Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) - Complete Guide

The Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) offers a strategic pathway to permanent residency through state or territory government nomination. With the crucial 5 bonus points from state nomination, this visa opens doors for skilled workers who might not qualify for the highly competitive 189 visa.

Why Choose the 190 Visa?

The 190 bridges the gap between your qualifications and permanent residency by leveraging state support. Each state actively seeks specific skills to support their economic growth, creating opportunities across diverse occupations.

Key Advantages Over 189

• Lower points requirement: 65 points with nomination vs 85+ for 189
• Broader occupation lists: States nominate beyond MLTSSL occupations
• Faster invitations: State nomination triggers automatic invitation
• Regional priorities: States often favor regional work experience
• Multiple pathways: Each state has different criteria

Who Should Apply

• Skilled professionals with 60+ base points
• STEMM graduates (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine)
• Healthcare workers in high demand across all states
• Trade professionals with state-specific skills
• Those with Australian study or work experience
• Applicants genuinely intending to settle in their nominating state or territory and meet its undertaking

State Nomination = Your Competitive Edge

While you need the same 65 minimum points as the 189 visa, the state’s 5 points make your effective requirement just 60 base points, significantly improving your chances.

Core Requirements

Mandatory Criteria:

1. Age: Under 45 years when invited
2. Occupation: On state nomination list (varies by state)
3. Skills Assessment: Positive assessment required
4. Points: Minimum 60 points (65 with state’s 5 points)
5. English: Competent minimum (see detailed requirements below)
6. State Nomination: Must secure before invitation
7. Health & Character: Pass all checks

Points Calculation (Including State Nomination)

State-Specific Requirements

Each state has unique criteria beyond the basic requirements:

New South Wales (NSW):

• Highest number of nominations
• Focus on STEMM occupations
• Preference for Sydney residents
• Target sectors: Tech, Healthcare, Engineering

Victoria (VIC):

• Emphasis on state-specific experience
• ROI system for selection
• Priority to Victorian graduates
• Strong healthcare and education focus

Queensland (QLD):

• Regional work experience valued
• Offshore applicants welcome
• Engineering and trades priority
• Job offer advantages

South Australia (SA):

• Extensive occupation list
• Regional living bonuses
• High-performing graduates fast-tracked
• Innovation sector focus

Western Australia (WA):

• WASMOL occupation list
• Contract employment acceptable
• Mining and healthcare priority
• Graduate stream available

Tasmania (TAS):

• Long-term residents prioritized
• Small business pathway
• 12+ months residence advantage
• Critical roles fast-tracked

English Requirements

Competent English (0 points):

• Passport from UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Ireland; or
• IELTS: at least 6 in each component; or
• PTE Academic: 47 in Listening, 48 Reading, 51 Writing, 54 Speaking; or
• TOEFL iBT: 16 in Listening, 16 Reading, 19 Writing, 19 Speaking; or
• C1 Advanced: 163 in Listening, 163 Reading, 170 Writing, 179 Speaking; or
• OET: 290 in Listening, 310 Reading, 290 Writing, 330 Speaking; or
• CELPIP General: at least 7 in each component; or
• LANGUAGECERT Academic: 57 in Listening, 60 Reading, 64 Writing, 70 Speaking; or
• MET: 56 in Listening, 55 Reading, 57 Writing, 48 Speaking

Proficient English (10 points):

• IELTS: at least 7 in each component; or
• PTE Academic: 58 in Listening, 59 Reading, 69 Writing, 76 Speaking; or
• TOEFL iBT: 22 in Listening, 22 Reading, 26 Writing, 24 Speaking; or
• C1 Advanced: 175 in Listening, 179 Reading, 193 Writing, 194 Speaking; or
• OET: 350 in Listening, 360 Reading, 380 Writing, 360 Speaking; or
• CELPIP: 9 in Listening, 8 Reading, 10 Writing, 8 Speaking; or
• LANGUAGECERT Academic: 67 in Listening, 71 Reading, 78 Writing, 82 Speaking; or
• MET: 61 in Listening, 63 Reading, 74 Writing, 59 Speaking

Superior English (20 points):

• IELTS: at least 8 in each component; or
• PTE Academic: 69 in Listening, 70 Reading, 85 Writing, 88 Speaking; or
• TOEFL iBT: 26 in Listening, 27 Reading, 30 Writing, 28 Speaking; or
• C1 Advanced: 186 in Listening, 190 Reading, 210 Writing, 208 Speaking; or
• OET: 390 in Listening, 400 Reading, 420 Writing, 400 Speaking; or
• CELPIP: 10 in Listening, 10 Reading, 12 Writing, 10 Speaking; or
• LANGUAGECERT Academic: 80 in Listening, 83 Reading, 89 Writing, 89 Speaking; or
• MET: Not accepted for Superior English

State Preferences: Some states require higher English for certain occupations:

• Healthcare: Often Proficient required
• Teaching: Superior preferred
• Trades: Competent acceptable

Occupation Lists

Three Types of Lists:

