190 Visa Australia: State Nomination Requirements and Strategy

190 Visa Australia: Executive Summary

The subclass 190 visa grants permanent residence to an applicant nominated by a state or territory government and invited to apply.

The five nomination points are useful, but they are not the defining advantage of the pathway. The central issue is whether a jurisdiction is prepared to select the applicant from among other people who may also satisfy its minimum requirements.

A person may meet the federal visa criteria, hold a suitable skills assessment and have sufficient points, yet still have no viable state or territory nomination pathway.

What are the requirements for a 190 visa?

For the subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa, an applicant will generally need to:

• nominate an occupation available under the applicable subclass 190 framework;
• obtain a suitable skills assessment for that occupation;
• have at least Competent English;
• be under 45 when invited to apply;
• meet the applicable points threshold;
• submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect;
• satisfy the criteria of a state or territory nomination program;
• be selected and nominated by that jurisdiction;
• receive an invitation to apply for the visa;
• lodge the visa application within the invitation period;
• prove the points and other claims relied upon;
• meet health, character and all other applicable visa criteria.

These requirements do not arise from one decision-maker or one application.

The skills assessing authority, state or territory government and Department of Home Affairs perform different functions. A favourable outcome at one stage does not dictate the outcome at another.

The three separate decisions in a 190 pathway

This third question is frequently overlooked.

Applicants often read a state’s minimum criteria as though those criteria create an entitlement to nomination. In reality, many jurisdictions rank or prioritise applicants who meet the same baseline requirements.

How to apply for state nomination and a 190 visa

1. Select an appropriate occupation

The occupation should emerge from the applicant’s actual duties, qualifications, employment history and the requirements of the relevant assessing authority.

An occupation appearing on a state list does not make it appropriate if the applicant cannot obtain a suitable skills assessment or defend the occupational alignment.

Read more about Skilled Occupation Strategy Australia.

2. Obtain the skills assessment

The applicant must obtain a suitable assessment for the nominated occupation before submitting the EOI.

The assessment may also affect the employment periods that can safely be claimed for migration points.

Read more about Skills Assessment Australia.

3. Calculate supportable points

The points entered in SkillSelect are self-declared. They must later be supported at the visa stage.

The calculation should distinguish between points already established and points dependent on a future English result, partner assessment, employment period or other event.

4. Submit the EOI

The EOI identifies the visa subclasses and jurisdictions in which the applicant is interested.

The applicant should ensure that all claims are accurate and keep the EOI updated while it remains active.

5. Follow the jurisdiction’s nomination process

An EOI alone may not be enough.

Depending on the jurisdiction and pathway, an applicant may also need to:

• submit a registration of interest;
• wait to be invited to lodge a nomination application;
• submit a direct nomination application;
• provide evidence of residence or employment;
• show local study or another jurisdictional connection;
• pay a state nomination application fee;
• make declarations about settlement intentions.

6. Receive nomination and the visa invitation

If the jurisdiction approves the nomination, five points are added under the points test and the applicant may receive the corresponding invitation through SkillSelect.

7. Lodge the visa application

An invited applicant generally has 60 days to lodge the visa application.

The Department then assesses whether the applicant satisfies the federal subclass 190 criteria and can prove the claims on which the invitation was based.

How many points do you need for a 190 visa?

The legal threshold is at least 65 points after including the five points awarded for state or territory nomination.

That figure does not answer whether a state will nominate the applicant.

A jurisdiction may:

• set a higher minimum points requirement for a particular pathway;
• rank applicants by points;
• prioritise particular occupations or sectors;
• give preference to applicants already living or working locally;
• select applicants with stronger English, experience or employability;
• decline to invite otherwise eligible applicants because program places are limited.

Points do not replace state alignment

Two applicants may have the same score and substantially different nomination prospects.

One may be working in a priority sector, living in the jurisdiction and meeting a targeted employment pathway. The other may have no state connection and an occupation that the jurisdiction is not presently selecting.

Their federal points may be identical. Their state nomination positions are not.

Read more about Australian migration points.

How state and territory nomination differs

There is no single national subclass 190 nomination program.

Each Australian state and territory designs and administers its own nomination pathways within the broader federal migration framework.

