Moving states at a glance (2026)
- 190 visa: a permanent visa with no visa condition tying you to the nominating state, but you commit to the state to live and work there for at least 2 years.
- 491 visa: a provisional visa with condition 8579, so you must live, work and study only in a designated regional area. You can move between regional areas, but your state or territory nomination commitment still applies.
- Pathway to PR from a 491: the 191 visa needs at least 3 years of living and working in a designated regional area and taxable income shown in ATO notices of assessment for 3 income years. There has been no minimum income amount since June 2023.
- 489 visa: closed to new applicants since 16 November 2019. Existing holders can still use the 887 pathway.
- If you need to move early, speak to the nominating state first and keep a record of what you agreed.
Updated October 2026: the 489 visa closed to new applicants on 16 November 2019 and was replaced by the 491 visa. The 489 section below applies only to existing 489 visa holders.
We get this question a lot from our clients so we will elaborate here:
Is it OK to move from the state who has sponsored or nominated you for a State Sponsored/State Nominated 190 or 491 visa?
Fact:
- the nominating state asks you to commit to staying for at least 2 years, for example:
Your commitment to Victoria
You must commit to living and working in Victoria for at least two years. If you are currently living in another Australian state, you will need to provide a current Victorian job offer in your nominated occupation to support your visa nomination application.
Moving states on a 190 visa
Fact again is that:
- the 190 visa is a Permanent visa with no strings attached to a state and once granted, you have the right to remain in Australia as long as you want and also move freely anywhere in Australia
- meaning you have no condition on your 190 visa to stay in your nominating state
So is it OK to move states?
- it could affect your Citizenship application in the future
- it could affect your future visa applications to sponsor a spouse, etc and your overall immigration history.
Conclusion
If you really have to move states and cannot wait for the 2 years to be up then it is best to:
- discuss your situation with the State Governing agency and talk to them about:
- If you are having difficulty finding a job, for example (or your partner is living and working in another state) they may agree to free you from your commitment so you can look at other opportunities.
- show them that you’ve tried all options, for example that you haven’t found the right job
Moving states on a 491 visa
The 491 visa is a provisional visa and not a permanent visa:
The condition on the visa is that you must live, work and study in designated areas or specified regions of Australia in line with your visa conditions.
Condition 8579
(1) If the visa is a Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) visa, the holder, while in Australia, must live, work and study only in a part of Australia that was a designated regional area at the time the visa was granted.
Meaning applicants can move between regional areas however you may have signed an agreement with the state/territory that you will be living in that region on your 491 visa.
The Department of Home Affairs may become involved if any false information was given to the state/territory that sponsored you and that false information is how you obtained your sponsorship.
Moving states on a 489 visa (existing visa holders)
The 489 visa is a different story as it is not a permanent visa and:
You may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887) after you have lived in a specified regional area for at least two years and worked full-time (at least 35 hours per week) in a specified regional area for at least one year during that time.
For example Tasmania requires you to:
Live and work in Tasmania
You must live and work in Tasmania for at least two years from the date the visa is granted (for those already residing in Tasmania) or from the date of first arrival into Tasmania (for those who do not currently reside here).
NSW
NSW Business & Skilled Migration does not offer Letters of Release. NSW nominates candidates under the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) program because their occupational skills are needed in the state. NSW nominees applicants are expected to live and work in NSW.
190, 491 and 489 visas compared
| 190 visa | 491 visa | 489 visa (existing holders) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent | Provisional (5 years) | Provisional |
| Visa condition on where you live | None | Condition 8579: designated regional areas only | Depends on visa conditions |
| State commitment | Usually 2 years in the nominating state | Live and work in the nominating state or region, as agreed | As agreed with the state |
| Can you move? | Legally yes, but it can affect your record and future applications | Only to another designated regional area, and check your nomination commitment | Check your conditions and 887 requirements |
| Path to PR | Already permanent | 191 visa after 3 years | 887 visa |
Frequently asked questions
Can my 190 visa be cancelled if I move states?
There is no visa condition on a 190 visa requiring you to stay in the nominating state, so moving is not a breach of a visa condition. However, if you gave false or misleading information to the state or to the Department to get nomination, your visa could be at risk. It is best to honour your commitment or agree a release with the state.
Can I move from one regional area to another on a 491 visa?
Yes, condition 8579 allows you to live, work and study in any designated regional area. Your state or territory nomination may still require you to stay in that state, so check what you agreed and speak to the state before you move.
Does time in a different regional area count towards the 191 visa?
Yes, time living and working in any designated regional area while you hold the 491 visa can count towards the 3 year requirement for the 191, as long as you comply with your visa conditions.
Will moving states affect my citizenship application?
Citizenship mainly depends on the residence requirement, character and the citizenship test. Moving states does not by itself stop you from applying, but your immigration history, including any broken commitments, may be considered in later applications.
