five years | 5 | 10 |
| At least five but less than eight years | 10 | 15 |
| Eight years or more | 15 | 20 |
A positive skills assessment does not necessarily mean every year you have worked can count towards points. Your assessment may identify when your employment is considered skilled, so check the dates and duties before adding up your claim. Keep employment references and evidence of pay and hours for that period.
You can claim a maximum of 20 points across Australian and overseas employment combined. Australian work must also meet the relevant visa and visa-condition rules.
Points for qualifications
| Qualification | Points |
|---|---|
| Recognised doctorate | 20 |
| Recognised bachelor degree or higher qualification | 15 |
| Australian diploma or trade qualification | 10 |
| Qualification or award recognised as suitable by the relevant assessing authority | 10 |
Only your highest eligible qualification counts in this category. Overseas awards must meet the recognised standard, and your assessing authority may assess their comparability. Keep your award and transcripts with your assessment evidence.
Partner points: 0, 5 or 10
| Circumstances | Points |
|---|---|
| You are single, or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident | 10 |
| Your partner applies with you and meets the skilled-partner requirements | 10 |
| Your partner applies with you and has competent English | 5 |
| None of these categories applies | 0 |
These categories are alternatives. For the 5 English points, your partner does not need a skills assessment. If your partner also has an eligible occupation and can meet the requirements, compare their possible points as the main applicant too.
For 10 skilled-partner points, the partner must apply with you, be under 45 at invitation, have competent English, nominate an occupation on the same relevant list and hold a suitable skills assessment. They cannot already be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
The five-point category also requires the partner to apply with you and not already hold Australian citizenship or permanent residence. A relationship-status change during processing can affect the single/Australian-partner category.
Other points you may be able to claim
| Eligible circumstance | Points | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Australian study requirement | 5 | Eligible Australian degree, diploma or trade qualification meeting the study requirement. |
| Regional Australian study | 5 | Must meet Australian study rules and regional residence/campus criteria; distance study does not count. |
| Specialist education | 10 | Eligible Australian research master's or doctorate with at least two academic years in specified science, technology, engineering, mathematics or ICT fields. |
| Professional Year in Australia | 5 | Eligible Accounting, ICT or Engineering program meeting provider, occupation and timing rules. |
| Credentialled community language | 5 | Requires a qualifying interpreting or translating credential from the recognised Australian authority. |
| State or territory nomination for subclass 190 | 5 | Awarded for eligible nomination by an Australian state or territory government. |
Each factor has its own conditions. The official points table in the resources below explains those conditions and can help you check a claim before adding it to your EOI.
A worked example: how the points add up
For example, a 30-year-old with superior English, a recognised bachelor's degree, five years of eligible overseas skilled work and an applying partner with competent English could score 85 points: 30 + 20 + 15 + 10 + 5 for an eligible partner, plus 5 for state or territory nomination.
This is an illustration only; the applicant must prove each claim, and 85 points does not guarantee nomination or an invitation. A partner who meets the skilled-partner criteria may fit the 10-point category instead of the five-point category.
What does 65 points really mean?
Sixty-five points is the minimum score needed to be considered for an invitation, and that score includes the five points for nomination. States and territories select candidates under their own criteria and priorities, which can differ by occupation and change over time. Meeting the threshold does not guarantee nomination or an invitation.
A simple worksheet can help you check your score before submitting. List each category, the points you are claiming and the supporting document, then check which claims can be combined and how your employment is counted.
Step 3: Submit an Expression of Interest
Once you understand your occupation, assessment, English evidence and points, submit an expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. It is free to submit and can be made from Australia or overseas.
In SkillSelect, choose subclass 190 and indicate the available state or territory preferences. Some jurisdictions consider EOIs directly, while others require a separate registration, application or invitation to apply for nomination. Follow the published process for each jurisdiction, check your EOI answers against your documents and save a copy. You can update your EOI as your circumstances change before nomination or invitation.
An EOI does not give you a bridging visa. If you are in Australia, monitor your current visa’s expiry and conditions while nomination is pending. An EOI can remain active in SkillSelect for up to two years.
