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Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190 Visa)

Key facts: Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

  • What it is: a permanent, points-tested visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government. You lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect and can only apply once a state nominates you and you are invited.
  • How long it lasts: permanent. You can live, work and study in Australia, enrol in Medicare and travel in and out of Australia for 5 years from the grant date. Later you can apply for Australian citizenship if you are eligible.
  • Who it suits: skilled workers whose occupation is on a state or territory list, with a positive skills assessment, at least Competent English (for example IELTS 6 in each part), under 45 at invitation and at least 65 points, including the 5 points for nomination. You must be willing to settle in the nominating state.
  • Government charges (from 1 July 2026): $6,140 for the main applicant, $3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and $1,535 for each child under 18. Many states also charge a nomination fee. No card payment surcharge applies from 1 October 2026. See skilled visa costs.
  • Places: 35,500 State and Territory Nominated places in the 2026 to 2027 Migration Program (33,000 in 2025 to 2026). Each state sets its own criteria and opens its program at its own pace: see the state by state tabs below.
  • Processing: Home Affairs global processing times as at 29 September 2026 showed 50% of 190 applications decided in 4 months and 90% in 16 months. Priority order is set by Ministerial Direction 122 from 19 September 2026. See 190 visa processing time.
  • Key conditions: you must lodge within 60 days of your invitation, meet health and character requirements and keep your commitment to live in the nominating state, usually for at least 2 years (3 years in the Northern Territory).
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What Is the Subclass 190 Visa?

The 190 Visa is a points-based visa which allows highly skilled workers who have received a nomination from an Australian State or Territory to live and work permanently in Australia.

If you wish to apply for this visa, you must first obtain a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation, and then lodge an Expression of Interest. If this is successful, and you are nominated by a State or Territory, you will then be invited to lodge a 190 Visa application.

Check your invitation chances with our EOI calculator to see how many EOIs for your occupation have more points than you.

190 Visa: Eligibility

In order to apply for a 190 Visa, you should:

What can you do with a 190 visa?

The 190 Visa is a permanent visa which allows holders to:

  • stay in Australia indefinitely
  • work and study in Australia
  • enrol in Medicare, Australia’s scheme for health-related care and expenses
  • sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
  • travel freely to and from Australia for an initial period of five years
  • apply for Australian citizenship, if they meet the other eligibility criteria for citizenship
190 visa points test State requirements for 190 visa

190 Visa: Application Process

Each State and Territory Government has its own list of occupations in demand in their area, and which are eligible to be sponsored for a 190 Visa.  Though multiple governments may welcome applications from the same occupation, the precise eligibility requirements may vary between states or territories, such as with regard to the required amount of work experience or level of English language ability.

Once you have identified one more States or Territories whose nomination/s you wish to seek, you will need to submit a 190 Visa expression of interest (EOI) via SkillSelect with details of your nominated occupation, skills and qualifications. SkillSelect will calculate an estimated points score and, if you score high enough, government agencies will be able to view your EOI and consider whether they want to nominate you to apply for a 190 Visa.

If you are nominated by a state or territory agency, you will receive a formal invitation to apply for a 190 Visa. You will then have 60 calendar days to submit your 190 Visa application.

You can be in or outside Australia when you submit your EOI, and when you apply for the 190 Visa itself. To be able to lodge from within Australia, however, you will need to hold either a full, substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa. If your current visa is due to expire while you await the outcome of your 190 Visa application, you will usually be granted a bridging visa to allow you to remain in Australia during processing of your visa application. However, if your current visa is either refused or cancelled, you might not be eligible to apply for the 190 visa while remaining in Australia.

190 Visa: Points Test

If you are invited to apply for a 190 Visa, you will be expected to demonstrate in your application that you can meet the estimated points score in your invitation letter. This score will be 65 points or more. The 65 includes the 5 points you receive for state nomination, so you need at least 60 points from the other factors.

The score on your invitation letter is based on the information you provided in your EOI. You can gain points for a range of factors, including English language ability, skilled employment history, academic and vocational qualifications, study in Australia and specialist education. You may also be able to claim points if you have a qualifying partner who is also able to work in an eligible skilled occupation, or if you speak certain ‘community languages’.

Use our PR Points Calculator to see how many points you might get.

English test scores for the 190 (tests taken from 7 August 2025)

You need at least Competent English to apply, and Proficient or Superior English earns extra points. For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, Home Affairs uses updated minimum scores for each part of the test. The table shows the Competent English scores for the most common tests.

