Eligibility, state nomination, points and application process | 2026–27
The Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is a points-tested permanent residence pathway for eligible skilled professionals nominated by an Australian state or territory government. Unlike the Subclass 189, it requires nomination and awards 5 points for that nomination. Applicants must also meet the Department of Home Affairs visa criteria and the nominating jurisdiction’s requirements.
PermanentVisa status
65 pointsMinimum points threshold, including nomination points
+5 pointsState or territory nomination
On this page
Benefits of the Subclass 190 Visa
Live, work and study in Australia as a permanent resident.
Access Medicare, subject to the applicable enrolment rules.
Include eligible family members and sponsor eligible relatives in future.
Travel to and from Australia for five years from the date of grant; later travel may require a Resident Return visa or citizenship.
Apply for Australian citizenship if you meet the separate residence and other citizenship requirements.
Important: Although the visa permits living and working anywhere in Australia, nomination is based on a state or territory’s criteria and your stated commitment. Review nomination undertakings carefully.
Subclass 190 Eligibility Criteria
Requirement
What applicants need
Age
Under 45 when invited to apply.
Nomination
Nomination by an Australian state or territory government agency, which must remain in effect.
Occupation
An occupation eligible for Subclass 190 and meeting the chosen jurisdiction’s occupation and stream rules.
Skills assessment
A suitable assessment for the nominated occupation, generally obtained within the three years before invitation unless a shorter validity applies.
Points
At least 65 points; invitation and nomination are not guaranteed at this score.
English
At least Competent English at invitation, unless an applicable exemption or passport evidence provision applies.
Invitation
Submit an EOI through SkillSelect and receive an invitation to apply.
Other criteria
Meet health, character and any other applicable visa requirements.
Subclass 190 Points Test
The points test is shared with other general skilled migration pathways, but Subclass 190 provides 5 points for state or territory nomination. Points claimed in SkillSelect must be supported by evidence when applying.
Category
Available points
Age (18–44)
15–30
English (Competent / Proficient / Superior)
0 / 10 / 20
Overseas skilled employment
0–15
Australian skilled employment
0–20
Recognised educational qualifications
10–20
Australian study requirement
5
Specialist educational qualification
10
Study in designated regional Australia
5
Credentialled community language
5
Professional Year in Australia
5
Partner status or skills
0 / 5 / 10
State or territory nomination
5
Overseas and Australian skilled employment points are subject to a combined maximum of 20. Other categories have their own evidence and eligibility rules. A score of 65 is the threshold, not a guarantee of nomination or invitation.
English Language Requirements
Applicants must generally demonstrate at least Competent English at invitation. Proficient and Superior English can improve the points score.
Level
Points
IELTS example (L / R / W / S)
Competent
0
6 / 6 / 6 / 6
Proficient
10
7 / 7 / 7 / 7
Superior
20
8 / 8 / 8 / 8
Other approved tests include PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and additional accepted tests. Test-specific component scores depend on the date of the test, including changes effective 7 August 2025. Confirm the applicable test requirements before claiming points.
State and Territory Nomination (2026–27)
Each state or territory runs its own nomination program. Criteria can vary by occupation, employment, residence, job offer, earnings, graduate status, offshore eligibility and available nomination places.
Jurisdiction
What to check
New South Wales (NSW)
Current skills lists, nomination invitation rounds and stream criteria.
Victoria (VIC)
Registration of Interest (ROI), eligible occupations and onshore/offshore settings.
Queensland (QLD)
Migration Queensland nomination pathways and occupation conditions.
South Australia (SA)
Skilled migration streams and occupation-specific criteria.
Western Australia (WA)
State nomination migration program and occupation schedules.
Tasmania (TAS)
Nomination pathways, priority attributes and invitation process.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Canberra Matrix eligibility, rankings and invitation rounds.
Northern Territory (NT)
Nomination eligibility, occupation and residence requirements.
Program status, quotas, fees and invitation rounds change. Confirm the current rules for your chosen jurisdiction before lodging an ROI, Matrix or nomination application.
Australia PR Points Calculator
Calculate your estimated points for the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) using our dedicated Australia PR Points Calculator. Select Subclass 190 to include the 5 state or territory nomination points, where applicable.
