Australia’s skilled migration program offers several pathways to permanent residence, and the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is one of the most popular options for qualified professionals. This permanent visa allows skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government to live and work in Australia indefinitely. To qualify, applicants must have an eligible occupation, meet the points test, receive a state or territory nomination, and obtain an invitation to apply.
The Skilled Nominated Visa is designed to help Australian states and territories address workforce shortages by attracting skilled professionals whose qualifications and experience match local labour market needs. Unlike employer-sponsored visas, this pathway does not require applicants to secure a job offer before applying, making it an attractive option for many skilled migrants.
In this guide, you’ll learn how the Skilled Nominated Visa works, who is eligible, how state nomination operates, the application process, and the benefits of becoming an Australian permanent resident.
What Is the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)?
The Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers who receive a nomination from an Australian state or territory government. It forms part of Australia’s skilled migration program, which aims to attract qualified professionals to occupations experiencing shortages across the country.
Unlike some visa pathways, the Skilled Nominated Visa is based on a points-tested system. Applicants are assessed on factors such as age, qualifications, employment history, English language ability, and other criteria that contribute to Australia’s economic needs.
Receiving a nomination from a state or territory strengthens an applicant’s position because it provides additional points and demonstrates that their skills are needed in a particular region of Australia.
Once granted, the visa allows you to live permanently in Australia, work for any employer, study, enrol in Medicare, sponsor eligible family members, and eventually apply for Australian citizenship if you meet the residency requirements.
Applicants who are considering other permanent migration pathways may also wish to compare this visa with the National Innovation Visa, which is intended for individuals with internationally recognised achievements, or the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa, which provides a pathway to permanent residence after living and working in designated regional areas.
Benefits of the Skilled Nominated Visa
The Skilled Nominated Visa offers several advantages for professionals looking to establish a long-term future in Australia.
Permanent residence immediately
Unlike temporary work visas that may require additional applications later, this visa grants permanent residence from the day it is approved. This provides greater certainty for individuals and their families.
Live, work and study in Australia
Successful applicants can live, work and study anywhere in Australia. Although applicants are nominated by a particular state or territory, they become Australian permanent residents with broad employment opportunities.
Access Medicare
Visa holders can enrol in Australia’s public healthcare system, giving them access to Medicare and reducing the cost of many medical services.
Include eligible family members
Eligible members of your family unit can usually be included in the visa application. If the application is successful, they also receive permanent resident status.
Pathway to Australian citizenship
Permanent residents who satisfy Australia’s residency requirements may later become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship and enjoy the rights and responsibilities that come with it.
Greater career flexibility
Unlike employer-sponsored visas, the Skilled Nominated Visa is not tied to a single employer. This gives visa holders greater flexibility when changing jobs or pursuing new career opportunities after arriving in Australia.
Who Can Apply?
The Skilled Nominated Visa is designed for qualified professionals whose occupations are in demand across Australia. While the Australian Government sets the overall visa requirements, each state and territory determines its own nomination criteria based on local workforce shortages.
To be eligible, applicants generally need to:
- have an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list
- obtain a positive skills assessment
- satisfy the minimum points requirement
- receive a nomination from an Australian state or territory
- submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
- receive an invitation to apply
- meet English language requirements
- satisfy health and character requirements
- be under the maximum age at the time of invitation.
Meeting these requirements does not automatically guarantee an invitation, as competition varies depending on occupation, state nomination places, and demand throughout the year.
Eligibility Requirements
Before applying for the Skilled Nominated Visa, it is important to understand the key eligibility requirements.
Have an eligible occupation
Your occupation must appear on the skilled occupation list used by your preferred Australian state or territory. Because labour shortages differ around the country, each state maintains its own priority occupations and nomination criteria.
Applicants should always check the latest occupation lists before preparing an application.
Obtain a positive skills assessment
A positive skills assessment confirms that your qualifications and employment experience meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation.
The assessing authority depends on your profession. For example, engineers, accountants, teachers, healthcare professionals and IT specialists are assessed by different organisations.
Without a valid skills assessment, you generally cannot proceed with your application.
Meet the points requirement
Australia uses a points-tested system to rank skilled migration applicants.
