Subclass 189 is an independent permanent visa, subclass 190 requires state or territory nomination, and subclass 491 is a provisional regional pathway. Compare the options, then ask Shahdain Asa, Registered Migration Agent MARN 2519006, to review which pathways fit your evidence.
These visas all use SkillSelect and the points test, but they differ in nomination, location requirements and whether the visa is permanent or provisional. Start with the closest match, then verify every criterion against your evidence.
A permanent visa for invited skilled workers. State, territory or eligible-relative nomination is not required, and the visa does not add nomination points.
A permanent visa requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory government. Each jurisdiction applies its own nomination criteria and priorities.
A five-year provisional visa requiring state or territory nomination or sponsorship by an eligible relative, with designated-regional-area obligations.
A separate permanent-residence pathway for eligible regional provisional visa holders. It is not automatic and has its own requirements.
Important: 65 points is the minimum SkillSelect threshold for subclasses 189, 190 and 491, not a guarantee of invitation. Your occupation, skills assessment, English evidence, points claims and any nomination criteria still need to be checked. Read the official SkillSelect EOI guidance.
An Expression of Interest is not a visa application. Build the pathway in the right order so that the claims entered in SkillSelect can be supported if an invitation arrives.
Discuss occupation eligibility, points, skills assessment evidence and 189, 190 or 491 pathway planning at our Seven Hills office or by phone or video.
Start with a focused guide, then use the occupation search, points calculator and invitation-round data to compare the pathway.
Engineers Australia assessment planning, skilled visa options and state monitoring.
ACS assessment planning, employment evidence and skilled or employer-sponsored options.
ANMAC, AHPRA-related evidence, skilled pathways and employer-sponsored options.
AITSL assessment, supervised practice evidence, English and nomination planning.
Skills assessment options, points, English and state nomination strategy.
Trade evidence, TRA assessment, employer sponsorship and regional pathway planning.
Project evidence, Engineers Australia assessment and skilled migration planning.
ACS evidence planning for business analysis duties and skilled visa strategy.
Additional guides for trade, health, ICT and employer-sponsored occupation searches.
Engineers Australia evidence, project history, skilled points and sponsor pathway planning.
ACS assessment planning, coding evidence, employment history and skilled visa options.
ANMAC, registration evidence, aged care experience and employer-sponsored options.
Group leader role evidence, ACECQA assessment and sponsored work visa review.
TRA assessment, licensing issues, practical evidence and regional pathway planning.
Workshop evidence, TRA assessment, sponsorship and regional migration planning.
Diesel systems, paid work records, TRA evidence and employer pathway review.
Trade evidence, site duties, TRA assessment and skilled or employer options.
Hospitality duties, paid employment evidence, TRA and sponsor pathway planning.
Welding process evidence, trade documents, TRA and skilled pathway review.
Plumbing trade evidence, licensing considerations and regional pathway planning.
VETASSESS assessment, campaign evidence, employment records and state options.
Use this data together with your occupation and points estimate. Departmental rounds mainly affect subclass 189 and 491 Family Sponsored EOIs; state nomination for 190 and 491 is managed separately by each jurisdiction.
Minimum score invited is not a guarantee of future invitation. It changes with occupation demand, lodged applications, occupation ceilings, program settings and EOI competition.
Loading occupation scores.
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Allocations are how many new primary applicants jurisdictions can nominate in the program year. Nominations used shows EOIs already nominated up to the Home Affairs reporting date.
A calculator is useful for screening, but the Department assesses the evidence behind each claim. Check the pathway against the rules applying at the relevant time.
Invitation scores, jurisdiction criteria and assessing-authority requirements vary. A registered migration agent can identify assumptions that need proof before you rely on a strategy.
Points-tested migration is not the only skilled pathway. Your employment, current visa, location and longer-term goal may make another route relevant.
Compare temporary and permanent employer-sponsored options, including subclasses 482, 186 and 494.
Explore employer-sponsored visasUnderstand how a subclass 485 period may be used to build skills, employment or eligibility for a later pathway.
Compare 485 to PR optionsReview the separate subclass 191 permanent-residence requirements for eligible 491 and 494 visa holders.
Read the subclass 191 guideCompare skilled, employer-sponsored, partner and family pathways without assuming one visa fits every case.
Open the permanent residence hubClear answers about SkillSelect, points, skills assessments, invitations and evidence.
Subclass 189 is a permanent independent pathway. Subclass 190 is a permanent pathway requiring state or territory nomination, which contributes 5 points. Subclass 491 is a five-year provisional regional pathway requiring state or territory nomination or eligible-relative sponsorship, which contributes 15 points.
Sixty-five points is the minimum SkillSelect threshold for subclasses 189, 190 and 491, but meeting it does not guarantee an invitation. Invitation prospects depend on the visa, occupation, points ranking, program settings and, for nominated pathways, each jurisdiction's criteria.
For these points-tested skilled visas, Home Affairs says you need a skills assessment in the occupation you are nominating before you submit your Expression of Interest. The assessment must also meet the relevant visa requirements at invitation.
No. You first submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. You can lodge the visa application only after receiving an invitation for the relevant pathway and must support the claims made in your EOI.
No. An EOI is not a visa application and does not give you a bridging visa. If you are in Australia, you must separately ensure that you remain lawful while waiting for any invitation.
Prepare your passport details, CV, qualifications, employment evidence, English results, nominated occupation and assessing authority, skills assessment status, partner information, Australian study details and state or regional preferences.