189 vs 190 Visa: Which Skilled Migration Pathway Should You Choose?
The Subclass 189 and 190 are Australia's two main points-tested permanent residency visas for skilled workers. Both lead to PR. Both let you bring your family. The difference is freedom vs ease — and picking wrong can cost you 6+ months. Here's how to decide.
In this article
What's the Real Difference?
Both the 189 and 190 are permanent residency visas in the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program. Both require a positive skills assessment, a competitive points score, and an eligible occupation. Both let you live and work in Australia indefinitely, sponsor family, and apply for citizenship after 4 years.
The difference comes down to two things:
- The 189 is independent — you don't need a sponsor. You apply on your own merit and can live anywhere in Australia.
- The 190 is state nominated — a state or territory government picks you, gives you 5 bonus points, and you commit to living and working there for at least 2 years.
If your points score is comfortable and your occupation is in demand: the 189 is faster and more flexible. If you're short on points or have a less-popular occupation: the 190's 5-point boost can be the difference between an invitation this year and waiting forever.
Subclass 189: Independent Skilled Visa
The 189 is the “pure points” visa. You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, the Department of Home Affairs ranks all candidates by points, and the highest scorers in each occupation get invited to apply.
189 at a glance
- Minimum points: 65 (but real cut-offs are 90+ for most occupations in 2026)
- Sponsor: None required
- Where you can live: Anywhere in Australia, no restrictions
- Eligible occupations: Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Validity: Permanent
- Pathway to citizenship: 4 years residence (1 as PR)
The 189's biggest advantage is freedom — you don't owe anything to any state. Its biggest weakness is competition. With current cut-offs at 95+ points for popular occupations like Software Engineer, ICT Business Analyst, and Accountant, many candidates with 75-85 points wait years for an invitation.
Subclass 190: State Nominated Visa
The 190 works the same way — you submit an EOI — but you also need a state or territory to formally nominate you. That nomination adds 5 points to your score and unlocks visa invitations even when the 189 round skips your occupation.
190 at a glance
- Minimum points: 65 (including the 5 nomination points)
- Sponsor: A state or territory government
- Where you can live: The nominating state, for at least 2 years
- Eligible occupations: MLTSSL or Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), depending on the state
- Validity: Permanent
- Pathway to citizenship: 4 years residence (1 as PR)
Each state has its own list of nominated occupations, criteria (e.g. some require 6 months of regional work experience or a job offer), and annual quotas. The lists open in July, fill up fast, and reset the following July.
Photo by Truong Tuyet Ly on Unsplash
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | 189 (Independent) | 190 (State Nominated) |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor needed | No | Yes — a state or territory |
| Bonus points | 0 | +5 |
| Realistic points cut-off (2026) | 90–95+ | 75–85 |
| Where you can live | Anywhere | Nominating state for 2 years |
| Occupation list | MLTSSL only | MLTSSL or STSOL (state choice) |
| Visa application charge (main applicant) | $4,765 | $4,765 |
| Processing time (75th percentile) | 8 months | 6 months |
| Permanent residency? | Yes | Yes |
| Medicare | Full, immediate | Full, immediate |
| Centrelink | After 4-year NARWP | After 4-year NARWP |
| Bring family | Yes | Yes |
| Citizenship after | 4 years residence | 4 years residence |
Cut-offs and processing times based on Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect rounds and visa processing reports current to April 2026.
How to Choose Between Them
Honest answer: most people apply for both via separate EOIs and take whichever invitation comes first. The points threshold is so high in 2026 that limiting yourself to one pathway is a luxury few can afford.
That said, here's how to think about it strategically:
Choose the 189 if:
- Your points are 90+ (so you're competitive without the +5 boost)
- Your occupation is on the MLTSSL and gets regular invitations
- You want maximum flexibility — live in Sydney, work in Perth, move to Melbourne, no restrictions
- You don't want to commit to a specific state for 2 years
Choose the 190 if:
- Your points are 70–85 (the +5 nomination bonus is the difference between getting invited and not)
- Your occupation is on the STSOL (only the 190 and 491 accept STSOL)
- You already have a job offer in a specific state or genuine ties there (family, study)
- You're open to a smaller state — Tasmania, NT, and ACT have lower thresholds and faster processing
Once your visa is granted, settling in and getting Medicare set up should be your first move. See how to apply for a Medicare card and your first 30 days in Australia for what to do once you arrive.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Confirm your occupation is eligible
Check your occupation appears on the MLTSSL (for 189) or the relevant state's list (for 190). Each occupation maps to a specific assessing authority — e.g. Engineers Australia for engineers, ACS for IT roles, VETASSESS for many trades.
Step 2: Get your skills assessed
Submit your qualifications and work experience to the assessing authority. This usually takes 8–16 weeks and costs $300–1,200. Don't skip this step — a positive skills assessment is mandatory before you can submit an EOI.
