The subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa in Australia is the most accessible permanent residency pathway for skilled workers in 2026 — because state nomination adds 5 bonus points to your score, making it achievable at lower points than the highly competitive subclass 189. If your occupation is in demand in one of Australia’s states or territories, the 190 is often the fastest route to permanent residency.
Here is a complete guide to the subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa in Australia for 2026, based on publicly available information from the Department of Home Affairs.
What Is the Subclass 190 Visa?
The subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa is a points-tested permanent residency visa for skilled workers who have been nominated by an Australian state or territory government. It is administered by the Department of Home Affairs as part of the General Skilled Migration program.
Unlike the subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa which requires no sponsorship, the subclass 190 requires nomination from a state or territory. In exchange, that nomination adds 5 points to your points test score — points that can be decisive in securing an invitation. The visa grants immediate permanent residency from the day it is granted, with the obligation to live and work in the nominating state for at least two years.
For the 2025-26 migration program, approximately 33,000 subclass 190 visas are allocated — making it one of the largest permanent skilled visa programs in Australia.
Subclass 190 vs Subclass 189 — Which Should You Apply For?
The subclass 190 and subclass 189 are both permanent residency visas under the General Skilled Migration program. The key differences are:
| Feature | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 |
|---|---|---|
| Nomination required | No | Yes — state/territory |
| Bonus points | 0 | +5 |
| Location obligation | None | 2 years in nominating state |
| Occupation list | MLTSSL only | State-specific list |
| Competitiveness | Very high | More accessible |
For most applicants, applying for both simultaneously through SkillSelect is the recommended strategy. The 5 bonus points from a 190 nomination can significantly improve your chances of receiving an invitation, particularly in competitive occupations. For a full guide to the 189 pathway, see our subclass 189 visa guide — Subclass 189 Visa Australia 2026 — Skilled Independent Visa Points Test, Requirements and How to Apply.
Subclass 190 Visa Requirements in 2026
To be eligible for the subclass 190 visa, you must meet all of the following federal requirements at the time of invitation:
Age: You must be under 45 years of age at the time of receiving your state nomination and Invitation to Apply.
Occupation: Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant state’s skilled occupation list. Each state maintains its own list — an occupation eligible in one state may not be available in another.
Skills assessment: You must hold a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. This must be valid at the time of invitation.
Points score: You must score at least 65 points — including the 5 points awarded for state nomination. In practice, competitive scores for most states and occupations sit at 80 or more points. The 5 nomination points bring you 5 points closer to competitive thresholds, which is the key advantage of the 190 over the 189.
English language: You must demonstrate at minimum Competent English — an IELTS overall score of 6.0, or equivalent on PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge C1 Advanced.
State nomination: You must hold a valid nomination from an Australian state or territory government at the time you receive your Invitation to Apply.
Health and character: You and all included family members must pass health examinations and provide police clearance certificates.
Two-year commitment: You must genuinely commit to living and working in the nominating state or territory for at least two years after the visa is granted.
How Each State’s Nomination Program Works in 2026
Each state and territory runs its own nomination program with different occupation lists, requirements, and selection processes. Here is a state-by-state overview of the key features.
New South Wales
NSW uses a selection-based invitation process. You cannot directly apply for NSW nomination — NSW selects from EOIs already submitted in SkillSelect based on factors including points score, English proficiency, education, age, and years of skilled work experience. NSW nomination is highly competitive. The NSW Skills List reflects priority sectors including health, education, and infrastructure. Invitation rounds occur throughout the financial year with no predetermined dates.
Victoria
Victoria requires applicants to submit a separate Registration of Interest (ROI) through the Live in Melbourne portal before being considered for nomination. Victoria nomination is free of charge. Onshore applicants must be living in Victoria at the time of applying — applicants living in other Australian states are not eligible unless in border communities. Offshore applicants are eligible. Successful nominees have 60 days to lodge their federal visa application.
Queensland
Queensland manages its nomination through the Queensland Government’s skilled migration program. Priority is given to occupations in high demand across health, construction, engineering, education, and technology sectors. Both onshore and offshore applicants are eligible depending on the occupation stream selected.
Western Australia
Western Australia frequently requires applicants to demonstrate a genuine connection to the state — in many cases including an employment offer or contract of at least 6 months with a WA-based employer. WA nomination requirements are among the more demanding in terms of demonstrating commitment to the state.
South Australia
South Australia selects skilled migrants from SkillSelect EOIs for offshore applicants. SA regularly opens for occupations across healthcare, engineering, trades, and agriculture. Both offshore and onshore applicants are eligible depending on circumstances.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
The ACT uses its own Canberra Matrix scoring system — a separate points grid assessed by the ACT government. Applicants must sign a declaration committing to living and working in Canberra while the visa is processed and for at least two years from the date of grant. The ACT does not accept de facto relationships without a relationship registration certificate for partner points claims.
