189, 190 or 491: where the states come in
The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is the one skilled visa where states play no part: the Department of Home Affairs invites you directly from SkillSelect, and you can live anywhere in Australia. If your points aren't high enough for a 189 invitation, a state or territory nomination is usually the next step. A nomination adds 5 points for the permanent Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) or 15 points for the provisional Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491).
Each of the eight states and territories runs its own program, with its own occupation list, selection method, timing and fee. In 2026–27 they have opened at very different times. Some opened in August and others were still not taking registrations at the start of November. This guide sets out where each one stands as at 3 November 2026, what it asks for and what it costs.
The baseline: Subclass 189 requirements and fees
To be invited for a 189 you need, at the time of invitation:
- an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list and a positive skills assessment for it
- at least 65 points on the Home Affairs points test (check your score with our points calculator; invitations usually go to much higher scores)
- age under 45
- at least Competent English
- a SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI)
No state nomination is involved and there is no state fee. Home Affairs sets the 189 planning level nationally, and it is 21,090 places for 2026–27.
Visa application charges rose about 25% on 1 July 2026:
| Applicant | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 and 491 |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant | $6,135 | $6,140 |
| Each additional applicant 18+ | $3,070 | $3,070 |
| Each additional applicant under 18 | $1,535 | $1,535 |
On top of these come skills assessment, English test, health and police check costs. The state nomination fees in the next section are also extra for a 190 or 491.
All eight at a glance
As at 3 November 2026, WA, Tasmania and the ACT are inviting for both visas, and SA has opened but is limiting onshore ROIs for now. NSW and Victoria are inviting for the 190 only, and Queensland opens on 6 November. The Northern Territory has narrowed to limited onshore cases. Only three jurisdictions have published 2026–27 allocations so far.
| State | 190 status | 491 status | How you register | State fee (ex GST) | 2026–27 places (190 / 491) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WA | Inviting | Inviting | SkillSelect EOI only | $200 | Not published |
| NSW | Inviting | Closed | SkillSelect EOI only | $330 | Not published |
| VIC | Open since 26 Oct | Closed | EOI + Victorian ROI ($60) | $180 | 900 / not finalised |
| QLD | ROIs from 6 Nov | ROIs from 6 Nov | EOI + Queensland ROI | 2026–27 fee not yet published | Not published |
| SA | Open (22 Oct); onshore ROIs limited | Open (22 Oct); onshore ROIs limited | EOI + ROI (free) onshore; EOI offshore | $394 | Not published |
| TAS | Open since 17 Aug | Open since 17 Aug | EOI + ROI (free) | $387 | 1,250 / 800 |
| ACT | Inviting | Inviting | EOI + Canberra Matrix ($25) | $325 | Not published |
| NT | Restricted | Limited onshore cases | EOI + direct application | $300 | 850 / 1,000 |
GST of 10% is added to most state fees if you pay from inside Australia. State fees are paid only after you are invited, except Victoria's and the ACT's registration fees. Nationally, 2026–27 sets 35,500 places for state and territory nominated (190) visas but cuts the regional 491/494 category to 14,110, so 491 places are much tighter this year.
State by state
Western Australia
WA selects straight from SkillSelect, so there's no separate registration. Select WA in your EOI and keep it current. Invitation rounds for 2026–27 ran in September and on 14 October. Migration WA expects monthly rounds but hasn't published a 2026–27 allocation. It also hasn't formally published 2026–27 criteria, so the requirements below are the 2025–26 criteria it is still applying.
Everyone needs:
- an occupation on WASMOL Schedule 1 or 2 (General stream) or the Graduate occupation list, eligible for the visa you want
- a skills assessment matching your EOI occupation (a provisional 485 assessment doesn't count)
- at least 65 points and age under 45
- English of at least IELTS 6 in each band, or PTE 47 Listening, 48 Reading, 51 Writing and 54 Speaking for tests taken from 7 August 2025. UK, Irish, US, Canadian and NZ passport holders are exempt.
| Stream | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|
| General, Schedule 1 | 1 year of work experience in the last 10 years, plus a full-time WA job contract of at least 6 months | 1 year of work experience; no contract needed |
| General, Schedule 2 | Full-time WA job contract of at least 6 months | No contract needed |
| Graduate | WA qualification (Certificate III up to PhD) from at least 2 academic years (87+ weeks) of full-time, on-campus study in WA | Same |
The fine print:
- Work experience must be paid, at least 20 hours a week and gained after your qualification. It must be in your occupation or one sharing the first four ANZSCO digits. You can't mix Australian and overseas experience.
