Australia State Nomination 190 vs 491: Complete State-by-State Comparison 2026

The Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visas are permanent and provisional residency pathways requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory government. The 190 grants immediate permanent residency; the 491 is a 5-year provisional visa that leads to permanent residency (Subclass 191) after 3 years of living and working in a designated regional area with a taxable income of at least AUD 70,000 per year. Each state sets its own occupation lists, residency requirements, and invitation criteria. This article compares the eight states and territories as at May 2026.

NSW: Largest Program, Competitive Thresholds

New South Wales runs the largest state nomination program, with approximately 6,000-8,000 places in 2025-26. NSW uses a points-based EOI ranking system — no separate application before invitation. The state prioritises high-points applicants (typically 85+ for 190, 80+ for 491) in priority sectors: health, education, ICT, infrastructure, and renewable energy. NSW does not require onshore residency, but onshore applicants living in NSW are given preference for the 491 pathway. Offshore applicants can be invited for both 190 and 491, though invitation rates for offshore 190 applicants are lower. NSW uses its own skilled occupation list, independent from the Department of Home Affairs lists.

Victoria: Focus on Priority Sectors

Victoria’s 2025-26 program targets specific sectors: health, education, social services, digital, advanced manufacturing, and hospitality/tourism. Victoria requires onshore applicants to live in Victoria (for 190) or in a Victorian-designated regional area (for 491). Offshore applicants are eligible for both streams. Victoria uses a Registration of Interest (ROI) system — separate from SkillSelect — and invites applicants based on their ROI rather than solely on EOI points. Income thresholds: for 491 nomination, Victoria generally expects onshore applicants to be employed in their nominated occupation in a Victorian-designated regional area.

Queensland: Multiple Pathways

Queensland operates four nomination pathways: Skilled Workers Living in Queensland (190 and 491), Offshore Skilled Workers (190 and 491), Graduates of a Queensland University (190 and 491), and Small Business Owners in Regional Queensland (491 only). The Small Business Owner pathway is unique to Queensland: applicants must have purchased and operated a business in a regional area for at least 6 months, employing at least one Australian resident. Queensland’s occupation lists are narrower than NSW and Victoria for the 190 stream, but the small business pathway creates an alternative route for applicants whose occupation is not listed.

Western Australia: Employer Preference

WA’s nomination program is employer-focused rather than occupation-list-focused. Onshore applicants must have a contract of employment (at least 6 months) in their nominated occupation in WA (Perth for 190, regional WA for 491). Offshore applicants are eligible if they have a WA job offer. WA’s program differs from other states in requiring employment as a prerequisite — points-only EOIs without a WA employer are generally not invited. WA’s graduate stream offers a separate pathway for international students who completed at least 2 years of study at a WA educational institution.

South Australia, Tasmania, ACT, NT

South Australia offers six nomination streams including a Long-Term Resident pathway (onshore applicants who have lived in SA for 3+ years). Tasmania has the most accessible graduate pathway: completing a 2-year course at a Tasmanian institution qualifies applicants for 190 or 491 nomination with lower points thresholds than mainland states. The ACT uses a unique Canberra Matrix points system separate from the Department’s points test, which rewards ACT residency and employment. The NT requires onshore applicants to demonstrate strong ties to the Territory, and the NT-designated regional area covers the entire NT (including Darwin) for 491 purposes.

How to Choose Between 190 and 491

The 190 permanent visa provides immediate access to Medicare, unrestricted work rights anywhere in the nominating state (there is a moral obligation to live in the state for 2 years, but no visa condition enforces this), and a direct path to citizenship. The 491 is a 5-year provisional visa requiring 3 years of regional living and income of AUD 70,000+ before eligibility for permanent residency (191). For applicants with 90+ points, the 189 (no state nomination required) is generally the best option, followed by the 190. For applicants with 65-80 points, the 491 may be the only realistic pathway, particularly for occupations with high cutoff scores. Applicants should submit EOIs for all eligible categories (189, 190, 491) simultaneously.

FAQ

Q: Can I apply for 190 nomination from multiple states at the same time? A: Yes. You can submit separate EOIs and nomination applications to different states. However, once one state issues a nomination and you apply for the 190 visa, the other state nominations become unavailable. Do not accept a nomination from a state you do not intend to live in.

Q: What happens if I move interstate after getting a 190 visa? A: The 190 visa does not have a visa condition (like the 491 condition 8579) that restricts your location. State nomination carries a “moral obligation” to live and work in the nominating state for at least 2 years, but there is no legislative mechanism to enforce this, and the Department of Home Affairs has indicated it does not cancel 190 visas based on interstate movement.

Q: What does the 491 income threshold of AUD 70,000 include? A: The income must be from Australian taxable income (employment, self-employment, or a combination) and must be at least AUD 70,000 per year for 3 of the 5 years of the 491 visa. Investment income, rental income, and superannuation withdrawals are not counted toward this threshold.

Q: Can I switch from a 491 to a 190 while on the 491 visa? A: No. The Department of Home Affairs does not allow onshore applicants on a 491 to apply for a 190 or 189 until they have held the 491 for at least 3 years (consistent with the 191 pathway eligibility). If you receive a 190 nomination while holding a 491, you must apply offshore.

Q: How often do state occupation lists change? A: States update their occupation lists approximately every 6 months, though mid-year adjustments are common. An occupation listed today may be removed tomorrow if the state fills its quota. Apply as soon as you are eligible — do not wait.

Sources

This article is informational only and does not constitute migration advice.