Test Listening Reading Writing Speaking
IELTS (General Training or Academic) 6 6 6 6
PTE Academic 47 48 51 54
TOEFL iBT 16 16 19 19
Cambridge C1 Advanced 163 163 170 179

For IELTS, Proficient English (10 points) means at least 7 in each part and Superior English (20 points) means at least 8 in each part. OET, CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic and the Michigan English Test (MET) are also accepted, each with its own score table. If you hold a current passport from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland, you are treated as having Competent English without a test, but you need a test result to claim English points. Some states ask for higher English scores than the federal minimum for certain occupations or pathways. See the scores for every test and level on our English language requirements page.

190 Visa: Cost

From 1 July 2026, the visa application charge is $6,140 for the main applicant, $3,070 for each additional applicant 18 and over and $1,535 for each additional applicant under 18. See all skilled visa costs

Applicant Visa application charge from 1 July 2026
Main applicant $6,140
Each additional applicant aged 18 or over $3,070
Each additional applicant under 18 $1,535

Applicants aged 18 or over who do not have functional English may need to pay a second instalment of the visa charge before the visa is granted. No card payment surcharge applies to visa payments from 1 October 2026. On top of the visa charge, budget for any state nomination fee (many states charge one, usually a few hundred dollars), your skills assessment, English test, health examinations, police certificates and translations.

For 2026-27 the Government has allocated 35,500 places to state and territory nominated (190) visas, up from 33,000 in 2025-26. The places are shared between the states and territories, and each one receives its own nomination allocation.

190 Visa: Processing Times and Priority

Your occupation and where you are can change how long you wait. Home Affairs global processing times as at 29 September 2026 (applications finalised in August 2026) showed 50% of 190 applications decided in 4 months and 90% in 16 months. These figures change month to month and are not a guarantee for any one application. See our 190 visa processing time and skilled visa processing times pages for the latest figures.

Since 19 September 2026, Ministerial Direction 122 sets the order in which Home Affairs processes skilled visa applications, including applications already lodged:

  1. Priority sectors first: primary applicants working in listed sectors such as construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, law enforcement and defence, whether they are in or outside Australia.
  2. Applicants in Australia: other primary applicants who were in Australia when they applied.
  3. Other applications: applicants outside Australia and all remaining applications come after these groups.

A decision ready application, with your skills assessment, English results, employment evidence, health examinations and police certificates provided at lodgement, avoids delays from requests for more information.

190 Visa State Nomination Requirements

Each state and territory has its own priority occupations, and variations in eligibility requirements and application processes.

State Nomination Requirements from each state and territory (Subclass 190 and 491):

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190 Visa: State Nomination Invitation Rounds

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State Nomination Explained: How States Choose 190 Candidates

The key difference between the 190 and the 189 visa is nomination. Before you can be invited to apply for a 190, a state or territory government must agree to nominate you. Each state runs its own program, with its own occupation list, its own criteria and its own number of places each program year. Meeting the federal requirements gets you into the pool, but it is the state that decides who is nominated.

What states look for

States use nomination to fill skill shortages in their own economy, so they generally favour candidates who are most likely to settle and work in that state. Common factors include:

  • An occupation on the state’s list: each state publishes the occupations it will consider, and these lists can be much shorter than the federal 190 list. Some states also flag priority sectors, such as health, education and construction.
  • Living in the state now: many pathways are only open to people who already live in the state, sometimes for a minimum period before they apply.
  • Work in the state: current skilled employment, or a job offer, with an employer in the state is often a strong advantage, and some pathways require it.
  • Study in the state: several states have graduate pathways for people who completed their studies there.
  • A strong points score and English: higher points and better English results usually help your ranking, even though states also weigh other factors.
  • A genuine commitment to the state: you will be asked to show that you intend to live there, and some states ask you to explain why you chose them.
The 5 nomination points

If a state nominates you, you receive 5 points for nomination. These points count towards the 65 point pass mark, so you can lodge an EOI for a 190 with 60 points from the other factors plus the 5 nomination points. In practice, states often invite people with well above the minimum, so treat 65 as the starting point rather than the target.

Your commitment to live in the state

When you apply for nomination, you commit to living in the nominating state or territory after your visa is granted. Most states ask for a commitment of at least 2 years. The Northern Territory asks 190 nominees to live and work in the Territory for at least 3 years from visa grant. Read each state’s current rules carefully before you apply, because the commitment you make is part of the reason the state chose you.

