+5 Points For Nomination
A successful state or territory nomination adds 5 points to your points test score, which can be the margin that turns a near-miss profile into an invitation.
State Nominated Permanent Visa
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated.
The Subclass 190 visa rewards applicants who can secure the backing of an Australian state or territory government. A successful nomination adds 5 points to your points test score and, once your visa is granted, delivers full permanent residency from day one - the same outcome as the 189, just with an extra partner in your corner. Intel Migration helps you identify the right state programs for your occupation, prepare a competitive nomination application, and align it with a technically sound SkillSelect EOI.
Permanent from grant
+5 points for nomination
8 jurisdictions to consider
MARA Agent #1688088
Why apply for a 190 visa
A state-backed boost to your permanent residency case.
If your points score is just short of the cut-off for an independent visa, a state or territory nomination can be the difference between staying in the pool and being invited. The 190 delivers the same permanent outcome as the 189, with an additional pathway built around state-specific occupation lists and priorities.
Permanent From Grant
Like the 189, the 190 grants full permanent residency immediately - no waiting periods, no conversion visa and no provisional status to manage.
Broader Occupation Access
Each state and territory maintains its own skilled occupation list alongside the national MLTSSL, which can open the door to occupations not otherwise eligible for a 189.
Family Inclusion
Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants and receive the same permanent residency rights as you.
Travel Facility Included
Your initial travel facility allows you to enter and exit Australia freely from grant, giving you time to settle, work and arrange your life with flexibility.
Pathway to Citizenship
Permanent residents may become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship once residency requirements are met, plus access to Medicare and certain social security entitlements.
State and territory nomination programs
Eight jurisdictions, eight different sets of rules.
Each state and territory government opens and closes its nomination programs throughout the year, often with sudden changes to occupation lists, ranking factors and residency expectations. We monitor these programs and match them against your occupation, location preferences and points score.
Eligibility essentials
Six benchmarks every 190 applicant must clear.
State nomination is an additional layer on top of the standard skilled migration framework, not a replacement for it. We assess your profile against both the national points test and the specific criteria published by your target state or territory before you invest time in a nomination application.
Points Test Score
60 points before the nomination bonus is a common practical benchmark, since the 190 adds 5 points once nominated, bringing you to the 65-point legislative floor or higher.
Age Requirement
You must be under 45 years of age at the time you are invited to apply - age is one of the most heavily weighted points categories.
Eligible Occupation
Your nominated occupation must appear on the relevant occupation list published by the state or territory you are applying to, which may differ from the MLTSSL.
Positive Skills Assessment
A valid, positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation, current at the time of invitation.
English Language Result
At least Competent English is required, while Proficient or Superior results unlock significant additional points and strengthen state nomination applications.
State Nomination Criteria
Each jurisdiction sets its own ranking factors, such as recent work experience, study history, job offers or commitment to live in the state, which we review against your profile.
Strategic roadmap
The 190 visa journey, step by step.
Securing a state or territory nomination is a process in its own right, separate from but linked to your SkillSelect EOI. Sequencing matters - some jurisdictions invite candidates from SkillSelect, others require a direct application, and the order can affect how quickly you progress.
Occupation & Points Check
We confirm your occupation code and run an honest, technical estimate of your points score with and without a 5-point nomination bonus.
State Program Research
We compare current state and territory occupation lists and ranking criteria to identify which programs are realistically open to you.
Skills Assessment
Lodgement of your application with the correct assessing authority, supported by verified qualifications and employment evidence.
English Language Test
Selecting and preparing for IELTS, PTE Academic or an equivalent test to secure Competent, Proficient or Superior English points.
SkillSelect EOI & Nomination
Submission of a complete, accurately scored EOI indicating your interest in nomination, plus any direct state application required.
Invitation to Apply
Once nominated, your points score increases by 5 and you become eligible for an invitation in the relevant SkillSelect round.
Visa Lodgement
Preparation and submission of your complete, decision-ready 190 visa application with all supporting documents within the 60-day window.
