Australia State-Nominated Migration: Subclass 190 PR + 491 Regional Dual Pathway
State-nominated skilled migration is a key part of Australia’s skilled migration system, with each state or territory government nominating applicants based on local labour-market needs. Compared with the Subclass 189 visa, which relies entirely on points ranking, state nomination provides extra points (190 +5, 491 +15) and the flexibility of state-specific occupation lists, giving a more realistic option to applicants whose points are not high enough or whose occupations are highly competitive.
Eight states/territories take part in state-nominated migration: NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, ACT and NT. Policies, quotas and preferred applicant profiles vary widely between states — choose the wrong one, and even with a clean skills assessment and English score your EOI may sit unanswered for a long time.
Newstarsec matches you to the right state and visa type (Subclass 190 or 491) based on your occupation, points, work experience and residence plans, and prepares the full state nomination application package.
Free state-match assessment →What is Australian state-nominated skilled migration
State-nominated skilled migration is a key component of Australia’s skilled migration system, with each state or territory government nominating applicants based on local labour-market needs.
Key features include
- Nomination provided by a state government
- Extra EOI points (5 for 190, 15 for 491)
- More flexible occupation scope (some states maintain extra lists)
- Significant policy variation between states
Subclass 190 PR vs Subclass 491 Regional
There are two core visa types under state-nominated migration: Subclass 190 (PR) and Subclass 491 (5-year regional provisional, with later transition to Subclass 191 PR). The two differ significantly in visa nature, points, residence requirements and target applicants.
| Comparison | Subclass 190 (state-nominated) | Subclass 491 (regional-nominated) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent resident visa (PR) | Provisional visa (5 years) |
| Direct PR? | Yes | No (transition via 191) |
| Points | +5 | +15 |
| Residence requirement | Must live in the nominating state | Must live in a regional area |
| Work requirement | No mandatory restriction | Work not strictly required, but if working, must be in a regional area |
| Path to PR | No transition needed | Apply for 191 once residence conditions are met |
| Best suited to | Higher-points applicants | Slightly lower-points applicants willing to take a transitional pathway |
- All states can nominate for both 190 and 491, but their openness varies
- States change applicant-type and occupation requirements over time
- Whether you qualify for a particular state stream needs to be assessed against your individual background
Basic eligibility requirements
State-nominated visas have similar baseline requirements to the Subclass 189, with the added requirement of state nomination:
Eligibility checklist
- Under 45 years of age
- Occupation on a relevant occupation list (state or federal)
- Completed skills assessment
- Meet minimum English requirements
- EOI points at or above the minimum threshold (65 points)
- Receive a state nomination
Note: each state imposes additional requirements around work experience, residence and occupation category.
The 8 steps of a state-nomination application
From choosing the occupation and state, to final visa grant, a state-nomination application typically follows 8 standard steps.
Step 1: Choose occupation and state
- Pick a suitable nominated occupation
- Match it to an eligible state or territory
Step 2: Skills assessment and English preparation
- Obtain skills assessment outcome
- Prepare English test results
Step 3: Submit EOI
- Lodge an EOI in SkillSelect
- Select preferred states (multiple allowed)
Step 4: Apply for state nomination
- Lodge a nomination application with the target state
- Provide supporting evidence (work experience, residence, etc.)
Step 5: Receive state nomination
- State government issues nomination after review
- Extra points are applied automatically
Step 6: Receive invitation and lodge visa
- Once invited, lodge the Subclass 190 or 491 visa application
- Enter formal processing
Step 7: Health and character checks
- Complete health examination and police checks
- Wait for Department of Home Affairs decision
Step 8: Visa grant
- Subclass 190: PR granted directly
- Subclass 491: 5-year visa granted, transition to Subclass 191 later
State-by-state nomination overview
State policies vary widely, and applicants need to choose the right state for their background. Click any state card below for detailed policies, occupation lists and application requirements.
New South Wales (NSW)
A popular and highly competitive state. Favours high-points applicants and in-demand occupations; some occupations are invitation-only.
- Popular state, strong competition
- Favours high points and in-demand occupations
- Some occupations are invitation-only
Victoria (VIC)
Strong industry focus, prioritising health, education, STEM and digital-tech talent. Stronger on Subclass 190 with relatively few 491 places.
- Industry-focused (health, IT, etc.)
- Clear work-experience requirements
- Prefers applicants with local-state ties
Queensland (QLD)
Clear pathways, with emphasis on local connection and occupation-list match. Strict work-experience requirements; some pathways require local employment.
- Strict work-experience requirements
- Some pathways require working in QLD
- Occupation list relatively stable
South Australia (SA)
Often considered a more flexible pathway, friendly to offshore applicants. Multiple streams (including graduates), with a broader occupation scope.
