Top 5 Things to Know About the 190 Visa [2025–2026 Guide]

Meta Description: Your complete guide to the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa. Learn about state nomination, points requirements, processing times, and how to boost your chances of Australian permanent residency.
Slug: 190-visa-guide-2025

TL;DR
The 190 visa is a permanent residency pathway for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government. To be eligible, you must have an occupation on a relevant skilled list, secure a nomination, and score at least 65 points on the points test. According to the Department of Home Affairs, a successful application grants you and your family the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely. The process involves submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI), receiving a nomination, and then applying for the visa itself.

What is the 190 Skilled Nominated Visa?

The 190 visa is a permanent skilled migration visa for workers invited by an Australian state or territory government. In essence, it’s a points-tested visa where a state or territory nominates you to fill specific skill shortages in their region. According to the Department of Home Affairs’ official Skilled Visa page, this nomination adds 5 crucial points to your points test score, significantly boosting your chances of receiving an invitation to apply.

To begin the process, you must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, indicating your desire to be nominated for a 190 visa by a particular state. If a state government selects you and issues a nomination, you will then receive an invitation to lodge a formal visa application. Success grants you and your accompanying family members full permanent residency status, with the freedom to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia, access to Medicare, and a pathway to citizenship.

• Permanent Residency: It grants permanent resident status from the day it is granted.
• State-Led: You must be nominated by a specific Australian state or territory (e.g., NSW, Victoria, Western Australia).
• Points-Tested: You must meet a minimum points threshold (currently 65, including the 5 points for nomination).
• Commitment: While it is a national PR visa, you are expected to live in your nominating state for at least your first two years.

Who is Eligible for a 190 Visa?

You are eligible for a 190 visa if you are under 45, have a skilled occupation on a relevant list, can pass skills assessment and health/character checks, and score enough points. The core eligibility pillars are your occupation, skills assessment, and points score. Your occupation must be on the combined list of eligible skilled occupations and also on the specific skilled occupation list of the state or territory that nominates you—these lists change frequently based on local labour needs.

A positive skills assessment from the designated assessing authority for your occupation is non-negotiable and validates your qualifications and work experience. Finally, you must score at least 65 points on the skilled migration points test. This score is calculated based on your age, English proficiency, skilled employment experience, educational qualifications, and other factors. The state nomination itself adds 5 points. Tools like NovenAI’s free EOI Points Calculator can provide an accurate, real-time points estimate based on the latest policy settings, helping you identify where to improve your score.

• Age: You must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
• Occupation: Your job must be on a state’s nomination list and the relevant federal skilled occupation list.
• Skills Assessment: Obtain a positive assessment from the authorised body for your profession (e.g., Engineers Australia, ACS for IT).
• Points Test: Achieve a minimum score of 65 points (including state nomination points).
• English: Have at least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent in all bands).

How Do I Get Nominated by a State?

You secure a state nomination by first submitting an EOI in SkillSelect for the 190 visa and then directly applying to a state that has your occupation on its list, meeting all their specific criteria. Each state and territory (like NSW, Victoria, South Australia, etc.) manages its own nomination program with unique requirements that go beyond the federal 190 criteria. These can include higher points thresholds, specific work experience, a genuine commitment to live in the state, or even a job offer.

The process is highly competitive. States invite candidates based on who best meets their economic needs. You must meticulously research the state migration websites for their latest “skilled occupation lists” and nomination guidelines. For example, according to the official NSW Government migration site, some occupations require a minimum number of years of experience in the field. Staying on top of these dynamic requirements is where a service like NovenAI excels, as its AI mentor is trained on the latest 18 GB+ of policy data from all states and Home Affairs, providing instant alerts on list changes.

• Research: Check the official migration website of your preferred state for their current skilled occupation list and criteria.
• EOI: Submit an EOI in SkillSelect for the 190 visa, selecting the state(s) you wish to be considered by.
• State Application: Often, you must also submit a separate application directly to the state government, providing evidence of your commitment and eligibility.
• Invitation: If successful, the state will nominate you in SkillSelect, and you will receive an invitation to apply for the visa from Home Affairs.

What Are the Costs and Processing Times for the 190 Visa?

The main 190 visa application charge starts from around AUD 4,640 for the primary applicant, with additional costs for skills assessments, English tests, and police checks, while processing times can range from 6 to 12 months. The Department of Home Affairs’ visa pricing tool lists the base visa application charge, but the total cost of migration is often higher. You must budget for skills assessment fees (which can be AUD 500-1,200), English language test fees (like IELTS or PTE), health examinations, and police clearance certificates from every country you’ve lived in.

Processing times are not guaranteed and vary based on application completeness, your occupation, and the nominating state’s processing speed. The Department of Home Affairs publishes global processing times, but individual cases can differ. To gauge your potential timeline and likelihood of success, you can use tools like the NovenAI Visa Success Predictor, which analyses historical data and current trends to provide a personalised assessment.

• Visa Charge: Primary applicant: ~AUD 4,640. Additional charges apply for partners and dependent children.
• Additional Costs: Skills assessment, English tests, health checks, and police certificates can add AUD 2,000-4,000+.
• Processing Time: 75% of applications are processed within 9 months, but it can be faster or slower.
• Payment Timing: The visa application charge is paid when you submit the formal application after receiving your invitation.

How Can I Improve My Chances for a 190 Visa Invitation?

You can improve your chances by maximising your points score, carefully targeting a state that needs your skills, and ensuring a flawless application. In a competitive pool, a higher points score makes you more attractive to both states and the federal system. Focus on areas you can influence: boosting your English to Superior or Proficient level (adding 10 or 20 points), gaining more years of skilled overseas or Australian work experience, or completing a Professional Year in Australia.

Strategic state selection is crucial. Don’t just apply to the major cities; research regional states like South Australia, Tasmania, or the Northern Territory, which may have higher demand for certain professions and slightly less competition. Finally, accuracy is key. Any mistake in your EOI, skills assessment, or document translation can lead to delays or refusal. Using a reliable English Level Guide can help you understand the exact test scores needed for each points level, ensuring you claim the correct points.

• Maximise Points: Aim for Superior English, gain more skilled work experience, or consider studying in Australia for qualification points.
• Target Strategically: Apply to states where your occupation is in high demand and your profile aligns with their specific criteria.
• Perfect Your EOI: Ensure every detail in your SkillSelect EOI is 100% accurate and verifiable by documents.
• Stay Proactive: Monitor state nomination rounds and policy updates. Services like NovenAI provide 24/7 policy alerts, giving you an edge in this fast-changing environment.

Navigating the 190 visa pathway is a detailed but achievable journey towards Australian permanent residency. Success hinges on understanding the dual-layer process—meeting both federal and state requirements—and presenting a strong, points-competitive application. By thoroughly researching state needs, meticulously preparing your documents, and using smart tools to plan your strategy, you can significantly increase your likelihood of receiving that coveted nomination and visa grant.

Ready to start your journey? Explore your options and get a personalised assessment with NovenAI today.