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The Australia 190 visa 2026 is a state-nominated permanent residency visa for skilled workers. If you're nominated by an Australian state or territory, you get 5 extra points on the points test, plus a quicker path to PR compared to most other skilled visa routes. For Indian applicants planning their move in 2026, it's shaping up to be one of the better options out there.
If you're weighing this route against subclass 189 or 491, or you're not sure which state is likely to nominate your occupation, this guide walks through eligibility, points, cost, and the full application process, along with what typically goes wrong.
Book a Free ConsultationThe subclass 190 is a permanent, points-tested visa that requires you to be nominated by an Australian state or territory. That nomination adds 5 points to your Expression of Interest score. In return, most states expect you to live and work in their state for at least two years, though once the visa is granted, this isn't actually enforced as a hard condition.
Unlike provisional visas, the Australia skilled nominated visa grants full permanent residency the day it's approved. There's no temporary stage, no waiting period, and no conversion step later.
For more on how this fits alongside other options, see our guide to the Australia PR visa pathways for Indian applicants.
Indian applicants make up one of the largest pools competing for state nomination, and the appeal is straightforward:
Unlike the subclass 186, you don't need an employer to sponsor you. And if your points are just shy of the subclass 189 cut-off, this is often the visa that gets you over the line.
You must meet these baseline requirements before applying:
Meeting the minimum score doesn't guarantee a nomination. States invite based on their own occupation priorities, so timing matters as much as your score.
Check Your EligibilityNomination rules aren't the same everywhere. Each state and territory has its own occupation list, its own criteria, and runs its own invitation rounds. Here's a snapshot:
Not sure which occupations qualify? Check the current Skilled Occupation List for Australia before choosing a target state.
States change their occupation lists all year round, not on any schedule you can plan around. So the job that's open today might not even be on the list in six months. And if a round fills up quicker than expected, the points cutoff can jump without much warning. A lot of applicants wait until everything feels right before applying, but that's risky too, because the rules can shift while you're still waiting on the sidelines.
Keep these ready before you begin:
Please note: Missing or inconsistent documentation is a leading cause of nomination and visa refusals. Have your file reviewed against each state's specific requirements before submitting.
| Category | Details | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Fees | Primary Applicant | AUD 4,910 |
| Spouse | AUD 2,455 | |
| Child | AUD 1,230 | |
| Other Mandatory Costs | Skills Assessment | ₹13,000 – ₹2.2 lakh |
| English Test (IELTS/PTE) | ₹15,000 – ₹18,000 | |
| Medical Examination | ₹8,000 – ₹15,000 | |
| Police Clearance Certificate | ₹500 – ₹1,500 | |
| Total Estimated Cost | Single Applicant | ₹3.5 – ₹5.5 lakh |
| Couple | ₹7 – ₹9 lakh | |
| Family (with 1 child) | ₹9 – ₹11 lakh |
Please note: State nomination fees are charged separately, typically AUD 200 to AUD 300 depending on the state. Figures are indicative and subject to change with immigration policy updates; confirm current costs before applying.
Complete applications with a clean skills assessment and accurate documentation typically move faster through the queue.
If your points are borderline, working with an experienced immigration consultant in India can help you identify which state is realistically going to nominate your profile, rather than applying without direction and losing time. If you're on a sponsor-backed route instead, compare it with the 482 visa Australia pathway.
Most of these are avoidable with the right preparation before you submit your nomination application.
Our team works directly with your points profile and target states, not a generic checklist. Call 9958524200 or email info@glocalopportunities.com.
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With the 189, there's no state involved at all. The 190 is different — you actually need a state or territory to nominate you before you can move forward. The upside is 5 bonus points, which honestly can make all the difference if your score is just under what 189 needs.
Technically you're expected to. Most states ask that you live and work there for at least two years once nominated. Nobody's going to strictly enforce this after your visa is granted, but if you brush it off completely, it could come back to bite you if you ever need that state's support again.
You're allowed to send your Expression of Interest to several states at once, so that part's flexible. Where it gets restrictive is that you can only hold one nomination at a time. So at some point, you'll have to pick a lane before your visa application can move ahead.
A job offer isn't a requirement, but it definitely doesn't hurt your chances. In fact, in states like South Australia, having one can earn you extra points and give your nomination a real boost.
65 points is the basic score — that's what you need before nomination is even possible. Once you're nominated, 5 points get added straight to your score, and for a lot of borderline applicants, that's exactly what pushes them over the line.
Nomination itself usually takes somewhere between 4 and 12 weeks. After that, once you've been invited, visa processing runs another 6 to 12 months. Applicants who stay on top of their paperwork and have a clean skills assessment tend to get through the queue faster.
