State Nomination Visa Australia Requirements

If your points score for an independent skilled visa isn't quite hitting the mark, the State Nomination visa (Subclass 190) could be your fastest route to permanent residency in Australia. It's a permanent visa from the day it's granted, adds 5 bonus points to your score, and doesn't require an employer or a family sponsor — just a state or territory government willing to back you.

But here's the catch: meeting the federal Department of Home Affairs criteria is only half the job. Each state and territory runs its own occupation lists, eligibility rules, and invitation priorities on top of that. This guide breaks down exactly what you need in 2026 to qualify — and win — a state nomination.

What Is the State Nomination Visa (Subclass 190)?

The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent, points-tested visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government. Unlike the 491 regional visa, it grants full permanent residency immediately, with no waiting period or regional restriction — though you are expected to live and work in your nominating state for at least two years.

For 2025–26, states and territories were allocated 20,350 nomination places, split across programs that each set their own thresholds, occupation demand lists, and application windows.

Core Eligibility Requirements for Subclass 190

To be considered for a 190 visa, you must satisfy both the federal criteria and your chosen state's specific requirements:

• Receive a formal invitation to apply, issued only after a successful nomination
• Have a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation
• Meet the 65-point minimum on the federal points test (state nomination adds 5 points on top)
• Meet English language requirements — though this varies; some states demand Proficient or Superior English depending on your occupation's skill level
• Hold a valid state or territory nomination
• Be under the age limit set for points-tested visas

A skills assessment and points score alone don't guarantee a nomination — states select candidates based on their own labour market priorities, not just who meets the bare minimum.

The 190 Visa Points Test Explained

The 190 uses the same points table as the 189 and 491 visas — covering age, English proficiency, skilled employment, education, and partner skills — with an added 5-point bonus for state nomination. Since competitive occupations often see effective invitation scores well above 65, that 5-point boost can be the difference between an invitation this round or a long wait.

State-by-State Occupation Lists and Requirements

This is where most applicants get tripped up. Each state — NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, ACT, and the Northern Territory — maintains its own occupation list and criteria, separate from the national skilled occupation list. A few examples of how requirements diverge:

• NSW typically invites directly from the SkillSelect pool for competitive occupations, often expecting 90+ points with no separate application
• Victoria requires applicants to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) via the Live in Melbourne portal, and onshore applicants must currently be living in Victoria
• ACT allows certain employer-sponsored visa holders to nominate without their occupation being on the ACT list, provided it's on the relevant Home Affairs list, along with strict English and residency declarations

Because these criteria shift with labour market needs, checking the current list for your target state before lodging an EOI is essential — an occupation eligible last quarter may already be delisted.

State Nomination Process: Step by Step

Most states follow a broadly similar sequence:

1. Confirm you meet both federal and your target state's eligibility criteria
2. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect
3. Submit a state-specific Registration of Interest (ROI) where required
4. If selected, submit your formal nomination application to the state
5. Once nominated, lodge your visa application with Home Affairs within 60 days

Missing that 60-day window can mean losing the nomination entirely, so document readiness matters as much as eligibility.