189 vs 190 Visa: Key Differences and Which May Suit You

You have a skills assessment and a points score you worked hard for. Now one question keeps coming back. Should you wait for a Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) invite, or seek a Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) visa?

Both give you permanent residency on the day of grant. The difference is who invites you, where you live, and how many points you need.

In recent years, more places have gone to state nomination than to the 189. Many common jobs got no 189 invite at all in 2025–26.

This guide compares the two using current Home Affairs settings. We cover points, eligibility, fees, processing times, each state’s program, documents and the two-year state promise.

We also answer a question many people miss: can you keep both options open at once?

Not sure which way your profile points? Talk to a MARA-registered agent (MARN 2619480) before you spend on another English test.

Check your score first with our Australian PR Points Calculator 2026.

What is the difference between the 189 and 190 visas?

The core difference is nomination. The 189 needs no nomination and lets you live and work anywhere in Australia. The 190 needs a state or territory to nominate you, and it adds 5 points to your score. In return, you promise to live and work in that state for two years. Both are permanent visas with a 65-point minimum, and both lead to citizenship.

Where they differ in practice:

• Invitation source: Home Affairs invites 189 applicants directly through SkillSelect. For a 190, a state or territory must nominate you first.
• Points: there is no fixed 189 cut-off. Home Affairs publishes the lowest points score invited for each occupation after every round. The 190 adds 5 nomination points, and each state ranks applicants its own way.
• Occupation list: the 189 uses the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). The 190 can also draw on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), and each state publishes its own target list.
• Where you live: 189 holders can settle anywhere from day one. 190 holders are expected to live and work in the nominating state for two years.
• Processing time: 50% of points-tested 189 visas are finalised in 61 days, against 4 months for the 190 (Home Affairs, September 2026).

What are the eligibility requirements for the 189 and 190 visas?

The two visas share the same core rules, and the 190 adds state nomination on top. You must meet every item below, both when you are invited and when the visa is decided.

Core eligibility checklist (applies to both 189 and 190)

• Age: under 45 when you are invited.
• English: at least Competent English. That means IELTS 6 in each band. For PTE tests taken from 7 August 2025, you need at least 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing and 54 speaking. See the Home Affairs Competent English page for other tests.
• Skills assessment: a positive assessment from the right authority for your occupation, such as ACS for ICT, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, or CPA Australia and CA ANZ for accountants.
• Occupation: on the MLTSSL for the 189, or on an eligible list for the 190 and on your chosen state’s target list.
• Points: at least 65 to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI). In practice, you need more to be invited.
• Health: a medical examination with Bupa Medical Visa Services or another approved panel clinic.
• Character: police certificates from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16.
• Visa history: no debts to the Australian Government, and an honest declaration of any past refusals or cancellations.

Additional requirement for the 190 visa only

• State or territory nomination: you must be nominated by one of the eight states and territories under its current criteria.
• Commitment: most states ask you to declare that you will live and work in the state for at least two years after grant.
• State extras: some states ask for a job offer, proof of funds, local work or study history, or family ties.

How many points do you need for the 189 and 190 visa in 2026?

The legal minimum is 65 points, but the score that gets an invitation is higher and changes every round. Home Affairs publishes the lowest score invited for each occupation on its SkillSelect invitation rounds page. Treat any fixed “cut-off” you see online as a guess.

Rounds are held from time to time, not on a set schedule. The 2025–26 rounds for the 189 ran on 21 August 2025, 13 November 2025 and 4 June 2026. Some popular jobs got no invites in any of them, including software engineer, ICT business analyst, accountant, civil engineer and chef.

Our 189 invitation rounds guide tracks every round. For the 190, each state ranks people its own way, and the 5 nomination points are added to your score.

2026 points breakdown by category

Points for Australian and overseas work combined are capped at 20. PTE scores shown are for tests taken from 7 August 2025. Use our Australia PR Points Calculator to score yourself before you lodge an EOI.

What are the 189 vs 190 visa processing times in 2026?

