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Skilled Migration Pathway to PR

Your Route to PR Through Skilled Migration

No employer required. If your occupation is on the relevant list and your points score is competitive, skilled migration may be your fastest path to permanent residency.

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Skilled migration pathway with points calculator and checklist POINTS TEST 95 points calculated 95 / 100 target 189 Independent ✓ 190 State-nominated +5 ✓ 491 Regional +15 ! SkillSelect → PR Invitation
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How do I get Australian PR through skilled migration?

Skilled migration to Australian PR is available via three subclasses: the Subclass 189 (independent, no sponsorship), 190 (state-nominated, +5 points), and 491 (regional provisional, +15 points, leads to PR via 191). All require a positive skills assessment, an EOI in SkillSelect, and meeting the points threshold — typically 85 to 100+ points for invitation.

Last reviewed: May 2026 ✓ Reviewed by a MARA-registered migration agent (MARA 0852408)
The Three Streams

Choose Your Skilled Migration Pathway

Three visa subclasses lead to permanent residency through skilled migration. Your occupation, points score, and location determine which one suits you best.

Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent

The purest skills-based pathway. No state sponsorship or employer needed. Apply directly to the Department of Home Affairs based on your points score alone. Highly competitive — most occupations require 85–90+ points.

Points-testedNo employer neededInstant PR
Explore Subclass 189 →

Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated

State or territory nomination gives you an extra 5 points — making this accessible to applicants who fall just short of the 189 threshold. Each state sets its own occupation lists and eligibility criteria.

+5 points bonusState nominationInstant PR
Explore Subclass 190 →

Subclass 491 → Subclass 191

A two-stage regional pathway. The 491 is a provisional 5-year visa — after 3 years living and working regionally with sufficient income, you qualify for the Subclass 191 permanent residence visa.

+15 points bonusRegional livingPR after 3 years
Explore Subclass 491 →
How It Works

How skilled migration to PR works

Skilled migration is points-tested and invitation-based. You cannot simply lodge a visa — you are invited to apply based on how you rank.

1

Confirm your occupation and skills assessment

Your occupation must be on the list relevant to the visa, and you usually need a positive skills assessment from the assessing authority for that occupation before you can claim points for it.

2

Calculate your points

The pass mark is 65, but invitations go to the highest-ranked candidates. Points come from age, English level, qualifications, skilled employment, study in Australia, and nomination. Knowing your real score is the foundation of the whole strategy.

3

Submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect

You lodge an EOI selecting the subclasses you qualify for. SkillSelect ranks you against other candidates in your occupation.

4

Receive an invitation, then lodge

If you are invited, you have a set period to lodge the visa application with all supporting evidence. State-nominated (190) and regional (491) routes involve a nomination step before or alongside this.

The Three Subclasses

189, 190 and 491 — how they differ

All three are points-tested and lead to permanent residency, but they reward different things.

Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent

Permanent from grant. No sponsor or nomination. The purest points contest, so the bar is high — strong occupations often need scores well above the 65 minimum.

Subclass 190 — State Nominated

A state or territory nominates you for an occupation it needs, adding 5 points. Permanent from grant, usually with a commitment to live in that state for a period.

Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional

Provisional for up to five years, adding 15 points — the largest points boost available. You live and work in a designated regional area, then transition to the permanent 191.

From 491 to 191

After holding a 491 for at least three years, living and working in a regional area and lodging tax returns for the qualifying period, you apply for the permanent 191 — no new points test or nomination.

Costs & Timeline

What it costs and how long it takes

Every permanent visa carries a Department of Home Affairs Visa Application Charge, and most pathways also involve costs for a skills assessment, an English test, health examinations and police certificates. These government and third-party charges are set by the relevant authorities and change periodically, so we confirm the current figures with you rather than quote a number that may date. Visa Advisor's professional fees are quoted separately and upfront before you engage us. The fastest way to get figures specific to your situation is the free eligibility check, or a paid consultation if you want a full written plan.

The biggest variable in a skilled application is your points ranking — a higher score is invited sooner. Skills assessments and English tests also take time to organise, so starting them early often shortens the overall timeline more than anything else.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most often. Every case is different — book a consultation for advice on yours.

The minimum to be invited is 65 points across subclasses 189, 190 and 491. Because invitations are issued to the highest-ranked applicants first, the practical score needed is usually higher and depends on your occupation and the visa.
For most skilled visas, yes. You generally need a positive skills assessment from the assessing authority for your nominated occupation before you can claim points for your skills and experience. The authority and the rules differ by occupation.
Your occupation must appear on the skilled occupation list relevant to the visa you are applying for. The lists are maintained by the Australian Government and updated periodically, so the right step is to check your specific occupation against the current instrument.
Skilled migration is generally aimed at applicants under 45 at the time of invitation, and age affects your points score. Some employer-sponsored and other pathways have different rules, so age alone rarely closes off every option.
You need at least competent English to qualify, and higher levels earn more points. The accepted tests and scores are set by the Department, so we confirm the current requirement for your visa and target score.
It depends on your points, your occupation and whether you will live regionally. A 189 needs the strongest score; a 190 needs an interested state and adds 5 points; a 491 adds 15 points and suits people willing to settle regionally. Many applicants lodge an EOI for more than one.
It varies. Once invited, processing depends on how complete your application is and current queues. The slower part is often reaching a competitive score and organising your skills assessment and English test, which is why we start those early.
Yes. You can include a partner and dependent children in the same application. A skilled partner can also contribute points, so it is worth assessing both of you.
Related Pages

Keep exploring

Related guides in our permanent residency cluster — follow the route that fits your situation.

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