Essential Guide to the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
Thinking about settling down in Australia as a skilled worker? The Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)—commonly referred to as the 190 visa—might be the perfect pathway for you. It’s a permanent visa for people with in-demand skills who’ve been nominated by a state or territory government, allowing you to stay in Australia indefinitely. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what the 190 visa is, who it’s for, and how to apply step-by-step.
Key Takeaways
The Skilled Nominated Visa, also known as the 190 visa, gives skilled professionals permanent residency in Australia, but you’ll need to be nominated by an Australian state or territory. That nomination is based on your occupation, qualifications, and whether your skills are needed in that region. Once you’re granted the visa, you can live, work, and study anywhere in Australia—and eventually apply for citizenship.
Understanding the Subclass 190 visa
The Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is part of Australia’s points-based skilled migration program. The key difference with this visa is that it requires state or territory nomination. That means an Australian state or territory government—like Victoria or Queensland—needs to say, “We need people with your skills.”
The 190 visa is a points-tested permanent visa designed for skilled workers who receive a nomination from an Australian State or Territory government. This helps fill job shortages in specific regions and ensures that migrants are moving to places where their skills will be genuinely valuable. It’s a win-win: states fill crucial workforce gaps, and you get a pathway to permanent residency in Australia.
Whether you’re in education, healthcare, engineering, or a trade, the 190 visa could be your ticket to a stable future in Australia.
Eligibility Criteria for the 190 Visa
To be eligible for the Skilled Nominated Visa, you’ll need to tick a few important boxes:
First, your occupation must be on the list of eligible skilled occupations for the 190 visa. You’ll also need to complete a skills assessment to show that your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards.
You must be under 45 years old at the time you receive an invitation to apply. A good grasp of English is essential—you’ll need to prove your proficiency through an approved English test (like IELTS or PTE).
And finally, you need to score at least 65 points on the points test. Points are awarded for things like age, work experience, education, English ability, and whether you’ve studied or worked in Australia before.
Once you meet all these requirements, you’ll still need to get a nomination from a participating state or territory. Each one has its own eligibility requirements, so check what your preferred state is looking for before you apply.
Benefits of the 190 Visa
The 190 visa offers more than just the right to stay in Australia—it opens up a range of benefits that come with permanent residency.
You’ll be able to live and work anywhere in Australia, although there’s an expectation you’ll stay in your nominating state for at least two years.
You’ll also get access to Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system, which can help reduce your medical expenses. On top of that, once you become a permanent resident, you can sponsor eligible family members for visas of their own.
And perhaps best of all, once you’ve lived in Australia for a certain number of years as a permanent resident, you’ll be able to apply for Australian citizenship.
If you do not become an Australian citizen and the travel facility on your visa expires after a five-year period, permanent residents must obtain a Resident Return visa to re-enter Australia.
The Application Process for the 190 Visa
Getting a 190 visa involves a few important steps.
First, you’ll need to do a skills assessment with the relevant authority for your occupation. This assessment confirms that your qualifications and work history meet local standards.
Next, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect. In your EOI, you’ll indicate your occupation, experience, and preferred state or territory. If a state or territory likes your profile and has a need for your skills, they may nominate you.
Once you receive a nomination, you’ll get an invitation to apply for the visa from the Department of Home Affairs. The invitation letter includes the estimated points score that applicants must meet to move forward in the application process. From there, you can lodge your visa application online and attach your documents—such as ID, skills assessment, English test results, and police certificates. Individuals may need to hold a bridging visa to remain legally in Australia while awaiting the decision on their visa application. Having a previous application refused can affect your eligibility for new visa applications.
Each stage is critical, but the nomination and invitation steps are where most of the variation happens depending on your occupation and state demand.
Skills Assessment and Occupation List
Your journey starts with the skills assessment. Each occupation has a specific relevant assessing authority—such as Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, or AHPRA for medical roles. They’ll review your qualifications, experience, and sometimes your English skills to make sure you’re up to Australian standards.
Only once you have a suitable skills assessment obtained within a specific timeframe prior to the invitation can you move on to the Expression of Interest stage.
Make sure your occupation is on a relevant skills list for the 190 visa, which can be regularly updated. Even if your job is listed, the exact demand can vary from state to state, so it’s smart to align with a state that actually needs your occupation right now.
Expression of Interest (EOI)
The EOI is your chance to put your hand up and say, “I’m ready to move to Australia.” You’ll submit it through SkillSelect, a government portal that matches skilled migrants with Australian states or territories looking for people like you.
Your EOI includes details about your work history, education, English ability, and other factors that go into your points test score. When you submit your EOI through SkillSelect, you receive an indicative points score based on your claims, which helps determine your eligibility. Achieving at least 65 points is crucial for eligibility to apply for the visa.
For some states an additional step of submitting an ROI is necessary.
Once submitted, you’re placed into a pool of candidates. If a state or territory is interested in your profile, they’ll nominate you. That’s when the official visa invitation comes through.
State or Territory Nomination
To secure the 190 visa, you must obtain a nomination from an Australian state or territory government agency. Each governing body establishes its own unique criteria and priority occupation lists for prospective applicants.
For example, Victoria might be looking for healthcare professionals, while Queensland could be focused on engineers. Some states may also favour candidates with recent Australian study or regional work experience.
Check their websites for specific requirements before lodging your EOI. Being clear on each state’s criteria can dramatically improve your chances of being nominated.
