The 190 visa gets you permanent residency in Australia without an employer — but with one condition that separates it from the 189: you must be nominated by a state or territory government. That nomination is worth 5 extra points, and it’s also the part that catches people out, because each state runs its own program with its own occupation list, its own quotas and its own minimum score. This guide explains the mechanic, the points, the processing order, and why you should never treat “state nomination” as one thing. Last verified 14 October 2026.
Key facts at a glance
| Visa cost | From AUD 6,140.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances) |
|---|---|
| Stay | Permanently |
| Nomination | Required — a state or territory government must nominate you |
| Points | Points-tested; state/territory nomination adds 5 points |
| Processing | Prioritised under Ministerial Direction No. 122 |
| Last verified | 14 October 2026 |
The one difference that defines the 190
Set the 190 next to the 189 and almost everything looks the same. Both are permanent, both are points-tested, both require an occupation on a skilled list, a suitable skills assessment, and an invitation before you can apply. Neither needs an employer.
The difference is the nomination. The 189 Skilled Independent visa requires no sponsor or nominator at all. The 190 requires a state or territory government to nominate you — and in return, that nomination adds 5 points to your score. For people sitting just below a competitive cut-off, those 5 points can be the difference between being invited and waiting indefinitely. For everyone else, the nomination is a hurdle rather than a bonus: you can only get it if the state wants your occupation.
If you’d rather avoid the nomination altogether, the alternative paths are the 189 (no nomination) or an employer-sponsored route such as the 482 Skills in Demand visa. Each trades a different kind of requirement for the same end goal of Australian permanent residency.
The points test, and where the 5 points fit
The 190 uses the same points framework as the other points-tested skilled visas. The categories that earn points are age, English language, skilled employment experience, qualifications, partner skills, Australian study, regional study, a Professional Year, a credentialled community language, and — for the 190 specifically — state or territory nomination.
Two things to keep in mind. First, the Department requires a minimum score before you can be invited, and the effective cut-off in a crowded occupation is often higher, because invitations go to the highest-ranked candidates. Second, the 5 points for nomination are only awarded once you actually hold a nomination — you can’t claim them in your Expression of Interest before that. Use the Department’s official points calculator to see where you stand, and our 189 guide for a fuller breakdown of the individual categories.
How the nomination actually works
The nomination is not something the Department arranges for you. It works like this:
- You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, indicating that you are seeking nomination (either from a specific state or territory, or from any).
- If a state or territory is interested in your occupation and profile, it may nominate you — but only if you meet that state’s own criteria.
- Once you hold a nomination, you can be invited to apply for the 190.
- You then lodge the visa application and evidence your claims.
The critical point is step 2. The Department sets the visa’s rules, but the states set the nomination rules. That means the same occupation can be open in one state and closed in another, and the requirements can change without any change to the visa itself.
State by state: the rules are not the same
This is where most generic guides go wrong. There is no single “state nomination” test. Each state and territory government runs its own program, and they differ in at least four ways:
- Occupation lists. Each state publishes its own list of occupations it will nominate — and they don’t match each other.
- Quotas. Each state has a limited number of nomination places. When they’re used, the state may pause or close parts of its program.
- Minimum points and other thresholds. States can set their own minimum score, English level or work-experience requirement, above the Department’s floor.
- Residency or study preferences. Some states favour applicants already living, working or studying there.
Because of this, you should always check the official website of the state or territory you’re targeting — the full list is in the next section. Treat any third-party “state nomination” summary as a starting point only; the state’s own page is the authority.
Which state or territory should you target?
Because the states don’t align, choosing where to seek nomination is a strategic decision, not an afterthought. Work through it in this order:
- Start with your occupation. Find the states whose current nomination list includes it. If your occupation isn’t listed anywhere, the 190 may not be viable for you right now.
- Check the program status. States open and close nomination streams through the year, and some pause when their quota is used. A list is only useful if the stream is open.
- Compare the thresholds. Look at each state’s minimum points, English requirement and any work-experience condition. A state with a lower threshold can be a better bet than one with a longer occupation list.
- Check for extra conditions. Some states require a job offer in the state, or give preference to applicants already living, working or studying there. These conditions can put you ahead of — or shut you out against — an otherwise identical applicant.
Each state and territory runs its own nomination program on its own website. These are the official portals to start from:
| New South Wales | business.nsw.gov.au — Visas and migration |
|---|---|
| Victoria | liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au — Skilled migration visas |
| Queensland | migration.qld.gov.au — Migration Queensland |
| Western Australia | migration.wa.gov.au — Migration WA |
| South Australia | migration.sa.gov.au — Move to South Australia |
| Tasmania | migration.tas.gov.au — Migration Tasmania |
| Australian Capital Territory | act.gov.au/migration — ACT Migration (Canberra Matrix) |
| Northern Territory | theterritory.com.au/migrate — Northern Territory nomination |
Each state’s rules and occupation lists change, often without warning. A state can close a stream, raise its minimum score or drop an occupation mid-year, and its allocation of nomination places is confirmed by the Australian Government only when the program year opens. So treat the list above as the starting point and the state’s own website as the authority — don’t plan around a snapshot from a third-party guide.
