PR Pathway via Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
The subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) visa is a direct pathway to permanent residence (PR) based on your skills, with one key requirement: you must be nominated by an Australian state or territory. In exchange for that nomination, you usually commit to living and working in that state for a period. This article outlines the pathway and the figures you need to check yourself.
Who is this pathway for?
The subclass 190 suits people with skills in an occupation a particular state currently needs, who are willing to commit to that state. Compared with the fully independent 189, the 190 trades some freedom of location for additional opportunity: many people gain a state nomination even when the overall 189 pool is too competitive for them.
If you want no location commitment at all, see the subclass 189 pathway. If you are also considering a regional area, see the PR overview.
Where it starts
The starting foundation is the same as the 189: a relevant occupation and a valid skills assessment. The difference is that you must also match a state’s own occupation list and criteria — each state has its own occupation list, priority levels and requirements (for example, residence commitments or a connection to the state), and these criteria change from year to year and from program to program.
The steps to permanent residence
Step 1 — Skills assessment. Complete a skills assessment with the assessing authority for your occupation; the result must remain valid at the key milestones.
Step 2 — Submit an EOI through SkillSelect and select a state. You create an EOI and express interest in being nominated by one (or several) states. Some states also require a separate registration through their own process.
Step 3 — Receive a state nomination. The state assesses your application against its occupation list and criteria. If selected, you receive a nomination — this is the step that distinguishes the 190 from the 189.
Step 4 — Receive an invitation and lodge the visa application. After you have a nomination and an invitation, you lodge the formal subclass 190 application with evidence of your skills, English, health, character and the factors you declared.
Step 5 — PR grant. If approved, you receive the subclass 190 — a permanent visa, with the expectation that you live and work in the nominating state.
Fees and the figures to check
The main application charge for the subclass 190 for the primary applicant is currently 6,140 AUD. This figure does not include charges for dependants, health examinations, translation or the skills assessment fee; in addition, some states have their own nomination registration fee.
The remaining figures change over time and from state to state, so they are not stated fixed here:
- Each state’s occupation list and priority levels — these differ by state and change by program; check on the state’s nomination page and Home Affairs.
- The minimum points and the actual points to be nominated — these change by state and by occupation; check on SkillSelect/Home Affairs.
- The age limit, English level and years of experience — check on Home Affairs.
- Residence/commitment requirements with the state — check on the state’s official page.
- Application processing time — check the updated figure on Home Affairs.
Deciding factors
The biggest deciding factor for the 190 is not just your points, but how well your occupation matches a particular state’s needs at the time you apply. An occupation may be strongly prioritised by state A this year but closed in state B. So understanding “which state needs my occupation, and under what conditions” is often more important than simply optimising points.
Risks and common mistakes
- Treating a state’s occupation list as fixed. Lists and priority levels change by year; an occupation that is open can close mid-way.
- Ignoring the residence commitment. The 190 usually comes with an expectation that you live and work in the nominating state — not respecting this can affect later migration steps.
- Targeting only one state without checking its specific criteria. Each state has different processes and requirements; applying one state’s criteria to another can lead to errors.
- Letting a skills assessment expire between steps.
When to ask an RMA
You should consider consulting a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) registered with OMARA when: you need to compare nomination prospects across several states; your occupation is on the borderline of a list and you need a timing strategy; or your case has sensitive factors around health, character or visa history. An RMA assesses your actual case against the current rules.
Learn more
The subclass 190 opens additional opportunity through state nomination, but comes with its own commitment and criteria. Identify the state that fits your occupation and check every condition against official sources before lodging.
Last updated: 13/06/2026. Migration rules change frequently — always check official sources.