State nomination · New South Wales
Skilled Migration Sydney & NSW — Subclass 190 & 491 State Nomination
If Sydney is your target, Subclass 190 is your pathway — permanent residency with the right to live and work anywhere in New South Wales, including metropolitan Sydney. For applicants open to Newcastle, Wollongong, or regional NSW, Subclass 491 offers a lower base points threshold and a structured pathway to permanent residency after three years.
How does NSW state nomination work?
New South Wales nominates for subclass 190 and 491 by invitation only. Investment NSW picks the highest-ranked SkillSelect EOIs in each ANZSCO unit group. You cannot apply directly. Submission date is irrelevant. An invitation must be answered in full within fourteen days.
Key facts
- You cannot apply directly for NSW nomination. Investment NSW invites from SkillSelect. There is no application form to lodge and no queue to join.
- Your EOI submission date does not affect your chances. NSW says this explicitly. Lodging earlier buys you nothing; lodging at all is what matters.
- Selection is at ANZSCO unit group level. Your occupation must sit inside a unit group on the relevant NSW skills list. Being inside a listed group is still not the same as being eligible for the visa.
- For the 190, "working in NSW" means at least 20 hours a week, for remuneration. There is no partial credit below that. For the 491, NSW sets no hours figure on the working limb. The alternative is continuous residence: six months for the 190, three for the 491.
- Programme status is not held on this page. On 4 September 2026 NSW published "Applications are now closed for the current program year, as all available nomination places have been fully allocated" on both the 190 and 491 pages; Pathways 1 and 3 were already closed to new applications. Check the status page before relying on any pathway being open.
- Fourteen days to respond to an invitation. Never extended, for any reason.
- Metropolitan Sydney is not regional. The 190 is the only NSW nomination pathway for Sydney. Newcastle and Wollongong are Category 2 and open the 491 and its 15 points.
- Investment NSW tells applicants to exhaust other pathways first. That is a direct statement on nsw.gov.au, not our caution.
NSW is the most competitive state in Australia for skilled nomination — and the most misunderstood. You cannot apply directly for NSW nomination. NSW selects applicants through a competitive, invitation-only process managed by Investment NSW. Most critically: your EOI submission date has no bearing on whether you are invited. NSW looks at your occupation, points score, English level, age, and years of skilled work experience — and even then, nomination is entirely at the discretion of Investment NSW.
Is New South Wales open right now?
Programme status changes during the year and is not held on this page. It is tracked in one place instead. Allocations, invitation rounds, pathway availability and the current skills lists all sit there, with the date each state was last checked: state nomination status — all eight states.
Two things hold whatever the status says. A SkillSelect EOI is free and valid for two years. There is no reason to wait for a round to open before lodging one. And skills lists reset with each programme year — a unit group listed last year may not be listed this year.
Quick Visa Facts — NSW
| Criteria | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent residency | Provisional (5 yrs) → PR via Subclass 191 |
| Minimum points | 65 total (60 base + 5 nomination) | 65 total (50 base + 15 nomination) |
| Age | Must not have turned 45 at the time of invitation to apply (Home Affairs) — not at nomination | Must not have turned 45 at the time of invitation to apply (Home Affairs) — not at nomination |
| English | Competent English minimum — a Home Affairs visa criterion; check whether the state or your assessing authority sets higher | Competent English minimum — a Home Affairs visa criterion; check whether the state or your assessing authority sets higher |
| Occupation requirement | Must be on NSW Skills List (ANZSCO unit group level) | Must be on NSW Regional Skills List (ANZSCO unit group level) |
| Residency — onshore | Working in NSW in nominated occupation for remuneration at least 20 hrs/week; OR residing in NSW 6+ months continuously | Pathway 1: employed in regional NSW 6+ months | Pathways 2 & 3: working in NSW in your nominated occupation (no hours figure), or residing in NSW 3+ months |
| Residency — offshore | Residing offshore continuously for 6+ months | Pathways 2 & 3: residing offshore 3+ months |
| Cannot apply directly | ✗ — invitation only, managed by Investment NSW | Pathway 1: direct application (closed to new applications) | Pathway 2: invitation only | Pathway 3: direct application (closed to new applications) |
| EOI submission date | Does NOT affect likelihood of invitation | Does NOT affect likelihood of invitation |
| 14-day response window | Yes — not extended under any circumstances | Yes — not extended under any circumstances |
| Assessment time | Typically 6 weeks after payment | Typically 6 weeks after payment |
| Nomination fee | Verify at nsw.gov.au | Verify at nsw.gov.au |
Allocations and open/closed status are not on this page
Place numbers and which pathways are accepting applications change during a programme year and are held on the state nomination status page, dated per state.
Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and Regional NSW — Which Visa Applies to Your City?