Points may be awarded for factors including:
- Age
- English language proficiency
- Skilled employment
- Educational qualifications
- Australian study
- Partner qualifications
- Other recognised achievements
Applicants often use the Australian PR Points Calculator to estimate their score before submitting an application. While meeting the minimum points requirement is essential, a higher score usually improves your competitiveness during invitation rounds.
Submit an Expression of Interest
Before applying for the visa, candidates must lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.
An Expression of Interest is not a visa application. Instead, it allows the Australian Government and participating states and territories to assess your qualifications, work experience, English language ability and overall eligibility.
Applicants remain in the SkillSelect system until they receive an invitation or their Expression of Interest expires.
How State Nomination Works
State or territory nomination is one of the key features of the Skilled Nominated Visa. Rather than applying directly to the Australian Government alone, applicants must first secure support from an Australian state or territory government.
Each state and territory identifies occupations that are experiencing skill shortages within its local economy. It then invites qualified professionals whose skills align with these workforce needs. Because labour market demands differ across Australia, nomination criteria vary between jurisdictions.
Some states may prioritise healthcare professionals, while others may focus on engineers, tradespeople, teachers, or information technology specialists. Certain states also give preference to applicants already living, studying, or working within their jurisdiction.
Receiving a nomination adds additional points to your application and significantly improves your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for the visa.
Before deciding where to seek nomination, it is important to compare each state’s occupation lists, eligibility criteria, and application requirements. Applicants who are interested in living outside major metropolitan areas may also wish to explore Regional Migration Australia, which offers additional migration opportunities through regional visa programs.
Understanding Australian Invitation Rounds
After submitting your profile through SkillSelect and obtaining state nomination, you must wait to receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
The Australian Government issues invitations during regular Australian Invitation Rounds. During these rounds, eligible applicants are selected based on factors such as:
- Points score
- Occupation demand
- State or territory nomination
- Available migration places
- Government migration priorities
Receiving a nomination does not automatically guarantee an invitation. Applicants with higher points scores or occupations in greater demand may receive invitations sooner than others.
Because invitation rounds vary throughout the year, it is important to keep your Expression of Interest up to date and ensure your supporting documents remain valid.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Applying for the Skilled Nominated Visa involves several stages. Completing each step carefully can help reduce delays and improve your chances of success.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Before beginning the application, ensure you meet the visa requirements, including age, English language ability, qualifications, work experience, and health and character requirements.
You should also confirm that your occupation appears on the relevant skilled occupation list for the state or territory where you intend to seek nomination.
Step 2: Obtain a Skills Assessment
Arrange a skills assessment through the appropriate assessing authority for your occupation.
The assessment confirms that your qualifications and professional experience meet Australian standards and is a mandatory requirement for most applicants.
Step 3: Submit an Expression of Interest
Once your skills assessment is complete, submit your profile through SkillSelect.
Your Expression of Interest (EOI) should accurately reflect your qualifications, employment history, English language test results, and any other factors that contribute to your points score.
Providing inaccurate or unsupported information may lead to delays or refusal later in the process.
Step 4: Apply for State or Territory Nomination
Depending on the state or territory, you may need to submit a separate nomination application.
The state will assess whether your occupation, qualifications, employment history, and other factors align with its workforce priorities.
Some states also require applicants to demonstrate a genuine commitment to living and working in the jurisdiction after the visa is granted.
Step 5: Receive an Invitation to Apply
If your nomination is successful and your application is selected during one of the Australian Invitation Rounds, you will receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs.
After receiving your invitation, you must lodge your visa application within the specified timeframe.
Step 6: Lodge Your Visa Application
Complete your online visa application and upload all required supporting documents.
These commonly include:
- Passport
- Skills assessment
- English language test results
- Employment evidence
- Educational qualifications
- Police clearance certificates
- Health examination results
Submitting complete and accurate documentation from the beginning can help avoid unnecessary processing delays.
Step 7: Wait for the Decision
Once your application has been lodged, the Department of Home Affairs will assess your eligibility.
If approved, you and any eligible family members included in your application will become Australian permanent residents.
Costs of Applying
Applying for the Skilled Nominated Visa involves more than the government visa application fee. Applicants should budget for several additional expenses throughout the migration process.
These may include:
- Visa application charges
- Skills assessment fees
- English language testing
- State nomination fees (where applicable)
- Health examinations
- Police certificates
- Document translation or certification costs
Because government fees are updated periodically, applicants should always check the latest charges before submitting their application.
