Subclass 190 Visa – Skilled Nominated Visa Australia
- Skilled Nominated Visa
State-Nominated Permanent Residency — Boost Your Points and Fast-Track Your Future in Australia
If your points score under the SC 189 isn’t quite high enough to receive an invitation, or if your occupation is in demand in a particular part of Australia, the SC 190 could be the most practical and strategic route to your permanent residency. State nomination adds 5 points to your SkillSelect score — and in a competitive pool, those 5 points can make all the difference between waiting indefinitely and receiving your invitation.
🧠 What is the Subclass 190 Visa?
The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government. Like the SC 189, it is points-tested and operates through the SkillSelect system — but with one important addition: you need a nomination from a state or territory government to apply.
Each state and territory in Australia runs its own skilled migration program. They publish their own occupation lists, set their own eligibility criteria, and decide who to nominate based on their local labour market needs. When a state nominates you, it adds 5 points to your SkillSelect score, which can significantly improve your chances of receiving an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs.
In exchange for nomination, states generally expect you to live and work in their jurisdiction for at least two years after your visa is granted. This is not a strict legal obligation enforced by visa conditions in the same way as some other visas, but it is an undertaking you make as part of the nomination process — and it is something you should approach honestly and with genuine intent.
📌 Key features of the SC 190 Visa :
- Permanent residency visa — not temporary
- Requires nomination from an Australian state or territory government
- 5 additional SkillSelect points from state nomination
- Live and work anywhere in Australia (with an undertaking to reside in the nominating state)
- Pathway to Australian citizenship
- Includes partner and dependent children with full work and study rights
Who Can Apply for the Subclass 190 Visa?
The SC 190 is designed for skilled workers whose occupation appears on the relevant skilled occupation list — either the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), depending on the nominating state’s requirements.
You may be eligible if you:
- Are under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
- Have an occupation that is on the nominating state’s current occupation list.
- Have received a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation.
- Score at least 65 points on the points test (though competitive scores with nomination are typically 75–90+).
- Meet English language requirements.
- Meet the specific eligibility criteria set by the state or territory you are applying to.
- Pass health and character checks.
- Can demonstrate a genuine connection to, or intention to settle in, the nominating state.
It’s worth understanding that each state and territory publishes its own occupation list, and these lists change regularly based on local workforce needs. An occupation that is closed in one state may be open — and actively prioritised — in another. This is why working with a migration agent who stays across these changes is so valuable.
📌 Key Benefits of the SC 190 Visa
The SC 190 offers a compelling combination of permanent residency, flexibility, and strategic advantage for skilled migrants who might not quite meet the cut-off scores for the SC 189 on their own.
- 5 Extra Points — and That Changes Everything: In SkillSelect rounds where the difference between an invitation and no invitation is just a handful of points, state nomination can be the deciding factor. Those 5 points can move you from outside the invitation threshold to inside it.
- Access to a Wider Range of Occupations: Some occupations that are not on the MLTSSL — and therefore not eligible for the SC 189 — are available under state nomination through the STSOL. This opens the door to permanent residency for professionals in fields that wouldn’t otherwise qualify for the independent stream.
- Permanent Residency from Day One: Just like the SC 189, the SC 190 grants you permanent residency immediately upon visa approval. There is no temporary phase, no waiting period, and no further application required to convert to PR.
- Full Family Inclusion: Your partner and dependent children are included in your application with the same permanent residency entitlements. They can work, study, and access Medicare from the day the visa is granted.
- Pathway to Citizenship: After meeting the residency requirements as a permanent resident, SC 190 holders can apply for Australian citizenship through the standard naturalisation process.
- Opportunity to Explore Regional Australia: State nomination often opens the door to parts of Australia that are less explored by new migrants — including cities and regions with strong job markets, lower cost of living, excellent infrastructure, and genuine community support for skilled newcomers.
🗺️ Understanding State and Territory Nomination
Australia has eight states and territories, and each one manages its own skilled migration program independently. Understanding how each program works — and which one is the right fit for your occupation and circumstances — is one of the most important parts of the SC 190 process.
- New South Wales (NSW): One of the most sought-after nominations due to Sydney’s size and economic strength. NSW has its own Skills List and regularly updates which occupations are open for nominations. Competition for NSW nomination is high.
- Victoria (VIC): The Victoria Skilled Migration program runs through the Victorian Skills List. Victoria often opens specific occupations for targeted invitation rounds, so timing and preparation are essential.
- Queensland (QLD): Queensland’s skilled migration program covers a broad range of occupations and has historically been more accessible for certain professional categories. Regional Queensland also offers additional pathways.
- South Australia (SA): South Australia is known for being relatively more accessible than the larger states, and it actively promotes skilled migration. Applicants often need to demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in SA.
- Western Australia (WA): WA has a strong resources and construction sector and frequently nominates skilled workers in engineering, trades, and healthcare. Western Australia runs its own independent State Nominated Migration Program.
- Tasmania (TAS): Tasmania has actively grown its skilled migration program and welcomes skilled workers across a range of sectors, often with a focus on genuine settlement intent.