You can update your EOI before invitation if your circumstances or evidence change. It is suspended during the invitation period. Home Affairs says your EOI is removed if you do not apply after two invitations, and another invitation is not guaranteed.
Jurisdictions may consider factors beyond your points score, including occupation demand, work history, current residence, job offers, English, study, sector priorities and evidence that you intend to settle in the nominating state. These factors differ and are not universal requirements.
Step 4: Apply for State or Territory Nomination
Nomination is the major additional step in the 190 pathway. States and territories receive annual allocations and assess candidates against criteria unique to their jurisdiction. Allocations are the number of new primary applicants a jurisdiction may nominate; they are not a promise of visa grants or individual selection.
The official migration website for your chosen state or territory will explain whether its 190 program is open, whether your occupation is eligible and what the current stream requires. It will also explain whether you need to submit a registration of interest, a formal nomination application or supporting documents through a separate portal. Keep copies of your submissions and note the deadlines.
Depending on the program, you may need to show current residence, local employment, a job offer, ties to the jurisdiction, relevant experience, financial capacity or a commitment to remain in the state after grant. Some programs charge an application fee. Verify any fee and refund rules directly with that jurisdiction; amounts and process vary.
Nomination is distinct from the federal visa application. If the state or territory approves nomination, it is recorded in SkillSelect and the corresponding Home Affairs invitation follows. A nomination does not itself grant a visa or guarantee that Home Affairs will approve the later visa application.
Official state and territory nomination programs
Check the relevant official program for its current 190 criteria, application process, fees and opening status. These links open in a new tab.
- Australian Capital Territory — ACT Government nomination (opens in a new tab)
- New South Wales — Skilled Nominated visa (opens in a new tab)
- Northern Territory — government visa nomination (opens in a new tab)
- Queensland — skilled visas (opens in a new tab)
- South Australia — nomination requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Tasmania — skilled migration (opens in a new tab)
- Victoria — Skilled Nominated visa (opens in a new tab)
- Western Australia — migration services (opens in a new tab)
How to compare nomination programs
Start with the jurisdiction where you can realistically meet the requirements and intend to settle. An occupation being eligible for the federal visa does not necessarily mean it appears in a particular state’s current program. Check both lists and whether the relevant stream accepts applicants who are onshore or offshore.
It also helps to understand the process and evidence required. The program may select directly from SkillSelect, ask for a separate registration of interest or require an application after its own invitation. Make a note of opening dates, fees, evidence deadlines and any commitments. Selection can depend on priorities and available places, so meeting published minimums may not lead to nomination.
Before accepting an offer, compare the information in your EOI with the documents supplied to the state. A change in employment, residence, English evidence or family circumstances can matter. Follow the program’s instructions about reporting changes, and do not assume an old occupation list or previous selection round describes today’s rules. Home Affairs provides links to state and territory migration programs (opens in a new tab).
Step 5: Receive an Invitation and Apply
After nomination, Home Affairs issues an invitation to apply for the visa. You generally have 60 calendar days to lodge your application, so note the deadline as soon as you receive it. Follow the invitation and ImmiAccount instructions, and make sure your application and supporting evidence match the claims made in your EOI and nomination process.
Prepare a document folder that may include:
- Passport and identity documents for each applicant.
- Skills assessment or any applicable accepted registration evidence.
- English evidence and documents supporting every points claim.
- Employment references, pay records and qualification documents.
- State or territory nomination correspondence and evidence submitted to that program.
- Relationship and dependent-child documents, where applicable.
- Health, police and other documents requested for your circumstances.
Home Affairs assesses the visa application against federal requirements. You still need to meet the other criteria and provide evidence that supports the score on which you were invited.
You must be under 45 when invited. Home Affairs says you may still apply if you turn 45 after invitation, but you will not be invited if you turn 45 before invitation.
The 190 skills-assessment rule includes a specific provision for the invitation period. You must declare a suitable assessment at invitation, and a delegate may accept one obtained within the 60-day period as described on the official page. Read the rule carefully before relying on it.
If applying in Australia, Home Affairs says you must hold a substantive visa or Bridging visa A, B or C.
