Skilled Migration Australia: Visa Options, Points, and Your Real Chances

Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) is a permanent visa with no sponsor requirement.

Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) is a permanent visa requiring state/territory nomination.

Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional) is a 5-year regional visa requiring either family sponsorship or state nomination.

Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence – Skilled Regional) offers PR after 3 years if you meet income and regional requirements.

Subclass 887 (Skilled Regional) grants PR for older regional pathways.

This comparison is essential for choosing the right skilled migration pathway for your situation.

Most skilled visas require you to have an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), meet the Skills Assessment, English language, points test, and health/character requirements. Regional visas (491/887/191) include residence and work conditions before applying for PR.

Subclass 189 and 190 provide direct permanent residency.

Subclass 491 provides a pathway to PR via the 191 visa after meeting regional work, residence, and income thresholds.

Subclass 887 continues to be a legacy PR pathway for those who already held a qualifying regional visa before the newer framework.

You generally need at least 65 points to lodge an EOI, but actual invitation cut-offs vary depending on occupation, state demand, and allocation rounds. Competitive occupations typically require higher points (80+). State nomination (190/491) can add 5 or 15 points to strengthen your EOI.

A valid Skills Assessment is mandatory for Subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas.

Subclass 191 does not require a new Skills Assessment, as it is based on your previous 491/494 visa and meeting income + residence requirements.

There is no fixed minimum salary figure for 191 eligibility.

You must show taxable income at or above the level set each year by Home Affairs (previous years used the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold TSMIT as reference).

This requirement must be met for 3 consecutive income years while holding a 491/494 visa.

For the Subclass 491, you must live, work and study only in designated regional areas.

For the 191 PR visa, you must demonstrate 3 years living and working in regional Australia at eligible income levels before applying.

Subclass 190 includes a moral obligation to remain in your nominating state for a certain period (usually 2 years), though the visa itself does not legally restrict movement.

Subclass 491 carries visa condition 8579, requiring living and working only in designated regional areas, and moving states may breach your nomination terms.

Processing times vary:

189: Highly dependent on invitation rounds; processing may take 6–10 months once lodged.

190: Average 6–12 months depending on state.

491: Typically 6–10 months.

191: Around 5–10 months for PR outcome.

887: Legacy stream currently experiencing extended delays due to older caseloads.
Actual processing time depends on your documents, checks, and DHA priorities.

Yes. You can include spouse/partner and dependent children in your skilled visa application.

Family members must also meet health and character requirements. If your partner cannot obtain a Skills Assessment or English, you may still include them under secondary applicant arrangements.

Yes. State nomination requirements differ by state/territory, and each publishes its own eligibility criteria, including occupation lists, work experience rules, residency periods, job offers, and points thresholds. Some states prefer onshore applicants, graduates, or those with a specific employment background. Keeping up-to-date with each state’s nomination rules is essential for 190 and 491 pathways.