State Nominated Visa (190): How to Get Sponsored

What Is the 190 Visa?

The Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa is a points-tested permanent residency visa that requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government. Like the 189, it grants permanent residency — but with one key difference: you must commit to living and working in the nominating state or territory for at least 2 years after your visa is granted.

For many immigrants, the 190 is actually a better pathway than the 189 because state nomination adds 5 extra points to your points score. If you are sitting at 80 points and the 189 invitation threshold is 85, the 190 can bridge that gap and get you across the line.

The 190 visa is detailed on the Department of Home Affairs 190 visa page.

How State Nomination Works

Each Australian state and territory runs its own skilled migration program with its own criteria, occupation lists, and application processes. Here is an overview:

• New South Wales (NSW) — Managed through NSW Government Skilled Migration
• Victoria (VIC) — Managed through Live in Melbourne
• Queensland (QLD) — Managed through Migration Queensland
• South Australia (SA) — Managed through Migration SA
• Western Australia (WA) — Managed through WA State Nomination
• Tasmania (TAS) — Managed through Migration Tasmania
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT) — Managed through Canberra Matrix
• Northern Territory (NT) — Managed through NT Migration

The general process:

1. Check if your occupation is on the state's occupation list — Each state maintains its own list, which may differ from the federal MLTSSL
2. Meet the state's specific criteria — This may include having a job offer in the state, living in the state already, or having studied there
3. Submit a state nomination application — This is separate from your federal visa application
4. Receive state nomination — The state reviews your application and either approves or declines
5. Receive an invitation from SkillSelect — Once nominated, you are guaranteed an invitation
6. Lodge your 190 visa application with the Department of Home Affairs

State-by-State Strategy

Not all states are equal when it comes to the 190. Some are much more accessible than others, and requirements change frequently.

New South Wales

NSW is highly competitive. They typically invite candidates with very high points scores (90+) and prioritise those already working in NSW. Having a job offer in NSW significantly strengthens your application.

Best for: Tech professionals, healthcare workers, and engineers who already live or work in Sydney.

Victoria

Victoria runs a proactive nomination program through Live in Melbourne. They often reach out to SkillSelect candidates who have expressed interest in Victoria. Victoria values candidates in healthcare, IT, engineering, and education.

Best for: Candidates with strong English scores and experience in health, IT, or engineering who are open to living in Melbourne.

South Australia

South Australia is one of the most immigrant-friendly states. They have broader occupation lists and lower barriers to entry compared to NSW and VIC. They particularly value candidates willing to work in regional SA.

Best for: Candidates with moderate points scores who are flexible about location. SA's lower cost of living is a bonus.

Tasmania

Tasmania has become increasingly popular due to its accessible nomination pathway. If you have studied in Tasmania or have a job offer there, your chances are strong. The Tasmanian lifestyle is attractive for families, and the cost of living is lower than mainland capitals.

Best for: International students who studied in Tasmania, or candidates with job offers in Hobart.

Queensland

Queensland has a solid nomination program, particularly for healthcare, engineering, and trade occupations. They prioritise candidates living and working in Queensland.

Best for: Healthcare professionals, engineers, and tradespeople who are happy living in Brisbane, Gold Coast, or regional Queensland.

Western Australia

WA has a growing demand for skilled workers, especially in mining, engineering, and healthcare. Their Graduate Stream is popular with international students who studied in WA.

Best for: Engineers, healthcare workers, and mining professionals. Also strong for WA graduates.

ACT (Canberra)

The ACT uses its own ranking system called the Canberra Matrix. You earn points based on your connection to Canberra — living there, working there, or having family there. The closer your ties, the higher you rank.

Best for: Candidates already living or studying in Canberra.

Northern Territory

The NT is actively seeking skilled migrants and has some of the most accessible nomination criteria. However, the job market is smaller, and you must be genuinely willing to live in Darwin or regional NT.

Best for: Candidates who are flexible, adventurous, and willing to commit to regional living.