Jurisdictional programs may distinguish between:

• onshore and offshore applicants;
• current residents and applicants living elsewhere;
• graduates and non-graduates;
• applicants working in their nominated occupation and those who are not;
• metropolitan and regional employment;
• priority-sector and non-priority applicants;
• applicants with job offers and those without them;
• higher and lower English results;
• different minimum work-experience periods;
• different salary, hours or employment arrangements;
• direct applications and invitation-only pathways.

These are examples of factors jurisdictions may use. They are not universal subclass 190 requirements.

Published minimum criteria may only open the door

A state may publish minimum conditions for a pathway but receive more eligible applicants than it can nominate.

Meeting those conditions may therefore mean only that the applicant can register interest or be considered. It does not create a right to nomination.

Nomination places are limited

The Australian Government allocates finite subclass 190 and subclass 491 nomination places to states and territories for each program year.

A jurisdiction may consequently change its priorities, pause a pathway, restrict invitations or select only a proportion of applicants who satisfy its stated minimum criteria.

“Open” does not mean suitable

Applicants often search for a state that is “open” and then treat that as the strategy.

A program can be open while offering little realistic prospect for a particular occupation or applicant profile.

The useful question is:

Which jurisdictions, if any, currently provide a credible nomination pathway for my occupation and circumstances?

Read more about State Nomination Strategy Australia.

Occupation choice and skills assessment

The nominated occupation affects both the federal visa pathway and the state nomination strategy.

The analysis should consider:

• whether the applicant’s duties support the occupation;
• whether the qualifications satisfy the assessing authority;
• whether a suitable skills assessment can be obtained;
• which employment periods may count as skilled;
• whether the occupation is available for subclass 190;
• whether any jurisdictions currently include or select the occupation;
• whether the applicant meets the pathway attached to that occupation.

Appearance on a state occupation list is not enough

An occupation may appear in a jurisdiction’s material but remain subject to:

• a particular nomination pathway;
• residence or employment requirements;
• priority-sector settings;
• minimum points or English requirements;
• limited invitation activity;
• additional conditions published elsewhere in the program rules.

The occupation list must be read together with the pathway requirements and current selection settings.

A skills assessment is not a nomination assessment

A positive skills assessment establishes occupational suitability under the assessing authority’s criteria.

It does not establish that:

• a state will include the occupation in its program;
• the state will regard the applicant as competitive;
• all employment will be accepted for points;
• the applicant meets the jurisdiction’s separate employment or residence criteria;
• the Department will grant the visa.

English, employment and state alignment

English affects more than the points score

Stronger English can add points and may also affect employability or competitiveness under a jurisdiction’s nomination framework.

A state may set an English requirement above the basic federal level for a pathway or occupation. Even where it does not, stronger English may materially improve the applicant’s overall profile.

Read more about English Strategy Australia.

Employment requirements are jurisdiction-specific

A job offer is not a universal federal requirement for the subclass 190 visa.

However, a jurisdiction may require or prioritise:

• current employment in the nominated or closely related occupation;
• employment within that state or territory;
• a minimum period of local employment;
• a minimum number of weekly hours;
• a job offer extending for a specified period;
• employment in a priority sector or location.

The exact rules must be checked for the relevant jurisdiction and pathway at the time of assessment.

Employment evidence must satisfy more than one purpose

The same employment may need to support:

• the skills assessment;
• a migration-points claim;
• a state employment criterion;
• a priority-sector or occupational requirement;
• the applicant’s representations about current circumstances.

A reference letter that is sufficient for one purpose may not establish all the others.

What I see in subclass 190 matters

The most common weakness in a 190 strategy is not failure to understand that nomination is required.

It is failure to understand what nomination actually involves.

Applicants read minimum criteria as a promise

A state publishes a list of requirements. The applicant meets them and assumes nomination should follow.

What the applicant may have established is only eligibility to be considered. If the jurisdiction receives more eligible registrations than it can accommodate, selection becomes comparative.

Occupation-list access is mistaken for invitation activity

Applicants often say that a state “accepts” their occupation because it appears on a list.

The more important questions are:

• under which pathway is the occupation available;
• whether offshore or interstate applicants can use that pathway;
• whether additional employment or residence criteria apply;
• whether the jurisdiction is actively selecting applicants in that category.

Moving interstate is treated as a nomination guarantee

Some applicants relocate because they believe residence alone will produce nomination.