How states select candidates

States do not all select people the same way. Some, such as New South Wales, invite candidates directly from the EOIs in SkillSelect. Others, including Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, ask you to lodge a separate Registration of Interest (ROI) with the state as well as your EOI. The ACT ranks candidates using the Canberra Matrix (try our Canberra Matrix calculator), and the Northern Territory takes applications through its own online portal. Many states also charge a nomination fee, usually a few hundred dollars, on top of the visa charge.

2026 to 2027 programs (as at early November 2026): the Government set 35,500 places for the State and Territory Nominated category in 2026 to 2027, but states have opened their programs at different times. Some were already inviting candidates, while others were still waiting on their final allocation or finalising their occupation lists. Because criteria and opening dates change often, check our state and territory nomination guide and 190 state requirements page, or the individual state requirement pages linked on this page, before you lodge. The tabs below summarise where each state stood in early November 2026.

State and Territory Nomination at a Glance (2026 to 2027)

Each state runs its own 190 program. Click a state to see how it selects candidates, where its 2026 to 2027 program stood in early November 2026 and its key criteria. State programs open, close and change with little notice, so always check the state’s current requirements before you lodge an EOI, ROI or nomination application.

How selection works: the ACT ranks candidates using the Canberra Matrix. You submit a Matrix, and the ACT invites the highest ranked candidates in each round. There are separate pathways for people who live in Canberra and for overseas applicants with an occupation on the ACT Critical Skills List.

2026 to 2027 status: the ACT held its first 2026 to 2027 Canberra Matrix round on 12 October 2026, for the 190 only. Its 2026 to 2027 allocation had not been confirmed in early November 2026, and further rounds are expected through 2027.

Key points: you need an EOI in SkillSelect as well as a Canberra Matrix, and the ACT expects you to live in Canberra after grant.

More on this state: ACT nomination requirements | ACT invitation rounds | ACT occupation list | Canberra Matrix calculator

190 Visa Points: Worked Example

The 190 uses the same points test as the 189 and 491. You can see every factor in the full points table on our 189 visa page or our skilled visa points table. What makes the 190 different is the 5 points you receive for state nomination. Here is how that can make the difference for an applicant who falls just short.

Minh is 34 and married. He has a bachelor degree recognised by his assessing authority, a positive skills assessment, Proficient English and 3 years of skilled work overseas. His wife has Competent English but no skills assessment.

Factor Minh’s situation Points
Age 34 years old 25
English Proficient 10
Qualification Bachelor degree 15
Overseas employment 3 years 5
Partner points Partner has Competent English 5
Subtotal Not enough for a 189 (needs 65) 60
State nomination Nominated for a 190 5
Total for the 190 65

With nomination, Minh reaches the 65 point pass mark for a 190, even though he could not lodge a valid EOI for a 189. If he were nominated for a 491 instead, he would receive 15 points and have 75.

Reaching 65 does not guarantee nomination. Minh would improve his chances by choosing a state that lists his occupation, gaining skilled work in that state, or lifting his English to Superior, which would add another 10 points. Use our points calculator to check your own score.

190 Visa Document Checklist

A 190 involves two separate assessments: the state assesses your nomination application, then Home Affairs assesses your visa application. Both rely on documents, and the state will usually want to see evidence of the claims you made in your EOI and ROI before it nominates you.

How the two applications fit together
  1. EOI and, if needed, ROI: you lodge your EOI in SkillSelect and select the 190 and your preferred state. If the state uses an ROI, you lodge that with the state too.
  2. Nomination application: if the state selects you, it will invite you to apply for nomination, usually with a short deadline. You upload your documents and pay any state fee.
  3. Nomination and invitation: if the state approves your nomination, you receive a SkillSelect invitation to apply for the 190.
  4. Visa application: you have 60 days from the invitation to lodge your visa application with Home Affairs, and your claims must match your EOI.

Click each heading below to see the documents commonly requested at each stage.

