190 Visa 2026: State Nomination, Points & Fee

Overview

The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa is a points-tested permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government. Nomination adds 5 points to your score. You need at least 65 points, an occupation on the relevant list (MLTSSL or STSOL) plus the nominating state's own list, a suitable skills assessment, competent English, to be under 45 when invited, and to lodge within 60 days of invitation. The 2026-27 Migration Program allocates 35,500 State/Territory Nominated places, and since 19 September 2026 Ministerial Direction 122 decides the order in which 190 applications are processed.

The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers a state or territory chooses to nominate. Nomination adds 5 points to a 65-point floor — often the difference in a competitive invitation round — in exchange for a commitment to live and work in the nominating state. The 2026-27 program sets aside 35,500 State/Territory Nominated places (up from 33,000), and since 19 September 2026 Ministerial Direction 122 decides which applications are processed first.

How do the extra 5 points change your odds?

State or territory nomination adds 5 points on top of your score. The legal minimum is 65 points including those 5, but invitations are ranked highest-first within each occupation, so the nomination can lift a 75 to an 80, or an 85 to a 90 — enough to jump the queue. Each jurisdiction runs its own program: its own occupation list, its own minimum points, and its own extra requirements (a local job offer, work experience, or genuine intention to settle). These settings change through the year and can close without notice once the allocation is used, so timing matters as much as your score.

Which occupation list applies to the 190?

The 190 draws on both the MLTSSL and the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) — a broader pool than the 189. On top of the federal list, your occupation must also appear on the nominating state’s list, which is usually narrower and demand-driven. The CSOL used for the employer-sponsored 482 and 186 visas does not apply here.

How many places are there, and who is processed first?

The 2026-27 Migration Program (published 8 June 2026) allocates 35,500 places to the State/Territory Nominated category, alongside 21,090 Skilled Independent and 14,110 Regional places. Home Affairs splits the 35,500 between the states and territories, and each state opens its program once it has its allocation. Home Affairs’ first 2026-27 tally (nominations from 1 July to 31 August 2026) shows how uneven the start was: Tasmania 206, Northern Territory 91, Western Australia 17, New South Wales 11, Queensland 6, ACT under 5, and South Australia and Victoria 0 190 nominations — so where you can be nominated matters as much as your score.

Since 19 September 2026, Ministerial Direction 122 sets the processing order for the 186, 189, 190, 191, 491 and 494. Priority 1 is applicants whose occupation is in construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing or resources, or relates to law enforcement or defence; then applicants in Australia at lodgement; then offshore applicants without family; then everyone else. The Direction changes the order applications are picked up, not whether they are approved.

Do you have to stay in the nominating state?

The 190 is permanent from grant, so legally you can move — but you sign a commitment to live and work in the nominating state or territory, usually for around two years. States monitor this and may decline future nominations (including for family) where people leave early. Treat the commitment as real when you choose where to apply.

What changed in the points test in 2026?

On 17 September 2026 the Minister for Home Affairs announced that the points test for the 189, 190 and 491 will award trade qualifications the same points as a university qualification, alongside broader prioritisation of healthcare, education and construction skills. The change had not commenced at the time of this update and no start date had been published; the current Schedule 6D point values still apply to invitations issued now.

How the 190 fits with the 189 and 491

The table above compares all three. If you can be invited for a 189 on your own score, that’s the most flexible — permanent and no location tie. If you’re just short, the 190’s +5 (live anywhere in the nominating state) or the 491’s +15 (regional, provisional then permanent via the subclass 191) can get you invited sooner.

Fees and processing times shown above are sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and displayed with the date verified.

Who is eligible for the Subclass 190 visa?

Be nominated by an Australian state or territory government
Submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect and be invited to apply
Score at least 65 points on the points test (including the 5 nomination points) — competitive scores are usually higher
Have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list (MLTSSL or STSOL) and the nominating state's list
Hold a suitable skills assessment for that occupation
Be under 45 at the time of invitation
Have at least competent English (e.g. IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent)
Meet health and character requirements

This visa is points-tested. Estimate your points with our calculator .

How much does the Subclass 190 visa cost?

The base application charge is A$6,140. An additional A$3,070 applies per applicant aged 18 or over. Checked against the official Home Affairs pricing table on 29 October 2026. See every Subclass 190 stream's charge and processing time, or compare every visa on our Australian visa fees table. Fees are indexed each year — see the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the current figure.

How long does the Subclass 190 visa take to process?

Around 75% of applications are finalised within 15 months, and 90% within 16 months.

Official figures as at 29 September 2026. Source: Department of Home Affairs — Global visa processing times. Compare all visas on our processing times tracker. Times are a guide only — complete, decision-ready applications are generally faster.

How do you apply for the Subclass 190 visa?

Check state nomination criteria. Each state and territory publishes its own occupation lists and eligibility requirements, which change during the year and can close when its allocation is used.
Submit an EOI and apply for nomination. Lodge an EOI in SkillSelect and apply to your chosen state or territory (most run a separate Registration of Interest).
Receive nomination and invitation. If nominated, you receive 5 extra points and an invitation to apply for the visa.
Lodge a complete application within 60 days. Apply within 60 days of invitation with all evidence — the invitation lapses after that.
Complete health and character checks. Undergo health examinations and provide police certificates.

How it compares

Feature	189	190	491
Status	Permanent	Permanent	Provisional (5 yrs)
Sponsor / nominator	None	State/territory	State or eligible family
Points bonus	0	+5	+15
Minimum points	65	65	65
Occupation list	MLTSSL	MLTSSL + STSOL	MLTSSL + STSOL + ROL
Where you can live	Anywhere	Nominating state*	Designated regional only
2026-27 planning level	21,090 (Skilled Independent)	35,500 (State/Territory Nominated)	14,110 (Regional, shared with 494)
Leads to	Citizenship	Citizenship	PR via subclass 191

Frequently asked questions

How many points does state nomination add?

State or territory nomination for the Subclass 190 visa adds 5 points to your points test score. The legal minimum is 65 points including those 5, but because invitations are ranked highest-first, that 5 points can be the difference between being invited and waiting indefinitely.

Which occupation list does the 190 use?

The 190 draws on both the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) — a broader pool than the 189. On top of the federal list, your occupation must also appear on the nominating state or territory's own list, which is usually narrower and demand-driven. The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) used for employer-sponsored visas does not apply.

How many 190 places are there in 2026-27?

The 2026-27 Migration Program (published June 2026) sets the State/Territory Nominated category at 35,500 places, up from 33,000 in 2025-26. Home Affairs then divides this between the states and territories; each publishes its own program dates and criteria once it receives its allocation.

How are 190 applications prioritised since September 2026?

Ministerial Direction 122 took effect on 19 September 2026 and sets the processing order for the 186, 189, 190, 191, 491 and 494. Highest priority goes to applicants whose nominated occupation is in construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing or resources, or relates to law enforcement or defence. Outside those sectors, applicants in Australia at lodgement are processed before offshore applicants. The Direction changes the order, not the eligibility criteria.

Can I move states after I get a 190 visa?

The 190 is a permanent visa, so legally you can move — but you sign a commitment to live and work in the nominating state or territory, usually for around two years. States take this seriously and may decline future nominations for people who leave early. Confirm the specific commitment with the nominating government.

How is the 190 different from the 189?

The 189 requires no sponsor and lets you live anywhere in Australia, but you must be competitive on your own score. The 190 requires a state or territory to nominate you, adds 5 points, and expects you to settle in that state — a strong option if you are a few points short of a 189 invitation.

Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190)