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): The ACT prioritises occupations in demand within the Canberra region and has specific criteria around connection to the territory.
- Northern Territory (NT): The NT has specific workforce needs and can be an accessible nomination pathway for skilled workers in certain fields who are genuinely interested in living in the Top End.
Each state has different requirements, different occupation lists, and different documentation expectations. What works for one state’s nomination application will not necessarily work for another. Our agents monitor these programs closely and advise you on where your profile is most competitive.
📄What Documents Do You Need?
The SC 190 process involves multiple stages — state nomination, Expression of Interest (EOI), invitation, and formal visa application. The documentation required is extensive and must be thorough at every stage.
For state nomination and your visa application, you will generally need:
- Valid passport and identity documents
- Skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
- English language test results (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge C1)
- Proof of skilled employment — reference letters, payslips, tax records, employment contracts
- Educational certificates and academic transcripts
- Evidence of connection to the nominating state (if required — employment offers, family ties, previous study or residence)
- Health examination results from an approved panel physician
- Police clearance certificates from all countries where you have lived
- Documents supporting any additional points claims (partner skills, Australian study, community language)
- Birth and marriage certificates for included family members
State nomination applications often require additional documents specific to that state’s program. Incomplete or inconsistent documentation is one of the most common reasons nominations are declined or delayed. We make sure everything is in order before any application is submitted.
- Our Visa Process
Our Process
- Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the SC 190 different from the SC 189 ?
The SC 189 is a federally managed visa that requires no sponsorship or nomination from any state or territory. The SC 190 requires nomination from a specific state or territory government, which adds 5 points to your SkillSelect score. In exchange, you make an undertaking to live and work in the nominating state for at least two years. Both visas grant permanent residency from the date of visa grant.
Do I have to stay in the nominating state forever ?
No. The undertaking to reside in the nominating state for two years is not a formal visa condition. After fulfilling that commitment, you are free to move anywhere in Australia. However, you should approach this undertaking genuinely — it is made to the state government in good faith.
What if my occupation is not on the SC 189 list ?
Some occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) are eligible for state nomination under the SC 190 but not for the SC 189. If your occupation is on the STSOL, the SC 190 may be your only pathway under the General Skilled Migration program. Our agents can confirm whether your occupation qualifies and which states are currently accepting it.
How long does the SC 190 nomination and visa process take ?
Timeframes vary by state and by the Department of Home Affairs processing queue. State nominations can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the state and the volume of applications. Once invited and the visa application is lodged, processing typically takes a few months for complete applications.
Can family members be included
Yes. Your partner and dependent children can be included in your SC 190 application and will receive the same permanent residency rights, including full work and study entitlements in Australia.
What happens if I don't receive a state nomination
We work to identify the states where your profile is most competitive before any application is submitted. If one state’s program is closed or your application is unsuccessful, we reassess your options and explore alternative states or alternative visa pathways. Our goal is always to find the most viable route for your circumstances.
- Why Choose Us
Why Choose Migration Republic?
The SC 190 process is more complex than many applicants realise. Unlike the SC 189 where you simply lodge an EOI and wait, the SC 190 involves navigating the requirements of multiple state programs — each with their own occupation lists, eligibility criteria, processing timelines, and priorities.
Getting it wrong — applying to the wrong state, submitting incomplete evidence, or missing a window when an occupation is open — can cost you months of waiting and put your migration plans significantly behind schedule.
Our MARA-registered agents stay up to date with state migration programs across all eight states and territories. We know which programs are currently active, which occupations are being prioritised, and what each state expects from a strong nomination application. We build your strategy around your specific profile — not a generic template.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or have already lodged an EOI and need expert help with your state nomination, we’re ready to step in and make sure everything is done right.
Transparent Process with Regular Updates
Navigating the SC 190 process without expert guidance is possible — but it comes with significant risk. A missed document, an incorrectly claimed points category, or a state nomination that doesn’t align with your profile can cost you an invitation, delay your application, or in the worst case, result in a refusal that affects your future options.
High Success Rate with Personalised Service
Every case is unique. We tailor your SC 190 application based on your occupation, the state or territory you are targeting, and your long-term migration goals — rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Dedicated Support from EOI to Visa Grant
From the first consultation through state nomination to final visa decision, you receive clear communication, honest advice, and regular updates — no confusion, no hidden steps.
Ready to Take the Next Step Toward Permanent Residency ?
The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa is one of the most effective ways for skilled professionals to achieve permanent residency in Australia — particularly for those who want to boost their points score through state nomination or access occupations that aren’t available under the independent stream.
It requires careful planning, an understanding of how each state’s program works, and a well-prepared application at every stage. With the right guidance, the SC 190 can take you from EOI to permanent residency in a timeframe that works for your life and your career.
At Migration Republic, we combine technical expertise, up-to-date knowledge of state migration programs, and a genuine commitment to your outcome. Our MARA-registered agents treat every case with the attention and care it deserves — because for you, this isn’t just a visa application. It’s the start of a new chapter.
Book a consultation today and find out which state is the right fit for your SC 190 Skilled Nominated Visa application.
