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Meta Title: The State Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) Guide: Get PR in 2025–2026
Meta Description: Everything you need to know about the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). Check your eligibility, points, and state nomination requirements for 2025–2026.
Slug: /state-nominated-visa-guide-190-2025-2026

Top 5 Facts About the State Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) [2025–2026 Guide]

TL;DR: The State Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent residency pathway for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory, offering a guaranteed 15 bonus points and a direct route to citizenship. Unlike the 189 visa, you must live in the nominating state for the first two years. In 2025–2026, states are prioritising healthcare, construction, and tech occupations, with specific lists that change quarterly. Use a Points Calculator to confirm your score before applying.

What is the State Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)?

It is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government. This visa allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia, but you must commit to living in the nominating state for at least two years. It is your fastest ticket to PR if your occupation is in demand where you want to settle.

Key Features of the 190 Visa

• Permanent Residency: Stay in Australia indefinitely. You and your family can work, study, access Medicare, and apply for citizenship.
• 15 Bonus Points: The nomination automatically adds 15 points to your SkillSelect score, lowering the barrier to the standard 65-point pass mark.
• Application Process: You must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect, secure a state nomination, and then receive an invitation to apply (ITA).
• Occupation Restrictions: Your occupation must be on the relevant state’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL), which differs from the federal list.

According to the Department of Home Affairs’ official Skilled Visa page, the 190 visa is part of the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, requiring an occupation closely related to your skills.

How Is the 190 Visa Different From the 189 and 491 Visas?

The 190 visa offers immediate PR with a state commitment, while the 189 visa is fully independent (no nomination needed) and the 491 visa is a provisional (temporary) visa requiring regional residence.

Comparison Table: 190 vs. 189 vs. 491

When to Choose the 190: If your occupation appears on a state’s list, you are willing to relocate, and you need the bonus points. If you prefer zero restrictions, choose the 189. If you are okay with a temporary step, choose the 491.

What Are the Points Requirements for the 190 Visa in 2025–2026?

You need a minimum of 65 points to lodge an EOI, but with the 15-point state nomination bonus, your base score must be at least 50. Realistically, most invited applicants have 80–95 points in high-demand states like New South Wales or Victoria.

How to Calculate Your Points

• Age (18–24: 25 pts / 25–32: 30 pts / 33–39: 25 pts / 40–44: 15 pts)
• English Ability (Competent: 0 pts / Proficient: 10 pts / Superior: 20 pts)
• Skilled Employment (Outside Australia: Up to 15 pts / In Australia: Up to 20 pts)
• Educational Qualification (Doctorate: 20 pts / Bachelor: 15 pts / Diploma: 10 pts)
• Australian Study Requirement (+5 pts if you studied in Australia for 2 years)
• Specialist Education (+10 pts for a Masters by research or Doctorate in STEM/ICT)
• Partner Skills (+10 or +5 pts depending on partner’s skills and English)
• State Nomination (+15 pts)

Use NovenAI’s free EOI Points Calculator to instantly compute your score in seconds, factoring in all recent policy changes for 2025–2026.

Actionable Checklist to Maximise Points

• [ ] Take a PTE or IELTS test to achieve Superior English (+20 pts)
• [ ] Get a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
• [ ] Ensure your skilled employment documentation matches your EOI claim
• [ ] If you have a partner, check if they can also secure a skills assessment for bonus points
• [ ] Consider a specialist qualification (e.g., Masters in Data Science) for +10 pts

Which States Are Offering the Most 190 Nominations in 2025–2026?

New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria (VIC) have the largest allocations, prioritising healthcare, education, and ICT roles. South Australia (SA) and Tasmania (TAS) offer competitive pathways for graduates and workers already living there. Western Australia (WA) continues to aggressively target construction and engineering trades.

State-Specific Trends for 2025–2026

• New South Wales (NSW): Focuses on health (nurses, social workers), ICT (cybersecurity, developers), and infrastructure (engineers). They use a “round” system with a high points threshold (often 90+).
• Victoria (VIC): Targets STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, Medicine) occupations, especially in digital tech and health. They recently added “chef” to the priority list.
• Queensland (QLD): Strong demand for hospitality managers, agricultural scientists, and trades (electricians, plumbers). Requires a job offer for some streams.
• Western Australia (WA): Has a dedicated “Construction Visa” and a large focus on building and engineering trades. Often invites applicants with lower points (75–85).
• South Australia (SA): Offers pathways for local graduates and those working in the state. This is a great “fallback” for those with 70–80 points.

Check your eligibility by visiting the Department of Home Affairs’ State Migration site for the latest allocation numbers and occupation lists.

How Do I Apply for the State Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)?

The application process is a step-by-step sequence. Getting your documentation wrong early can delay your visa by months.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Skills Assessment: Get a positive outcome from the relevant body (e.g., ACS for IT, Engineers Australia for engineering, ANMAC for nursing).
2. English Test: Achieve the minimum required score (Competent English is the floor, but Superior is ideal).
3. Lodge an EOI: Submit via SkillSelect on the Home Affairs website. Be honest about your points, as you must pay for verification later.
4. Apply for State Nomination: Submit a separate application to the state you want to live in. This may require a commitment declaration and a small fee (AUD 200–800).
5. Receive Invitation: If nominated, the state will trigger an ITA in your SkillSelect account.
6. Visa Lodgement: Submit the official visa application (Form 190) with all supporting documents (passport, skills assessment, English test, birth certificates). You have 60 days after the ITA.
7. Health and Character Checks: Undergo medical exams (e-visa health system) and police clearance certificates.
8. Decision: Processing times vary from 6 to 12 months for most applicants.

Unsure if your profile will pass? Use NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor—it analyses your skills, age, occupation, and English level against current state trends to estimate your approval probability.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes When Applying for the 190?

The biggest mistake is claiming points you cannot verify, especially for “Skilled Employment.” The Department of Home Affairs audits employment claims rigorously. A single false claim can lead to a visa refusal and a 3-year ban (Public Interest Criterion 4020).

Mistakes to Avoid

• Overestimating work experience by counting non-skilled or post-study hours incorrectly.
• Choosing a state nomination without researching the local job market and housing.
• Failing to provide a “Letter of Commitment” that convinces the state you genuinely intend to live there.
• Not checking if your occupation has “capping” (no more nominations for the year).
• Submitting an EOI without a valid skills assessment.

If you are unsure about your English level, use NovenAI’s English Level Guide to compare PTE/IELTS scores and see which test can maximise your points for the 190.

Conclusion: Your Next Step for PR in 2025–2026

The State Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) remains one of the most reliable routes to Australian Permanent Residency if you are willing to commit to a specific state. With the 15-point bonus, it is a great equaliser for applicants who may not have top-tier age or English scores.

Don’t rely on guesswork. Use NovenAI’s free tools to check your points, test your English level, and predict your success rate against current migration trends. Your permanent residency journey starts with one correct calculation.

Check your visa score now → NovenAI: Your Intelligent Migration Mentor