The calculator opens on a separate page. A points estimate does not guarantee nomination or an invitation.
Documents Required
Passport and identity records for applicants and eligible family members.
Positive skills assessment and nominated occupation evidence.
English test results or other accepted evidence, as applicable.
Qualifications, transcripts and relevant academic records.
Employment references, payslips, tax or other evidence supporting claimed work experience.
Evidence for partner points, Australian study, NAATI or other claimed points where relevant.
State or territory nomination documents and supporting evidence.
Police clearances, health examinations and family relationship documents as requested.
How to Apply for a Subclass 190 Visa
Check eligibility and occupationConfirm your nominated occupation, age, English, points and relevant state requirements.
Obtain a skills assessmentSecure a suitable assessment from the relevant authority and prepare supporting evidence.
Submit an Expression of InterestCreate or update your SkillSelect EOI, selecting Subclass 190 and the appropriate jurisdictions.
Meet the state nomination processComplete any separate ROI, Canberra Matrix or nomination application required by the jurisdiction.
Receive nomination and invitationIf selected and nominated, you may receive an invitation through SkillSelect.
Lodge the visa application within 60 daysApply in ImmiAccount with evidence supporting your claims and pay the applicable visa charge.
Complete checks and await a decisionProvide further documents, biometrics or health checks if requested. Maintain lawful status if applying onshore.
Subclass 190 Visa Fees and Processing Times (2026–27)
The Australian Department of Home Affairs lists the following visa charges. These are government visa fees and do not include state nomination or third-party expenses.
Fee category
Amount / details
Main applicant – visa application charge
AUD 6,140 (standard starting charge; limited concessions may apply)
Additional applicant aged 18 or over
AUD 3,070 per additional applicant aged 18 or over (standard charge).
Additional applicant under 18
AUD 1,535 per additional applicant under 18 (standard charge).
Example: main applicant + spouse
AUD 9,210 in standard first-instalment visa charges.
Example: main applicant + spouse + 1 child under 18
AUD 10,745 in standard first-instalment visa charges.
Example: main applicant + spouse + 2 children under 18
AUD 12,280 in standard first-instalment visa charges.
Second instalment – eligible adult family member without functional English
AUD 4,885 where applicable; payable only if Home Affairs requests it before visa grant.
State or territory nomination fee
Separate from the federal visa charge. The amount depends on the state or territory, stream and applicable rules; some pathways have no nomination fee.
Other expenses
Skills assessment, English tests, medical examinations, police certificates, translations, and biometrics if required.
Processing time
Varies with application complexity and processing priorities; check the Home Affairs processing time guide for recently decided applications.
Important: Fees can change and depend on the application date and circumstances. Confirm the amount in the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator before payment. The family examples exclude any state nomination fees, second instalment, payment surcharges and third-party expenses. The standard rates shown are effective from 1 July 2026; limited concessions may apply. Confirm your exact charge before lodging.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a permanent skilled migration visa requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory government agency.
Yes. It is a permanent visa, with a five-year travel facility from the date of grant.
You must have at least 65 points, including 5 points for state or territory nomination. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee nomination or invitation.
A job offer is not a universal federal requirement for Subclass 190, but an individual state or territory may set employment or job-offer conditions for particular nomination streams.
Yes, provided you meet the relevant visa and nomination requirements. State and territory streams can differ for offshore applicants.
You may pursue a state or territory for which you meet the current nomination criteria. Each jurisdiction determines its own priorities and nomination process.
At least Competent English at invitation. Proficient English adds 10 points and Superior English adds 20 points. Accepted tests and component thresholds depend on the test date.
You must lodge the visa application within 60 calendar days of the SkillSelect invitation.
No. Nomination can lead to an invitation, but the Department of Home Affairs decides the visa application.
Subclass 189 does not require state or territory nomination. Subclass 190 requires nomination and awards 5 nomination points.
Check Your Subclass 190 Eligibility
Get a profile assessment for your occupation, points and potential state nomination pathways.
Planning to Migrate to Australia?
Request a personalised assessment of your Australian visa options.
Australia Visa Enquiry
Australia Points Calculator
Estimate points for Subclass 189, 190 and 491. Subclass 191 does not use the points test.