  • A copy of your EOI and, where relevant, your ROI
  • Your skills assessment and English test result
  • Evidence that you live in the state, if the pathway requires it, such as a lease, utility bills or bank statements showing your address
  • Evidence of employment or a job offer in the state, if you are relying on it
  • Evidence of study in the state, for graduate pathways
  • Any statement or declaration the state asks for about your commitment to live there
  • Payment of the state nomination fee, if one applies
  • Passport bio page for you and each family member
  • Birth certificates
  • National identity card, if your country issues one
  • Evidence of any change of name
  • Your skills assessment outcome letter, valid at the time of invitation
  • Degree certificates and academic transcripts
  • Evidence of Australian study, specialist education or a Professional Year, if you claim points for them
  • Your English test result taken within 3 years before your invitation
  • Evidence of functional English for adult family members, or be ready to pay the second instalment of the visa charge
  • Detailed reference letters on company letterhead showing your dates, hours, salary and duties
  • Employment contracts and payslips
  • Tax records and, for Australian employment, superannuation statements
  • For a job offer in the state: a signed offer or contract that shows the employer, position, hours and salary
  • Marriage certificate, or evidence of a de facto relationship such as joint leases, joint accounts and shared bills
  • Birth certificates of children, and custody documents if a child’s other parent is not migrating
  • Your partner’s English test result and skills assessment, if you claim partner points
  • Health examinations for each applicant, booked once you have a HAP ID
  • Police certificates for every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years since turning 16
  • Military service records or discharge papers, if relevant

190 vs 189 vs 491: Which Skilled Visa Suits You?

All three visas use the same points test and the same SkillSelect EOI, and you can select more than one of them in a single EOI. The right choice depends on your points, your occupation and how flexible you are about where you live.

Feature 190 Skilled Nominated 189 Skilled Independent 491 Skilled Work Regional
Type of visa Permanent Permanent Provisional, valid for 5 years
Who decides if you are invited The nominating state or territory Home Affairs, based on points ranking A state or territory, or an eligible relative sponsors you
Points for nomination 5 None 15
Occupation lists MLTSSL or STSOL, filtered by each state MLTSSL only MLTSSL, STSOL or ROL, filtered by each state
Where you live Commitment to live in the nominating state, usually for at least 2 years Anywhere in Australia Must live, work and study in a designated regional area
Path to permanent residence Already permanent Already permanent 191 visa after 3 years, if you meet the requirements
Visa charge, main applicant (from 1 July 2026) $6,140 $6,135 $6,140
Best suited to People with a state listed occupation who are happy to settle in that state People with high points in an MLTSSL occupation People with lower points who are willing to live in a regional area

If your points are high enough for a 189, it gives you the most freedom. If not, the 190 gives you permanent residence straight away in exchange for a commitment to one state, while the 491 adds more points but is provisional. See our guides to 491 state requirements and designated regional areas, or compare all options in our skilled visa comparison charts.

Your Obligations After a 190 Visa Is Granted

The commitment to live in the state

The 190 is a permanent visa, and it does not carry a visa condition that legally requires you to stay in the nominating state. Your commitment is made to the state rather than written into your visa, which is why it is often described as a moral obligation. That does not make it optional. You told the state, and Home Affairs, that you intended to live there, and the state nominated you on that basis.

  • Move to the state and live there. If you are offshore when the visa is granted, plan your move so you settle in the nominating state.
  • Keep the state informed. Some states contact nominees after grant, for example with surveys about where they live and work. Respond and keep your contact details up to date.
  • Talk to the state before you move. If your circumstances change, for example you cannot find work in your occupation or your family situation changes, contact the state first. Some states may agree to release you from your commitment if you can show that you made a genuine effort to stay.
  • Do not make a commitment you never intended to keep. Giving false or misleading information about your intentions can cause problems with your immigration history in future applications. Read our guide on moving states on a 190 or 491 visa.
Your rights as a permanent resident
  • Work and study: you can work for any employer and study in Australia.
  • Medicare: you can enrol in Medicare once your visa is granted.
  • Travel: your travel facility lasts 5 years from the date of grant. After that you will need a Resident Return visa or Australian citizenship to return as a permanent resident.
  • Citizenship: you can usually apply once you have lived in Australia for 4 years on a valid visa, including at least 12 months as a permanent resident. Read about the citizenship residency requirement.
  • Family: as a permanent resident you may be able to sponsor eligible family members for their own visas.

Common 190 Visa Mistakes to Avoid

Many 190 applicants miss out on nomination, or run into problems later, because of avoidable errors. Click each one to see how to avoid it.

Being on the federal 190 list is not enough. Each state only nominates occupations on its own current list, and some lists change during the year. Check the state’s list, and any extra criteria for your occupation, before you lodge your EOI or ROI.

65 points, including the 5 nomination points, is only the minimum. Many states rank candidates by points and other factors, and competitive occupations often need much higher scores. Work on your English and other points while your EOI is in the pool.

