The Australian visa subclass 190, known as the Skilled Nominated visa, allows skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory to live and work permanently in Australia, requiring a state nomination as a key factor in the application process.
Benefits:
With this visa you can
– stay in Australia permanently
– work and study in Australia
– enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare
– sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
– travel to and from Australia for 5 years
– if eligible, become an Australian citizen

To be eligible for the Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa, you must meet the following criteria:

1. Be Invited to Apply
• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.
• Receive an invitation from an Australian state or territory government.

2. Occupation & Skills Assessment
• Your occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List of the nominating state or territory.
• Obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority for your occupation.

3. Meet the Points Test (Minimum 65 Points)

Points are awarded based on:
• Age: Must be under 45 years at the time of invitation.
• English Proficiency: Minimum Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent).
• Work Experience: Points for skilled work experience (Australian or overseas).
• Education: Higher qualifications earn more points.
• State Nomination: Automatically adds 5 points.

4. State or Territory Nomination
• Each state has its own criteria for nomination, such as:
• Residency in the state.
• Work experience in the nominated occupation.
• Job offer in that state (if required).

5. Health & Character Requirements
• Must meet Australian health and character requirements (Medical exams & Police clearance).

6. No Previous Visa Cancellation or Refusal
• You must not have had a visa refused or canceled in the past.

To obtain the Australian Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), you must first undergo skills assessment, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), receive an invitation to apply for the visa, and then apply and have your visa granted.
Here’s a breakdown of the process:
1. Skills Assessment:
Assess your skills: You need to determine if your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupations list.
Skills Assessment Authority: Once you have a suitable occupation, you must seek assessment from the relevant Australian authority for your occupation.
Submit Assessments: Once assessments are done, you must save these results in your EOI.
2. Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect:
Create an EOI: Register an EOI on the SkillSelect website.
Provide Information: Include personal details, language test results, and skills assessment results.
Update EOI: You can update your EOI at any time until receiving an invitation to apply for a skilled visa.
3. State Nomination:
State Sponsorship: Some states nominate skilled workers for specific occupations.
Nomination Requirements: The state or territory must nominate you, which will then grant additional points to your application.
Apply for State Nomination: Seek nomination from the respective state or territory where you wish to live.
4. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA):
Invitations: If your EOI meets the requirements and you are also nominated, you will receive an invitation to apply for the 190 visa.
60 Day Timeframe: If invited, you have 60 days to complete and submit your visa application.
5. Submit Your Visa Application:
ImmiAccount: You will need to create or log into ImmiAccount to submit your visa application.
Gather Documents: Prepare and upload all the required documents and supporting information.
Submit: Ensure your application is submitted within the allotted timeframe.
6. Visa Grant:
Processing Time: Processing times can vary, but generally, the visa grant takes 45-60 days once the application is assessed.
Note: The information provided is based on the current understanding of visa processes. It is always recommended to consult the Immigration and citizenship Website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

The key difference between the Australian Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa) is that the 190 visa grants permanent residency while the 491 visa is a provisional visa offering a pathway to permanent residence but with initial regional area living requirements.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated Visa (Permanent)
Visa Type: Permanent
Purpose: Allows skilled workers to live and work permanently in Australia after being nominated by a state or territory government.
Location: Once granted, you are not restricted to living or working in a specific area, as it is a permanent visa.
Sponsorship: Requires nomination from an Australian state or territory government.
Application Pathway: You must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and, if successful, be invited by a state or territory government to apply for the visa.
Points Test: Requires a minimum points test score (typically 65 or higher).
Eligibility: Must hold a skilled occupation on the relevant Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional Visa (Provisional)
Visa Type: Provisional (temporary)
Purpose: Provides a pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers, but with the condition of living and working in a designated regional area.
Location: You are required to live and work in the designated regional area for a specified period (typically 3 years) before you can apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.
Sponsorship: Requires nomination from a state or territory government.
Application Pathway: You must submit an EOI, be invited to apply, and meet the visa requirements, including living and working in the specified regional area.
Points Test: Requires a minimum points test score (typically 65 or higher).
Eligibility: Must hold a skilled occupation on the relevant Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and be nominated by a state or territory government.
Pathway to Permanent Residency: After meeting the conditions of the 491 visa (living and working in a regional area for a specified time), you can apply for permanent residency through the 191 visa (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa).