- Friendly to offshore applicants
- Multiple pathways (including graduate streams)
- Broad occupation scope
Western Australia (WA)
Active invitation rounds in recent program years; favourable to skilled and local graduates. Relatively flexible nomination policy with lower requirements for some occupations.
- Relatively flexible nomination policy
- Lower requirements for some occupations
- Suits skilled-occupation applicants
Tasmania (TAS)
Strong local-tie focus with relatively friendly thresholds. Stable small-state policies, favours applicants with local study or work background; suits the international-student pathway.
- Stable small-state policy
- Favours local study or work background
- Suits international-student pathway
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
The most distinct rules, built around the Canberra Matrix scoring system. Strong emphasis on local employment and income; competition is intense.
- Uses a points system (the Matrix)
- Emphasises local employment and income
- Competition is intense
Northern Territory (NT)
Friendly to offshore applicants, with relatively relaxed policy and a broad occupation scope.
- Friendly to offshore applicants
- Relatively relaxed policy
- Broad occupation scope
2026 state nomination overview table
The comparison below is based on publicly available 2025–26 program-year information from each state and territory. Some states publish explicit allocations; others signal the level of competition through program-open status, invitation rounds, application closures or remaining places.
| State / Territory | Highlights | Best suits | 190/491 lean | 2025–26 / 2026 key signals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Driven by occupation shortage and overall competitiveness; popular and highly competitive | High-points, well-aligned applicants | Both 190 and 491 available, but several 491 pathways fill quickly | NSW 491 Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 have closed to new applications after reaching their program-year allocations, indicating strong competition |
| VIC | Strong industry focus with priority sectors and ROI screening | Health, education, STEM and digital-tech talent | Stronger on 190; relatively few 491 places | Total 2025–26 allocation 3,400 (190: 2,700; 491: 700); the state announced in April 2026 that ROIs would close, signalling demand exceeded places |
| QLD | Clear pathways with emphasis on local connection and occupation-list match | QLD-based workers/graduates and selected offshore applicants | Stronger on 190, with room for 491 | Total 2025–26 allocation 2,600 (190: 1,850; 491: 750); applicants must hold an occupation on the QLD list to apply for the corresponding stream |
| SA | Generally seen as a more flexible pathway | Mid-points applicants planning their strategy | Both 190 and 491 are common | SA continues to operate multiple pathways, but does not currently publish a 2025–26 allocation page comparable to VIC/QLD, so specific numbers are not listed here to avoid misleading information |
| WA | Active invitation rounds in recent years; favourable to skilled and local-graduate applicants | Engineering, construction, health, trades and local graduates | Both 190 and 491 worth considering | WA secured an interim allocation for 2025–26 with later top-ups, and started its program-year invitation rounds from December 2025, indicating an actively progressing program |
| TAS | Strong local-tie focus with relatively friendly thresholds | Mid-points applicants willing to genuinely live and work in TAS | 491 common; 190 also available | Official figures in April 2026 showed remaining places of 308 (190) and 349 (491); the state also flagged that new invitations would be limited |
| ACT | The most distinct rules, built around the Canberra Matrix | High-income applicants with stable local employment | Both 190 and 491 depend on Matrix competition | The ACT website confirms 2026 invitations continue under the Canberra Matrix, and has published the March 2026 round and the February 2026 guideline updates |
For applicants planning Australian state-nominated migration in 2026, the first hurdle is rarely “can I apply” — it is “which state should I choose”.
State selection logic now varies considerably across jurisdictions:
- Some states focus on points
- Some focus on local employment
- Some weight income and long-term residence
- Some are more friendly to offshore applicants
- Some have lower thresholds but place strong weight on genuine local ties
Choose the wrong state, and even with a clean skills assessment and English score your EOI may sit unanswered for a long time.
Newstarsec recommends that applicants don’t fixate on “which state is easiest” — first assess which state’s selection logic best fits your background.
State-nominated migration cost overview
Total Australian state-nominated migration costs (Subclass 190/491) are made up of government visa fees, state nomination fees and application-related costs. The actual amount varies with applicant background and family-member numbers.
1. Government visa fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary applicant | ~ 4,640 | Payable when lodging the visa application |
| Spouse (18 and over) | ~ 2,320 | As a secondary applicant |
| Child | ~ 1,160 | Slight variation by age |
| English-language surcharge | ~ 4,885 | Where a secondary applicant does not meet English requirements |
Fees shown are reference figures as at June 2026 — the latest officially published rates prevail.
Amounts in AUD.
2. State nomination application fees
| State | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales (NSW) | ~ 300–330 | Payable on some pathways; varies by stream |
| Victoria (VIC) | Usually free | Subject to current policy |
| Queensland (QLD) | ~ 200–300 | Varies by stream |
| South Australia (SA) | ~ 300–400 | By application category |
| Western Australia (WA) | ~ 200 | Relatively stable |
| Tasmania (TAS) | ~ 220–330 | Charged by category |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | ~ 300 | Matrix application |
| Northern Territory (NT) | Usually free | Subject to policy |
Amounts in AUD. State fees may change; refer to the latest official figures.