If you hold or last held a subclass 491 or 494 as your substantive visa, you must have held it for at least three years at the time you apply; check the current requirements for your circumstances. An EOI or nomination is not permission to remain in Australia.
How Much Does the 190 Visa Cost?
The standard first instalment for a subclass 190 application, as at 2 November 2026, is set out below. The Migration Regulations, Schedule 1 item 1138 (opens in a new tab), specify the charges. Fees may change, so check Home Affairs’ fees and charges (opens in a new tab) and Visa Pricing Estimator (opens in a new tab) before lodging.
Visa charges for partners and children
| Person included | Standard first instalment |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | A$6,140 |
| Additional applicant aged 18 or over | A$3,070 each |
| Additional applicant under 18 | A$1,535 each |
For example, the standard first instalment is A$9,210 for a main applicant and partner, A$10,745 with one child under 18, or A$12,280 with two children under 18. These examples assume all apply together and no concession applies; they exclude surcharges, any second instalment, nomination fees and other expenses. An eligible dependent aged 18 or over attracts the adult additional-applicant charge.
A lower first instalment applies where the primary applicant holds a qualifying Pacific-regional passport under the regulations: A$5,035 for the main applicant, A$2,515 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over, and A$1,260 for each additional applicant under 18. Check the exact eligibility and rules in force when lodging.
English and the second instalment: A second instalment of A$4,885 may apply to an applicant aged 18 or over at application who is assessed as having less than functional English, subject to the applicable exceptions. It is payable before grant when required. This differs from the main applicant’s competent-English requirement and partner-English points. The estimator might not include the second instalment.
Budget separately for state nomination charges, if any, as well as skills assessment, English testing, professional registration, medical examinations, police certificates, biometrics, translations and optional authorised migration assistance. Obtain current quotes and check the relevant state program’s fee and refund rules.
How Long Does the 190 Visa Take?
How long the 190 process takes depends on both state nomination and the visa application itself. Before either can move ahead, you will need to prepare your documents and arrange any required skills assessment. Once a state or territory nominates you, the visa invitation follows and you can lodge your application with Home Affairs.
There is no guaranteed date for nomination or an invitation, so it helps to look at the state program’s current information alongside Home Affairs’ visa processing guide. The federal figures describe visa applications rather than the time spent seeking nomination, and they are a guide to recent decisions rather than a prediction for your case.
Home Affairs also publishes its processing priorities and the lodgement dates currently being assessed. These can differ by occupation and by whether you applied from inside or outside Australia, so keep your documents current while you wait.
If you are approaching your 45th birthday, the date that matters is when you are invited. Lodging an EOI before your birthday does not preserve your eligibility if the invitation arrives after you turn 45.
Can Your Partner and Children Come With You?
You may include eligible members of your family unit in the visa application when you lodge, or in some circumstances after lodgement and before a decision. Each applicant must meet applicable health and character requirements. Home Affairs may also request information about family members who are not accompanying you.
The state program may also ask for your family members’ details during nomination, so check its rules as you prepare.
It can help to prepare relationship evidence, identity records and children’s documents early, especially if documents come from multiple countries or parental consent is needed. Additional applicants affect the total visa charges. Family members granted the visa receive permanent residence, while relatives joining later need a visa of their own.
How Does the 190 Compare With the 189 and 491?
| Visa | Main pathway | Visa type |
|---|---|---|
| 189 Skilled Independent | Points-tested invitation without state nomination or employer sponsorship | Permanent |
| 190 Skilled Nominated | State or territory nomination, then invitation | Permanent |
| 491 Skilled Work Regional | State or territory nomination or eligible family sponsorship; regional conditions apply | Provisional; a separate permanent pathway may be available if requirements are met |
The 190 and 189 are both permanent visas, but nomination criteria and settlement expectations matter for the 190. The 491 is provisional and has regional living and work conditions. Occupation eligibility and requirements are not interchangeable across pathways. Compare official criteria for your circumstances before deciding what to pursue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the subclass 190 a permanent visa?