A visa for skilled people nominated by a state or territory government to live and work in regional Australia.
This is a provisional visa. It is for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​stay in Australia for 5 years. live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia. travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid​

To be eligible for the Australian Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), you must meet the following criteria: have a nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list, obtain a suitable skills assessment, meet the points test requirements, be nominated by a state or territory government, or have an eligible relative sponsor you, be invited to apply, and meet health and character requirements.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Key Requirements:
Nominated Occupation: Your chosen occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list on the Immigration and citizenship Website.
Skills Assessment: You need a valid and positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation.
Points Test: You must score a minimum of 65 points on the Department of Home Affairs points test.
State or Territory Nomination/Sponsorship: You must be nominated by a state or territory government agency or be sponsored by an eligible relative.
Invitation to Apply: You must receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
Health and Character Requirements: You must meet the health and character requirements for a visa.
Age Requirement: You must be under 45 to be invited to apply, though you can still apply if you turn 45 after the invitation.
English Language Proficiency: You need to meet the competent English language requirement.
Financial Capacity: For some streams, you may need to demonstrate you have the financial capacity to settle in the NT.
Sponsorship by an Eligible Relative:
Eligible relative:
Your sponsor must be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen, who is an eligible relative to you or your partner.
Eligible relative can be:
a parent, child, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, grandparent, or first cousin.
Sponsor’s Residence:
The sponsor must usually reside in a designated area of Australia, though there is no requirement for the sponsor and applicant to reside in the same regional area.
State/Territory Nomination:
Meeting State Requirements:
Each state or territory has specific nomination criteria, so ensure you meet the requirements for your chosen state/territory.
Nomination by a Territory
For example, offshore applicants may need to demonstrate a genuine commitment to live and work in the NT on a long-term basis, declare that they have the financial capacity to settle in the NT, and meet criteria against one of the 3 streams.

To apply for the Australian Subclass 491 visa (Skilled Work Regional), you first need to express your interest through the SkillsSelect platform, then if invited, submit a full visa application via ImmiAccount, following the detailed steps and requirements outlined by Immigration and citizenship.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the process:
1. Expression of Interest (EOI):
Create an Account:
Start by creating an ImmiAccount on the Immigration and citizenship Website and navigate to SkillsSelect to create an EOI.
Gather Information:
Collect all necessary documents like your skills assessment, English language test results, and other relevant information, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
Complete the EOI:
Fill out the EOI, adding all required information and save regularly. You can update the EOI at any time before receiving an invitation to apply.
Submit your EOI:
Once you’re ready, submit your completed EOI
Receive Invitation:
Immigration and citizenship will notify you if you are invited to apply for a visa.
2. Visa Application:
Apply via ImmiAccount:
If invited, you have 60 days to complete and submit a visa application through your ImmiAccount.
Complete the Application:
Fill out the application form carefully and accurately, ensuring all documents are scanned and attached correctly.
Pay the Visa Fee:
Pay the required visa fee and submit the application.
Wait for the Outcome:
After submitting your application, wait for the Department of Home Affairs to notify you about the decision on your visa application.
3. After Receiving the Decision:
If Approved:
You will receive details about your visa grant number, issuance/expiration dates, and any conditions or obligations.
If Refused:
The Department will inform you of the reasons for refusal and your review rights, if any.

The Subclass 190 visa, also known as the Skilled Nominated Visa, is a permanent residency option for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government. This visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. To be eligible, you need to have a skill listed on the relevant skilled occupation list and obtain a suitable skills assessment. You’ll also need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect online service and receive an invitation to apply.

Subclass 491 Visa
The Subclass 491 visa, or Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa, is designed to address skill shortages in regional areas of Australia. This provisional visa is valid for five years and encourages you to live and work in regional or low-population growth metropolitan areas. You can be sponsored by either a state or territory government or a relative living in a designated regional area of Australia. The 491 visa offers a pathway to permanent residency if you meet certain conditions, including living in the regional area for at least three years and maintaining an annual income of AUD 82,980.68.

Key Similarities
Both the Subclass 190 and 491 visas share several important features:

Points-based system: Your eligibility is determined by factors such as age, English proficiency, skilled employment, and educational qualifications.
State or territory nomination: Both visas require nomination by an Australian state or territory, aligning your skills with regional needs.
Skills assessment: You must undergo a skills assessment by an authorized assessing authority to ensure your qualifications meet Australian standards.
English proficiency: Competency in English is a prerequisite for both visas.
Age requirement: Applicants must be under 45 years old at the time of invitation.
Health and character checks: You need to meet medical, health, and character requirements.
Family inclusion: Both visas allow you to include family members in your application.
Invitation process: You’ll need to receive an invitation to apply after submitting your EOI.