The 189 vs 190 visa comparison is one of the most important decisions for skilled migrants considering permanent residency in Australia. The 189 visa requires no state or territory nomination and lets you live and work anywhere in Australia, while the 190 visa requires nomination from a state or territory government and provides five additional points.
Both sit under the General Skilled Migration program, both are permanent visas from the day they are granted, and both use the same points test with a minimum threshold of 65 points.
The real decision is not about which visa is better. It is about which pathway your points score, occupation and circumstances may realistically allow you to pursue.
Home Affairs confirms that both Subclass 189 and Subclass 190 are points-tested visas and require an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. The minimum points threshold is 65, but meeting 65 points does not guarantee an invitation.
This guide explains the 189 vs 190 visa Australia pathways and the practical differences you should consider before deciding which option may suit your circumstances.
189 vs 190 Visa: The Core Difference Comes Down to Nomination
Everything about the 189 visa vs 190 visa comparison starts with one major difference: state nomination.
Skilled Independent visa subclass 189. No state nomination, employer sponsorship or family sponsorship is required. You submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect and wait to be invited based on your own points score and eligibility.
Home Affairs describes the Subclass 189 visa as a permanent visa for invited skilled workers that allows them to live and work anywhere in Australia.
Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190. You also lodge an Expression of Interest, but you need nomination from an Australian state or territory government. State nomination adds five points to your points score.
In return, the nominating state generally expects you to genuinely intend to live and work there for a period after your visa is granted.
189 vs 190 Visa: Occupation Lists Can Be Different
A detail that often gets missed in the 189 vs 190 visa comparison is occupation eligibility.
The 189 visa relies on the relevant skilled occupation requirements for the Skilled Independent pathway, while the 190 visa also depends on the occupation requirements set by the state or territory nominating you.
Different states can have different occupation priorities, nomination requirements and invitation criteria.
This means your occupation may influence which skilled migration pathway is realistically available to you before your points score is even considered.
189 vs 190 Visa: Why 65 Points Does Not Guarantee an Invitation
Both visas have a minimum points threshold of 65 points.
However, 65 points is the minimum threshold to be eligible for consideration. It does not guarantee that you will receive an invitation.
For the Skilled Independent visa subclass 189, your invitation depends heavily on your occupation, points score and the competition within invitation rounds.
Some occupations may receive invitations at lower scores, while more competitive occupations can require significantly higher points.
For the Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190, receiving state nomination gives you an additional 5 points.
For example, if your own points score is 70, successful state nomination can increase your total to 75 points.
This is one reason why the 189 visa vs 190 visa decision often depends on whether your existing points are competitive enough for an independent invitation or whether state nomination could strengthen your position.
189 vs 190 Visa: Flexibility vs State Nomination
The two visas also differ in the level of geographic flexibility they offer.
The Subclass 189 visa does not require state nomination. Once granted, it allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia.
Subclass 190 is a state-nominated pathway. Applicants are nominated because a particular state or territory has identified them as potentially meeting its skilled migration needs.
If you have strong ties to a particular city, family commitments, employment plans or a partner established elsewhere, this should be considered carefully before pursuing state nomination.
The 189 vs 190 visa Australia comparison therefore involves more than simply looking at the extra five points.
Can You Pursue Both 189 and 190 Visa Pathways?
You may be able to keep more than one skilled migration pathway under consideration through SkillSelect, provided you meet the relevant requirements.
Applicants can lodge an Expression of Interest for skilled visas including Subclass 189 and Subclass 190 and update their EOI before receiving an invitation.
This means the 189 vs 190 visa decision does not always need to be made at the very beginning of your migration planning.
Depending on your occupation, points and circumstances, you may consider more than one skilled migration option while waiting for an invitation or state nomination opportunity.
189 vs 190 Visa: A Practical Way to Decide
Rather than choosing a visa simply by name, consider the following questions.
What is your current points score?
If your points score is highly competitive for your occupation, the Skilled Independent visa subclass 189 may be worth considering.
If you are closer to the minimum threshold, the additional five points from state nomination under Subclass 190 may strengthen your overall position.
Is your occupation eligible?
Your nominated occupation must meet the requirements of the visa pathway you are pursuing.
For Subclass 190, you also need to consider the occupation requirements and nomination criteria of the relevant state or territory.
Are you willing to live in the nominating state?
If you are comfortable living and working in a particular state, the Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190 may be suitable.
If geographic flexibility is particularly important to you, the Subclass 189 pathway may be more attractive.
Are you applying from offshore or from within Australia?
State nomination requirements can differ depending on whether you are currently living in Australia or overseas.
Your location can therefore influence which nomination programs and pathways may be available.
FAQs
Which Visa Is Easier to Get, 189 or 190?
There is no single answer for every applicant. In the 189 vs 190 visa comparison, Subclass 190 can provide an advantage because state nomination adds five points, while Subclass 189 depends on your own points score and invitation ranking.
Can I Apply for Both the 189 and 190 Visa at the Same Time?
You may be able to keep both skilled migration pathways under consideration through SkillSelect if you meet the relevant requirements. Your EOI strategy should reflect the visas and nomination options you are genuinely eligible to pursue.
Does the 190 Visa Require Me to Live in That State Permanently?
No. State nomination does not require you to live in the nominating state permanently. However, states generally expect nominated applicants to genuinely intend to live and work there for a period after visa grant.
Is the Minimum Points Requirement Different for the 189 and 190 Visa?
No. Both Subclass 189 and Subclass 190 have a minimum points threshold of 65 points. State nomination for Subclass 190 provides an additional 5 points.
Which Occupation List Applies to the 189 and 190 Visa?
Different occupation requirements can apply to different skilled visas. Your nominated occupation must be eligible for the visa pathway you are pursuing, and Subclass 190 also depends on the requirements of the state or territory nominating you.
What Is the Main Difference Between the 189 and 190 Visa?
The main difference in the 189 visa vs 190 visa comparison is state nomination. Subclass 189 is an independent skilled visa, while Subclass 190 requires state or territory nomination and provides five additional points.
Need Help With the 189 vs 190 Visa?
If you are unsure whether the 189 vs 190 visa pathway is more suitable for your points score, occupation and circumstances, PATHFINDER Visa & Immigration Services Pty Ltd can assess your situation and explain the skilled migration options that may be available.
We can assist with:
- Skilled migration eligibility assessments
- Points review
- Skilled Independent visa subclass 189 guidance
- Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190 guidance
- State nomination strategy
- Expression of Interest preparation
- Skills assessment planning
- Skilled migration advice for Perth WA
