🇦🇺 Australia PR Guide: Eligibility · Documents · Processing Time · Points Calculator · Skills Assessment · State Nomination · Application Process · FAQs
Australia State Nomination for PR — Which State to Choose & How to Apply
Subclass 190 and 491 state nomination explained — requirements, points, and relevant states for Indians
What is State Nomination?
State nomination is a process where an Australian state or territory selects skilled migrants to live and work in their region. There are two main visas that use state nomination:
- Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated Visa: Permanent residency from day one. Adds 5 points to your EOI score. You must commit to living and working in the nominating state for at least 2 years.
- Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional Visa: A provisional (temporary) 5-year visa. Adds 15 points to your EOI. You must live and work in a regional area of the nominating state. After 3 years, you can apply for PR via Subclass 191.
Why it matters for Indians: Most Indian skilled migrants score 65–75 points on SkillSelect. The extra 5 or 15 points from state nomination can be the difference between receiving an invitation and waiting indefinitely for one.
State Nomination — Key Requirements (All States)
| Requirement | Typical Standard |
|---|---|
| EOI Score | Minimum 65 points; most states invite 75–85+ |
| Occupation | Must be on state's occupation list (varies by state) |
| Skills Assessment | Positive skills assessment required before applying |
| English Language | Competent (IELTS 6.0+); most states prefer Proficient (7.0+) |
| Genuine Interest | Must demonstrate genuine intent to live and work in the state |
| Australian Work Experience | Some states require prior work experience in Australia or the state |
State and Territory Nomination Pathways (Subclass 190 & 491)
Victoria (VIC) — Subclass 190
One of the most active states for skilled migration. Victoria has a wide occupation list including IT, engineering, healthcare, accounting, and construction. Requires a minimum EOI score of 65 (typically invites 80+). Does not generally require prior Victorian work experience for offshore applicants in high-demand occupations.
New South Wales (NSW) — Subclass 190
Sydney-based with competitive demand. NSW 190 typically requires 65–70+ points and a job offer OR skills in critical demand. The NSW Critical Skills list is updated frequently — IT, nursing, engineering, and trade occupations appear regularly.
South Australia (SA) — Subclass 190 & 491
One of the more accessible states for Indian migrants with lower competition. SA accepts applications from offshore applicants with 65+ points. The 491 program covers regional SA with additional leniency. Strong in healthcare, IT, and engineering occupations.
Tasmania (TAS) — Subclass 491
Tasmania operates nomination streams for both onshore graduates/workers and offshore candidates. Tasmania 491 program is well-known for accepting applicants with 65–70 points without requiring Australian work experience.
How to Apply for State Nomination
Create a SkillSelect account and lodge your Expression of Interest. You can select multiple states.
Australia PR State Nomination (Subclass 190): Complete Guide
Australia's Subclass 190 State Nominated visa allows skilled workers to obtain permanent residency by securing a nomination from an Australian state or territory government. Nomination provides 5 additional points on the points test and significantly improves your chances of receiving an invitation.
How State and Territory Nomination Works (Federal EOI vs State Pathways)
State and territory nomination is a two-step intergovernmental process combining Australian federal immigration rules with jurisdiction-specific selection criteria. It is important to note that there is no single universal application workflow across all eight states and territories. While all applicants must hold an active federal SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI), each jurisdiction manages its own nomination pipeline:
All applicants must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) on the Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect portal, selecting Subclass 190 (5 nomination points) or Subclass 491 (15 nomination points) and indicating their preferred state(s) or 'Any State'.
Depending on the specific jurisdiction, applicants must follow distinct state-level procedures:
- Victoria (Live in Victoria): Requires lodging a separate Registration of Interest (ROI) through the Victorian portal after submitting SkillSelect EOI.
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): Requires submitting a Canberra Matrix score calculation before potential invitation.
- Tasmania (Migration Tasmania): Uses the Migration Tasmania Gateway (registrations of interest and Gateway pass invitations).
- NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Northern Territory: Some jurisdictions invite directly from SkillSelect based on ranking and occupation demand, while others open scheduled direct portal application windows.
Once the state government approves the nomination, SkillSelect automatically issues a formal federal Invitation to Apply (ITA). You then have 60 days to submit the final visa application via ImmiAccount.
Which Occupations Are Eligible for State Nomination?
Eligible occupations vary by state and are published on each state's skilled migration website. Generally, states target occupations on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Check each state's current skilled occupation list — they change quarterly. Your occupation must also be on the approved list and have a positive skills assessment.
State and Territory Nomination Pathways (Subclass 190 & 491)
Each Australian state and territory sets its own skilled occupation lists, minimum points requirements, and procedural intake rules:
Requires a separate Registration of Interest (ROI) lodged via the Victorian Government portal in addition to an active SkillSelect EOI. Selection prioritises target industry sectors and high-demand skill areas.
Operates invitation rounds inviting top-ranked candidates directly from SkillSelect based on points score, relevant work experience, and occupation priority in NSW target sectors.
Operates multiple streams including South Australian Graduates, Working in South Australia, Highly Skilled and Talented, and Offshore Skilled streams with explicit experience and occupation requirements.
Uses the Migration Tasmania Gateway portal. Candidates register an EOI and are evaluated against published priority attributes before receiving an invitation to apply for state nomination.
Requires lodging a SkillSelect EOI and submitting a formal state nomination application upon invitation during scheduled nomination rounds.
WA operates the WASMP with Graduate and General streams; ACT requires a Canberra Matrix submission; NT nominates candidates demonstrating strong regional commitment and employability.
🇦🇺 Australia PR Guide: Eligibility · Documents · Processing Time · Points Calculator · Skills Assessment · State Nomination · Application Process · FAQs
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