Subclass 190 vs Subclass 491

Subclass 190 State Nomination

The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent skilled visa for eligible applicants nominated by an Australian state or territory.

Applicants generally need to:

• Have an eligible occupation
• Hold a suitable skills assessment
• Meet the relevant English requirement
• Meet the points test
• Submit an EOI through SkillSelect
• Receive a nomination
• Receive an invitation to apply
• Meet health and character requirements

State or territory nomination can provide 5 additional points under the points test.

Subclass 491 State Nomination

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) allows eligible skilled workers to live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia.

A state or territory nomination can provide 15 additional points under the points test.

Eligible 491 holders may later pursue permanent residence through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) after meeting the applicable requirements.

Australian States and Territories

State nomination is administered separately by each participating jurisdiction.

Potential nomination jurisdictions include:

• Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
• New South Wales (NSW)
• Northern Territory (NT)
• Queensland (QLD)
• South Australia (SA)
• Tasmania (TAS)
• Victoria (VIC)
• Western Australia (WA)

Each jurisdiction can determine its own nomination requirements and priorities.

State Nomination Requirements

State and territory requirements can vary, but may consider factors such as:

Occupation

Your occupation may need to appear on the relevant state's or territory's current occupation list or priority framework.

Skills Assessment

You generally need a suitable and valid skills assessment for your nominated occupation.

English

You must meet the English requirements applicable to your visa and nomination pathway.

Age

For the points-tested skilled visa pathways, applicants generally need to be under 45 years of age when invited.

Points

You generally need at least 65 points to meet the federal points threshold. However, state nomination can add:

• 5 points for subclass 190
• 15 points for subclass 491

Work Experience

Some jurisdictions may require relevant skilled employment, while others may place greater emphasis on Australian employment, local experience or specific occupations.

Employment

Certain nomination pathways may favour applicants who are already working in the nominating state or territory or who have a genuine employment opportunity there.

Residence

Some jurisdictions may have specific requirements for applicants currently living in Australia, while others may accept offshore applicants depending on their current nomination program.

Commitment to the State or Territory

Applicants may need to demonstrate a genuine intention and ability to live and work in the nominating jurisdiction.

State Nomination Process

Step 1 – Check Your Occupation

Confirm that your occupation is eligible for the intended subclass and meets the current state or territory nomination requirements.

Step 2 – Obtain a Skills Assessment

Obtain a suitable skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.

Step 3 – Meet English Requirements

Complete an approved English test where required and determine your English points.

Step 4 – Calculate Your Points

Calculate your potential points for:

• Age
• English
• Qualifications
• Skilled employment
• Australian study
• Partner circumstances
• Other eligible factors
• State or territory nomination

Step 5 – Submit an EOI

Submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect for the relevant visa pathway.

Step 6 – Apply for State or Territory Nomination

Where required, submit a nomination application or registration according to the jurisdiction's current process.

Step 7 – Receive Nomination

If the state or territory selects and nominates you, the nomination is associated with your SkillSelect profile.

Step 8 – Receive an Invitation

After receiving an invitation to apply for the visa, you can proceed with the visa application within the required timeframe.

Step 9 – Lodge Your Visa Application

Provide evidence supporting your:

• Identity
• Skills assessment
• Qualifications
• Employment
• English
• Points claims
• Health
• Character
• Other visa requirements

190/491 State Nomination Comparison

Important: State Nomination Is Not Guaranteed

Submitting an EOI or nomination application does not guarantee selection.

State and territory governments may assess applicants according to their current:

• Occupation priorities
• Skills shortages
• Employment requirements
• Residence criteria
• English requirements
• Experience requirements
• Points
• Available nomination places
• Program priorities

Nomination criteria can change during the program year.

State Nomination for Offshore Applicants

Some Australian jurisdictions may accept offshore applicants for particular occupations or nomination pathways.

However, offshore eligibility is not the same across all states and territories.

Applicants should check the current nomination criteria of the specific jurisdiction rather than assuming that every state accepts offshore applications.

State Nomination for Applicants in Australia

Applicants already living in Australia may have additional opportunities depending on the jurisdiction and current nomination program.

Some states may consider:

• Current employment
• Length of residence
• Local study
• Occupation
• Salary
• Work experience
• Registration
• Industry
• Employer location

The requirements vary significantly between jurisdictions.

Choosing Between 190 and 491

Consider Subclass 190 if:

• You want a permanent skilled visa
• You meet a state's nomination criteria
• You have an eligible occupation
• You can meet the applicable points and visa requirements
• You do not want the regional restrictions associated with subclass 491

Consider Subclass 491 if:

• You are willing to live and work in regional Australia
• You can meet a state's or territory's regional nomination requirements
• You need the additional 15 nomination points
• You are interested in a potential pathway to subclass 191

The right pathway depends on your individual circumstances and the nomination programs available when you apply.

Common State Nomination Mistakes

Applicants should avoid:

• Assuming 65 points guarantees nomination
• Using an outdated occupation list
• Applying to a state without checking its current criteria
• Claiming points without supporting evidence
• Selecting an occupation that does not match their actual duties
• Ignoring state-specific employment requirements
• Assuming offshore and onshore criteria are identical
• Relying on previous invitation rounds as a guarantee of future selection
• Failing to update an EOI when circumstances change

Get Professional State Nomination Guidance

The Visa can assist applicants with:

• 190 eligibility assessment
• 491 eligibility assessment
• State and territory nomination strategy
• Occupation assessment
• Skills assessment guidance
• Points calculation
• EOI preparation
• Nomination application preparation
• Supporting documentation
• Regional migration pathways
• 491 to 191 pathway planning

Start Your 190 or 491 State Nomination Assessment

Your occupation, age, English, skills assessment, work experience, qualifications, points and preferred state or territory should be assessed together before choosing a nomination pathway.

Contact The Visa to discuss your potential subclass 190 or 491 state nomination options.

Disclaimer: State and territory nomination requirements, occupation priorities, invitation arrangements and available places can change. Nomination is not guaranteed by meeting the minimum points threshold or submitting an EOI. Eligibility should be assessed against the requirements applicable at the time of application.