Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

The Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is a permanent residency pathway for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government. It grants immediate permanent residency upon visa grant, allowing you to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely. You are expected to reside in the nominating state or territory for at least two years, though this is a moral rather than legal obligation.

The visa was introduced on 1 July 2012 and remains one of Australia's primary skilled migration routes. Unlike the independent Subclass 189 visa, which requires no state sponsorship, the 190 requires nomination from a state or territory government. This nomination is the defining feature of the pathway — it is mandatory and cannot be waived.

For the 2025-26 financial year, the federal government allocated 33,000 places for state and territory-nominated visas (combining Subclass 190 and 491). Individual state allocations vary significantly, with some states receiving only interim allocations. Competition is intense: places fill quickly, and some occupations reach invitation quotas within weeks.

State Residency Commitment

While not legally enforceable, you are expected to reside in the nominating state or territory for at least 2 years after visa grant. Failing to honour this commitment may affect future visa applications or sponsorship opportunities. This is a "moral" rather than legal obligation, but the Department and states take it seriously.

Limited Visa Validity for Travel

Your Subclass 190 visa grants 5 years of travel validity from the date of visa grant. After 5 years, you must obtain a Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. If you remain outside Australia for more than 5 years without obtaining a Resident Return Visa, you may lose your permanent residency status.

Quota and Capacity Constraints

State nomination places are limited and allocated annually. Some states and occupations fill quickly:

• NSW Subclass 491 Pathways 1 & 3 reached capacity and closed within one day in January 2026
• Victoria is operating on interim allocation only for 2025-26; full allocation pending
• Certain occupations may reach invitation quotas, preventing further invitations until the next financial year

Monitor your state's migration program closely and apply early in the financial year if possible.

Processing Delays and Backlogs

As of March 2026, processing times have improved but remain substantial:

• 50% of applications are processed in approximately 10 months
• 90% of applications are processed in approximately 15 months

However, applications requiring additional verification (health, character, employment verification) may take significantly longer. The Department does not process applications strictly in chronological order; priority may be given to certain occupations or circumstances under Ministerial Direction 115, which prioritizes healthcare, teaching, and construction occupations.

Two-Speed Processing System

The Department now operates a "two-speed system" where priority sectors (healthcare, teaching, construction) move faster through processing while other occupations face inherited queues. Processing times vary significantly based on your occupation.

Ministerial Direction 115 (Priority Occupations)

The Department now prioritizes healthcare, teaching, and construction occupations, creating a two-speed processing system. Applications in these sectors are processed faster, while other occupations face longer processing times.

Thapa Court Decision

Following the Thapa v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2021] FCCA 686 decision, the Department now accepts skills assessments obtained within the 60-day invitation period, provided they were obtained within 3 years of the invitation date. The Minister reserves the right to make submissions that Thapa was wrongly decided.

2025-26 State Allocation Updates

• NSW: 200 places for Subclass 190 (interim allocation as of September 2025)
• Victoria: Small interim allocation of 200 places for Subclass 190 (full allocation pending)
• Queensland: Opened for new Registrations of Interest on 19 September 2025
• South Australia: 698 places remaining for Subclass 190 (as of February 2026)
• Tasmania: 1,200 places for Subclass 190 (as of 2025-26)
• Western Australia: Interim allocations issued; invitations issued on 3 March 2026 for priority trade occupations
• ACT: 85 places for Subclass 190 (interim allocation)
• Northern Territory: Generally prioritizes Subclass 491 over 190

The delay in final allocations for 2025-26 was attributed to late government announcement of the overall migration program.

Income Threshold Changes (From 1 July 2026)

While these changes do not directly affect Subclass 190, related employer-sponsored visas will see income threshold increases:

• Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): $79,499 (up from $76,515)
• Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT): $146,717 (up from $141,210)
• Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT): $79,499 (up from $76,515)

Upon visa grant, you receive the following rights and benefits:

• Indefinite stay: Can remain in Australia permanently without time restrictions
• Work rights: Can work in any occupation, for any employer, anywhere in Australia without sponsorship or restrictions
• Study rights: Can enrol in Australian educational institutions at domestic student fees (significantly lower than international fees)
• Medicare access: Can enrol in Australia's public health care scheme and access subsidized medical services
• Family sponsorship: Can sponsor eligible relatives (spouse, children, parents, siblings) for permanent residence
• Travel: Can travel in and out of Australia for 5 years from the date of visa grant. After 5 years, must obtain a Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter Australia
• Citizenship pathway: Can apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements (typically 4 years of permanent residency, with at least 1 year as a permanent resident)
• English language support: Eligible for free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
• Newly arrived resident waiting periods: May need to wait before accessing certain Australian Government payments and benefits (typically 2 years for most payments)
• Superannuation access: Can contribute to and access Australian superannuation (retirement savings) schemes
• Property ownership: Can purchase property in Australia (subject to state-based foreign investment restrictions)
• Driving license: Can obtain an Australian driving license
• Professional registration: Can register with professional bodies and practice regulated professions in Australia