Australia Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) in 2026

The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent points-tested visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government and invited by Home Affairs.

Federal visa requirements and nomination are separate

An applicant generally needs an eligible occupation, a suitable skills assessment, an EOI in SkillSelect, state or territory nomination and a Home Affairs invitation. The points-tested criteria require the applicant to be under 45 when invited and to reach at least 65 points. As with subclass 189, 65 is a minimum threshold and does not guarantee an invitation.

State and territory governments apply their own nomination criteria, which can include occupation priorities, employment, residence, graduate, commitment or other program-specific conditions. Meeting federal visa rules does not create a right to state nomination, and state nomination does not itself grant the visa.

Application process

A typical sequence is: obtain the appropriate skills assessment; prepare English and points evidence; lodge or update a SkillSelect EOI; seek nomination under the relevant jurisdiction's process; receive an invitation; and lodge the visa application within the invitation period. Home Affairs' invitation window is generally 60 days.

Health and character requirements apply. Family members included in the application must satisfy the relevant criteria as well.

Cost and permanent status

The current Home Affairs subclass 190 listing shows a main-applicant visa charge from AUD 6,140 in 2026. Additional applicant and other charges can apply, so use the official pricing estimator for the exact case.

Subclass 190 is permanent at grant. The holder can live, work and study in Australia and access permanent-resident benefits subject to their separate rules. State nomination carries an expectation of genuine settlement in the nominating jurisdiction, so applicants should read the nominator's commitments carefully.

190 versus 189 and 491

Subclass 189 does not use state nomination. Subclass 491 is a five-year provisional regional visa rather than immediate permanent residence. Applicants should compare legal status, nomination criteria and location obligations rather than choosing only on points.

Return to the Australia visa hub, Oceania guide or work visa routes.

Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, verified 16 September 2026.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in Australia