Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
A few points short of an invitation? The Skilled Nominated Visa 190 adds five through state nomination. We explain 190 eligibility properly, state by state, before you commit anywhere for PR Australia today.
Overview
The Subclass 190 is a permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory. Once granted, it gives you the right to live and work in Australia permanently, along with Medicare access and a pathway to citizenship. The nomination is the extra step compared with the 189, and it comes with a genuine commitment to settle in the state that nominates you.
State nomination
State nomination is at the heart of the 190. Each state and territory publishes its own occupation lists and selection criteria, and these are separate from the federal lists. A state will typically look at your occupation, your points, your work experience, and sometimes your ties to that state or a job offer within it. Because states adjust their settings through the year, an occupation that is open in one round may close in the next. The practical result is that choosing the right state, at the right time, matters as much as your raw score.
Eligibility
To qualify for a 190 you generally need to:
- Have an occupation on the relevant list, which for the 190 can be the Medium and Long-term list or the Short-term list, depending on the state.
- Hold a positive skills assessment for that occupation.
- Be under 45 when invited to apply.
- Have at least competent English.
- Reach the points threshold, including the 5 nomination points, and be selected by the state.
- Meet health and character requirements, and be willing to commit to living and working in the nominating state.
Occupation list
For the 190, your occupation must be on a list the state actually nominates for. This is where applicants often trip up, because an occupation can be eligible federally but not appear on a particular state’s current list. Always cross-check your ANZSCO code against the specific state’s nomination list, and confirm it is open in the round you are targeting. State lists are the moving part in most 190 applications.
Talk to Bullseye Consultant
State nomination is a moving target, and timing is everything. Let Bullseye Consultant match your profile to the right state and prepare both stages properly.
Documents
- Passport and identity documents.
- Positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation.
- English test results.
- Qualifications and detailed employment references.
- Evidence supporting any state-specific criteria, such as a job offer, work experience in the state, or a commitment to settle there.
- Health and character documents.
Processing time
A 190 has two stages that each take time: the state nomination and then the visa decision. State nomination timeframes vary widely by state and by how many places are on offer that year. Once you are nominated and invited, visa processing depends on the completeness of your application. Submitting well-prepared nomination and visa applications, with the state’s specific criteria clearly evidenced, is the best way to keep both stages moving.
Frequently Asked Questions about Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
How many points does state nomination add?
Nomination for the 190 adds 5 points to your score. That can be enough to lift a competitive profile from sitting in the pool to receiving an invitation.
Do I have to stay in the nominating state?
Yes, in practice. State nomination comes with a commitment to live and work in that state, usually for about two years. Accepting a nomination and then not honouring it can have consequences, so only apply to a state you are genuinely willing to settle in.
Is the 190 permanent residence?
Yes. Unlike the provisional 491, the 190 is a permanent visa from the point of grant, with a pathway to citizenship once you meet the residence rules.
Can I apply to more than one state?
You can submit separate Expressions of Interest and nomination applications to different states, though most states expect a genuine commitment, and receiving multiple nominations can complicate matters. It pays to focus on the state that best fits your occupation and profile.
My occupation is on the federal list but not my chosen state's list. Can I still apply?
Not to that state. For the 190 the occupation has to be on the state’s current nomination list. Another state may list it, so it is worth comparing lists before you decide.
What if my occupation is removed from the list after I apply?
If your occupation comes off the list before you are invited, your Expression of Interest can become ineligible. If you have already been invited and lodge a valid application, it is generally processed even if the list later changes. This is a reason to act early once you are eligible.
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