Subclass 190 and 491 · Skilled
Skilled nominated.
The subclass 190 and subclass 491 visas are Australia's state-nominated skilled migration pathways — both points-tested, both invitation-based, and both requiring you to secure nomination from a state or territory government before the Department of Home Affairs invites you to apply.
Find a migration agent for your skilled nominated application.
Registered migration agents for skilled nominated
939 businesses with specialisation in skilled visas.
Australian Study and Visa Services Pty Ltd
Perth, WA
Visaenvoy
Melbourne, VIC
AustraliaMigrate Pty Limited
Chatswood, NSW
VISAINFO Pty Ltd
Sydney, NSW
Immigration Affairs
Sydney, NSW
PAX Migration Australia
Adelaide, SA
Work Visa Lawyers
Hindmarsh, SA
Smart Study Australia PTY LTD
Sydney, NSW
Australian Immigration Agency Pty Ltd
Brisbane City, QLD
Innovative Education & Migration Pty Ltd
Glen Waverley, VIC
LC Migration
Canberra City, ACT
Migrationways Australia Pty Ltd
Melbourne, VIC
About the skilled nominated
The subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visas are pathways for skilled workers who cannot reach the invitation threshold for the independent skilled visa (subclass 189) on their own — or who are willing to commit to a state or territory in exchange for additional points. Both visas draw from the same federal SkillSelect pool, require a positive skills assessment, and set a minimum age threshold of under 45 at the time of invitation. The critical difference is what happens after you arrive.
State and territory nomination is the defining feature of both programs. Each of Australia's eight states and territories operates its own nomination program, with its own occupation list, its own eligibility criteria and its own invitation rounds. A nomination from New South Wales targets a different occupation mix and applies different thresholds to a nomination from the Northern Territory or Tasmania. Western Australia requires most General stream applicants to hold a six-month full-time employment contract in WA before nominating them. The ACT uses a points-based ranking matrix — the Canberra Matrix — that scores applicants on local employment, length of ACT residence and economic contribution, rather than operating on a first-come-first-served basis. Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania each publish their own skilled occupation lists and run registration of interest processes. For 2025–26, the largest allocations went to Victoria and Western Australia (3,400 places each), followed by Queensland (2,600), South Australia (2,250), Tasmania (1,850), the Northern Territory (1,650) and the ACT (1,600), with NSW allocation figures published separately by the Department. In total, more than 20,000 skilled nomination places were allocated nationally across both subclasses.
The subclass 190 is a permanent visa. It adds 5 points to your points test score, and you must reach a total of at least 65 points (including the nomination) to be eligible for an invitation. Once granted, you hold permanent residence immediately — though you are expected to live and work in the nominating state for at least the first two years. The subclass 491 is provisional, valid for 5 years. Its nomination adds 15 points — a significantly larger incentive designed to attract skilled workers to regional and less-populated areas of Australia. You must live, work and study only in designated regional areas for the life of the visa. "Regional" for 491 purposes excludes Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane city proper, but includes major centres such as Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Geelong and Hobart. After holding the 491 for at least three years, and earning a taxable income at or above the income threshold specified by Home Affairs for each of those three years, you can apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).
Navigating eight different state programs while maintaining a competitive SkillSelect expression of interest is where a registered migration agent adds the most value. An agent experienced in skilled nomination can assess which states are realistically open to your occupation and circumstances, advise on whether to optimise for a 190 (permanent now, fewer points) or a 491 (more points, provisional with a 191 pathway), and identify states where your points total is likely to receive an invitation. They can also prepare the state's own nomination application — which is separate from and in addition to the federal SkillSelect EOI — and advise on the specific documentation each state requires. For applicants already in Australia on a 491 who are approaching the three-year mark, an agent can confirm whether income records meet the subclass 191 threshold and prepare the permanent residence application.
Reviewed by MIGI editorial team
Subclasses covered
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated visa
This visa lets nominated skilled workers live and work in Australia as permanent residents.
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
<p>A visa for skilled people nominated by a state or territory government to live and work in regional Australia</p>
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the subclass 190 and 491 visas?
The subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) is a permanent visa — you hold permanent residence from the day it is granted. The nomination adds 5 points to your points test score, and you need at least 65 points in total to receive an invitation. You are expected to live and work in the nominating state for at least the first two years, but there is no legal obligation to stay beyond that. The subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) is a provisional visa, valid for 5 years. It adds 15 points — three times the 190 bonus — making it accessible to applicants who cannot yet reach invitation thresholds for the 190 or 189. The trade-off is that you must live, work and study exclusively in designated regional areas for the full five years. After three years of regional residence and meeting the income threshold, you can apply for permanent residence via the subclass 191 visa.
How does state and territory nomination work?
Each state and territory runs its own nomination program independently of the federal government. You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, and separately you apply for nomination through the relevant state or territory's own portal. The state assesses your application against their criteria — which typically include your occupation appearing on their list, meeting minimum work experience requirements, English language thresholds, and in some cases having a job offer or current employment in that state. If nominated, the state advises Home Affairs, which then issues you an invitation to apply for the visa through SkillSelect. You can hold EOIs with multiple states simultaneously, but you can only accept one nomination.
Can I choose which state nominates me?
You can submit a nomination application to any state or territory whose occupation list includes your occupation and whose eligibility criteria you meet. It is common for applicants to pursue nominations from multiple states at the same time. However, each state has its own requirements — Western Australia's General stream typically requires employment in WA, the ACT ranks applicants using its Canberra Matrix, and Tasmania operates a scored Registration of Interest with a Gold, Green, Orange-Plus or Orange priority system. Your chances of receiving a nomination will differ significantly across states based on your occupation, your location, your points score and the volume of competing EOIs. A registered migration agent can help you identify the states where your profile is most competitive.
What is the pathway from a 491 visa to permanent residency?
After holding a subclass 491 visa for at least three years, you can apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191), provided you have lived and worked in a designated regional area for that entire period and earned a taxable income at or above the income threshold published by Home Affairs for at least three years. The subclass 191 grants permanent residence. It does not require a new skills assessment or points test — the main requirements are the three-year regional residence, the income threshold, and standard health and character requirements. Planning for the 191 from the start of your 491 period — including keeping records of employment, income and regional residence — is something a migration agent can help you manage.
How many nomination places does each state get?
The Department of Home Affairs publishes state and territory nomination allocations each financial year. For 2025–26, the published allocations were: Victoria — 2,700 subclass 190 and 700 subclass 491 (3,400 total); Western Australia — 2,000 subclass 190 and 1,400 subclass 491 (3,400 total); Queensland — 1,850 subclass 190 and 750 subclass 491 (2,600 total); South Australia — 1,350 subclass 190 and 900 subclass 491 (2,250 total); Tasmania — 1,200 subclass 190 and 650 subclass 491 (1,850 total); Northern Territory — 850 subclass 190 and 800 subclass 491 (1,650 total); ACT — 800 subclass 190 and 800 subclass 491 (1,600 total). NSW allocations are published on the State and Territory Nomination Allocations page on the Home Affairs website. Allocations can be adjusted during the year and are not always fully taken up — check the official source for current figures.