Where in NSW you want to live determines which visa pathway is available to you. Metropolitan Sydney is not a regional area. Newcastle, Wollongong, and most of regional NSW qualify as designated regional areas under DHA's framework — opening the 491 pathway and its 15 nomination points.
| City / Area | 491 regional? | 190 eligible? | DHA category | Key angle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney (metro) | ✗ Not regional | ✓ Yes — 190 only | Not designated regional | 190 is the only state nomination pathway for metro Sydney. Most competitive city in Australia for invitation. |
| Newcastle / Lake Macquarie | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Category 2 | Major regional city north of Sydney — strong healthcare, construction, and engineering demand. |
| Wollongong / Illawarra | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Category 2 | Major regional city south of Sydney — strong construction, manufacturing, and healthcare demand. |
| Central Coast | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Category 3 | Gosford and surrounding areas — postcodes 2250–2263. Growing demand across services and construction. |
| Hunter Valley | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Category 3 | Wine region and mining — postcodes in the 2311–2335 range. Strong trades and engineering demand. |
| Canberra border / Southern Highlands | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Category 3 | Southern Tablelands and ACT-border regions — postcodes 2575–2739. Verify specific postcode. |
| Far North Coast (Byron / Tweed) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Category 3 | Growing regional economy — healthcare, trades, and tourism demand. |
| Tamworth / Armidale / Orange | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Category 3 | Major inland centres — agricultural, healthcare, and education services demand. |
| Dubbo / Wagga Wagga / Albury | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Category 3 | Regional service hubs — strong demand across healthcare, trades, and education. |
🏙️ Targeting metropolitan Sydney?
Subclass 190 is your only NSW state nomination pathway for metropolitan Sydney. It grants permanent residency and the right to live and work anywhere in NSW including Sydney.
NSW is the most competitive state in Australia for 190 nomination — demand significantly exceeds the available places each year.
Investment NSW strongly encourages all applicants to explore every other migration pathway before relying on a NSW 190 invitation.
🌏 Open to Newcastle, Wollongong, or regional NSW?
Newcastle and Wollongong are Category 2 designated regional cities — both are modern, well-connected cities with strong job markets and significantly lower competition than Sydney.
Subclass 491 through these cities adds 15 nomination points, making it viable for applicants with 50–60 base points.
Verify your specific postcode before applying at regional postcodes (Home Affairs).
NSW Skilled Visa Subclasses
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated Visa
A points-tested permanent visa. NSW nomination grants permanent residency with the right to live and work anywhere in New South Wales, including Sydney, from day of grant.
- Occupation must fall within an ANZSCO unit group on the NSW Skills List — if your occupation is not on the list, you will not receive an invitation
- Selection-based — you cannot apply directly. Investment NSW selects from SkillSelect EOIs using multiple factors: age, English level, education, points, and years of skilled work experience
- EOI submission date does not affect your likelihood of invitation
- Residency: working in NSW in your nominated occupation for remuneration at least 20 hours a week; OR residing in NSW for 6+ months continuously; OR residing offshore for 6+ months continuously
- 14-day response window if invited — never extended. Have all documents ready before invitation
- Investment NSW can refuse a nomination on any of three grounds: the application does not meet the published criteria, the nomination is not in the best interests of NSW, or the allocation is fully committed
→ Full requirements: Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional Visa (Three Pathways)
A five-year provisional visa for regional NSW. Lower base points threshold. Pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 191 after three years of meeting regional residence and income requirements.
Pathway 1 — Regional NSW Employment:
- 6 months continuous skilled employment in designated regional NSW with the same employer, immediately before applying
- Paid at minimum TSMIT/CSIT rate in nominated or closely related occupation
- A direct application, not an invitation. Your qualifying employment must be listed in your EOI
Pathway 2 — Invited by Investment NSW:
- Occupation must be on the NSW Regional Skills List at ANZSCO unit group level. NSW states that list governs pathways 2 and 3; Pathway 1 asks only that your occupation be eligible for the 491
- Residency: working in NSW in your nominated occupation (NSW sets no hours figure for the 491); OR residing in NSW for 3+ months continuously; OR residing offshore for 3+ months
- Invitation-only — same competitive selection process as 190. 14-day response window if invited
Pathway 3 — Regional NSW Graduate:
- Bachelor's, Master's (coursework or research), or PhD from an institution in a designated regional area of NSW
- The study must be related to your nominated or a closely related occupation, and completed within 2 years immediately before applying for NSW nomination
- Must be eligible to claim Study in Regional Australia points in your EOI
- Same residency test as Pathway 2 — working in NSW in your nominated occupation, or 3 months in NSW, or 3 months offshore
- Applicants in ANZSCO unit group 4117 Welfare Support Workers may also qualify on a diploma from a regional NSW institution, rather than a degree
- Pathway 3 is a direct application when open — and it is currently closed to new applications (nsw.gov.au, checked 7 September 2026). NSW runs entirely on the SkillSelect EOI; there is no Registration of Interest in NSW
→ Full requirements: Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional
The TSMIT/CSIT concession — Pathway 1 only
NSW runs a salary concession for a limited set of occupations. It lets a Pathway 1 applicant be nominated below the TSMIT/CSIT threshold. The mechanics matter. Only the employer can apply for it, never the applicant. And it must be approved before the Pathway 1 nomination application is lodged. NSW assesses a concession application in about two weeks.