Step 3: Take an English test
IELTS, PTE, OET, or TOEFL iBT. You need at least Competent English (IELTS 6 in each band) to be eligible, but Proficient (IELTS 7) gives you 10 points and Superior (IELTS 8) gives you 20 points. Most successful applicants score Superior.
Step 4: Calculate your points
Use the official points calculator. Common point sources: age (max 30), English (max 20), skilled employment (max 20), education (max 20), Australian study (5–10), regional study (5), partner skills (5–10), state nomination (5), regional nomination (15).
Step 5: Submit your EOI(s)
Lodge through SkillSelect. You can submit separate EOIs for the 189 and 190 (and 491) at the same time — this is normal and recommended. EOIs are free and stay valid for 2 years.
Step 6: For the 190 — apply for state nomination
Each state has its own nomination application portal, fee ($200–1,000), and supporting documents (CV, qualifications, evidence of state ties or job offer). Quotas reset every July; applying in the first month of the financial year gives you the best odds.
Step 7: Receive an invitation — then lodge your visa application
Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge a complete visa application: police certificates from every country you've lived in for 12+ months since age 16, health checks, evidence for every claim. Get a registered migration agent (MARA-registered) for this step if your case is complex — mistakes here can sink the whole application.
Step 8: Wait for grant — plan your arrival
Median processing is 6–8 months. Once granted, your visa is valid for 5 years for travel (you must enter Australia within that time). After arrival, sort out a Tax File Number, bank account, and Medicare — see our first 30 days checklist.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Inflating your points. Home Affairs verifies every claim. Inflated work experience or unverified English scores can lead to a 3-year bar from re-applying.
- Missing the 60-day invitation window. Once invited, the clock starts. If you don't have police checks ready (which take 4–12 weeks for some countries), you'll lose the invitation.
- Choosing a state without a real plan. If you nominate Tasmania to use the easier criteria but plan to move to Sydney within months, future visa renewals or partner sponsorships can be flagged.
- Skipping the partner skills assessment. If your partner has skilled experience, getting their skills assessed adds 10 points — often the difference between being invited and not.
- Forgetting about the NARWP. Even after PR is granted, you wait 4 years for most Centrelink payments. See NARWP Explained.
- Applying without a migration agent for complex cases. If you have any history (visa refusals, character issues, work experience that's hard to evidence), the cost of a MARA agent ($3,000–7,000) is worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 189 visa better than the 190?
Neither is universally better. The 189 gives you full freedom; the 190 has lower effective points requirements but commits you to a state for 2 years. The right answer depends on your points, occupation, and how flexible you can be.
How many points do you need for a 189 visa in 2026?
The minimum is 65, but realistic cut-offs for most occupations are 90–95 in 2026. Priority occupations (registered nurses, secondary teachers) get invited at 65–75. Check the latest invitation rounds on SkillSelect.
Can I move interstate after getting a 190 visa?
The 2-year commitment is a moral obligation, not a hard visa condition. But moving early can damage future state applications (e.g. for family members) and may be raised in citizenship interviews. Most lawyers strongly recommend honouring it.
How long does the 189 vs 190 take to process?
In 2026: 75% of 189 applications are decided within 8 months; 90% within 13 months. The 190 is faster: 75% within 6 months, 90% within 10 months. Processing varies by occupation, document quality, and applicant country.
Do you need a job offer for the 189 or 190?
No. Neither requires a job offer. Both are points-tested. (Employer sponsored alternatives are the 482 and 186 visas.) Some states do require a job offer for 190 nomination in specific occupations — always check the state's current criteria.
What's the cost of the 189 vs 190 visa?
Same: $4,765 for the main applicant. Add ~$2,385 for a partner over 18, ~$1,195 per child, plus skills assessment ($300–1,200), English test ($340–415), and police certificates. Family of 4 typically: $9,000–11,000 all in.
Which states nominate for the 190?
All 8 states and territories. Each has its own occupation list and quotas, reset every July. NSW and Victoria are most popular but most competitive. Tasmania, NT, and ACT typically have lower bars and faster processing.
Can I get Centrelink and Medicare on the 189 or 190?
Yes — both are PR visas, so full Medicare is immediate (see how to apply) and Centrelink follows the 4-year NARWP for most payments (see NARWP explained).
Official Resources
- Subclass 189 official page (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
- Subclass 190 official page (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
- SkillSelect: submit your EOI (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
- Skilled occupation lists — MLTSSL & STSOL (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
- Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period (servicesaustralia.gov.au)
- Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (mara.gov.au)
Once you have PR, you can also help your partner if they're still on a temporary visa — see our guides on Centrelink on the 820 Partner Visa and Centrelink on the 309 Partner Visa.
Bottom line:
If your points are above 90 and your occupation is in demand, target the 189. If you're sitting at 70–85, lodge EOIs for both the 189 and 190 at the same time, apply for state nomination as soon as the July round opens, and take whichever invitation lands first. Either way, don't wait — cut-offs only go up.