Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
Who Can Apply
To be eligible for the 190 visa, you must:
- Age: Be under 45 years old at the time of invitation
- Skills Assessment: Hold a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation
- Occupation: Have your occupation on the relevant state’s skilled occupation list (MLTSSL or STSOL depending on the state)
- Points: Score at least 65 points on the points test — which includes 5 bonus points automatically added by the state nomination itself
- English Score: Meet Competent English as a minimum (IELTS 6.0 in each band, or equivalent)
High-Demand Occupations with ANZSCO Codes
These occupations consistently appear across state nomination lists and have the strongest invitation history:
Healthcare Registered Nurse — ANZSCO 254499 / specialisations under 2544
General Practitioner — ANZSCO 253111
Physiotherapist — ANZSCO 252511
Aged Care Worker — ANZSCO 423111
Engineering & Construction
Civil Engineer — ANZSCO 233211
Electrical Engineer — ANZSCO 233311
Construction Project Manager — ANZSCO 133111
Electrician (General) — ANZSCO 341111
Information Technology
Software Engineer — ANZSCO 261313
ICT Business Analyst — ANZSCO 261111
Cybersecurity Analyst — ANZSCO 262112
Data Engineer — ANZSCO 261314
Trades & Education
Chef — ANZSCO 351311
Carpenter — ANZSCO 331212
Early Childhood Teacher — ANZSCO 241111
Secondary School Teacher — ANZSCO 241411
Skills Assessment Authorities
Your occupation determines which body assesses your qualifications. Common ones include:
- Engineers Australia (EA): Civil, mechanical, electrical, structural engineers
- AHPRA: Nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, pharmacists
- Australian Computer Society (ACS): ICT roles — software engineers, analysts, cybersecurity
- VETASSESS: Broad range including chefs, teachers, HR professionals
- CPA Australia / CAANZ: Accountants and finance professionals
- AITSL: Teachers across all school levels
- Trades Recognition Australia (TRA): Electricians, carpenters, plumbers, mechanics
State Nomination
Each state runs its own program with different quotas, occupation priorities, and local requirements. Here is what matters for 2025–26:
- New South Wales — 2,100 places
Highly competitive. Requires you to live or work in NSW. IT and healthcare professionals are prioritised but need higher scores. No job offer strictly required, but local employment strengthens your application. - Victoria — 2,700 places
The largest allocation. Uses a Registration of Interest (ROI) system. You must be living in Victoria. Holding skilled employment with a Victorian employer significantly improves your ranking. - Queensland — Open to offshore applicants
More flexible than NSW and VIC. Welcomes engineers, healthcare workers, and tradespeople. Does not always require you to be living in the state. - South Australia — 1,350 places
One of the more accessible states. Healthcare and construction professionals can receive nominations at 70 points, where NSW might demand 90+ for the same occupation. Actively welcomes offshore applicants. - Western Australia — Priority sectors: mining, construction, healthcare
WA focuses heavily on technical occupations linked to its resources economy. Runs transparent, round-based nominations and values job offers from local employers. - Tasmania — 1,200 places
Requires genuine local connection — either 9–15 months of skilled work in the state, two years of study at a Tasmanian institution, or three years of residency. Smaller quota but less competition. - Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Targets professionals willing to contribute to Canberra’s public sector and growing tech and health industries. Requires a genuine intention to live and work in the ACT.
190 vs 189 Visa — The Key Difference
| Feature | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Skilled Independent | Skilled Nominated |
| Sponsorship | No sponsor required | Requires state/territory nomination |
| Points Bonus | None | +5 points from nomination |
| Minimum Points | 65 (realistically 85–95 for most occupations) | 65 (realistically 70–85 with nomination) |
| Occupation List | Medium and Long‑Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) only | MLTSSL + Short‑Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) + state‑specific lists |
| Invitation Source | Directly from Department of Home Affairs via SkillSelect | First from state/territory, then Department of Home Affairs |
| Geographic Freedom | Can live/work anywhere in Australia | Must commit to nominating state for ~2 years |
| Processing Time | 5–12 months | 5–12 months (often prioritized) |
| Best For | High scorers wanting flexibility | Skilled workers needing extra points or broader occupation eligibility |