- A contract means 35+ hours a week on average. Two part-time contracts can be combined, but casual contracts aren't accepted. People invited for building and construction occupations don't need a contract.
- WA residents get priority, but only after living in WA for 3 months straight before the invitation. You prove it with a WA lease, bank statements or ATO letters, plus two secondary documents.
- EOIs are ranked by points, then by EOI date. If your EOI covers both visas, WA usually invites you for the 491 first.
- One nomination per program year. Lodge within 28 days of invitation and pay the $200 fee.
New South Wales
NSW opened the 190 for 2026–27 in mid-October, with its first round in the week of 19 October. All three 491 pathways are closed to new applicants. NSW selects from SkillSelect, so you can't apply directly.
Subclass 190 needs:
- an occupation within an ANZSCO unit group on the 2026–27 NSW Skills List (78 unit groups across health, education, engineering, IT and trades), and eligible for the 190
- one of these residence options:
- working in NSW in your nominated occupation, or
- living in NSW continuously for at least 6 months, or
- living offshore continuously for at least 6 months
- every Home Affairs requirement for the 190 (65+ points, under 45, Competent English, skills assessment)
NSW reads your residence from what you put in your EOI. Someone living in another state, such as WA, isn't eligible for NSW. An invitation lasts only 14 days, so have documents ready before the round.
Subclass 491 (closed for now): last year's rules required a NSW Regional Skills List occupation, plus 3 months' residence in NSW or offshore. A separate pathway covered people working in regional NSW, and another covered recent regional graduates. An update on the regional list is still pending.
Fee: $330, plus GST if paid in Australia, as shown on NSW's application guide. Confirm the amount when invited, because the 2026–27 program pages don't list it.
Victoria
Victoria opened 190 Registrations of Interest on 26 October, with 900 places (down from 2,700 last year). The 491 stays closed until its allocation is finalised.
Subclass 190 needs:
- to live in Victoria if you're in Australia, or overseas if you're offshore. Applicants living in other states aren't eligible.
- a commitment to live and work in Victoria
- at least 65 points including the 5 nomination points, plus every other Home Affairs requirement for the 190
- a new 2026–27 ROI, since old ROIs don't carry over
Subclass 491 (closed for now): usually open to offshore applicants and to people living and working in regional Victoria.
How Victoria ranks you: every ROI is scored on the new Victorian Points Test (VPT), which has 950 points and no pass mark. It's separate from the Home Affairs test. It scores seven factors: age, English, years of experience in your occupation, education, your occupation's skill level, your partner's skills and your earnings in Victoria. Offshore applicants don't claim earnings. Some Home Affairs points, such as regional study, Professional Year and community language, score nothing on the VPT.
Each round, Victoria invites:
- the highest VPT scores overall, and
- the highest VPT scores within each priority industry: healthcare, social assistance, education and construction.
Fees: $60 ROI and $180 nomination, plus GST if paid in Australia. The nomination fee is only charged if you're invited.
Queensland
Migration Queensland published its 2026–27 program on 30 October. ROIs for both visas open on 6 November. Its allocation and 2026–27 fee aren't published yet.
| Pathway | Who it's for | Queensland requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled workers living in Queensland | Onshore, working for a Queensland employer | 190: living and working in Queensland for 9 of the last 12 months. 491: 6 of the last 9 months in regional Queensland. |
| Skilled workers living offshore | Living outside Australia | Occupation on the Offshore list (97 occupations, down from 113). At least 1 year of skilled work in the last 3 years. You don't need to be working when you apply. |
| Building and construction | Onshore construction workers in flagged occupations | A shorter Queensland work and residence period (3 months under last year's rules) |
| Queensland graduates | Graduates of a Queensland university | The same 9 of 12 months (190) or 6 of 9 months regional (491) work window |
| Regional small business owners | 491 only, people running a business in regional Queensland | Business ownership and operation criteria |
Rules for every pathway:
- Your occupation must be on the list for your pathway. 170 onshore occupations are open to the 190, and some are 491-only.
