Subclass 190 Visa

Subclass 190 is Australia's Skilled Nominated visa, requiring state or territory nomination. It grants permanent residence and allows you to live and work in Australia, with an initial commitment to the nominating state.

Unlike 189, Subclass 190 requires state nomination and adds 5 points to your score. The visa itself does not restrict where you live in Australia, but states ask nominees to commit to living and working in the nominating state for a set period. Victoria, for example, asks for at least 2 years. Check the commitment your state sets before you accept a nomination.

All Australian states and territories offer 190 nomination: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, ACT, and Northern Territory. Each has different occupation lists and requirements.

The pass mark is 65 points, and the 5 nomination points count towards it. The score a state looks for depends on the state, the occupation and the selection round, and each state publishes its own criteria, so check the state's current requirements before relying on any figure.

Most large states do not take open applications. NSW selects candidates from SkillSelect EOIs and invites them to apply, and you cannot apply for NSW nomination directly. Victoria requires a Registration of Interest (ROI) after you submit a SkillSelect EOI and invites selected candidates to apply; Victoria charges fees for both the ROI and the nomination application. Each state also sets its own occupation list, work experience, English score and commitment requirements. Places are limited: in 2025-26 the Government set 12,850 nomination places for the 190 across all states and territories, and Home Affairs had not published 2026-27 allocations as at early November 2026.

Occupations must be on both the MLTSSL/STSOL and your target state's occupation list. State lists change frequently, so check current requirements before applying.

The 190 visa has no condition restricting where you live in Australia, but your state may ask you to commit to living and working there for a set period (Victoria asks for at least 2 years). Check the commitment in your nomination before you plan a move.

Processing time depends on your occupation and on whether you were in Australia when you lodged. Since 19 September 2026 Home Affairs has processed 190 applications in priority order under Ministerial Direction 122: applications relating to construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources, or to law enforcement and defence interests, come first; then applicants who were in Australia when they lodged; then applicants who were outside Australia; then all others. You also need a state nomination first, and each state sets its own assessment times. Home Affairs publishes a processing time guide based on recently decided applications.

Generally no. Each state sets its own criteria. NSW, for example, considers age, English language proficiency, education, points score and years of skilled work experience when it selects EOIs. Check your state's current requirements.

Yes, spouse/de facto partner and dependent children can be included. Your spouse's skills, English, and qualifications can add points to your application.