3. Skills assessment fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IT (ACS) | ~ 500–600 | Common assessment pathway |
| Engineering (EA) | ~ 800–1,000 | Includes CDR assessment |
| Accounting (CPA/CA) | ~ 500–700 | Varies by assessing body |
| Trades (TRA) | ~ 1,000+ | Some require practical assessment |
Amounts in AUD.
4. Health and document fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Health examination | ~ 300–500 AUD per person | At an approved provider |
| Police check | Varies by country | Different countries charge differently |
| Notarisation | From a few hundred to a few thousand RMB | Depending on volume of documents |
| Translation | Per page | NAATI or recognised translator required |
Fees shown are reference figures as at June 2026 — the latest officially published rates prevail.
5. Other potential costs
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Additional document fees | — | e.g. supplementary work or assessment evidence |
| Re-test fees | — | If English score does not meet requirements |
| Document refresh | — | Where documents expire during a long application cycle |
| Travel costs | — | e.g. for health checks or document handling |
| IELTS/PTE/TOEFL test fees | — | Multiple sittings to lift scores increase the cost |
Free planning for your state-nominated migration
The hardest part of state-nominated migration is choosing the right state — pick the wrong one, and even with a clean skills assessment and English score your EOI may sit unanswered for a long time.
Newstarsec matches you to the most suitable state and visa type (Subclass 190 or 491) based on your occupation, points, work experience and residence plans:
- Free background assessment and state matching
- 190 vs 491 pathway recommendation
- One-on-one document guidance for state nomination
State-nominated migration FAQs
1. Which is easier — state nomination or 189?
Generally speaking, state nomination (Subclass 190/491) is easier to receive an invitation than Subclass 189.
Subclass 189 relies entirely on points ranking, while state nomination provides extra points (190 +5, 491 +15) and some states relax requirements for specific occupations. So for applicants whose points are not high enough or whose occupations are highly competitive, state nomination is usually the more realistic option.
2. Does the Subclass 491 require living in a regional area?
Yes. The Subclass 491 requires applicants to live and work in a designated regional area.
Note that most Australian cities (apart from parts of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) fall within the regional definition, so the choice of locations is not actually narrow. However, applicants must still meet the residence and income requirements to later transition to PR.
3. Is transitioning from 491 to PR difficult?
The Subclass 491 itself is not a permanent visa, but holders can transition to PR by applying for the Subclass 191.
The general requirements include living in a regional area for a specified period and meeting an income threshold. By design, this is a clearly defined PR transition pathway, and as long as the conditions are met, the path is workable.
4. Can I apply for nomination in multiple states at the same time?
Yes. When lodging an EOI, applicants can select multiple states as preferred jurisdictions.
Each state, however, has independent application requirements and assessment criteria. You still need to meet each state’s conditions individually and lodge separate state nomination applications as required.
5. Does state nomination guarantee an invitation?
Not necessarily. Receiving a state nomination only increases the likelihood of being invited; you still go through the Department of Home Affairs invitation process.
State governments also screen applicants — for example, prioritising those with local work experience, specific industries or higher points — so a degree of competition remains.
6. Which state is easiest for nomination?
There is no absolute “easiest” state.
States adjust policy at different times — some are friendlier to offshore applicants, others prefer local work or graduate backgrounds. Whether it is “easy” depends on how well your occupation, points and background match a particular state’s needs.
7. Must I work and live in the nominating state?
The Subclass 190 has no legal hard restriction, but typically carries a residence “commitment” — applicants are expected to live and develop their career in the nominating state.
The Subclass 491, by contrast, has explicit requirements: applicants must live and work in a designated regional area, otherwise their later PR transition may be affected.
8. Can offshore applicants apply for state nomination?
Yes. Some states open pathways to offshore applicants, especially in shortage occupations or specific industries.
Compared with onshore applicants, however, offshore applicants typically face higher requirements — for example, higher points, more substantial work experience or a clearer occupational profile.
9. Are there extra fees for state nomination?
Some states charge a state nomination application fee, typically AUD 200–400.
You also need to budget for skills assessment, English testing, health checks and document preparation. Total cost is similar to Subclass 189 but with the addition of the state nomination fee.
10. Can I move to a different state later?
Legally, once a visa has been granted you can move freely within Australia.
However, state nomination is based on a commitment to live and develop in the nominating state, so it is generally advisable to live there for a period — both to align with policy expectations and to support future development and visa records.
Take action — start your state-nominated migration today
8 states and territories, 2 visa types (190 PR + 491 regional) and countless combinations. Newstarsec matches you to the right state and pathway based on your specific background, making your state nomination application more efficient.
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