What Is State Nomination for Skilled Visas (190 and 491)?
What state nomination is
State nomination (sponsorship by a state or territory) is the process in which an Australian state or territory formally nominates an applicant within the skilled migration system. It is not a visa — it is a required conditional step within the process of applying for certain skilled visas.
When nominated by a state, the applicant receives additional points in the SkillSelect points system and is invited to apply for a visa by the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
The two most common skilled visas that require state nomination are:
- Visa 190 (Skilled Nominated): permanent residence (PR) for people nominated by a state.
- Visa 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional): a 5-year provisional visa for regional areas, which can be nominated by a state or sponsored by an eligible relative.
How it differs from employer sponsorship
Many people confuse state nomination with employer sponsorship. These two forms are entirely different:
| Criterion | State nomination | Employer sponsorship |
|---|---|---|
| Who sponsors | State / territory government | Private business or organisation |
| Typical visa type | 190, 491 | 482, 186 |
| Job requirement | No existing job offer required | A specific job with the sponsoring employer required |
| EOI points | Adds 5 points (190) or 15 points (491) | Not related to the points system |
| Flexibility | Can change jobs after the visa is granted (after obligations) | Tied to a specific employer during the visa |
In short, state nomination suits people with independent skilled qualifications who do not need to find a sponsoring employer before applying.
Which states can nominate
All eight Australian states and territories can take part in state nomination, including:
- NSW (New South Wales)
- VIC (Victoria)
- QLD (Queensland)
- SA (South Australia)
- WA (Western Australia)
- TAS (Tasmania)
- NT (Northern Territory)
- ACT (Australian Capital Territory)
Each state has its own priority occupation list, its own connection requirement, and its own annual quota. This means the same occupation may be prioritised in one state but not accepted in another.
The EOI to Nomination to ITA process
Applying for a 190 or 491 visa through state nomination follows these steps:
Step 1 — Lodge an EOI (Expression of Interest)
The applicant creates and submits an EOI in the DHA SkillSelect system. The EOI is not a visa application — it is the step of expressing migration intent and declaring your points. The EOI needs to declare in full: skills assessment result, English score, work experience, educational qualifications, and the preferred state.
Step 2 — The state reviews and nominates
States periodically open registration (it is not always open continuously). The applicant registers interest through the state’s portal. If the criteria are met, the state sends a nomination — that is, formal sponsorship confirmation to the SkillSelect system.
Step 3 — Receive the ITA (Invitation to Apply)
After nomination, SkillSelect automatically adds the points (5 points for 190, 15 points for 491). DHA then runs monthly invitation rounds. Applicants with a high enough score receive an ITA — the formal invitation to lodge a visa application.
Step 4 — Lodge the visa application
Within 60 days of receiving the ITA, the applicant must lodge a complete visa application with DHA, along with all supporting documents.
General conditions to be considered for nomination
Although each state has its own criteria, common conditions usually include:
- The occupation on that state’s occupation list
- A valid skills assessment from a skills assessing authority recognised by DHA
- An English score meeting the requirement (usually Competent English or above)
- Enough EOI points (usually from 65 points before adding nomination points)
- Being under the age limit (usually under 45 years old)
- Connection to the state (varies by state — some require living, studying or working there)
Important points to note
- State nomination does not guarantee a visa grant — DHA remains the final visa decision-maker.
- Some states only open registration in waves (not continuously), so you need to monitor regularly.
- Whichever state nominates you carries an obligation to live and work in that state after the visa is granted (especially the 190 visa).
- Each state has its own assessment and prioritisation system — the same profile may succeed in one state but not in another.