Many pathways require you to live or work in the state for a minimum period before you apply, or to hold skilled employment there. Check how the state counts residence and employment, because a short gap or the wrong type of job can make you ineligible.

When a state invites you to apply for nomination, the deadline is often short. Have your documents ready before you are selected so you can respond in time.

The state and Home Affairs will check your evidence against your EOI. If you cannot prove a claim, for example your years of skilled work or your English score, your nomination can be refused or withdrawn and your visa application may fail.

Your skills assessment must be valid and your English test must have been taken within 3 years before your invitation. States may also check that they are valid when you apply for nomination. Keep track of the expiry dates.

Moving away straight after grant, without contacting the state, may be seen as breaking the commitment you made. If you need to move, talk to the state first and keep evidence of your efforts to settle there.

False or misleading information or documents, in your nomination or visa application, can lead to refusal under Public Interest Criterion 4020 and a ban on future visas. If you are unsure about a document, get advice before you lodge it.

How VisaEnvoy can help you with your 190 Visa application

Based in Melbourne, VisaEnvoy’s registered migration agents provide comprehensive online migration services to clients across Australia and overseas, including those who have never visited Australia.

We guide you through the Subclass 190 visa process, from your initial eligibility assessment to the final decision on your Australian permanent residency application.

Our services include:

  • Eligibility and Skills Assessment: Assessing your qualifications and work experience, checking whether your nominated occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation lists, and assisting with your skills assessment application.
  • State Nomination and Points Assessment: Assessing your eligibility for state and territory nomination programs, taking into account your current location. If you are already living in Australia, we will prioritise assessing nomination opportunities in your current state or territory. We will also review your points score, identify which points you can legitimately claim, and explore suitable nomination options.
  • EOI and State Nomination Applications: Preparing and submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI) and Registration of Interest (ROI), where required. If invited by a state or territory, we will assist with preparing and lodging your nomination application and supporting documents.
  • 190 Visa Application: Once your state nomination is approved and you receive an invitation to apply for the visa, we will prepare and lodge your Subclass 190 visa application, including eligible family members.
  • Bridging Visa Management: Assisting with relevant bridging visa applications and conditions, where applicable, to help you maintain lawful immigration status in Australia while your application is being processed.
  • Ongoing Application Support: Liaising with relevant authorities, responding to requests for further information, and monitoring your application until a decision is made.

Where to Start?

Book a consultation with registered migration agent to take the first step towards your Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa.

190 Visa Application: Step by Step


Stage 1: Initial Eligibility Assessment

The first step that we will take is to conduct an initial assessment of your eligibility for this visa. This involves reviewing your qualifications, work experience, English language and other circumstances, to establish whether or not you are likely to meet the relevant requirements.

As part of this initial eligibility assessment, we will consider which occupation(s) you are likely to be able to nominated for, and whether or not you are potentially eligible for a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for that occupation.

We will then provide you with informed and comprehensive advice about your ability to meet the minimum standards (including State/Territory nomination) that the Department of Home Affairs requires migrants to fulfil in order to qualify for an invitation to apply for this visa.

Stage 2: Skills Assessment

Should our initial assessment indicate that you are eligible for a positive skills assessment, nomination and Expression of Interest (EOI), we will prepare your skills assessment application.

For each skilled occupation listed on the STSOL and MLTSSL, Home Affairs has specified an assessing authority that may carry out skills assessments for that occupation. Only a skills assessment conducted by the relevant assessing authority will be accepted by Home Affairs in support of an EOI.

We will provide you with a full list of the information and documents required to support your application. When you have provided the necessary details and documents, along with the required assessment fee, we will lodge your application with the applicable skills assessing authority.

Stage 3: Expression of Interest

Once you have received a positive skills assessment from the skills assessing authority, we will prepare and lodge your EOI. At this time, you will need to specify which Australian state or territory’s nomination you would like for your visa application. Alternatively, if you do not have a preference, you can choose to make yourself available for nomination by any State or Territory.

Although you do not need to provide supporting documents at this stage, you MUST be able to provide evidence that the information supplied in the EOI is correct at the time that you are invited to apply for the visa.

If you are successful in obtaining a State or Territory nomination (see below) and you meet all other relevant requirements, you will then be invited to lodge a visa application.

Note: Home Affairs retains an EOI for 2 years from the date that it is lodged. During this time, your EOI can be updated if any of your circumstances change (e.g. you obtain a new qualification or skills assessment). If your points score or ranking changes during this 2-year period, based on either your changing circumstances or the changing skill needs of the State/Territory, you may be issued with an invitation to apply for the visa at that point in time.

