Skilled Independent Visa (189) vs. State Nominated (190): A 2026 Cost-Benefit Analysis
Start here if you are a skilled professional ready to apply for Australian permanent residency (PR). You’ve passed your skills assessment, you’re gathering your documents, and now you face the most important choice: the Skilled Independent Visa (189) or the State Nominated Visa (190).
Why read this? You will achieve three things:
- Clarity: You will understand the *one* critical difference that separates these two PR visas (hint: it’s about 5 bonus points and a 2-year promise).
- Confidence: You will learn how to use the Australia points test and state nomination to your advantage, especially if your points are borderline.
- A Plan: You will get a clear decision-making framework to choose the right visa for your occupation and situation.
By the end of this guide, you will know exactly which visa stream to target in your SkillSelect EOI (Expression of Interest). We will also provide links to the official Home Affairs points calculator.
What Are the 189 and 190 Visas? (And Why Are They Different?)
Both the Subclass 189 and Subclass 190 are permanent residency visas. From the day they are granted, you and your eligible family can live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely and access Medicare.
But they have one fundamental difference:
- Skilled Independent (189): This visa is for skilled workers who are *not* sponsored. It is the “holy grail” of Australian visas because it gives you total freedom. You can live and work in any state or territory (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, etc.) from day one.
- State Nominated (190): This visa requires you to be nominated by a specific Australian state or territory government (e.g., New South Wales, Victoria). In exchange for this nomination, you must sign a “moral obligation” to live and work in that state for the first two years after your visa is granted.
The 2026 Requirements: How the “5 Point Bonus” Changes Everything
Both visas are points-tested. You must score a minimum of 65 points to be eligible to submit an EOI. Points are awarded for your age, English skills, work experience, and education.
Here is the critical difference: The Subclass 190 visa gives you 5 bonus points.
If you only have 70 points on your own, a state nomination instantly boosts you to 75 points, making you much more competitive in the invitation rounds. The 189 visa offers no such bonus.
The Occupation Lists: A Wider Net for the 190
There’s another huge advantage to the 190 visa:
- Visa 189: You must have an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
- Visa 190: You can have an occupation on the MLTSSL *or* the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), *plus* hundreds of other jobs on state-specific priority lists.
This means many professions (like in marketing, finance, or certain trades) are only eligible for the 190 visa.
Step-by-Step: Your Visa 189 vs. 190 Application Process
The process is similar, but the 190 has one extra, critical step.
- Skills Assessment: Get a positive skills assessment from your relevant authority (e.g., VETASSESS, ACS).
- Submit EOI: Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the government’s SkillSelect system. You can (and should) select *both* 189 and 190.
- Apply for State Nomination (190 only): This is the key. You must apply *directly to the state* you want to live in (e.g., NSW, Victoria) and meet their separate criteria.
- Receive Invitation to Apply (ITA): If you have enough points (for 189) or a state nominates you (for 190), you will receive an ITA.
- Lodge Visa Application: You have 60 days to lodge your final, complete visa application.
Comparison Table: Visa 189 vs. Visa 190 (The Final Showdown)
| Feature | Skilled Independent (189) | State Nominated (190) |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent Residency? | Yes, from day one. | Yes, from day one. |
| Points Test | Your points only. | Your points + 5 bonus points. |
| Occupation List | MLTSSL (Stricter) | MLTSSL + STSOL + State Lists (Wider) |
| Obligation | None. Live anywhere. | Moral obligation to live/work in the nominating state for 2 years. |
The Verdict:
* Choose the 189 Visa if: You have very high points (85+) and your occupation is on the MLTSSL. You want complete freedom.
* Choose the 190 Visa if: Your points are borderline (65-80), your occupation is on the STSOL, or you are happy to commit to a specific state for 2 years in exchange for a massive competitive advantage.
Conclusion: Your Next Step to Australian PR
For most applicants, the State Nominated Visa (190) is the smarter, more strategic path to Australian permanent residency. The 5 bonus points and access to a wider occupation list make it a powerful tool.
Your journey starts with the points test. Your first step is to use the official Home Affairs points calculator to see your score. Then, research the state nomination lists to see which states are looking for your skills.