What is the Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa?
The Skilled Nominated Visa, also known as the subclass 190 visa, is a points-based visa for skilled migrants aged 18-44. The 190 visa comes with Permanent Residency, meaning that if a migrant has a 190 visa granted, they will automatically get permanent residency along with it.
This visa has migrants being sponsored or ‘nominated’ by the different states and territories around Australia.
What is the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa?
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional), also known as the subclass 491 visa, is a points-based visa for skilled migrants aged 18-44. Unlike the 190 visa, the 491 visa does not come with permanent residency, and it is a 5-year temporary visa. It does have a pathway to permanent residency however. 491 holders are eligible to apply for the subclass 191 Permanent Residency Skilled Regional visa once they have met the conditions of the 491 visa, and lived and worked in the designated regional area for 3 years.
This visa requires applicants to be sponsored, either by a designated regional area of an Australian state or territory, or by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area of Australia.
What are invitations for Subclass 491 and Subclass 190 visas?
Each state or territory is given an ‘allocation’ of invitations from the Australian government, which they can then use to invite migrants who have expressed interest (known as submitting an EOI) for both 491 and 190 visas in the relevant state or territory.
Different states and territories have different migration priorities, and different eligibility criteria for their subclass 190 and 491 visa invitations. These state or territory specific conditions must be met, in order to the general eligibility requirements of the visas.
2025 Skilled Nominated Visa Invitations
As 2026 begins, reflecting on the year past can be a valuable way to understand the priorities for skilled migration to Australia. In this blog post, we outline the Invitations offered to Expressions of Interest (EOIs) in the second half of 2025 for Skilled Nominated Visas (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional Visas (subclass 491).
Australian Capital Territory
Between 1st July 2025 and 30th November 2025, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) invited 207 EOIs to apply for 190 visas, and 220 EOIs to apply for 491 visas.
New South Wales
Between 1st July 2025 and 30th November 2025, New South Wales (NSW) invited 508 EOIs to apply for 190 visas, and 329 EOIs to apply for 491 visas.
Northern Territory
Between 1st July 2025 and 30th November 2025, the Northern Territory (NT) invited 180 EOIs to apply for 190 visas, and 97 EOIs to apply for 491 visas.
Queensland
Between 1st July 2025 and 30th November 2025, Queensland (QLD) invited 17 EOIs to apply for 190 visas, and 85 EOIs to apply for 491 visas.
South Australia
Between 1st July 2025 and 30th November 2025, South Australia (SA) invited 92 EOIs to apply for 190 visas, and 70 EOIs to apply for 491 visas.
Tasmania
Between 1st July 2025 and 30th November 2025, Tasmania (TAS) invited 208 EOIs to apply for 190 visas, and 74 EOIs to apply for 491 visas.
Victoria
Between 1st July 2025 and 30th November 2025, Victoria (VIC) invited 359 EOIs to apply for 190 visas, and 213 EOIs to apply for 491 visas.
Western Australia
Between 1st July 2025 and 30th November 2025, South Australia (SA) invited 94 EOIs to apply for 190 visas, and 72 EOIs to apply for 491 visas.
Getting support with your skilled migration journey
True Blue Migration is an expert in migration law, and we have helped hundreds of migrants come to Australia with skilled visas over our 18 years of operation.
We also offer a free visa eligibility assessment so you can find out which visa pathways you’re eligible for. Get your free assessment today: https://truebluemigration.com/assessment/