Health, Character & Grant
Completion of health examinations and police clearances for all applicants, followed by final assessment and visa grant.
State nomination conditions change frequently
Occupation lists, ranking criteria and any commitment to live, work or study in the nominating state or territory are set by each jurisdiction and can change between program years. We verify the current published conditions for your target state before you lodge a nomination application, and the 60-day deadline to lodge a visa application after invitation still applies.
Choosing your GSM visa
190 vs 189 vs 491 at a glance.
A 190 nomination is a strategic tool, not an obligation. If your points score already clears competitive 189 thresholds, an independent application may be simpler. If you are open to regional living, a 491 nomination offers an even larger points bonus. We assess all three before recommending a strategy.
| Feature | Subclass 190 | Subclass 189 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship / nomination | State or territory nomination required | None required - fully independent | State, territory or family-sponsored regional nomination |
| Points bonus | +5 points for nomination | No bonus points available | +15 points for nomination |
| Visa outcome | Permanent residency immediately | Permanent residency immediately | Provisional (5 years) with pathway to Subclass 191 PR |
| Location conditions | May include a commitment to the nominating state | None - live anywhere in Australia | Must live and work in a designated regional area |
| Typical competitiveness | Often more accessible where occupation lists align | Highest points threshold - relies on your score alone | Often most accessible due to the largest points bonus |
Official resources
Useful links before you start.
These official Home Affairs pages are a useful starting point for understanding the 190 visa. State and territory nominating bodies each publish their own program pages too, which we review against your occupation and circumstances.
Common 190 risks
- Assuming your occupation is eligible for every state simply because it is on the MLTSSL.
- Applying to a state program without reviewing its current ranking criteria and processing approach.
- Not understanding any commitment to live, work or study in the nominating state attached to your visa.
- Submitting an EOI before your skills assessment or English results are confirmed and valid.
- Missing the 60-day deadline to lodge after receiving an invitation to apply.
- Applying to multiple states without a coordinated strategy, risking conflicting commitments.
FAQ
Before you lodge a 190 visa.
Technical answers to the questions we hear most often from skilled professionals considering a state-nominated pathway.
01Is the subclass 190 visa permanent residency?
Yes. The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa is a permanent visa. Once granted, you and any included family members can live, work and study in Australia indefinitely, with a travel facility valid for an initial period.
02Do I need to apply for state nomination before or after my EOI?
You generally submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect first and indicate your interest in state or territory nomination. States and territories then review EOIs and invite suitable candidates, or in some programs you apply directly. The exact sequence depends on the jurisdiction and changes from time to time, so we confirm the current process for your target state before you proceed.
03Can I choose any state or territory for a 190 visa?
You can apply to any state or territory whose occupation list and criteria you meet, but each jurisdiction sets its own occupation lists, ranking criteria and demand priorities, and these change frequently. We help you identify which programs are realistically open to your occupation and profile.
04What is the difference between the 189, 190 and 491 visas?
The 189 is independent and requires no nomination. The 190 requires state or territory nomination, adds 5 points to your score and grants permanent residency immediately. The 491 is a provisional regional visa that adds 15 points and requires you to live and work in regional Australia before transitioning to the permanent Subclass 191.
05Do I have to live in the nominating state forever?
Some state and territory nomination agreements include an expectation or commitment to live, work or study in that state or territory for a period after grant. The specifics vary by jurisdiction and have changed over recent program years, so we review the current conditions attached to your specific nomination before you commit.
06Can my family be included in a 190 application?
Yes. Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants and receive the same permanent residency rights as you, including work and study access across Australia.
State-Backed. Permanent. Strategic.
Ready to map your 190 pathway?
Send us your occupation, qualifications, English test results and current points estimate, along with any state or location preferences. We will review which nomination programs are realistically open to you and help you decide whether the 190, 189 or 491 is the right strategy.
Book a 190 consultation
MARA Registered Agent #1688088
Intel Migration Pty Ltd
West End, Brisbane QLD