- Work experience must come after your qualification, total at least 20 paid hours a week, and be in your occupation or one sharing the first three ANZSCO digits.
- Onshore applicants need their 2025–26 tax return lodged and their ATO Notice of Assessment received before they submit an ROI.
- Everyone needs a new ROI, even if you registered last year. Each ROI covers one visa subclass, you can have only one active ROI, and it can't be edited after submission.
- If you've applied for, been nominated for or hold a 491 or 489, you can't get a Queensland 190.
- After the visa is granted, you commit to 2 years in Queensland (190) or 3 years in regional Queensland (491).
South Australia
SA opened its 2026–27 program in its 22 October update. For now, onshore ROIs are limited to people who live and work in SA and whose current visa expires on or before 31 January 2027. Offshore candidates don't lodge an ROI: SA picks them from SkillSelect. SA hasn't published its allocation; last year's was 1,350 places for the 190 and 900 for the 491.
| Stream | Residence in SA | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Employment in SA | At least 12 months | 12 months full-time in a related job, currently 30+ hours a week |
| SA Graduates | 6 months recently, plus 1 year during study | 6 months full-time related work after study, currently 30+ hours a week |
| Outer Regional Skilled Employment | 9 months living and working in outer regional SA | Current full-time related job, 30+ hours a week |
| Offshore (no ROI) | Not applicable | 3 years of skilled work in the last 5, or 1 year in the last 3 for selected construction and trade jobs |
All streams:
- SA as first preference in your EOI
- an occupation on the SA Skilled Occupation List that's open in your stream
- a valid skills assessment, Competent English and at least 65 points
- SA Graduates: a CRICOS course in SA of at least 46 weeks, with 75% or more of the qualification completed in SA
Who gets a 190: priority goes to building and construction, defence, education, engineering, health and manufacturing. Applicants in those sectors whose occupation is 190-eligible may be offered a 190. Others may be offered a 491.
Watch out: an expiring visa doesn't speed things up. If your ROI is marked Not Invited, you can't submit another for 3 months. Offshore invitations last 14 days.
Fees: the ROI is free, and nomination is $394 for either visa. A 1.17% card surcharge applies, plus GST onshore.
Tasmania
Tasmania opened first. ROIs have been accepted since 17 August, with weekly invitation rounds since 20 August. It has 1,250 places for the 190 and 800 for the 491. The 2026–27 program mainly suits people already living in Tasmania. The 491 Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles pathway won't issue any invitations this year.
| Pathway | Main requirement (summary) |
|---|---|
| Tasmanian Skilled Employment | Living in Tasmania and working in a skilled job related to your skills assessment (ANZSCO levels 1–3) for at least 20 hours a week. The 190 needs at least 6 months of this work. The employer must have operated for 12+ months. |
| Tasmanian Skilled Graduate | Studied full-time on-site with a Tasmanian CRICOS provider: a longer course plus about 2 years' residence for the 190, and at least a 1-year course for the 491 |
| Tasmanian Established Resident | Lived in Tasmania for at least the last 3 years and working there. Business-income routes use $79,423 (190). |
| Tasmanian Business Operator | Running a Tasmanian business with income of at least $67,509 |
| Overseas Applicant (Job Offer) | 190: a job offer in health or education. 491: a Tasmanian job offer closely related to your skills assessment. |
How Tasmania ranks you: each ROI earns points from priority attributes in four tiers: Gold, Green, Orange-plus and Orange. Gold means an almost immediate invitation and Green is close behind. The top tiers usually need pay at or above the priority income level of $57,000 a year ($28.85 an hour, excluding overtime and penalty rates). For 2026–27, the Skilled Employment Gold attribute requires 6 months of work in Tasmania, with at least one job of 30+ hours a week.
Watch out: Tasmania won't nominate you for a 190 later if it has already nominated you for a 491. A pending 491 application isn't considered for a 190: to switch, withdraw it and register again.
Fees: the ROI is free; nomination is $387 ($425.70 incl. GST).