1. MLTSSL: Eligible for both 189 and 190
2. STSOL: Only eligible for 190 (not 189)
3. State Lists: Additional occupations per state

High-Demand Occupations 2025:

• Registered Nurses (all states)
• Software Engineers (NSW, VIC, QLD)
• Accountants (SA, TAS, NT)
• Teachers (VIC, QLD, SA)
• Chefs (Regional areas)
• Construction Managers (All states)

State Selection Strategy

Choosing the Right State:

1. Occupation Availability

   • Check all state lists
   • Some occupations only on specific state lists
   • Regional areas often have more options

2. Connection Factors

   • Previous study in state
   • Current employment
   • Family connections
   • Previous residence

3. Competition Levels

   • NSW/VIC: Higher competition
   • SA/TAS: More opportunities
   • Regional: Additional pathways

Points Optimization for 190

Quick Wins:

1. State Nomination: Guaranteed 5 points
2. Partner Skills: Up to 10 points
3. Australian Study: 5 points
4. Regional Study: Additional 5 points
5. Professional Year: 5 points (Accounting, IT, Engineering)
6. NAATI: 5 points for community language

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Applying to wrong state - Check occupation lists carefully ❌ Missing state deadlines - Some states have application windows ❌ Generic applications - Tailor to each state’s priorities ❌ Ignoring state requirements - Each state has unique criteria ❌ Not demonstrating commitment - States want genuine commitment

State Commitment and Federal Visa Conditions

Reviewed 23 October 2026: This section corrects the earlier description of the state commitment as a visa condition and the claim that every interstate move requires permission. Other sections of this guide have not received a full accuracy review in this update.

The subclass 190 is a permanent visa. A state or territory nomination undertaking is separate from the conditions imposed on that visa by the Commonwealth. Schedule 2, clause 190.611 does not impose a two-year state residence condition or a general interstate-move permission requirement. Check your own grant notice and VEVO for the conditions that apply to you. Migration Regulations, subclass 190.

This distinction does not make the undertaking optional. Nomination is based on genuine information and settlement intentions. Before visa grant, the nomination must not have been withdrawn (clause 190.215). A later change in circumstances should be explained honestly; it is different from giving false information at application. Do not assume either automatic cancellation or guaranteed immunity from other legal issues.

How State Undertakings Differ

Read the declaration and approval correspondence you actually accepted. These official examples illustrate differences, not a national rule:

• NSW: Its details-update form asks nominees to report first arrival and settlement in NSW, and address changes during the two-year commitment to live and work there. This is an update process, not evidence of a universal release-letter requirement.
• Victoria: The published 190 declaration records an intention for the applicant and dependants to live in Victoria for at least two years, starting at visa grant if living in Australia, or arrival in Australia if overseas. It also covers contact changes, visa outcome, arrival notification and requested surveys. Check your signed declaration, not another state’s wording.
• Western Australia: Its nomination terms set a two-year living-and-working commitment from arrival in WA, or grant if already there. They require contact registration within 28 days, updates, requested settlement surveys and notification of changes to the original proposal.
• Tasmania: Its undertakings guidance, updated 20 July 2026, describes at least two years from nomination, or entry to Tasmania for nominees approved offshore, with contact updates and periodic surveys.

These examples do not establish the terms for Queensland, South Australia, the ACT or the Northern Territory. Check the relevant program and your own documents before relying on a duration or notification process.

What to Do if Circumstances Change

1. Keep your nomination declaration, approval letter, visa grant and settlement records together.
2. Identify whether your visa application is still pending or your permanent visa has already been granted. Seek advice before changing circumstances while nomination is needed for a pending application.
3. Explain the proposed change to your nominating authority and ask what its particular undertaking requires. Follow its notification or release process if applicable; do not assume a release letter is always required or always available.
4. Keep a written record of the change, your reasons and any response. Continue contact updates and surveys required by your undertaking.
5. Seek individual advice if there is concern about information previously supplied, a pending application or a Department notice.

Permanent-resident rights do not begin only after two years. Nor does moving interstate automatically determine citizenship eligibility. Citizenship has separate residence and other criteria; see Home Affairs citizenship guidance. Do not apply this explanation to the provisional subclass 491 visa, which has different visa conditions.

Competitive Advantages

Stand Out Factors:

• Australian work experience (even part-time)
• State-specific qualifications
• Regional experience or commitment
• Job offer (not always required)
• High English scores
• STEMM qualifications

Alternative Pathways

If 190 not immediately available:

1. 491 Visa: Regional version with 15 points
2. Graduate Visas: Build Australian experience
3. Different States: Explore all options
4. Skill Enhancement: Improve English or gain experience
5. Partner Options: If partner has skills

State Comparison Table

Success Stories

Common Successful Profiles:

• Nurse with 65 points → NSW nomination → PR in 6 months
• IT graduate with 60 points → VIC nomination → PR in 8 months
• Electrician offshore → QLD nomination → PR in 5 months
• Teacher with regional experience → SA nomination → PR in 4 months