Both lead to Australian permanent residency, but the 190 gives you 5 extra points in exchange for state nomination obligations. Here's how to decide which is right for you.
189 vs 190 Visa: Which Australian Visa Should You Apply For?
Both the Subclass 189 and Subclass 190 lead to permanent residency in Australia. Both are points-tested. Both require a skills assessment and English language evidence. So what actually separates them — and which should you be targeting?
## The Core Difference
The Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) does not require any sponsor. Once granted, you can live and work anywhere in Australia with no obligations tied to a specific state, employer, or region.
The Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) requires a nomination from an Australian state or territory government. In exchange for that nomination, you receive 5 additional points toward your total score — and you commit to living and working in the nominating state for at least two years.
## When the 190 Makes Sense
If your current points score is close to but below the competitive invitation threshold for the 189, the 190 is often the better route. Five points can be the difference between receiving an invitation quickly and waiting indefinitely.
Example: If you score 80 points on the 189, you may wait 12–24 months for an invitation in a competitive occupation. With a 190 nomination adding 5 points to reach 85, your invitation chances improve significantly.
State nomination also opens doors for occupations that are on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) but not the MLTSSL — some occupations can only access the 190, not the 189.
## The 190 Obligation
The two-year obligation to live and work in the nominating state is real but flexible. You are not forced to stay — there are no immigration consequences if you move after the two years. However, you are expected to make a genuine effort to settle in the nominating state.
## State Nomination: What Each State Wants
Every Australian state and territory runs its own nomination programme with its own occupation lists, quotas, and eligibility criteria. Some states are more active than others in specific occupation streams:
- Victoria: Strong demand for healthcare, engineering, and IT professionals - Queensland: Construction, healthcare, and trades - Western Australia: Mining, engineering, and healthcare - South Australia: Healthcare, agriculture, and regional-based occupations - New South Wales: Highly selective — typically requires NSW employment or study - Tasmania and ACT: Open to more occupations but smaller quotas
State quotas fill throughout the year. Timing your state nomination application matters — some states open new rounds at specific points in the financial year.
## How to Decide
| Factor | Choose 189 | Choose 190 | |--------|-----------|-----------| | Points score (independent) | 85+ | Below 85 | | Flexibility to live anywhere | High priority | Willing to commit | | Occupation on MLTSSL | Yes | Not necessarily | | Want fastest possible invitation | Strong 189 score | Use 5pt boost | | Tied to specific state | No preference | Already in that state |
Many of our clients pursue both simultaneously — submitting an EOI for the 189 and applying for state nomination for the 190 at the same time. Whichever comes first, they take.
New World Immigration manages state nomination applications alongside 189 EOIs as a combined strategy. We know which states are actively nominating in your occupation and when their rounds open.