At the 50% mark, the 189 is currently faster. Half of points-tested 189 visas are finalised in 61 days, against 4 months for the 190. The 190 also has a much longer tail: 90% are finalised in 16 months, against 8 months for the 189.

Current processing times (Department of Home Affairs)

Processing times as at 29 September 2026, based on applications finalised up to 31 August 2026. Home Affairs updates them monthly on its global visa processing times page.

A decision-ready application helps you stay at the faster end. That means a valid skills assessment, health and character checks done early, and evidence for every points claim uploaded when you lodge. For other skilled visas, see our skilled visa processing times update.

How much do the 189 and 190 visas cost in 2026?

The Home Affairs charges for the two visas are almost the same. The 189 main applicant fee is AUD 6,135, and the 190 fee is AUD 6,140. The real cost difference comes from any state nomination fee for the 190. A couple with two children should budget about AUD 12,285 in visa charges alone, before skills assessment, English tests, medicals and migration advice.

2026 government fees

Fees as at 27 October 2026. Home Affairs usually indexes visa charges on 1 July, so check the current amount in the Home Affairs visa pricing estimator before you lodge. For current timeframes, see the Home Affairs global visa processing times page.

Other costs to plan for:

• Skills assessment: AUD 300 to 1,200, depending on the assessing authority.
• IELTS or PTE test: AUD 375 to 410.
• Medical examinations: AUD 350 to 500 per adult.
• Police certificates: AUD 42 for an Australian check, plus the cost of overseas checks.

What are the state nomination requirements for the 190 visa?

Every state and territory runs its own 190 program, with its own occupation list, ranking method and residence rules. Your chances can change a lot depending on which state you target, and programs open and close during the year.

State and territory 190 nomination snapshot

• New South Wales (NSW): invitation only, ranked from your EOI. Your occupation must be on the NSW target list, and NSW looks for links to the state such as local work or study.
• Victoria (VIC): from 13 October 2026, Victoria ranks Registrations of Interest using the new Victorian Points Test, and charges AUD 180 per nomination. See our Victorian Points Test guide.
• Queensland (QLD): streams for people living and working in Queensland, plus a small offshore stream for priority occupations. It is currently very selective.
• Western Australia (WA): uses the WA Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL), split into Schedule 1 and Schedule 2.
• South Australia (SA): streams for SA graduates, people already working in SA, and highly skilled applicants.
• Tasmania (TAS): pathways for people living and working in Tasmania, Tasmanian graduates, and overseas applicants with job offers.
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT): uses the Canberra Matrix, which favours Canberra residents, Canberra graduates and people with ACT job offers.
• Northern Territory (NT): onshore and offshore streams. Offshore applicants need a strong NT link or a genuine job prospect.

Check each state’s official skilled migration page before you lodge an EOI. Criteria change every program year, and some streams open and close without much notice.

Can you apply for both the 189 and 190 visas at the same time?

Yes. SkillSelect lets you keep both options open, either by selecting more than one visa in one EOI or by lodging separate EOIs. Lodging an EOI is free, and having more than one does not slow down your processing.

How the dual-EOI strategy works

• Select the 189 and the 190 (and the 491 if it suits you) so you can be invited for whichever comes first.
• Many people lodge separate EOIs for different states. Our guide to how many EOIs you can submit explains the rules.
• Your 190 score shows the extra 5 points once a state nominates you.
• An invitation gives you 60 days to lodge. If you would rather wait for a different invitation, you can let it lapse.
• Once you lodge a visa, withdraw or update any other EOIs so your details stay accurate.

What documents do you need for the 189 and 190 visa?

Both visas need the same core documents: identity, skills, English, work experience, character and health. The 190 also needs your state nomination. A complete set of documents when you lodge is one of the biggest things you can control for faster processing.

