Skills Assessment and State Nomination for Visas 190 and 491

The Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visas both require a skills assessment. But the role of the assessment in these two pathways is broader than just ticking a box — it determines whether you can access state nomination at all, and it shapes your EOI points.

Why a skills assessment is mandatory for 190 and 491

Visas 190 and 491 belong to the General Skilled Migration (GSM) group. This group:

• Uses the points test
• Requires ranking through SkillSelect (EOI)
• Requires a skills assessment from a body recognised by the Department of Home Affairs before you lodge an EOI

Without a skills assessment, you cannot lodge an EOI. Without an EOI, you cannot receive a state nomination invitation.

The correct order of the process

1. Identify the occupation and ANZSCO code that matches your actual work
2. Identify the assessing authority for that ANZSCO code (ACS for IT, EA for engineers, VETASSESS for many other occupations, and so on)
3. Lodge the skills assessment and wait for the outcome (3–12 weeks depending on the authority)
4. Receive a positive skills assessment → lodge an EOI on SkillSelect
5. Indicate interest in state nomination (190) or regional nomination (491)
6. Wait for an invitation from the state or the Department
7. Receive an invitation → lodge the visa within 60 days

How a skills assessment affects your EOI points

A skills assessment does not, by itself, add points in the points test. But it:

• Confirms that your occupation is on an eligible list
• Confirms your skill level — which in turn affects your work experience points

For example, if the assessment confirms your qualification at a higher level than you claimed, you may gain more points under the qualification category.

Does state nomination require a skills assessment?

For the Department of Home Affairs: a skills assessment is a mandatory condition for lodging an EOI.

For the states: each state has its own requirements for state nomination. Some states require you to submit the skills assessment with the state nomination application; others only need an EOI that records the assessment. Check each state’s website (for example, Victoria Skills, the NSW Skills List, the SA Skills List).

A skills assessment does not guarantee state nomination

Having a skills assessment does not mean you will receive an invitation from a state. State nomination depends on:

• Whether your occupation is on that state’s occupation list
• The number of nomination places the state has (there is an annual quota)
• Your EOI points — higher points are prioritised
• Sometimes additional requirements (such as currently living or working in that state)

When a skills assessment is refused

If your skills assessment is refused, you cannot lodge an EOI for GSM visas. Your options:

• Appeal the assessment decision (if there are grounds)
• Consider a different ANZSCO code that better matches your actual work
• Build more experience and apply again

See Skills assessment refused: what next?.