You can find the different state programs here:
Points Test for the 190 Visa
The points test is a big part of the skilled migration process. The 190 visa is a points tested permanent visa designed for skilled workers nominated by an Australian State or Territory government. You’ll need a minimum of 65 points to be eligible—but more is usually better to get an invitation quickly and some occupations require very high scores as they are highly competitive.
You can earn points for:
Your age (the younger you are, the more you score)
English language ability
Years of skilled work experience (in and outside Australia)
Educational qualifications
Study in Australia or regional areas
State or territory nomination (worth an extra 5 points)
You don’t need to calculate your score manually—the Department of Home Affairs has an online points calculator that helps you estimate your total.
How to Claim Points
Each point you claim needs to be backed up with evidence. If you’re claiming points for a Bachelor’s degree, for example, you’ll need to provide transcripts and certificates. If you’re getting points for skilled work, you’ll need references or employment letters confirming your role and duration. It is crucial to provide evidence not only with your initial expression of interest (EOI) but also at the time of invitation, to ensure the accuracy and validity of the information provided.
Don’t guess your score. If your claimed points don’t match the evidence, your application could be refused—even if you meet the threshold.
Calculating Your Points Score
Add up points from every eligible category—age, education, English ability, work experience, Australian qualifications, and so on. Then add the 5 extra points for state nomination, which is specific to the 190 visa. The 190 visa is a points tested visa designed for skilled workers nominated by an Australian State or Territory government.
As a rule of thumb, people with scores in the 80s or higher tend to receive faster invitations, especially in competitive fields. But this all depends on the occupation of course.
Supporting Documents for Your 190 Visa Application
Having the right documents in order will save you time and headaches. Once you receive your invitation, you’ll be asked to upload supporting documents with your visa application.
Applicants must hold a substantive visa or specific bridging visas to ensure their application is considered valid.
English Language Test Results
You’ll need to show you meet the minimum English requirement (usually “competent English”). That means taking an approved test like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or Cambridge English. Make sure your test results are valid at the time you apply.
Qualifications obtained in Australia while holding a student visa must be from recognised courses to be considered valid for the skills assessment required in the migration process.
Medical and Legal Practitioners
If you work in medicine or law, there’s extra paperwork. Doctors need general registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Legal professionals must show they’re admitted to practise law in an Australian jurisdiction.
Additional Required Documents
Expect to provide:
Identity documents (passport, birth certificate)
Police clearances
Skills assessment result
Education certificates
Proof of work experience
Relationship documents (if you’re including family)
The more thorough and organised your application is, the better your chances of quick processing.
Living in Australia with a 190 Visa
Once granted, the 190 visa gives you the same rights as any permanent resident. You can work in any job, live in any city, and build your life in Australia long-term.
You’ll get access to public healthcare (Medicare), public education for your kids, and certain social services (depending on waiting periods).
It’s expected—but not legally required—that you stay in the nominating state or territory for at least two years.
Various migrant services are available to help new residents settle in Australia.
Permanent Residency Benefits
Being a permanent resident means you don’t need to worry about renewing your visa every few years. You can buy property, apply for bank loans, and send your children to public schools.
Over time, your rights expand, including the ability to apply for Australian citizenship once you meet the residency and character requirements.
Pathway to Australian Citizenship
After holding the 190 visa and living in Australia lawfully for four years (with at least one year as a permanent resident), you may be eligible to apply for citizenship.
You’ll need to meet character requirements, pass a citizenship test, and show a genuine commitment to Australia.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Even strong candidates run into hurdles during the process. The most common ones include:
Addressing Skills Assessment Issues
A negative skills assessment can end your application early. Make sure you understand what documents and evidence your assessing authority requires—and reach out to them if anything is unclear. Only assessments conducted by the relevant skills assessing authority will be accepted for a positive skills assessment.
Double-check that your job duties match the ANZSCO code for your nominated occupation. This alignment is essential for approval.
Handling Nomination Delays
Nomination timelines can vary between states. Some fill up quickly or pause intake when quotas are reached. States like South Australia and South Wales have their own nomination processes and timelines.
Stay up to date with changes on state migration websites. If you’re open to living in different regions, including South Australia and South Wales, consider applying to multiple states to increase your chances.
Summary
The Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is one of the most direct and rewarding ways to gain permanent residency in Australia. If you’ve got skills Australia needs, and you’re open to settling in the state that nominates you, this visa opens the door to long-term security, healthcare, family sponsorship, and eventual citizenship.
With the right preparation—starting from your skills assessment to submitting a strong EOI—you could soon be living your dream life in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)?
The Subclass 190 visa is a permanent visa for skilled applicants, who get nominated by an Australian state or territory government, letting you live and work in Australia for good.
It’s a great option if you have the skills and want to settle down in a beautiful country!
What are the eligibility criteria for the 190 visa?
To snag that 190 visa, you need to be under 45, have a job on the skilled occupation list, pass a skills assessment, and get a nomination from an Australian state or territory. If you're considering other visa options, Via Migration offers guidance on various alternatives.
It’s pretty straightforward if you meet these criteria!
How do I submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the 190 visa?
To submit an EOI for the 190 visa, just hop onto SkillSelect and fill out the application.
Once you submit it, the relevant state or territory agency will review it for nomination.
What are the benefits of holding a 190 visa?
Holding a 190 visa means you get permanent residency in Australia, which lets you live, work, and study wherever you want.
Plus, you can access Medicare and help eligible family members apply for permanent residency too.
How can I calculate my points score for the 190 visa?
You can calculate your points for the 190 visa using the points calculator from the Department of Home Affairs, which takes into account your age, education, work experience, and English skills.
It’s a straightforward way to get an estimate before you apply!