Document checklist for 189 and 190 applications

• Identity: passport, birth certificate, national ID card, and marriage or change-of-name documents if they apply.
• Skills assessment: your positive outcome letter, valid on the date you were invited.
• English: IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET or Cambridge results, valid for 3 years from the test date.
• Qualifications: degree certificates and academic transcripts for every qualification you claim.
• Work experience: reference letters on company letterhead with duties, dates, hours and salary, plus payslips, tax records and contracts.
• Partner evidence: if you claim partner points, their skills assessment, English results and qualifications.
• Health: medical examinations through a Home Affairs panel clinic.
• Character: police certificates from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16, including an Australian Federal Police check if you have lived here.
• Relationship: marriage certificate, joint finances, shared lease or bills and photos. De facto partners usually need 12 months living together, unless the relationship is registered.
• State nomination (190 only): your nomination approval from the state or territory.
• Form 80 and Form 1221: personal particulars forms, if Home Affairs asks for them.

What is the 2-year commitment for the 190 visa?

It is a promise you make to the nominating state, not a condition on the visa. When a state nominates you, you declare that you will live and work there for at least two years after grant. The 190 has no legal condition that stops you from moving, but breaking the promise can damage your standing with the state and any future dealings with it.

What the 2-year commitment actually means

• Live in the nominating state: make it your main home, with a lease or property, a local address and a local driver’s licence.
• Work in the nominating state: make a genuine effort to find and keep work there, even if it is outside your nominated occupation.
• Interstate travel is fine: short trips for work or family are not a breach, because the commitment is about your main base.
• Ask before you move: some states will release you early for compelling reasons, such as job loss after a genuine search, family emergency or medical need. Ask in writing before you relocate.
• Be genuine from the start: if a state believes you never meant to settle there, it can raise this with Home Affairs.

189 vs 190 visa: which is easier to get in 2026?

For most applicants, the 190 is easier to be invited for. The 5 nomination points, wider occupation lists and state-by-state ranking mean you can be competitive with a lower score than a 189 needs. Once invited, though, the 189 is currently processed faster.

Quick comparison: 189 vs 190 at a glance

• Easier to get invited: usually 190 (nomination points, wider lists).
• Faster processing: 189 (61 days vs 4 months at the 50% mark, September 2026).
• More freedom on where you live: 189 (anywhere from day one).
• Wider occupation list: 190 (MLTSSL plus STSOL and state lists).
• Lower cost: 189 (no state nomination fee, and AUD 5 cheaper).
• Best if your occupation is being invited and your score is near the published cut-off: 189.
• Best if your occupation is on a state list and you are happy to settle there: 190.
• Best if you are open to regional Australia: consider the 491.

What is the difference between the 189, 190, and 491 visas?

The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa is the third option on the skilled migration ladder. It is a five-year provisional visa that adds 15 points for nomination or eligible family sponsorship. It leads to the permanent Subclass 191 after you have lived and worked in regional Australia for three years.

189 vs 190 vs 491 key differences

• Subclass 189: permanent, no nomination, live anywhere, MLTSSL only.
• Subclass 190: permanent, state-nominated, two-year state commitment, 5 points, MLTSSL plus STSOL and state lists.
• Subclass 491: provisional for 5 years, state nomination or family sponsorship, regional Australia only, 15 points, wider occupation lists including the Regional Occupation List.
• From 491 to 191: you need ATO notices of assessment for three income years while on the 491. There is no minimum income amount.

Read how to apply for a 491 visa in Australia and our 491 vs 190 comparison for more on regional pathways.

What are the most common reasons for 189 and 190 visa refusal?

Most refusals come down to points that cannot be proven, skills assessment problems, health or character issues, or forms that contradict each other. If you lodged in Australia, you can usually ask the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) to review a refusal. If you lodged from overseas, review is generally not available, so getting it right first time matters.

Top refusal reasons to avoid

• Overclaimed work experience: claiming points for work that does not match your occupation’s ANZSCO tasks.
• Weak employment evidence: reference letters without duties, dates, hours or salary, or missing payslips and tax records.
• Skills assessment problems: an expired assessment, or one that does not match the occupation in your EOI.
• English score below your claim: a result lower than the points you claimed when you were invited.
• Undisclosed history: a past refusal, cancellation or criminal matter you did not declare.
• Health: the 189 and 190 have no health waiver, so a serious condition or high expected healthcare cost can lead to refusal.
• Nomination problems (190): a state can withdraw a nomination if your claims or intentions do not hold up.
• Form inconsistencies: dates, addresses or jobs on Form 80 or Form 1221 that contradict your skills assessment or EOI.

