Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190
What is the Subclass 190 Visa?
The Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is a points-tested visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government. This visa grants permanent residency and allows you to live, work, and study in the nominating state or territory.
At Kris Ahn Lawyers, we guide you through every stage of the process, from evaluating your eligibility to securing a state nomination and submitting your application, ensuring a smooth pathway to permanent residency.
Key Features of the Subclass 190 Visa
Permanent Residency
Visa holders are granted permanent residency status upon approval.
Work and Study
You are free to live, work, and study in the nominating state or territory.
Healthcare and Social Services
Visa holders and their families have access to Australia’s healthcare system and other social services.
Family Sponsorship
You can sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency.
State Obligation
You are required to live and work in your nominating state or territory for a minimum period, typically two years. Please consult with our team for further information.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), you must be invited by a state or territory government after submitting an EOI and meet the following criteria:
Age Limit
You must be under 45 years old at the time of receiving the invitation to apply.
Nominated Occupation
Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list.
Skills Assessment
You must obtain a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation from the appropriate assessing authority.
Points Test
You must score at least 65 points based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and English proficiency.
English Language Requirement
At the time of invitation, you must demonstrate competent English (equivalent to IELTS 6.0 or higher).
Invitation to Apply
You must be invited to apply after submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect.
Health and Character Requirements
You must meet the necessary health and character requirements, including passing police checks and medical examinations.
Points Test
The Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) operates on a points-based system. You must score at least 65 points to be eligible, with points awarded based on factors such as age, English proficiency, work experience, and education.
Key Information
When you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, you’ll get a points score based on what you’ve claimed. If you don’t score at least 65 points, you won’t be invited to apply for the visa.
If you do get an invitation, it will state how many points you need to have. This might be higher than 65 points, depending on the details in your EOI.
When you submit your visa application, you’ll need to provide evidence to back up your claims.
You can use the points calculator to get an idea of how many points you might score.
Age
| At least 18 but less than 25 years | 25 points |
| At least 25 but less than 33 years | 30 points |
| At least 33 but less than 40 years | 25 points |
| At least 40 but less than 45 years | 15 points |
English Language Skills
| Competent English | 0 points |
| Proficient English | 10 points |
| Superior English | 20 points |
Skilled Employment Experience
Skilled employment experience (outside Australia)
| Less than 3 years | 0 points |
| At least 3 but less than 5 years | 5 points |
| At least 5 but less than 8 years | 10 points |
| At least 8 years | 15 points |
Australian Skilled Employment (in Australia)
| Less than 1 year | 0 points |
| At least 1 but less than 3 years | 5 points |
| At least 3 but less than 5 years | 10 points |
| At least 5 but less than 8 years | 15 points |
| At least 8 years | 20 points |
Educational Qualifications
| A Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or a Doctorate from another educational institution, that is of a recognised standard. | 20 points |
| At least a Bachelor degree from an Australian educational institution or at least a Bachelor qualification, from another educational institution, that is of a recognised standard. | 15 points |
| A diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution. | 10 points |
| Attained a qualification or award recognised by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated skilled occupation as being suitable for that occupation | 10 points |
For points-based migration, you only receive points for your highest qualification.
Your qualifications must be assessed as comparable to Australian standards by the relevant skills assessing authority.
If you hold an overseas bachelor’s degree or higher that wasn’t assessed, you can seek advice from VETASSESS to compare your qualifications with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
For doctoral (PhD) points, only a completed PhD counts; other doctor titles (like general practitioner or dentist) don’t qualify. Contact VETASSESS for further assessment guidance.
Specialist Education Qualification
| A Masters degree by research or a Doctorate degree from an Australian educational institution that included at least 2 academic years study in a relevant field. | 10 points |
Australian Study Requirement
| Meet the Australian study requirement | 5 points |
You must have at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that meets the Australian study requirement.
Professional Year in Australia
| Completion of a Professional Year in Australia | 5 points |
To be awarded points for completing a Professional Year, it must meet specific requirements:
- Your Professional Year should be in Accounting, ICT/Computing, or Engineering.
- It must be completed in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation.
- The program should have lasted at least 12 months and completed in Australia within the past four years.
- The program should be provided by recognised bodies like CPA Australia, Engineers Australia, or the Australian Computer Society.
Credentialled Community Language
| Hold a recognised qualification in a credentialled community language | 5 points |
To be eligible for points under the community language credential category, you must have:
- Been accredited at the paraprofessional level or above,
- Been certified at the Certified Provisional level or above, or
- Held a community language credential for interpreting or translating from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
Study in Regional Australia
| You must have at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that satisfies the Australian study requirement obtained while living and studying in an eligible area of regional Australia | 5 points |
To be eligible for the award of points your educational qualification must:
- Meet the Australian study requirement.
- Have been obtained while you lived in, and studied at a campus in, a designated regional area.
- Not include study undertaken by distance education.
