Australia Skilled Migration Visa 189 vs 190: Which One Should You Apply For?

Australia's skilled migration program attracts thousands of applicants every year from around the world. The two most popular permanent residency pathways are the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa) and the Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa). Both lead to permanent residency, but they differ in key ways that could determine which one is right for your situation.

Quick Comparison: 189 vs 190

Feature	Subclass 189	Subclass 190
Sponsor required?	No	Yes (state/territory nomination)
Occupation list	Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)	MLTSSL + Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) + Regional Occupation List (ROL)
Points required	Minimum 65 (competitive scores are 80+)	Minimum 65 (state nomination adds 5 points)
Location obligation	Live and work anywhere in Australia	Must live and work in nominating state for 2 years
Invitation cutoff scores	Generally higher	Generally lower due to state nomination boost
Processing time	6-12 months (varies by occupation)	6-9 months (varies by state and occupation)

How the Points Test Works

Both the 189 and 190 visas use Australia's General Skilled Migration (GSM) points test. You need a minimum of 65 points, but in practice, competitive scores are significantly higher. Here is how points are awarded:

Age (up to 30 points)

25-32 years: 30 points
18-24 or 33-39 years: 25 points
40-44 years: 15 points
45 and over: 0 points (not eligible)

English Language Ability (up to 20 points)

Superior English (IELTS 8+ in all bands): 20 points
Proficient English (IELTS 7+ in all bands): 10 points
Competent English (IELTS 6+ in all bands): 0 points (minimum requirement)

Skilled Employment Experience (up to 20 points)

Overseas experience: 3 years (5 pts), 5 years (10 pts), 8+ years (15 pts)
Australian experience: 1 year (5 pts), 3 years (10 pts), 5 years (15 pts), 8+ years (20 pts)

Education (up to 20 points)

PhD: 20 points
Bachelor's degree or master's: 15 points
Diploma or trade qualification: 10 points

Other Factors

Australian study requirement (2 years of study): 5 points
Specialist education qualification: 5 points (STEM PhD)
Accredited community language: 5 points
Partner skills: 5-10 points
Professional Year in Australia: 5 points
Study in regional Australia: 5 points
State/territory nomination (190 only): 5 points

Understanding the Occupation Lists

One of the most important steps is checking whether your occupation appears on the relevant skills list.

For Subclass 189

Your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This list includes occupations that Australia considers to be in long-term demand, such as:

Software engineers, ICT professionals
Civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers
Accountants and auditors
Registered nurses and medical practitioners
Teachers (secondary school)
Chefs and cooks (in some assessment periods)

For Subclass 190

You can use occupations on the MLTSSL and the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and Regional Occupation List (ROL). This means more occupations qualify for the 190 than the 189. Each state also publishes its own priority list, so an occupation that is not in demand nationally might be highly sought after in a specific state or territory.

Skills Assessment: The Critical First Step

Before you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), you must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. This is non-negotiable and often the most time-consuming part of the process.

Common assessing authorities include:

Engineers Australia — For engineering occupations
ACS (Australian Computer Society) — For ICT professionals
VETASSESS — For a wide range of professional and trade occupations
CPA Australia / CA ANZ / IPA — For accounting occupations
ANMAC — For nursing and midwifery
AITSL — For teaching occupations
TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) — For trade occupations

Tips for a Successful Skills Assessment

Match your duties to the ANZSCO description. Your reference letters must clearly describe duties that align with the occupation's ANZSCO code, not just the job title.
Be prepared for experience deductions. ACS, for example, typically deducts two to four years of work experience for ICT assessments, meaning you need more years of experience than you might expect.
Get your documents certified. Most assessing bodies require certified copies of qualifications, transcripts, and reference letters.
Allow plenty of time. Assessments can take four to twelve weeks depending on the organization and complexity of your application.

The 189 Visa: Skilled Independent

The Subclass 189 is the most desirable skilled migration visa because it offers complete freedom. There is no state sponsorship requirement, no location obligation, and no need for a job offer. You can live and work anywhere in Australia from day one.

Pros:

No location restriction
No dependency on state nomination
Full permanent residency from the start

Cons:

Higher competitive cutoff scores (often 85-90+ for popular occupations like accounting and software engineering)
Fewer eligible occupations (MLTSSL only)
Longer wait times for invitations due to high demand

Who Should Apply for 189?

If you have a high points score (85+), your occupation is on the MLTSSL, and you want the flexibility to settle anywhere in Australia, the 189 is your best option.

The 190 Visa: Skilled Nominated

The Subclass 190 requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government. In return, you receive 5 additional points and often face lower cutoff scores. However, you are expected to live and work in the nominating state for at least two years.

Pros:

5 bonus points from state nomination
Lower effective cutoff scores
Access to more occupations (MLTSSL + STSOL + ROL)
Some states nominate occupations that never get invited under 189

Cons:

Two-year location obligation in the nominating state
Must meet the specific requirements of your chosen state
Nomination is not guaranteed even if you meet the criteria

Popular States for 190 Nominations

New South Wales (NSW) — Focuses on ICT, engineering, accounting, and healthcare. Competitive but high allocation numbers.
Victoria (VIC) — Broad range of occupations. Often nominates candidates already living in Victoria.
Queensland (QLD) — Strong demand for healthcare workers, engineers, and trades.
South Australia (SA) — One of the more accessible states with a wide occupation list and lower points requirements.
Western Australia (WA) — Growing demand for mining, engineering, healthcare, and construction occupations.
Tasmania (TAS) — Often has the lowest requirements but may require you to already be living or studying in Tasmania.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Check your occupation on the relevant skills list and identify the correct assessing authority.

Step 2: Prepare for and take the English language test (IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT). Aim for the highest score possible.

Step 3: Obtain your skills assessment from the relevant authority.

Step 4: Calculate your points honestly. Use the Department of Home Affairs points calculator to confirm your score.

Step 5: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. You can submit EOIs for both 189 and 190 simultaneously.

Step 6: Wait for an invitation. For 189, invitations are issued in regular rounds based on points score and occupation ceilings. For 190, the state will review your EOI and may invite you to apply for nomination.

Step 7: Apply for the visa within 60 days of receiving an invitation. You will need to submit all supporting documents, undergo health examinations, and provide police clearances.

Processing Times and Current Trends

As of early 2025, processing times vary:

189: Approximately 6 to 12 months from lodgement
190: Approximately 6 to 9 months, though this depends on the state

Australia has been increasing its permanent migration program in response to skills shortages, particularly in healthcare, technology, engineering, and trades. This is good news for applicants in these fields.

Which Visa Should You Choose?

Choose 189 if:

You have a very high points score (85+)
Your occupation is on the MLTSSL
You want complete geographic flexibility

Choose 190 if:

Your points score is moderate (70-85)
Your occupation is on the STSOL or ROL but not the MLTSSL
You are happy to commit to living in a specific state for two years
You want the extra 5 points to become competitive

Apply for both if:

Your occupation is on the MLTSSL and you want to maximize your chances

Start Your Australia Migration Journey

Understanding the difference between the 189 and 190 visas is the first step toward making the right choice. NextMigrate can help you determine which visa pathway suits your profile, guide you through the skills assessment process, and prepare a strong EOI. Our team works with applicants at every stage, from initial eligibility checks to final visa lodgement.