Australia 190 Visa Requirements for UK Applicants in 2026
One of the main pathways for skilled professionals in the UK who want to migrate to Australia permanently is the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). This Australia 190 visa is a permanent residency visa that requires nomination from an Australian state or territory government. It may suit eligible applicants whose skills and work experience align with a state’s nomination priorities.
Unlike the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the subclass 190 visa Australia pathway requires state or territory nomination. Successful applicants receive permanent residency and can live and work anywhere in Australia. However, nomination criteria, eligible occupations and application processes vary across states and territories and may change during the migration programme year. Meeting the basic eligibility criteria does not guarantee nomination or an invitation to apply.
For UK professionals researching Australia 190 visa requirements in 2026, it is important to check the eligible occupation list, skills assessment requirements, English language criteria, points score and the nomination rules of the state or territory they wish to apply through. Applicants generally need to be under 45 when invited to apply and score at least 65 points, although the score needed to receive an invitation may be higher.
At GIEC Global UK, we help skilled migration applicants understand the Australia 190 visa application process, review their occupation and skills assessment options, and prepare their Expression of Interest (EOI) and supporting documents. We can also help applicants understand the differences between state nomination requirements and federal visa eligibility, so they can plan their next steps with greater clarity.
Errors in an EOI, an unsuitable skills assessment or missing documents can affect the progress of an application. Before submitting, applicants should carefully check that the information in their EOI matches their supporting evidence and the relevant state nomination criteria. For the latest official requirements, visit the Australian Government’s Subclass 190 visa page.
What Is the Australia Subclass 190 Visa?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent residency, points-tested, state or territory nominated |
| How you apply | Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, then state nomination, then invitation |
| Minimum points | 65 (including 5 from nomination); competitive scores are usually 75–90+ |
| English requirement | Competent English at minimum; several states ask for Proficient English |
| Occupation list | Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) plus the nominating state's own list |
| Live-and-work commitment | Around 2 years in the nominating state |
| Visa application charge | From AUD 6,140 for the main applicant (2026 rate) |
The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent, points-tested visa under Australia’s General Skilled Migration programme. It allows successful applicants to live, work and study in Australia indefinitely. Unlike the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the subclass 190 requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government before the Department of Home Affairs invites you to apply.
State nomination can improve your points score and help align your application with a state’s workforce needs. Applicants receive 5 additional points for subclass 190 nomination. However, each state and territory sets its own eligibility criteria, occupation priorities and nomination process. You should check the relevant state’s current requirements before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Some state nomination programmes may also ask applicants to demonstrate a commitment to living and working in the nominating state for a specified period. The exact expectations vary, so check the applicable state or territory guidelines rather than assuming the same conditions apply everywhere.
Quick Overview of the Subclass 190 Visa Australia
Subclass 190 Visa Requirements for UK Applicants in 2026
To even be considered by any of the states your first need to meet the Commonwealth government’s minimum criteria (these will go under each state and territory’s specific nomination criteria and therefore apply regardless of the region):
Be under 45 when invited to apply
Have a positive skills assessment for an occupation listed on the CSOL, or a list applicable to the nominating state from an appropriate assessing authority
Have achieved a minimum of 65 points on the skilled migration points test, (inclusive of the 5 points awarded for state nomination)
Have a minimum Competent English level (which is essentially an IELTS band of 6 across each category, many states will have this higher with Proficiency)
Gain a nomination from an Australian state or territory government
Satisfy health and character requirements
Give a commitment to remain and work in the nominating state or territory for approximately two years post-grant
Several states, including NSW, don't require you to sit a separate formal English test for nomination purposes if you're a citizen of an English-speaking country like the UK. That said, the federal points test still needs proof of your English level if you want to claim points for it, so it's worth checking your target state's exact nomination criteria before assuming you're exempt.
State Nomination Process for the 190 Visa (NSW and Beyond)
The Australia 190 visa application process involves submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI), obtaining state or territory nomination and receiving an invitation to apply for the visa.
Step 1: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
First, submit your EOI through Australia’s SkillSelect system. You will need to select your nominated occupation and provide details of your age, English language ability, qualifications and skilled work experience. SkillSelect calculates an indicative points score based on the information you provide. You must meet the minimum points threshold of 65, although meeting this threshold does not guarantee nomination or an invitation.
Step 2: Obtain state or territory nomination
After you submit your EOI, state and territory government agencies may review it and consider you for nomination. Each jurisdiction has its own eligibility requirements, occupation priorities and selection process. Depending on the state or territory, you may need to submit a separate Registration of Interest (ROI) or nomination application before you can be considered.