Partner Skills
| Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and meet age, English, and skill criteria. Partner must: be under 45 years old, have competent English, nominate a skilled occupation from the same list as yours, and have a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority. |
10 points |
| Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and has competent English. For you to be eligible for the award of these points your partner must be an applicant for the same visa subclass and must not be an Australian permanent resident or an Australian citizen. |
5 points |
| You are single or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident* | 10 points |
Nomination
| You were invited to apply for a Subclass 190 (Skilled — Nominated) visa and the nominating State or Territory government agency has not withdrawn the nomination | 5 points |
You must be nominated to be invited to apply for this visa. Provided your nomination remains in effect, you may be eligible for the award of these points.
Checking Your Occupations
Only certain skilled occupations are eligible for the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), and these occupations vary by state or territory. To check if your occupation qualifies:
1. Visit the Skilled Occupation Lists for the relevant state or territory.
2. Verify that your occupation is on the list and check for any specific criteria.
3. Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect to be considered for state or territory nomination.
Each state or territory has its own requirements for nomination. Our team at Kris Ahn Lawyers can help you navigate the lists and determine your eligibility.
The States
Each Australian state and territory plays a unique role in the 190 Visa application process. They set specific nomination criteria and maintain skilled occupation lists that applicants must meet. To apply successfully, you must satisfy both the Department of Home Affairs’ requirements and the individual criteria set by the state or territory you’re seeking nomination from.
State and Territory Occupation Lists
Key Points for State-Specific Nomination
State Requirements
Each state or territory may have additional criteria beyond the Department of Home Affairs requirements. For example, Victoria requires a Registration of Interest (ROI), while ACT uses the ACT Matrix to rank applicants based on their skills and contribution to the territory.
Work Experience & Stay Period
Certain states require applicants to have specific work experience or have resided in that state for a designated period before applying.
State and Territory Nomination
You must receive a nomination from a state or territory government to apply for this visa. Be sure to check the relevant state or territory’s skilled occupation list and additional requirements before submitting your EOI.
The Process
The application process for the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) involves several stages, with each Australian state and territory having its own unique requirements for nomination, including work experience, minimum stay periods, and the submission of a Registration of Interest (ROI) or a similar state-specific process (such as the ACT’s Matrix or Victoria’s ROI system).
1
Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Submit an EOI via SkillSelect: Indicate your interest in the Subclass 190 visa and specify which state or territory you’d like to be nominated by.
- Points Calculation: Your points score is calculated based on age, qualifications, work experience, and other factors. You need a minimum of 65 points to be eligible.
- State-Specific Criteria: Some states and territories require additional criteria such as specific work experience, residence in the state for a certain period, or the submission of a Registration of Interest (ROI) (e.g., Victoria), or completing a points-based Matrix (e.g., ACT).
2
State Nomination
- Receive a Nomination: States and territories select applicants from the SkillSelect pool based on their occupation and points score. Each state has its own occupation list and requirements.
- Provide Supporting Documentation: Once nominated, submit all necessary documentation, including proof of skills, qualifications, work experience, and any additional requirements specified by the state or territory.
3
Visa Application
- Invitation to Apply: Upon receiving a nomination, you will be invited to apply for the Subclass 190 visa.
- Submit the Visa Application: You have 60 days to submit your visa application after receiving the invitation. Ensure all documents are prepared, including health and character checks.
4
Health and Character Checks
- Health Examination: Complete medical examinations as required by the Department of Home Affairs.
- Police Clearance: Provide police checks for every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
5
Visa Decision
- Application Review: The Department of Home Affairs will assess your application to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements.
- Visa Grant: If your application is successful, you will be granted permanent residency and must live and work in the nominating state or territory for a specified period (usually two years).
Application Fees
When applying for the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), the following fees may apply:
Primary Applicant Fee
AUD 4,770
Additional Applicants (18+)
AUD 2,385
Additional Applicants (Under 18)
AUD 1,190
English Test (IELTS/PTE/TOEFL)
Fees for tests like IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL typically range from AUD 300 to AUD 460
Skills Assessment Fees:
Varies by occupation and assessing authority.
State Nomination:
Some states and territories require a fee with their nomination application.
How Can We Help?
At Kris Ahn Lawyers, we offer expert guidance throughout the 190 visa process, backed by two accredited specialists in Immigration Law. Contact us today to book a consultation and start your journey to permanent residency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include family members in my 190 visa application?
Yes, you can include eligible family members, such as your partner and dependent children, in your application.
What happens if I don’t get nominated by a state or territory?
If you are not nominated, you won’t be able to apply for the 190 visa. You can continue to submit your EOI and explore other visa options.
How long does the 190 visa process take?
The processing time varies, but it generally takes 6 to 19 months from the time of application submission.
Can I move to another state after receiving the 190 visa?
Visa holders are expected to live and work in their nominating state for at least two years before moving.
What is the minimum points requirement for the 190 visa?
The minimum points requirement is 65, but higher points may be necessary depending on your occupation and the state’s demand.