Processing Times
There is no fixed processing time for every Skilled Nominated Visa application. The timeframe varies depending on several factors, including:
- The completeness of your application
- Whether additional documents are requested
- Health and character assessments
- Overall application volumes
- Individual circumstances
Applications that include complete supporting documents and accurate information are generally processed more efficiently than those requiring further clarification.
Preparing a well-organised application before submission can help reduce delays and improve the overall processing experience.
Common Reasons Applications Are Delayed or Refused
Although many applicants successfully obtain the Skilled Nominated Visa, delays and refusals can occur if the application does not meet the Australian Government’s requirements or the nomination criteria of the relevant state or territory.
Understanding the most common issues can help you prepare a stronger application and avoid unnecessary setbacks.
Claiming Incorrect Points
The points claimed in your application must be supported by evidence. If you claim points for qualifications, employment, English language ability, or other factors that cannot be verified, your visa application may be refused.
Before submitting your application, carefully review your points calculation and ensure all supporting documents are accurate and current.
Incomplete Supporting Documents
Missing or inconsistent documentation is one of the most common reasons for processing delays.
Examples include:
- Expired English language test results
- Missing employment references
- Incomplete qualifications
- Incorrect identity documents
- Unsuitable evidence of work experience
Providing all required documents at the time of application helps reduce the likelihood of requests for further information.
Negative or Expired Skills Assessment
A valid positive skills assessment is essential for most applicants.
If your assessment has expired or your nominated occupation does not match your qualifications and work experience, your application may not proceed.
Applicants should also ensure that the occupation selected in their application matches the occupation assessed by the relevant authority.
State Nomination Requirements Are Not Met
Every Australian state and territory sets its own nomination criteria.
For example, a state may require applicants to:
- work in a priority occupation
- have recent employment experience
- meet minimum income requirements
- demonstrate a commitment to living in the state.
Failing to satisfy these requirements may result in the nomination being refused, even if you meet the Australian Government’s visa requirements.
Health or Character Requirements
All applicants must satisfy Australia’s health and character requirements.
This usually involves completing immigration medical examinations and providing police clearance certificates from countries where you have lived for the required period.
Applications may be delayed while additional health assessments are completed or refused if these requirements are not met.
Changes After Receiving an Invitation
Applicants should notify the Department of Home Affairs if important circumstances change after receiving an invitation.
Examples include changes to:
- employment
- qualifications
- marital status
- family composition
- English language results.
Keeping your information accurate throughout the process helps prevent complications during assessment.
Where to Go Next
Continue exploring Australia’s skilled migration pathways with these helpful resources:
FAQs
Yes. The Skilled Nominated Visa grants permanent residence from the day it is approved. Successful applicants can live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
No. A job offer is not required for this visa. Instead, applicants qualify through Australia’s points-tested migration system and must receive nomination from an Australian state or territory government.
Yes. Eligible members of your family unit can generally be included in the application. If approved, they will also receive Australian permanent resident status.
Although the visa provides permanent residence, applicants are expected to honour the commitment they made to the state or territory that nominated them. Remaining in the nominating state for a reasonable period supports the purpose of the nomination program.
Occupation lists are reviewed regularly. If your occupation is removed before you receive a nomination or invitation, it may affect your eligibility. Applicants should monitor updates issued by their preferred state or territory and the Australian Government.
The most suitable visa depends on your individual circumstances. Some applicants may qualify through employer-sponsored pathways, while others may be better suited to regional migration or other permanent visas. Understanding your eligibility across different pathways can help you make an informed decision.
Conclusion
The Skilled Nominated Visa is an excellent pathway for skilled professionals who want to build a permanent future in Australia. Through nomination by an Australian state or territory government, eligible applicants can gain permanent residence while contributing their skills to industries experiencing workforce shortages.
Success depends on meeting the eligibility requirements, obtaining a positive skills assessment, submitting a competitive Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, and receiving a nomination before progressing through the Australian Invitation Rounds. Careful preparation and accurate documentation can significantly improve your chances of a successful outcome.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify or need guidance throughout the application process, book a consultation with IC Australia. Our experienced migration specialists can assess your eligibility, explain your options, and help you prepare a strong application for Australia’s skilled migration program.
Claire Dawson
Australian visa content specialist focused on skilled migration, employer sponsorship, partner visas, student pathways, and long-term options for moving to Australia.