Yes. It is a permanent visa if granted. You can stay indefinitely and work and study in Australia, subject to applicable rules and any professional registration requirements for your occupation.
Is 65 points enough to get nominated?
No score guarantees nomination. Sixty-five is the minimum points threshold and includes the five points associated with an approved 190 nomination. States and territories apply their own criteria and priorities, and the visa invitation follows nomination.
Do I need a job offer?
There is no single federal job-offer requirement for every 190 applicant, but a particular state or territory program may require or favour a job offer or local employment. Check that jurisdiction’s current criteria.
Do I need a skills assessment before my invitation?
Home Affairs says you must declare that you have a suitable assessment at invitation, and a delegate may accept an assessment obtained during the 60-day invitation period under the stated rules. Check the current visa page for the exact provision, assessment validity and exceptions.
Can I apply from overseas?
The EOI and visa application may be made from outside Australia if you meet the requirements. State nomination programs can have their own residence, employment or offshore applicant criteria, so check the jurisdiction you are considering.
Does an EOI give me a bridging visa?
No. An EOI is a request to be considered for invitation, not a visa application, and it does not give you a bridging visa. If you are in Australia, monitor your current visa and consider your lawful options while waiting. A bridging visa may be considered after a valid visa application, depending on your circumstances.
Does my partner need a skills assessment?
Not for the five partner points based on competent English alone. The ten skilled-partner points require a suitable assessment and the other age, English, occupation and application conditions. The categories are alternatives; they cannot be added together.
Can a 190 visa lead to citizenship?
The visa grants permanent residence if approved. Australian citizenship is a separate application with residence and other eligibility requirements. Time spent outside Australia and individual circumstances can affect those requirements.
Does nomination guarantee my visa?
No. Nomination enables the visa invitation but Home Affairs separately assesses your visa application. You must still meet points, age, English, health, character and other applicable criteria and substantiate your claims.
Do I have to live in the state that nominates me?
Check the state or territory’s nomination terms and commitments. Programs may ask you to state an intention to live and work there or make a settlement commitment. Understand the conditions and expectations before accepting nomination.
Can I include my partner and children?
Eligible family members may be included, subject to the federal rules and any program-specific nomination process. Additional charges and supporting evidence apply; check requirements for each person.
Is a 190 the same as a 491?
No. The 190 is permanent. The 491 is a provisional regional visa with conditions and a separate potential permanent pathway. Each has different eligibility and nomination rules.
Your Next Steps
You can begin by identifying your occupation and assessing authority, then comparing the state and territory programs that may suit you. Work through the points table and list the documents and expiry dates needed to support your claims. You can then prepare your evidence and follow the relevant state process alongside your SkillSelect EOI. Starting early can make the 60-day application window easier to manage if you are nominated and invited.
Official Resources and Source Notes
Reviewed 2 November 2026. Visa rules, state programs, allocations, fees and processing information can change. Check current official guidance before relying on a requirement or applying.
- Home Affairs: Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), eligibility and application steps (opens in a new tab)
- Home Affairs: subclass 190 points table (opens in a new tab)
- Home Affairs: state and territory nomination allocations and official jurisdiction links (opens in a new tab)
- Home Affairs: SkillSelect invitation rounds and distinctions between visa invitations and state nomination (opens in a new tab)
- Home Affairs: skilled occupation list (opens in a new tab)
- Home Affairs: skills assessments (opens in a new tab)
- Home Affairs: expression of interest (opens in a new tab)
- Migration Regulations 1994: subclass 190 charges, Schedule 1 item 1138 (opens in a new tab)
- Home Affairs: competent English (opens in a new tab), proficient English (opens in a new tab) and superior English (opens in a new tab)
- Home Affairs: functional English (opens in a new tab)
- Home Affairs: moving between visas (opens in a new tab)
- Home Affairs: fees and charges (opens in a new tab)
- Home Affairs: Visa Pricing Estimator (opens in a new tab)
- Home Affairs: visa processing times (opens in a new tab)
This article is general information, not migration or legal advice. Individual circumstances and current official requirements can affect eligibility. For immigration assistance, use a person authorised to provide it.