- Type 1 — annual monetary earnings at least 90% of the TSMIT/CSIT. Total earnings must meet the applicable industrial award and the Annual Market Salary Rate for that occupation and location.
- Type 2 — monetary earnings at least 90% of the TSMIT/CSIT. Non-monetary earnings such as food and board make up the difference. They must not exceed 10% of the TSMIT/CSIT, and the total package must at least equal it.
| Occupation | ANZSCO code |
|---|---|
| Cafe or Restaurant Manager | 141111 |
| Medical Laboratory Scientist | 234611 |
| Agricultural Technician | 311111 |
| Pharmacy Technician | 311215 |
| Motor Mechanic (General) | 321211 |
| Panel Beater | 324111 |
| Vehicle Painter | 324311 |
| Stonemason | 331112 |
| Pastry Cook | 351112 |
| Butcher or Smallgoods Maker | 351211 |
| Cook | 351411 |
| Veterinary Nurse | 361311 |
| Residential Care Officer | 411715 |
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent Visa
No state nomination required. Federal invitation through SkillSelect only — Investment NSW is not involved. Highly competitive. Best for applicants with a strong points score who do not want to depend on state nomination.
→ Full requirements: Subclass 189 Skilled Independent
Compare Visa Types — 189, 190, 491
| Subclass | PR outcome | Nomination | Location fit | Points test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189 | Direct PR | None required | Anywhere in Australia including Sydney | Federal invitation only |
| 190 | Direct PR | NSW Government (Investment NSW) | Sydney + all of NSW | Yes — incl. 5 nomination pts |
| 491 | Provisional → PR via 191 | NSW regional (Investment NSW) | Designated regional NSW — Newcastle, Wollongong, Central Coast, regional centres | Yes — incl. 15 nomination pts |
| 191 | PR (transition) | Not applicable | After 491 regional conditions met | No |
| 887 | PR (legacy) | Not applicable | Legacy regional holders only | No |
Eligibility Requirements — NSW
You must satisfy both the Department of Home Affairs visa criteria and Investment NSW's nomination criteria. Meeting the federal visa criteria alone is not sufficient for NSW nomination.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | Must not have turned 45 at the time of invitation to apply for the visa — a Home Affairs criterion, not a state one., not a state one. Nomination comes first; the age test falls at the later invitation date. |
| Points — Subclass 190 | 65 total = 60 base + 5 nomination points |
| Points — Subclass 491 | 65 total = 50 base + 15 nomination points |
| Occupation — 190 | Must fall within an ANZSCO unit group listed on the NSW Skills List — if not listed, no invitation this program year |
| Occupation — 491 | Must fall within an ANZSCO unit group on the NSW Regional Skills List for pathways 2 and 3. Pathway 1 requires only that the occupation be eligible for the 491 |
| Skills assessment | Valid, positive skills assessment — occupation must match EOI — must not be expired at time of application |
| English language | Competent English minimum — a Home Affairs visa criterion; check whether the state or your assessing authority sets higher — test must be valid (non-expired) at time of nomination application |
| Residency — 190 onshore | Working in NSW in nominated occupation for remuneration for at least 20 hours a week; OR residing in NSW for minimum 6 months continuously |
| Residency — 190 offshore | Residing offshore continuously for minimum 6 months |
| Residency — 491 Pathway 1 | 6 months continuous regional NSW employment, same regional employer, in nominated or closely related occupation, TSMIT/CSIT minimum rate. A concession below that rate exists for 13 occupations, applied for by the employer |
| Residency — 491 Pathway 2 onshore | Working in NSW in your nominated occupation (no hours figure for the 491); OR residing in NSW for minimum 3 months continuously |
| Residency — 491 Pathway 2 offshore | Residing offshore continuously for minimum 3 months |
| Residency — 491 Pathway 3 | Same residency test as Pathway 2. Plus Bachelor/Masters/PhD from a regional NSW institution, related to the nominated occupation, within past 2 years; Study in Regional Australia points claimed in EOI. NSW publishes the qualification as a bachelor's, master's or PhD — no diploma exception |
| EOI in SkillSelect | Must be current, accurate, and substantiated — all claims must be supported by valid documents if invited |
| Application process | 190 and 491 Pathway 2: you cannot apply directly, you must be invited. 491 Pathways 1 and 3: direct applications, both currently closed to new applications. 14-day response window after invitation — never extended |
How to Apply — NSW State Nomination
1. Check eligibility against both sets of criteria: Confirm you meet all DHA visa requirements AND NSW nomination eligibility — two separate requirement sets. Verify your ANZSCO unit group is on the current NSW Skills List (190) or NSW Regional Skills List (491) before doing anything else. If your occupation is not listed, you cannot be invited this program year.
