Corporate Migration Services
Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
Navigating the migration process can feel overwhelming, but with MigrationBuro, you are never alone.
The Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa is permanent residence via nomination by a state or territory government. It sits in the General Skilled Migration suite alongside the 189 and 491, but it has one important advantage: state nomination adds five points to your EOI score and places you into a separate invitation pool with its own allocation.
For applicants who are close to but not quite at the cutoff for the 189, the 190 is often the more realistic pathway. The combined 190-and-491 program has a total allocation of 20,350 places in 2025-26, across eight states and territories, each running their own criteria, occupation lists, and selection processes.
WHY STATE NOMINATION STRATEGY MATTERS
In 2025-26, there are 12,850 subclass 190 places split across eight jurisdictions. Some states exhausted their allocation before mid-year in 2024-25, closing their portals early. A single-state strategy carries real risk for mid-points applicants.
The right approach is to map your occupation against every state list where you are eligible, then compare the nomination criteria: does one state require a job offer? Does another waive it for your occupation? This is the analysis we run at consultation.
MigrationBuro takes on 190 cases where the nomination pathway is clear and the Commonwealth visa criteria are met.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE SUBCLASS 190 VISA
Step 1 Skills assessment
Skills assessment. You need a positive skills assessment before you submit an EOI. Processing times vary by assessor.
Step 2 Submit an EOI and nominate preferred states
Submit an EOI and nominate preferred states. In SkillSelect, indicate which states you are interested in. States can select applicants based on their own criteria.
Step 3 State nomination application
State nomination application. Once selected by a state, lodge a formal nomination application through the state portal. This often requires evidence of occupation, English, qualifications, and sometimes a job offer.
Step 4 Commonwealth invitation
Commonwealth invitation. After the state registers your nomination with the Department, you receive an invitation to lodge the visa application within 60 days.
Step 5 Lodge the visa application in ImmiAccount
Lodge the visa application in ImmiAccount. Provide identity documents, skills assessment, English evidence, health and character clearances, and state nomination evidence.
Speak to a Migration agent
Call 1300 VISA OZ (1300 8472 69) to discuss employer sponsorship for your Brisbane business. Available Monday to Friday. Zoom consultations take 45-60 minutes and give you a clear answer on what is achievable.
Prefer to start in writing? Email info@migrationburo.com.au with the role title, the occupation, and the candidate's nationality and qualifications.
Your Australian Visa application
Some frequently asked questions
Answers to some questions we often hear from people in your situation.
Which state should I apply to for a 190 nomination?
It depends on your occupation, points score, and where you are willing to live. We compare your occupation against all current state lists and assess the nomination criteria for each eligible state.
Does state nomination guarantee an invitation?
No. State nomination adds five points and places you into the state pool, but the Commonwealth issues the invitation and can impose its own cutoffs.
What is the difference between the 190 and the 491?
The 190 is permanent residence from grant. The 491 is a five-year provisional visa with a permanent residence pathway after three years in a regional area. The 491 adds fifteen points versus the 190 adding five.
Can I live anywhere in Australia on the 190?
There is no mandatory work-location condition in the Migration Act for the 190, but state nomination typically carries a two-year commitment to live and work in the nominating state.
What English score do I need?
Competent English as a minimum: IELTS 6.0 in each band. Higher scores earn extra GSM points.
Migration experience you can trust
MigrationBuro are your trusted migration agents in Brisbane. Founded and led by Andrew Heathcote, we specialise in Australian immigration services. With over 18 years of experience, Andrew is a registered migration agent (MARN) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, ensuring expert guidance through every step of the immigration process.
