190 Visa Australia

What Is the 190 Visa in Australia?

Quick answer: The 190 visa is Australia’s Skilled Nominated visa – a permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory government. You need a positive skills assessment, Competent English, to be under 45 and at least 65 points, with state nomination adding 5 points. Once granted, you are an Australian permanent resident from day one, and most states ask you to live and work there for at least two years.

The 190 is one of Australia’s three main points-tested visas, alongside the 189 visa and the 491 visa. See all options on our General Skilled Migration page.

Is the 190 Visa PR?

Yes. The 190 is a permanent visa. Your permanent residence starts on the grant date if you are in Australia, or on your first entry if you are outside. You can live, work and study anywhere in Australia, enrol in Medicare and – once you meet the residence requirements – apply for citizenship. The visa includes a 5-year travel facility, after which you need a Resident Return visa or citizenship to re-enter as a resident.

190 Visa Requirements

• State nomination: a state or territory government must nominate you.
• Invitation: you must be invited to apply through SkillSelect after lodging an EOI.
• Occupation: on the MLTSSL or STSOL, and on the nominating state’s list.
• Skills assessment: a positive assessment obtained within the 3 years before your invitation.
• Age: under 45 on the date of invitation.
• Points: at least 65, or the higher score stated in your invitation.
• English: at least Competent English at invitation. Fully online tests are not accepted. New minimum scores apply to tests taken from 7 August 2025; earlier results remain usable until 6 August 2028.
• 491 or 494 holders: must have held that visa for at least 3 years before applying.

Check your score with our Australia PR points calculator and learn how the Australia PR points system works.

190 Visa Occupation List

Your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Occupations listed only on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) or the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) are not eligible for the 190. Each state then publishes its own list of occupations it will nominate, which changes every programme year.

• NSW 190 occupation list: NSW nominates by priority sectors and invites the highest-ranked EOIs.
• Victoria: uses the Victorian Points Test, with priority sectors in healthcare, social assistance, education and construction.
• Western Australia: uses the WA skilled migration occupation lists.

Common 190 occupations include registered nurses, teachers, engineers, IT professionals, accountants and skilled trades.

How to Get State Nomination for a 190 Visa

Each state and territory runs its own 190 programme. Most require you to lodge an EOI in SkillSelect and, in several states, a separate registration of interest. States choose candidates based on occupation demand, points, English, work experience and sometimes living or working in the state.

Victoria 190 invitation rounds

Victoria’s 2026–27 programme opened for 190 registrations of interest under its new Victorian Points Test. Fees are AUD 60 for a registration of interest and AUD 180 for a nomination application (plus GST if you are in Australia). Registrations from previous years do not carry over. Check Live in Melbourne for the latest round results.

NSW 190 latest update

NSW invites candidates in rounds based on its priority sectors and EOI ranking. Check the NSW Government skilled migration website for the latest 2026–27 invitation rounds before you lodge or update your EOI.

190 Visa Conditions After Grant

Once granted, the 190 has no Home Affairs condition restricting where you live – but there is an important commitment to your nominating state:

• 2-year commitment: most states ask nominees to commit to living and working in that state for at least two years after the visa is granted.
• Can a 190 visa holder change state? Legally, the 190 is a permanent visa and Home Affairs does not list a condition stopping you from moving. However, you gave a commitment to your state, and breaking it can affect your credibility in future applications. Read your state’s commitment terms carefully.
• Report changes: keep your contact details up to date with Home Affairs and your nominating state.

190 Visa Processing Time (2026)

Source: Home Affairs processing-time data, checked October 2026.

Since 19 September 2026, skilled visas are processed in the order set by Ministerial Direction No. 122. Applications in priority sectors, and applicants already in Australia, are generally processed ahead of other offshore applicants. These timeframes only cover the visa stage – state nomination timing varies by state.

190 Visa Cost (2026–27)

The 190 visa fee rose on 1 July 2026 – older guides quoting a charge of AUD 4,640 are out of date. States may also charge nomination fees. Budget separately for skills assessments, English tests, medicals and police certificates.

Difference Between the 189 and 190 Visa

If your points are not high enough for the 190, the 491 gives 15 nomination points, and the employer-sponsored 494 has no points test.

190 Visa to Citizenship

As a 190 holder you can apply for Australian citizenship once you meet the general residence requirement – usually 4 years of lawful residence in Australia, including 12 months as a permanent resident, with limited time spent overseas. Time spent in Australia on an earlier temporary visa, such as a student or graduate visa, can count towards the 4 years. Read more about Australian permanent residency.

Moving from the UK to Australia on a 190 Visa

The 190 is a popular route for UK nurses, teachers, engineers and tradespeople. UK passport holders are usually exempt from the English test for Competent English, though higher scores earn extra points. You will need an ACRO police certificate and, often, a skills assessment based on UK qualifications and experience. Younger applicants can also explore Australia first on a Working Holiday visa (417) before applying.

How GIEC Global’s Skilled Visa Consultants Help

State nomination criteria change every programme year. As an Australia immigration consultant supporting clients in the UK and worldwide, GIEC Global’s immigration consultants:

• check your occupation, skills assessment and points before you lodge an EOI;
• identify the states most likely to nominate you, including NSW and Victoria;
• prepare registrations of interest and nomination applications;
• lodge a decision-ready 190 application for you and your family; and
• explain your commitment to your nominating state after grant.

Explore more on our Migrate to Australia page or read our Australia immigration FAQs.

Reviewed by the GIEC Global Australia immigration team. Fees reflect 2026–27 visa charges; processing times reflect Home Affairs data checked 9 October 2026; processing priorities reflect Ministerial Direction No. 122. Last reviewed 30 October 2026. Visa and state nomination rules change regularly – always confirm details on official government websites before applying.