What the 2-Year Obligation Really Means

When a state nominates you for the 190 visa, you commit to living and working in that state for at least 2 years. This is not just a suggestion — it is a genuine obligation. While it is not enforced through visa cancellation (your visa is permanent regardless), breaking this commitment can:

• Affect future nomination programs — States share data, and breaking a commitment may count against you in future applications
• Impact your community reputation — The immigrant community is well-connected, and states do keep records
• Affect your citizenship application — Citizenship assessors consider your character and history of compliance

Practical advice: Only apply for nomination from a state where you genuinely intend to live. Do not game the system by getting nominated by one state and immediately moving to another. Besides the ethical issues, you may actually find that your nominated state offers better opportunities than you expected.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the 190 visa, you must:

1. Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation
2. Have a positive skills assessment for an occupation on the relevant state's skilled occupation list
3. Score at least 65 points on the points test (including the 5 points for state nomination)
4. Have at least competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent in each band)
5. Be nominated by a state or territory
6. Meet health and character requirements

Points Calculation with State Nomination

The 190 adds 5 points to your score for the state nomination itself. Here is an example:

In this example, the candidate has 70 points without nomination. Adding the 5 points for state nomination takes them to 75, which may be sufficient for an invitation depending on the occupation and the state's invitation threshold.

How to Stand Out in Your State Nomination Application

States receive many more applications than they can approve. Here is how to stand out:

1. Have a job offer in the state — This is the strongest factor for most states. A formal job offer (or current employment) demonstrates that you will contribute to the state's economy.
2. Demonstrate genuine commitment — Explain in your application why you want to live in that state. Mention specific factors: family connections, community involvement, industry presence.
3. Have strong English — States value candidates who can integrate smoothly into the workforce and community.
4. Choose occupations the state actually needs — Do not just check the list. Research which occupations each state is actively prioritising.
5. Provide thorough documentation — Complete applications with clear evidence always rank higher than incomplete or messy submissions.

Common Mistakes with the 190

1. Applying to every state — States can see if you have applied to multiple states simultaneously. This signals you are not genuinely committed to any of them.
2. Ignoring state-specific criteria — Each state has its own requirements beyond the federal ones. Read the state's website carefully.
3. Underestimating processing times — State nomination can take 4 to 12 weeks, and then the federal visa processing adds another 6 to 12 months.
4. Not maintaining your skills assessment — Some skills assessments expire. Make sure yours is still valid when you receive your invitation.
5. Forgetting to update your EOI — If your circumstances change, update your EOI in SkillSelect immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move to a different state after 2 years?

Yes. After fulfilling your 2-year commitment to the nominating state, you are free to move anywhere in Australia. Your permanent residency is not affected.

What if I cannot find a job in the nominating state?

You should genuinely try to find work in the state. If you are struggling, reach out to local employment services and the state's migration department. Most states understand that finding work takes time and will not penalise you for a genuine effort that falls short, as long as you are living in the state.

Can my partner work on a 190 visa?

Yes. As a permanent resident, both you and your partner have full work rights anywhere in Australia. Your partner can work in any occupation with no restrictions.

Is the 190 really permanent?

Yes. The 190 grants permanent residency from the date of visa grant. It does not expire. The only difference from the 189 is the 2-year living commitment to your nominating state.

How does the 190 compare to the 491?

The 190 grants permanent residency immediately. The 491 grants a provisional visa for 5 years with a pathway to the 191 permanent visa after 3 years. The 491 is regional-focused and has different points thresholds. If you can get the 190, it is generally the better option, but the 491 is an excellent alternative if the 190 is not achievable.

Key Takeaways

• The 190 is a permanent visa that requires state nomination and a 2-year living commitment
• State nomination adds 5 points — which can make the difference when 189 thresholds are too high
• Research each state's specific requirements and occupation lists carefully
• Having a job offer in your target state dramatically improves your chances
• Only apply for states where you genuinely intend to live
• After 2 years, you are free to move anywhere in Australia