Don’t spread yourself across every state at once. Focus on the one or two where your occupation is open and your profile clears the threshold, then put your energy into strengthening your points.
State nomination is not the same as an invitation
One thing to be clear about: securing a state nomination does not guarantee you a visa. The nomination does two things — it adds 5 points to your score, and it puts you into that state’s pool of candidates — but the actual invitation to apply comes from the Department of Home Affairs, through SkillSelect invitation rounds, subject to the Department’s occupation ceilings and the number of places available that year. A state can nominate you and you can still wait a long time for an invitation, or miss out entirely if your occupation’s ceiling is reached.
In practice this means the nomination is necessary but not sufficient. You still need a competitive score, a valid skills assessment and an occupation that the Department is inviting for the 190 that year. Plan for both gates, not just the state one.
How processing priority works
The Department doesn’t process 190 applications first-in, first-out. It works through them under Ministerial Direction No. 122. As at 14 October 2026, it is processing applications lodged in or before:
| March 2026 | Construction, Healthcare, Teaching, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fishing and Resources sectors, or where Australia’s law enforcement and defence interests are involved. |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | Applications where the primary applicant was in Australia at the time they lodged. |
| February 2025 | Applications where the primary applicant was outside Australia and the application is not combined with another person’s application. |
| February 2025 | All other applications from applicants who were outside Australia when they applied. |
The pattern is consistent across the skilled visas: priority sectors and onshore applicants move first, and offshore applications trail. The Department warns that, while it transitions to the new priorities under Ministerial Direction No. 122, published allocation dates “may fluctuate”. In other words, these dates are a moving picture, not a promise.
Health, character and English
Beyond points and nomination, the 190 has the same baseline requirements as the other skilled visas. You need to meet the Department’s health and character requirements, which usually means health examinations and police checks for you and any family members included in your application. You also need to satisfy the visa’s English language requirement at the relevant time. These aren’t scoring items you can top up later — they’re pass-or-fail conditions, so treat them as fixed costs of time and money rather than afterthoughts.
Step-by-step: how to apply
- Check your occupation against the relevant skilled occupation list for the 190.
- Get a suitable skills assessment from the assessing authority for your occupation — it must be valid at the time you’re invited.
- Improve your points where you can — English, work experience and partner skills are the usual levers.
- Choose your target state or territory and check that state’s official nomination criteria, occupation list and current status.
- Submit your Expression of Interest in SkillSelect, seeking nomination.
- Secure the nomination if the state selects you, then wait to be invited to apply.
- Lodge the visa application within the invitation period and evidence every claim in your EOI.
Common mistakes
- Assuming “state nomination” is one set of rules. It isn’t — each state and territory runs its own program.
- Claiming the 5 points too early. You only get them once you hold a nomination.
- Treating the minimum score as a target. In crowded occupations, the real cut-off is higher.
- Chasing a state whose list doesn’t include your occupation. Check the state’s list before you invest in an EOI.
- Letting the skills assessment lapse. It must be valid when you’re invited.
- Confusing the 190 with the 189. The 189 needs no nomination and no 5 points; the 190 needs both the nomination and those points to follow.
FAQ
What is the difference between the 190 and the 189?
The 190 requires a state or territory government nomination, which adds 5 points. The 189 requires no nomination or sponsor at all. Both are permanent and points-tested.
How much does the 190 cost?
From AUD 6,140.00, with concessions applying in limited circumstances.
Do all states have the same requirements?
No. Each state and territory sets its own occupation list, quotas, minimum thresholds and preferences. Always check the official website of your target state or territory.
Do I get 5 points for being nominated?
Yes — a state or territory nomination adds 5 points to your score, but only once you actually hold the nomination.
Can I apply without being nominated?
No. The 190 requires a nomination from a state or territory government, and you must be invited to apply.
How long does processing take?
The Department doesn’t publish a fixed time. Applications are prioritised under Ministerial Direction No. 122, so timing depends on your occupation, whether you’re onshore or offshore, and the current priority sectors.
Visa fees are indexed on 1 July each year. The figures here were verified on 14 October 2026 — always confirm the current amount with the Visa Pricing Estimator before you lodge.
Official sources
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) — Department of Home Affairs
- Skilled occupation list — Department of Home Affairs
- Skills assessment — Department of Home Affairs
- SkillSelect — Department of Home Affairs
- Skilled visa processing priorities (Ministerial Direction No. 122) — Department of Home Affairs
- State nomination — Western Australia — Government of Western Australia
- State nomination — South Australia — Government of South Australia
- State nomination — Tasmania — Tasmanian Government
- State nomination — Queensland — Queensland Government
- State nomination — Victoria — Victorian Government
- State nomination — New South Wales — NSW Government
- Territory nomination — Australian Capital Territory — ACT Government
AU0061 publishes general information, not personal migration advice. Visa rules and fees change, and eligibility depends on your individual circumstances. Always confirm the current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs or a MARA-registered migration agent before you act on anything in this guide.