Skilled Nominated visa

What this visa is for#

The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory.

It sits in the skilled category and the State nominated stream. The visa is designed for people whose occupation and background fit a state or territory government nomination program, and who then lodge a visa application with the Department of Home Affairs.

As a permanent visa, it can lead to ongoing residence in Australia from the date of grant. The process has two parts, state or territory nomination first, then the visa application with the Department.

Who it is generally for#

This visa is for people who have a skilled occupation and are seeking nomination from an Australian state or territory government.

This visa is for people who want permanent residence through a skilled migration pathway rather than through family, employer sponsorship or study.

This visa is for people who can take part in a two-stage process. First, a nomination application is made to a state or territory. If nomination is granted, a visa application is then lodged with the Department of Home Affairs.

This visa is for people who can meet the documentary and procedural requirements of a points-tested skilled visa process. In practice, that often involves identity documents, skills assessment material, English test results where relevant, employment evidence and civil documents for any family members included in the application.

What it costs#

The government visa application charge for the subclass 190 is:

• Main applicant: $6,140
• Additional applicant 18 or over: $3,070
• Additional applicant under 18: $1,535

These are government charges for the visa application itself. The government charge is the same no matter who lodges it, whether the application is prepared by the applicant, a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner.

State or territory nomination programs may also have their own separate fees or related costs. Those charges are separate from the Department of Home Affairs visa application charge and can vary by jurisdiction.

Professional fees are separate again. A registered migration agent or lawyer may charge for checking documents, preparing forms, managing deadlines, drafting submissions and corresponding with the Department or the nominating state or territory. Those fees are not fixed by the government, so quotes can vary.

Government charges are indexed and usually change on 1 July. Before lodging, the current amount is normally checked against the latest Department schedule.

How long it takes#

Published processing guidance for this pathway is: State nomination first, then DHA; commonly 8-14 months end to end.

That overall timeframe includes more than one stage. Time can be spent preparing documents, waiting for a state or territory to assess a nomination application, receiving an invitation or nomination outcome, and then waiting for the Department of Home Affairs to process the visa application.

Actual processing times can move around during the year. Delays often happen when documents are missing, a health or character requirement needs follow-up, or the Department asks for more information after lodgement.

A useful way to think about timing is that the visa is not a single queue from start to finish. It is a sequence of steps, and each step can have its own waiting period.

What the process involves#

The process usually starts with checking the current nomination rules published by the relevant state or territory. Each jurisdiction can set its own criteria, intake rounds, priority occupations, work requirements or document rules for its nomination program.

The next stage is gathering evidence. This often includes identity documents, passport pages, civil documents, qualifications, employment records, skills assessment documents, English test results where applicable, and records for any partner or children included in the application.

A state or territory nomination application is then lodged. That application is assessed under that jurisdiction's current program settings. Some jurisdictions ask for extra forms or declarations, and some require evidence to be uploaded in a particular format.

If nomination is approved, the visa application is lodged with the Department of Home Affairs. The Department then assesses the subclass 190 application under the migration legislation and may request more information if something is missing or unclear.

After lodgement, the Department may ask for health examinations, police clearances or updated documents. It is common for some evidence to need refreshing if it expires during processing.

A decision is made after the Department completes its assessment. If the visa is granted, the grant notice sets out the visa details and any relevant conditions or dates.

What commonly goes wrong#

A common problem is incomplete evidence. An application may include a qualification but not the transcript, or employment claims may be listed without enough supporting records such as reference letters, payslips, tax documents or contracts. Missing pieces can lead to delays, requests for more information or refusal if a claimed fact is not supported.

Another problem is documents expiring during the process. Passports, police clearances, English test results and skills assessments can all have practical validity issues in a long application timeline. If a document expires mid-process, an updated version may be requested, which can add time and cost.

Applicants also sometimes overlook differences between state nomination rules and Department visa rules. A state or territory may accept a nomination application based on its own published criteria, but the Department still conducts a separate visa assessment after lodgement. These are connected steps, but they are not the same decision.

Changes in personal details are another frequent issue. If an address changes, a passport is renewed, a baby is born, a relationship status changes or a person moves between countries, the Department usually needs to be updated. Not telling the Department about a change of address can mean important notices are missed.

File quality matters more than many people expect. Blurry scans, documents uploaded under the wrong category, inconsistent spelling of names, and untranslated records can all slow down assessment. Where a document is not in English, a proper translation is usually needed.

Timing mistakes are common too. Some people wait too long to obtain police clearances or health checks after they are requested. Others book these too early and then need to repeat them later because the processing period has stretched.

Assumptions about visa status can also cause practical trouble. A bridging visa does not automatically carry the same work, travel or study rights as the substantive visa held before it. Conditions need to be checked on the actual grant notice for the bridging visa, not assumed from an earlier visa.

Another issue is inconsistency across forms and supporting documents. Dates of employment, residential addresses, travel history and family details should line up across the application. Small contradictions can trigger questions, and larger contradictions can damage credibility.

Finally, some applications become harder because the nomination program changed between planning and lodgement. State and territory criteria can move quickly. Occupation lists, invitation settings, regional priorities and document rules can change without much notice, so older forum posts or social media comments are often out of date.

Frequently asked questions#

Is the 190 visa permanent residency?#

Yes. The subclass 190 is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory. It is part of the skilled migration program and sits in the State nominated stream.

How much does the Skilled Nominated visa 190 cost?#

The government charge is $6,140 for the main applicant, $3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over, and $1,535 for each additional applicant under 18. Separate professional fees may apply if a registered migration agent or lawyer helps prepare or lodge the application, and those fees are not set by the government.

How long does a 190 visa take?#

Published processing guidance for this pathway is: State nomination first, then DHA; commonly 8-14 months end to end. The total time usually includes document preparation, state nomination processing and then the Department's visa processing stage.

Do I need state nomination before applying for a 190 visa?#

Yes, this pathway works in stages. State or territory nomination comes first, and the visa application with the Department of Home Affairs follows after that step.

Can family members be included in a 190 visa application?#

The visa application charge structure includes additional applicants, which means family members can be part of the application in some cases. The listed charges are $3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and $1,535 for each additional applicant under 18.

About this page. This is general information about how the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) works. It is not immigration assistance and it is not advice about your situation. Under section 280 of the Migration Act 1958 only a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner can give you that. Charges are indexed and most change on 1 July, so check any figure against immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you rely on it, and check any agent's registration on the OMARA register.