Quick Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent | Permanent | Provisional |
| Points bonus | None — score as-is | +5 points | +15 points |
| State nomination required | No | Yes | Yes |
| Location commitment | None — live anywhere | State only — 2 years | Regional area — 3 years |
| Primary applicant visa fee | $4,640 | $4,640 | $4,640 |
| March 2026 invitations | 362 | 458 | 450 |
| March 2026 competition ratio | 501:1 | 1,098:1 | 1,201:1 |
| Pathway to permanent | Already permanent | Already permanent | Subclass 191 (after 3 years) |
| Best suited to | High scorers (90+) | Mid scorers (75–85) | Lower scorers (65–75) |
Invitation data from official SkillSelect records — not estimates, not averages. Real invitation numbers from real rounds.
All three visas cost the same base fee ($4,640 AUD for the primary applicant) and all require a valid skills assessment and competent English as prerequisites. The differences are about points bonuses, location commitments, and what happens after you land.
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent
The Hardest to Get — The Most Freedom Once You Have It
The 189 is the most competitive and most desirable of the three pathways. It grants permanent residence with no conditions — you can live, work, and study anywhere in Australia, sponsor eligible family members, and travel freely. There is no state government involved, no regional commitment, and no obligations beyond living the life you choose.
The trade-off is brutal competition. In March 2026, just 362 invitations were issued across all occupations — against a pool measured in the hundreds of thousands. The effective competition ratio was 501 applicants for every invitation. For most occupations, a base points score below 90 means years of waiting, not months.
Who the 189 is genuinely right for
- Applicants with a base score of 90 or above — particularly those aged 25–32 with Superior English
- People whose occupation has historically low 189 cut-off scores (check SkillSelect round data for your specific ANZSCO code)
- Applicants who cannot commit to a regional area or a specific state for genuine personal reasons
- Those who have exhausted state nomination options or whose occupation is not on any state's list
If your points score is below 85, the 189 is a long-shot. It is not impossible — scores fluctuate — but building a strategy around the 189 with a mid-range score is risky. Consider the 190 or 491 as your primary pathway and treat the 189 as a bonus EOI.
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated
Permanent Residence With a State Requirement
The 190 is a permanent residence visa that adds 5 bonus points to your base score in exchange for a commitment to live and work in the nominating state for at least 2 years after the visa is granted. It is the middle-ground pathway — permanent like the 189, but with a geographic condition attached.
The state nomination process runs alongside SkillSelect. You apply to the state government for nomination (not through SkillSelect), and if the state nominates you, your SkillSelect EOI is updated with the bonus points and you become eligible for a 190 invitation. States have their own occupation lists, their own criteria, and their own processing times — some are selective, others are more open depending on local labour market needs.
The 2-year condition — what it actually means
You must live and work in the nominating state for the first two years. "Work" means working in your nominated occupation, full-time or close to it. This is a genuine obligation. The Department of Home Affairs can check, and future permanent residence applications (for citizenship) will ask about compliance. After 2 years, the condition expires and you can move freely.
Who the 190 suits
- Applicants with a base score of 75–85 — the 5-point bonus brings them into a competitive range
- People who are happy to live in a particular state for 2 years (especially if they already live there)
- Those in occupations listed on multiple states' nomination lists, giving them multiple application options
- Applicants who want permanent residence and cannot justify waiting years for a 189 invitation
In March 2026, 458 190 invitations were issued — slightly more than 189 invitations, but the nomination-first requirement means the effective competition is still fierce at 1,098:1. You need to secure state nomination before SkillSelect will invite you.
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
The Biggest Points Bonus — With a Regional Commitment
The 491 is a 5-year provisional visa that adds 15 bonus points to your base score — the most generous points bonus in the entire system. It is designed to direct skilled migrants toward regional Australia, where labour shortages are typically more acute than in major capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
The catch: you must live and work in a regional area for at least 3 years before you can apply for the Subclass 191 permanent visa. The 491 does not grant permanent residence directly. You are on a provisional visa for up to 5 years, working toward the 191 pathway.
Adelaide counts as regional — and it matters
One of the most underappreciated facts about the 491 is that Adelaide is designated as a regional area. This means you can live in a state capital city — with its hospitals, universities, cultural life, and job market — and still satisfy the regional living requirement. South Australia actively nominates candidates for the 491, and Adelaide is a genuinely liveable city. For many applicants, the 491 via SA is far more appealing in practice than its "regional" label suggests.
