State nomination and EOI points: how many points you gain

How state nomination affects your EOI points

One of the most common questions for people pursuing a skilled visa is: “If I’m nominated by a state, how many extra points do I gain?” The answer depends on the visa type you are targeting — the 190 (Skilled Nominated) or the 491 (Skilled Work Regional).

The 190 visa: nomination adds 5 points

When a state or territory agrees to nominate you for the 190 visa, your EOI score is automatically increased by 5 points. This is the official bonus set by DHA, applied as soon as the state sends the nomination through the SkillSelect system.

These 5 points can make a big difference, especially in highly competitive 190 invitation rounds. For example, if your base score is 80, after nomination you will have 85 points — a level that is often enough to receive an invitation to apply from DHA in many rounds.

Note, however, that the 5 points are added after the state confirms nomination, not at the time you lodge your EOI. This process can take a few weeks to a few months depending on the state.

The 491 visa: nomination does not add points

This is an important difference that many people confuse: the 491 visa does NOT add EOI points.

Instead, when you are nominated for the 491 (by a state, or by a relative in a regional area), you receive an invitation through a separate invitation stream dedicated to the 491, entirely separate from the invitation pool for the 189 (Skilled Independent) or the 190.

This means:

• You compete within the pool of 491 applicants and do not need scores as high as for the 190 or 189
• The points required in 491 invitation rounds are typically significantly lower than for the 190
• 491 applicants do not get points added into the general pool

When the nomination appears in your EOI

The process runs in this order:

1. The applicant lodges an EOI in SkillSelect for the desired visa type (190 or 491)
2. The state searches for suitable applicants in SkillSelect and sends an “interest” to the applicant
3. The applicant receives a notification and updates/confirms their profile
4. The state carries out its own assessment (SOI, an interview if needed)
5. The state confirms nomination — the 5 points (for the 190) are recorded in the DHA system
6. DHA runs an invitation round — applicants who hold a nomination are considered first or through a separate pool

For the 190, after you have a nomination you still need to wait for DHA to issue an invitation in the next round. A nomination does not guarantee an immediate invitation.

Strategies to optimise your EOI points

If your base score is low (below 80), consider:

• Targeting the 491: it requires fewer points, and the path to PR, though longer, is more feasible with a mid-range EOI score
• Improving your score first: re-sitting IELTS to reach Proficient or Superior, gaining an Australian qualification, accumulating Australian work experience
• Choosing a flexible state: some states accept lower scores for the 190 if the occupation is high on the priority list

If your score is close to the 85–90 threshold, the 5 points from a 190 nomination can be the deciding factor that lets you compete in the next round.

Keep your EOI up to date

A practical note: when a state contacts you through SkillSelect, you need to respond and update your EOI quickly. If you leave your EOI out of date for a long time, or the information is stale, the state may pass over your application. EOI points are only worth anything if your profile stays accurate and active.