Tasmania and Northern Territory
Tasmania and the Northern Territory run smaller nomination programs typically focused on occupations where their local economies face acute shortages. Both territories can offer nomination pathways in occupations that may be oversubscribed in larger states.
Subclass 190 Visa Application Fees in 2026
The government visa application fee for the subclass 190 is approximately $4,640 AUD for the primary applicant. Additional fees apply for included family members. State nomination applications are generally free of charge — Victoria, for example, does not charge for its nomination program.
Additional costs beyond the visa application fee include health examinations, police clearance certificates, English language tests, and certified document translations. Migration agent or immigration lawyer fees are additional if professional assistance is used.
Subclass 190 Processing Times in 2026
State nomination processing: Varies by state — from a few weeks to 6 months depending on the state and occupation.
Federal visa application processing: After receiving your Invitation to Apply and lodging the federal application, most decision-ready applications are processed within 6 to 12 months. Complex cases or high-volume periods can extend processing to 22 months.
Total timeline from EOI to visa grant: Typically 6.5 to 22 months depending on state nomination speed, federal processing, and application completeness.
The most effective ways to reduce processing time are targeting states that actively nominate your occupation, submitting a complete federal application at the time of lodgement, and completing health examinations as early as possible in the process.
How to Apply for the Subclass 190 Visa — Step by Step
Step 1 — Check federal eligibility Confirm your age, occupation, skills assessment, and points score meet the federal requirements for the subclass 190.
Step 2 — Submit an EOI through SkillSelect Lodge an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect selecting subclass 190 as one of your preferred visas. Indicate which states you are interested in being nominated by. Your EOI is visible to all states.
Step 3 — Apply for state nomination Research which states are actively nominating your occupation and meet their specific requirements. Some states select from SkillSelect EOIs directly. Others — like Victoria — require a separate Registration of Interest on their own portal. Tailor your application to demonstrate genuine commitment to each state you apply to.
Step 4 — Receive state nomination If selected, you will receive a formal state nomination approval. This triggers an Invitation to Apply from the Department of Home Affairs through SkillSelect.
Step 5 — Lodge federal visa application within 60 days Once you receive your Invitation to Apply, you have exactly 60 days to lodge your complete subclass 190 application through ImmiAccount. Pay the $4,640 fee. Upload all required documents including skills assessment, English test results, state nomination letter, employment references, and police clearances.
Step 6 — Complete health examinations Book health examinations with an approved panel physician as soon as possible — these can take several weeks to arrange. Generate your HAP ID through ImmiAccount before booking.
Step 7 — Await visa grant The Department assesses your application. You may receive requests for additional information — respond promptly. Once granted, your permanent residency commences immediately.
Rights and Obligations on the Subclass 190 Visa
Rights from day one:
- Live, work, and study anywhere in Australia permanently
- Access Medicare — Australia’s public healthcare system
- Include eligible family members who receive the same permanent residency
- Travel freely for 5 years — after which a Resident Return Visa is required
- Pathway to Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements
- Sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency
Obligations:
- Live and work in the nominating state or territory for at least 2 years from the date of visa grant
- This obligation is not enforced through a visa condition that automatically cancels the visa — but breaching it may affect future citizenship applications and Resident Return Visa renewals
Key Takeaways — Subclass 190 Visa Australia 2026
The subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa grants immediate permanent residency with a minimum threshold of 65 points including the 5 state nomination bonus. In practice, competitive scores sit at 80 or more points for most states and occupations. The visa fee is $4,640 and processing takes 6 to 22 months from federal lodgement. The two-year obligation to live in the nominating state is real but not enforced by automatic visa cancellation.
For skilled workers who cannot achieve competitive scores for the subclass 189 independently, the 190 remains the most practical pathway to Australian permanent residency in 2026. For those considering the employer-sponsored route instead, see our subclass 482 visa guide — Subclass 482 Visa Australia 2026 — Skills in Demand Visa Requirements, Salary and Processing Times. For the full cost of living picture that every new permanent resident should understand, see our wages and cost of living data — Are Australian Wages Keeping Up With the Cost of Living in 2026?
This article is for general informational purposes only and reflects the author’s own research and understanding of publicly available information. It does not constitute immigration or legal advice. State nomination requirements, occupation lists, and visa rules change regularly — always verify current requirements directly with the Department of Home Affairs and your chosen state’s nomination portal, or through a registered migration agent.