Residence may be one factor, but it may need to be combined with local employment, a minimum residence period, a priority occupation or another pathway requirement. By the time the applicant satisfies one criterion, the program may have changed.

Generic interest in every state creates inconsistent positioning

An applicant may nominate every jurisdiction in SkillSelect while simultaneously making strong statements about a genuine commitment to one particular state.

That does not automatically invalidate the strategy, but the applicant should understand the representations being made and ensure that state-specific submissions remain accurate and credible.

A high score is expected to overcome a weak state fit

Points matter, but jurisdictions do not necessarily rank applicants on points alone.

A person with fewer points may be stronger where they are locally employed in a priority sector, while a higher-scoring offshore applicant may have no viable pathway under that jurisdiction’s present settings.

State criteria are checked once and then treated as fixed

Nomination programs can change during an applicant’s preparation period.

Occupation access, employment requirements, invitation systems and program availability should be checked again before each material step rather than assumed from an earlier assessment.

Fictional worked example: Eligible for 190, but not presently selectable

190 visa compared with 189 and 491 visas

When subclass 190 may be stronger than subclass 189

The subclass 190 pathway may be strategically stronger where:

• the applicant is not realistically competitive for an independent invitation;
• a jurisdiction is actively selecting the occupation or pathway;
• the applicant has local residence, employment, study or another relevant state connection;
• the applicant fits a current priority sector or targeted pathway;
• the additional nomination points materially improve the federal score.

When subclass 491 should also be assessed

Subclass 491 may deserve serious consideration where:

• the jurisdiction offers the occupation only through a regional pathway;
• subclass 190 places are more restricted;
• the additional 15 points materially strengthen the score;
• the applicant is willing and able to comply with the regional framework;
• the subclass 491 pathway provides a more credible route than waiting indefinitely for subclass 190.

Read the detailed 189, 190 and 491 visa comparison.

• 189 Visa Australia
• 491 Visa Australia
• State Nomination Strategy Australia
• Employer-Sponsored Visas Australia

Commitment to the nominating state or territory

State and territory governments nominate applicants because they expect those applicants genuinely to settle in and contribute to the jurisdiction.

Nomination applications commonly require declarations or representations about the applicant’s intention to live and work in the nominating state or territory.

The subclass 190 visa itself does not generally contain a visa condition legally confining the holder to that jurisdiction.

That does not mean the nomination commitment should be treated as meaningless.

An applicant should:

• make nomination declarations honestly;
• understand the settlement expectations stated by the jurisdiction;
• retain evidence relevant to the genuine intention held when nominated;
• avoid making inconsistent commitments to different jurisdictions;
• seek advice before assuming that a significant change in circumstances has no relevance.

Common 190 visa errors

Treating the visa as “189 plus five points”

The five points arise only after nomination. The applicant must first identify and secure a viable jurisdictional pathway.

Confusing federal eligibility with state eligibility

Satisfying the subclass 190 visa framework does not establish that any state or territory must consider or nominate the applicant.

Confusing state eligibility with selection

Meeting published minimum criteria may only place the applicant into a competitive pool.

Choosing a state because it is described as open

Program availability does not establish that the applicant’s occupation or profile is likely to be selected.

Reading an occupation list without the pathway rules

An occupation may be limited to onshore applicants, local workers, graduates, priority sectors or another specific category.

Assuming a high points score guarantees nomination

A jurisdiction may consider occupation, employment, location, sector, English, experience and other factors in addition to points.

Using an unfocused multi-state strategy

Selecting every state in SkillSelect does not replace careful analysis of each jurisdiction’s criteria and selection activity.

Relying on outdated nomination settings

State programs can change while the skills assessment, English testing or EOI is being prepared.

Using weak employment evidence

Employment documents may need to support the skills assessment, points claim and separate state employment requirements.

Ignoring subclass 491 or employer sponsorship

Waiting for a preferred permanent nomination pathway may be poor strategy where another credible pathway is presently available.

Should you pursue the subclass 190 visa?

The subclass 190 visa may be a strong pathway where the applicant has both:

• a defensible federal skilled migration profile; and
• a credible jurisdictional nomination pathway.