The path to permanent: Subclass 191
After 3 years living and working regionally on the 491, and meeting income thresholds, you can apply for the 191 permanent visa. The income threshold as of 2026 is the equivalent of at least the median full-time income — check the current legislative instrument for the precise figure at time of application. The 191 is not automatic. You must actively apply and demonstrate compliance with your regional obligations.
Who the 491 suits
- Applicants with a base score of 65–75 — the 15-point bonus makes them genuinely competitive
- People willing to commit to 3 years in a regional area — especially those considering Adelaide or another regional city
- Applicants whose occupation is on a regional occupation list but not the metropolitan occupation list
- Younger applicants who can afford to spend 3 years building regional work history before pursuing PR
Decision Guide: Which Visa for Which Person
Walk Through Your Options
Calculate your base points score. Use our complete points guide or the free VisaClarity calculator. Your score before any visa bonus is the starting point for everything.
90 or above? Submit an EOI for the 189 as your primary target. Also apply for 190 and 491 state nominations — they run in parallel and cost you nothing extra in the EOI system. Take whichever invitation comes first.
75–89 points? Focus on the 190. Research which states list your occupation and apply to as many as you are eligible for simultaneously. With 80–84 effective points (base + 5), you are competitive in many state 190 rounds. Keep the 491 as your backup.
65–74 points? The 491 is almost certainly your best path to PR within a realistic timeframe. A 70-point base score becomes an 85-point effective score with the 491 bonus — genuinely competitive for invitation. Research SA, NSW, and QLD regional nomination in parallel.
Below 65 points? You cannot lodge an EOI yet. Identify which categories you can improve — English, work experience accumulation, Professional Year — and build a timeline to reach at least 65, ideally 70+, before submitting.
Special Situations
I have a partner — does that change the calculation?
Yes, potentially. If your partner also has a skills assessment and Proficient English, you claim 10 partner points either way. If they have competent English only, you claim 5 — which means being partnered costs you 5 points compared to being single. Factor this in, and consider whether your partner can get an assessment in a related occupation.
My occupation isn't on the state's list
Not every occupation is on every state's nomination list. Some occupations appear on the federal skilled occupation list but not on any state list — in that case, your only option is the 189 (independent). Check the VisaClarity occupation checker to see which visas your specific ANZSCO code is eligible for.
I want to live in Sydney or Melbourne
Then the 491 is almost certainly off the table unless you are willing to live outside those cities for 3 years first. Sydney and Melbourne are not designated regional areas. If location is paramount, your focus should be 189 or 190 (NSW or VIC nomination respectively).
Visa Fees
| Applicant | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary applicant | $4,640 | $4,640 | $4,640 |
| Secondary applicant (18+) | $2,320 | $2,320 | $2,320 |
| Secondary applicant (under 18) | $1,160 | $1,160 | $1,160 |
These are the Department of Home Affairs visa application charges. State nomination fees are separate and vary by state — most states charge between $0 and $300 AUD for the nomination application itself.
Note on fees: Visa application fees are set annually and typically increase on 1 July each year. The figures above reflect the current 2025–26 financial year rates. Verify current fees at the time of your actual application.
Common Questions
Can I apply for multiple visa types simultaneously?
Yes — and this is strongly recommended. A single EOI in SkillSelect can express interest in the 189, 190, and 491 at the same time. You should also apply to multiple states for nomination in parallel. There is no penalty, no extra cost in SkillSelect, and no obligation to accept every invitation you receive. Applying broadly maximises your chances of receiving any invitation at all.
Can I change visa subclass after receiving an invitation?
No. An invitation is for a specific visa subclass. You accept it and apply for that specific visa, or you decline it (or let it lapse). If you receive a 491 invitation but then receive a 190 nomination from a state, you would need to wait for a 190 invitation — your accepted 491 invitation does not convert. This is why having your EOI active for all three simultaneously is important: you take whichever invitation arrives first and best suits your situation.
What if my state nomination application is rejected?
A state rejection is a disappointment, not a disaster. Your SkillSelect EOI stays active. Apply to other states — different states have different requirements and different occupational priorities. A rejection from Victoria does not predict a rejection from South Australia. Some applicants get nominated by their fourth or fifth state attempt.
See Your Personalised Pathway
VisaClarity's dashboard compares your actual eligibility for 189, 190, and 491 based on your specific occupation, score, and situation — not generic estimates.
View My Pathway Options →Related Guides
How to Calculate Your Points
Every category in the points test explained in detail, with a worked example showing how to calculate your score and where to find extra points.
How to Submit an EOI in SkillSelect
Step-by-step guide to lodging your Expression of Interest — including the state nomination flow for 190 and 491 applicants.