How do partners and dependants get included in the 189 or 190 visa?

You can include your partner and dependent children in your application on both visas, and they receive the same permanent residency when the visa is granted. Each needs their own visa charge, documents, and health and character checks. Adult family members without functional English pay a second instalment.

Including family members

• Partner (married or de facto): you must prove the relationship. De facto couples usually need 12 months living together, unless the relationship is registered.
• Dependent children: children under 18 can be included. Children aged 18 to 22 must be financially dependent on you and not married or in a de facto relationship.
• Functional English: for example, an IELTS average of 4.5. Without it, the family member pays the second instalment of AUD 4,885. See the Home Affairs Functional English page.
• Health and character: every family member needs medicals, and adults need police certificates.
• Non-migrating family: family members who are not coming must still be declared and may need a health check.

What is a bridging visa, and do you get one with a 189 or 190 application?

Yes, if you lodge in Australia while holding a substantive visa. You are usually granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA). It starts if your current visa ends before a decision and keeps you lawful. If you need to travel overseas while your application is being processed, you need a Bridging Visa B (BVB).

Bridging visa basics for 189/190 applicants

• Bridging Visa A (BVA): granted with your application, and starts when your current visa ends.
• Bridging Visa B (BVB): apply separately if you need to leave and come back during processing.
• Work rights: usually the same as on your current visa.
• Medicare: people who lodge a permanent visa application in Australia can often enrol in Medicare while they wait, if they meet Services Australia’s conditions.
• Offshore applicants: no bridging visa applies. You wait overseas until the 189 or 190 is decided.

What is the pathway from 189 or 190 to Australian citizenship?

The path is the same for both visas. You can usually apply for citizenship after four years of lawful residence in Australia, including at least 12 months as a permanent resident. Time spent living in your nominating state on a 190 counts in full.

Citizenship timeline from 189/190 grant

• 4 years of lawful residence in Australia immediately before you apply, which can include time on temporary visas.
• 12 months as a permanent resident immediately before you apply.
• No more than 12 months away in total in those 4 years, and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months.
• Pass the Australian citizenship test.
• Meet the character requirement and intend to live in Australia.

Home Affairs explains the residence rules on its citizenship for permanent residents page.

How The Migration helps you choose between the 189 and 190 visa

Many applicants spend months building a points profile for the wrong visa. Some push their English score for a 189 when their occupation is not being invited. Others apply to a state that does not currently want their ANZSCO. We check your full profile against the latest round results and state criteria before you spend money on tests, assessments or applications.

What you get when you work with us:

• An eligibility and strategy review: accurate points, an ANZSCO check, and a clear recommendation of 189, 190, 491 or an employer-sponsored option.
• State nomination targeting based on current criteria and occupation lists for all eight states and territories.
• Decision-ready document preparation, with every claim evidenced before you lodge, so your file is not held up by requests for more information.
• Skills assessment guidance, including choosing the right authority.
• EOI set-up for the 189 and 190, structured to keep your options open.
• Case management from EOI through to grant.
• Consultations at our Harris Park office in Sydney, or by video anywhere in Australia and overseas.

Your case is handled by a MARA-registered migration agent (MARN 2619480), with 7+ years of practice in Australian visas. You can verify the registration on the MARA public register. Book a consultation to get your 189 or 190 plan checked.

Conclusion

The 189 vs 190 choice comes down to your occupation, your points and where you are willing to live. If your occupation is being invited in 189 rounds and your score is close to the latest published cut-off, the 189 gives you the most freedom and is currently the faster visa to process.

If your occupation is on a state’s list and you would be happy to settle there, the 190 is often the more realistic invitation. The trade-off is a two-year commitment to that state. If neither fits yet, the 491 regional visa with its pathway to the 191 may be your strongest option.

Want a clear answer for your profile? Book a consultation with a MARA-registered agent (MARN 2619480).

Frequently asked questions