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT launched a new portal on 30 July and held its first 2026–27 Canberra Matrix round in the week of 12 October. Its allocation is still being negotiated; last year it had 800 places for each visa. All of Canberra counts as regional for the 491.
| Requirement | Canberra resident: 491 | Canberra resident: 190 | Overseas: 491 | Overseas: 190 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residence | 3 months in Canberra | 6 months in Canberra | Living overseas; not in Australia in the past 12 months | Same |
| Work | 13 weeks in Canberra at 15+ hrs/week | 26 weeks in Canberra at 30+ hrs/week | 1 year full-time in the last 5 years | 3 years full-time in the last 5 years |
| English | Competent | Proficient (some occupation exceptions) | Competent | Proficient (some exceptions) |
Other rules:
- Occupation must be on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
- Canberra work must be paid and genuinely based in Canberra. Fully remote work for an interstate employer doesn't count. Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra and Googong can count as Canberra residence.
- Self-employed residents need weekly taxable income of at least $610 (491) or $1,175 (190), and 12 months trading under an ABN.
- Overseas applicants also need an employability statement, a commitment statement and enough settlement funds.
- Residents and overseas applicants are ranked separately on the Canberra Matrix, and 491 Matrices are selected before 190s. Priority areas are care, education, construction, renewable energy and advanced technology.
- You can submit up to 2 Matrices per pathway. Updating a Matrix resets its date, and a Matrix expires after 6 months (12 months at most).
- The ACT nominates each person only once, ever.
- Separate streamlined pathways exist for ACT doctorate graduates and Canberra small business owners.
Timing and fees: pay the $25 Matrix fee within 7 days or the Matrix lapses. Lodge and pay the $325 nomination fee within 14 days of invitation. Then lodge the visa within 60 days of nomination.
Northern Territory
The NT opened on 21 August with 1,850 places: 850 for the 190 and 1,000 for the 491. Demand was heavy. By late October it was reported to be taking only limited onshore 491 cases, with no new 190 or offshore applications. If it reopens, these are its streams.
| Stream | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|
| NT Residents | 2 consecutive years living in the NT and 2 years of full-time NT work in your occupation | 12 consecutive months living in the NT and 6 consecutive months of full-time NT work |
| NT Graduates | Usually 6 continuous months in the NT after finishing your last NT qualification, plus a related job. New for 2026–27: 3 months' work outside Greater Darwin, or a job in a critical sector, can also qualify. | Available where the 190 criteria aren't met |
| Offshore: Job Offer | Not usually | A genuine job offer from an NT employer that has operated for 12+ months |
| Offshore: Family | Not usually | A family member (citizen, PR or eligible visa holder) who has lived in the NT for 12+ months |
| Offshore: Priority Occupation | Closed | Closed due to last year's backlog |
Also:
- You lodge an EOI and then apply directly to MigrationNT. Each application is assessed against the NT criteria and its workforce needs.
- Full-time means 35 hours a week. The job must continue for at least another 12 months, and the employer must have traded in the NT for 12+ months.
- Graduates relying on job search rather than a job now need 12 months in the NT after finishing their course, up from 6.
- Anyone already nominated by the NT for a 491 or 489 can't get an NT 190.
Fee: $300, plus GST onshore.
Choosing a state, and how Shamrock can help
The best state for you depends on your occupation, where you live now and your points. Rankings, occupation lists and allocations change during the year, and a program can close within weeks once its places are used. In practice:
- Keep your SkillSelect EOI current. WA and NSW select straight from it, and every other state checks it.
- Have a first-choice and a second-choice state. Register with both where their rules allow.
- Don't rely on the 491 this year. The national regional allocation has been cut sharply.
- Budget for the full cost: the visa charge, the state fee, skills assessment, English test and health checks.
Shamrock Migration Services is a Perth-based consultancy. We help skilled workers choose the right visa and state, prepare EOIs and ROIs, and lodge nomination and visa applications. To talk through your options, book a consultation with Harry Parsons, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2418538).
This article is general information only, current as at 3 November 2026, and is not migration advice. State programs change often. Always check the official state website, or speak with a registered migration agent, before you lodge or pay any fee.