Stage 4: State/Territory Nomination

Once your EOI has been lodged, the government agency of the State or Territory that you have chosen will review your EOI to determine whether or not you meet their particular criteria for nomination (this includes the requirement that your nominated occupation be included on the skilled occupation list for that State/Territory).

We will supply the relevant State or Territory government agency with the evidence you have provided to prove that you meet their criteria. The nature and extent of the supporting evidence required varies depending upon the State or Territory in question. In addition, you must be prepared to commit to settling in that State or Territory for a minimum of two years.

If your supporting evidence is deemed acceptable, the State or Territory government agency will then nominate you for the subclass 190 visa.

Stage 5: Visa Application

Once you have successfully obtained a State or Territory nomination, and Home Affairs has invited you to apply for this visa, we will prepare and lodge your visa application within the specified time frame, together with all of the documents that support the information that you provided in your EOI. This includes your skills assessment, English language test results, qualifications, work references and all other required documents.

If your 190 Visa application is approved, you will be granted a permanent visa. You may be either in Australia or overseas when your visa is granted.

190 Visa FAQs

State nomination gives you 5 points. These count towards the 65 point pass mark, so you need at least 60 points from the other factors. A 491 nomination gives 15 points instead.

Most states ask you to commit to living there for at least 2 years after your visa is granted. The Northern Territory asks 190 nominees to live and work in the Territory for at least 3 years. Check the current rules of the state that nominates you.

The 190 does not have a visa condition that requires you to stay in the nominating state. However, you made a commitment to the state when you were nominated, so you should talk to the state before you move. Giving false information about your intentions when you applied can cause problems in future applications.

In your EOI you can choose a preferred state or territory, or indicate that you are interested in any state. States that use their own ROI or application systems set their own rules about who can register, so check the requirements of each state you are considering before you apply.

Home Affairs does not require a job offer for a 190. Some state pathways do require skilled employment or a job offer in the state, and in others it improves your chances of being selected.

Yes. You can apply for a 190 from inside or outside Australia. Some states have pathways for people living overseas, while others focus mainly on people who already live in the state.

From 1 July 2026, the visa charge is $6,140 for the main applicant, $3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and $1,535 for each additional applicant under 18. Many states also charge a nomination fee, and you will need to budget for skills assessment, English tests, health checks and police certificates.

Yes. You can indicate interest in the 189, 190 and 491 in one SkillSelect EOI. You may be invited for whichever visa comes first, and you can only lodge an application for the visa you are invited to.

A state can withdraw its nomination before your visa is decided, for example if it finds that your claims were not accurate. Without a valid nomination, your 190 application cannot be granted. If this happens, get advice quickly about your options.

The Government has announced that it will reform the points test, but as at late October 2026 no details or start date had been released. Until new rules take effect, the current points table applies to the 190.

Home Affairs global processing times as at 29 September 2026 showed 50% of 190 applications decided in 4 months and 90% in 16 months. Since 19 September 2026, Ministerial Direction 122 gives priority to applicants in listed sectors such as construction, healthcare and teaching, then to applicants who were in Australia when they applied. The time it takes a state to nominate you is extra and varies widely between states. See our 190 visa processing time page.

You need at least Competent English. For tests taken from 7 August 2025 that means IELTS 6 in each part, or PTE Academic 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing and 54 speaking, or TOEFL iBT 16, 16, 19 and 19, or Cambridge C1 Advanced 163, 163, 170 and 179. Higher scores earn more points, and some states ask for more than the minimum for certain occupations. See our English requirements page.

It changes often. In early November 2026, Tasmania was running regular rounds, the ACT and NSW were inviting candidates, Victoria was accepting 190 ROIs, South Australia had reopened onshore ROIs, Queensland was opening ROIs from 6 November 2026, the Northern Territory had closed to new 190 applications and WA had not published a formal allocation. See the state tabs on this page and our 190 state requirements page.

Many do. Fees vary by state and change from time to time. For example, Victoria charges a $60 plus GST ROI fee and a $180 plus GST nomination fee that is only payable if you are invited. The state fee is separate from the Home Affairs visa application charge.

Almost. From 1 July 2026 the 190 charge is $6,140 for the main applicant, $3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and $1,535 for each child under 18. The 189 visa charge is $6,135, $3,070 and $1,540. For a 190 you may also pay a state nomination fee.


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