Before relying on subclass 190, consider:

• Is the occupation properly selected and assessable?
• Which employment periods can support points?
• Is the English result strong enough for the intended pathway?
• Which jurisdictions presently accept the applicant’s circumstances?
• Does the applicant meet only minimum criteria, or is the profile genuinely competitive?
• Are local residence, employment or study requirements involved?
• Would subclass 491 provide a more credible jurisdictional route?
• Is subclass 189 realistic?
• Should employer sponsorship be developed in parallel?
• What happens if the preferred jurisdiction changes its program?

190 Visa Australia: Frequently Asked Questions

Is the subclass 190 visa permanent?

Yes. The subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa is a permanent visa. It allows the holder to live, work and study in Australia permanently, subject to the usual travel-facility and citizenship rules.

How many points do I need for a 190 visa?

The legal threshold is at least 65 points after including the five points awarded for state or territory nomination. That does not mean a jurisdiction will nominate every applicant with 65 points. States and territories may apply higher requirements, ranking systems and separate selection priorities.

Does state nomination add five points?

Yes. A valid state or territory nomination for subclass 190 contributes five points under the skilled migration points test.

Does meeting a state’s minimum criteria guarantee nomination?

No. Meeting minimum criteria may make an applicant eligible to register interest or apply. A jurisdiction may still rank applicants, prioritise particular occupations or profiles, and select only some eligible applicants within its available allocation.

Do I need a job offer for the 190 visa?

A job offer is not a universal federal requirement for the subclass 190 visa. However, an individual state or territory may require or prioritise local employment, a job offer or evidence of employability under a particular nomination pathway.

Can offshore applicants receive subclass 190 nomination?

Potentially. Whether an offshore applicant can be considered depends on the current rules and selection activity of the relevant state or territory. Some pathways accept offshore applicants, while others are limited to applicants living or working within the jurisdiction.

Can I apply directly to every state?

Not necessarily. Jurisdictions use different processes. Some require a registration of interest, some invite applicants to submit a nomination application, and others may permit direct applications under particular pathways.

Do I need a skills assessment before submitting an EOI?

Yes. SkillSelect requires details of the suitable skills assessment for the occupation being nominated before the EOI is submitted.

How long does a 190 EOI remain active?

An EOI generally remains active for up to two years. It should be updated before invitation when points, employment, English, relationship status or other relevant circumstances change.

How long do I have to lodge the visa after invitation?

An invited applicant generally has 60 days from the invitation date to lodge the subclass 190 visa application.

Can I include my partner and children?

A spouse or de facto partner and eligible dependent children can generally be included as members of the family unit. Additional visa charges and individual health, character and other requirements may apply.

Can I move to another state after the visa is granted?

The subclass 190 visa does not generally contain a visa condition legally restricting the holder to the nominating jurisdiction. However, nomination is based on the applicant’s genuine stated intention to settle there. The declarations made during nomination should therefore be honest and taken seriously.

Is the 190 visa better than the 189 visa?

Neither visa is universally better. Subclass 189 does not require nomination, while subclass 190 requires jurisdictional selection and provides five nomination points. The stronger pathway depends on the applicant’s occupation, points and realistic prospects under the relevant invitation and nomination systems.

Is the 190 visa better than the 491 visa?

Subclass 190 grants permanent residence immediately, while subclass 491 is a provisional regional visa. However, subclass 491 may be the more realistic pathway where a jurisdiction is not offering subclass 190 nomination to the applicant’s occupation or profile.

How much does the 190 visa cost?

As at August 2026, the Department’s starting visa application charge for the primary applicant is AUD $6,140. Additional charges may apply for family members. Applicants should also budget for skills assessment, English testing, police certificates, health examinations, state nomination fees where applicable and document preparation.

Official subclass 190 resources

• 
  Department of Home Affairs — Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190
  
• 
  Department of Home Affairs — SkillSelect Expression of Interest
  
• 
  Department of Home Affairs — Subclass 190 points table
  
• 
  Department of Home Affairs — State and territory nomination allocations
  
• 
  Department of Home Affairs — Points calculator
  

Assess your state nomination strategy

A paid consultation can assess whether subclass 190 is realistic for your occupation, evidence and points profile, and which jurisdictions, if any, presently offer a credible nomination pathway.

The consultation can address occupation selection, skills-assessment prospects, employment points, English targets, partner points, state and territory criteria, subclass 189 and 491 alternatives, employer sponsorship, EOI strategy and timing risk.

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