What Is the Skilled Nominated Visa 190?

Think of the Subclass 190 as the 189's slightly more accessible sibling. It gives you the exact same permanent residency — same Medicare access, same work rights, same path to citizenship — but with one added step: you need a nomination from an Australian state or territory government.

Now, that might sound like a hurdle, but it's actually an opportunity. A state nomination adds 5 extra points to your score, which can be the push you need to cross the invitation threshold. And while you're expected to live in the nominating state for at least the first two years, that's rarely a problem — most states that actively nominate have thriving job markets in their capital cities.

At E3 Immigration, we track state nomination programs in real-time. Each state has its own occupation list, its own eligibility criteria, and its own invitation patterns. What works for New South Wales might not work for South Australia — and we help you navigate exactly that.

How State Nomination Works

Each Australian state and territory runs its own skilled migration program. To get nominated, you generally need to:

  • Have your occupation listed on that state's specific occupation list
  • Meet the state's minimum points and experience requirements (often higher than the federal minimum of 65)
  • Submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect, marking your interest in state nomination
  • Apply directly to the state's migration program (some states require a separate application)
  • Commit to living and working in that state for at least 2 years after arrival

Some states actively search SkillSelect for eligible candidates and proactively invite them. Others require you to apply through their own portals. The process varies significantly — which is exactly why expert guidance matters.

State-by-State Nomination Overview

State/TerritoryProgram NameKey StrengthsTypical Points
New South WalesNSW Skilled NominatedLargest economy, Sydney tech hub, broad list80-90
VictoriaVIC Skilled NominatedMelbourne lifestyle, healthcare & education75-85
South AustraliaSA Skilled NominatedGenerous list, lower competition, proactive70-80
Western AustraliaWA Skilled MigrationMining, engineering, construction, healthcare70-80
QueenslandQLD Skilled NominatedGrowing tech & healthcare, lifestyle75-85
TasmaniaTAS Skilled NominatedAccessible pathway, lower points, graduate stream65-75
ACTACT Skilled NominatedCanberra Matrix system, government jobs65-80
Northern TerritoryNT Skilled MigrationTrades, healthcare, education demand65-75
Strategy Tip: South Australia and Tasmania are currently the most accessible states for nomination. If your occupation is on their list and you're open to living outside Sydney/Melbourne for two years, these states can be your fastest route to PR. After your two-year commitment, you're free to relocate anywhere in Australia.

190 Visa Requirements

RequirementDetails
OccupationMust be on the state's specific occupation list (MLTSSL or STSOL)
Skills AssessmentPositive assessment from the relevant authority
AgeUnder 45 at time of invitation
EnglishMinimum Competent English (IELTS 6.0 / PTE 50)
PointsMinimum 65 (including 5 points from nomination)
State NominationMust receive formal nomination from a state/territory
CommitmentMust live and work in nominating state for first 2 years

The 190 Application Process

1 Get Your Skills Assessment & English Score

Just like the 189, you need a positive skills assessment and a valid English test score. Complete these first — they're prerequisites for both your EOI and your state nomination application.

2 Submit Your EOI on SkillSelect

Create your Expression of Interest and select the 190 visa (or both 189 and 190). Indicate which state(s) you're interested in being nominated by. Your points will include the 5 points for anticipated state nomination.

3 Apply to the State

This is where it gets state-specific. Some states (like NSW) proactively invite candidates from SkillSelect. Others (like Victoria) require you to submit an application through their own portal with additional documents like a commitment statement, CV, and sometimes proof of employment. Each state has its own processing timeline — anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months.

4 Receive Nomination & ITA

If the state approves, they formally nominate you. This nomination appears on your SkillSelect EOI and triggers a federal Invitation to Apply within 60 days. You then have 60 days to lodge your complete visa application.

5 Lodge Visa & Await Grant

Submit your complete application with all supporting documents. Processing takes 6-12 months. Once granted, you must make your first entry by the initial entry date and settle in your nominating state.

A Real-World Example

Let's say you're Rahul, a 30-year-old civil engineer from Pune with 5 years of experience and a bachelor's degree. Your IELTS score is 7.0 in each band (Proficient English). Here's your points breakdown:

FactorPoints
Age (30 years)30
English (Proficient — IELTS 7.0)10
Education (Bachelor's Degree)15
Overseas Work Experience (5 years)10
Single Applicant10
Base Total75
State Nomination (190)+5
Total with Nomination80

At 80 points with a 190 nomination, Rahul would receive an invitation in most current rounds for civil engineering. Without the nomination (75 points for 189), he'd likely be waiting much longer. Those 5 points from state nomination changed everything.

Why E3 Immigration for Your 190 Visa?

The 190 isn't just about meeting the minimum points — it's about strategy. Which state to target, when to apply, how to craft your commitment statement, whether to apply to multiple states simultaneously — these decisions make or break your application.

We monitor every state's nomination patterns, occupation lists, and processing times. When South Australia opens a new priority list, we know about it the same day. When Victoria changes their minimum requirements, we update our clients immediately. That level of awareness gives our clients a genuine edge in a competitive system.