Step 3: Receive an invitation to apply
If a state or territory nominates you through SkillSelect, the Department of Home Affairs will issue an invitation to apply for the subclass 190 visa. The nomination adds 5 points to your points score. You must then lodge your visa application within 60 calendar days of receiving the invitation and provide evidence supporting your claims.
Why state nomination criteria matter
State nomination Australia requirements can change according to local workforce needs, available nomination places and individual programme priorities. An occupation may be eligible in one state but not accepted by another, and some nomination pathways may close when their available places are filled or programme settings change.
For UK applicants, it is therefore important to check the latest occupation lists and nomination requirements for the state or territory that matches their skills and circumstances. Reviewing these criteria before submitting an EOI can help you make a more informed decision about your Australia 190 visa pathway.
| State / Territory | How Nomination Typically Works | Common Priority Areas |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales (190 NSW) | Mostly selection-based — NSW reviews SkillSelect profiles and invites suitable candidates | IT, engineering, health and other NSW Skilled Occupation List roles |
| Victoria | One of the largest 190 allocations nationally; opens Registrations of Interest for set periods | Healthcare, teaching, engineering, ICT |
| Queensland | Runs its own occupation lists and pathways, often favouring applicants with a Queensland connection | Regional and workforce-linked occupations |
| South Australia | Issues invitation rounds regularly through the year | Healthcare and in-demand trade or professional roles |
| Western Australia | Transparent, round-based invitation system | Mining, resources, construction, healthcare, engineering |
| Tasmania & other territories | Smaller, ongoing programmes with limited places | Varies with local workforce needs |
Subclass 190 Visa Fees, Processing Time and 2026–27 Updates
The two major areas prospective applicants raise are about the expense and processing time for applications, so here is what costs and times you’ll need to be thinking about in 2026.
Costs
Home Affairs Application Charge (VAC) ranges from AUD $6,140 for the main applicant, with costs for partner or dependent family member visas extra.
Some state nominations have an additional nomination charge in addition to the federal charge – varying by state in cost and refund arrangements.
On top of the charge for the visa, add your costs for skills assessment, the english test, police clearances and any translation of documents.
Processing Time
There is no definite single time for the processes, as much depends on state invitation rounds, the occupation and how the entire application is lodged.
2026-2027 Migration Places
For 2026-2027 permanent migration placed the total places across the program still at 185,000 for the nation however subclass 190 places did increase slightly to about 35,500 from 33,000 and subclass 189 similarly.
A fee under the Visa application fees would normally be reassessed and updated at least once a year, each 1st July. Always obtain an updated figure from the Department of Home Affairs fee calculator before you pay, instead of taking the updated figure of an archived article-ours included.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is Australia’s Skilled Nominated visa – an Australia permanent, points-tested visa for skilled workers to come to Australia that involves nomination from an Australian state or territory government, as well as fulfilling federal criteria regarding age, skills assessment and English.
At a minimum, you need 65 points – including those 5 points from getting the nomination of one of the Australian states. In actual practice, successful candidates range between 75 and 90+, and up into the triple digits for the right occupation and the right state.
The federal eligibility criteria – age, skills test and meeting language and point requirements are universal but since the selection round is a state one, the exact list of nominated occupations and priorities will differ and thus we need to investigate them by state (i.e. See what the rules in Victoria, Queensland or Western Australia, not NSW would look like).
Cost for Department of Home Affairs base visa application fee: Minimum for main applicant is AUD 6,140 – plus partner or child if applicable, plus your skills assessment, English test, or state nomination.
There is noset time period-it’s tied to your province’s intake rounds and occupation category, as well as how many items you miss when submitting documents. Well-documented, thoroughly presented applications with valid skills assessments should pass through much quicker than those that require you to submit additional information when it is asked of you.
Yes – with this visa you actually don’t need job offer and a sponsored employer as you may need in employee employer-sponsored visa to do so. You do not require any type of sponsorship from your employer on the other hand as per this 190 visa, your only necessary to work is that your occupation be eligible, gain an optimal skill assessment, achieve minimum points and have the state to get the nomination done for you.
Mr. Suman Prem is the Founder and CEO of GIEC Global United Kingdom an international education and migration consultancy. With extensive experience in the education and migration industry, he leads GIEC Global in helping students, professionals, and families explore study abroad, visa, and migration opportunities.
Under his leadership, GIEC Global has expanded its services across multiple international destinations, providing guidance on education admissions, scholarships, student visas, immigration pathways, and related services. His focus is on delivering reliable, transparent, and professional guidance to clients throughout their international journey.