2. Prepare documentation before your EOI: Obtain a valid skills assessment and English test result. Every claim in your EOI must be substantiated with valid documents at the time of invitation. Prepare all evidence in advance — you will have 14 days to submit after invitation, and that window will not be extended.
3. Submit or update your EOI in SkillSelect: Lodge your EOI selecting NSW as your preferred state. Keep it accurate — if you amend it after invitation and your points score falls, Investment NSW may withdraw or decline your nomination. EOI submission date does not affect invitation likelihood.
4. Wait for Investment NSW to select your EOI: NSW holds invitation rounds throughout the financial year with no fixed or announced dates. NSW selects the highest-ranked EOIs in each ANZSCO unit group. You will receive an email invitation if selected. Investment NSW does not provide feedback on uninvited EOIs. NSW has no Registration of Interest step — every pathway runs on the SkillSelect EOI, and Pathways 1 and 3 are direct applications when open.
5. Respond within 14 days and lodge your visa application: If invited, submit your NSW nomination application with all supporting documents within 14 days — this deadline is absolute. Assessment typically takes 6 weeks. If nominated, Investment NSW nominates you in SkillSelect and DHA issues your visa invitation. Lodge your visa application with DHA within 60 days.
What NSW asks that most applicants miss
Verified against Investment NSW's own guidance on 2 September 2026.
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| One nomination, ever | Once NSW nominates you and Home Affairs invites you, you are ineligible to be nominated again for any skilled visa by NSW. Each nomination uses one of a limited allocation and cannot be reassigned |
| Residency, by subclass and location | Onshore 190: currently employed in your nominated occupation in NSW, or continuously resident in NSW for 6 months. Onshore 491: the same, or 3 months. Offshore 190: continuously resident offshore 6 months. Offshore 491: 3 months |
| 🛑 Moving resets the clock | Move between NSW and offshore and the continuous residency period starts over. A trip home before applying can cost you six months |
| Tourist visa time does not count | You must reside in NSW on a visa that permits you to live and work here. Time on a visitor visa counts for nothing |
| The 14-day link is final | Invitation links are valid 14 days and are never reissued — not even if the email never reached your inbox. Miss it and you lodge a new EOI, and an EOI number cannot be invited twice |
| A 491 invitation cannot become a 190 | Rounds run independently. You were invited for the 491 because your EOI selected it. Remove the option if you do not want it |
| After a refusal | Invited by NSW then refused — submit a new EOI, no waiting period. Refused under 491 Pathway 1 or Pathway 3 — you may reapply six months from the refusal date |
| Application fee | $330, plus GST if paid within Australia. Payable immediately on submission, and it is an assessment fee, not an approval fee — non-refundable whatever the outcome |
Pathway 1 — where the applications actually fail
Pathway 1 is work-based and open to all occupations eligible for the 491 — it is not limited by the NSW Regional Skills List. There is no residency requirement; what matters is where you work, which is why someone living in Wodonga and working in Albury qualifies.
- Six months at 20+ hours a week in your nominated occupation, from an established business premises in regional NSW.
- These premises are not acceptable: your home, someone else's home including your employer's, and co-working or shared office space. It must be a dedicated commercial space where the employer runs the business.
- These employment types are not eligible: self-employment, and employment by a spouse or close family member. The employer must be independent and unrelated.
- Approved unpaid leave does not break continuity, but the time on leave does not count toward the six months either.
- NSW names three common reasons Pathway 1 is declined: not genuinely working in the nominated occupation, not working from established business premises, and not being paid at or above TSMIT/CSIT.
Pathway 3 — the study rules
- A bachelor's, master's (coursework or research) or PhD — completed entirely at an institution in a designated regional area of NSW.
- It must qualify you to claim Study in regional Australia points, claimed from a single course and appearing in your EOI.
- The study must relate to your nominated occupation.
- Completed within the two years immediately before you apply.
- An exemption exists where arrival in regional NSW was delayed because the student visa was granted after the course started — but if you seek it, do not claim the regional study points in your EOI.
NSW applies the more beneficial reading of your skilled employment. Where the assessing authority's opinion would give you fewer points than you claimed, NSW considers ANZSCO as well and applies whichever outcome is more beneficial in deciding when you were working at a skilled level. NSW has also removed its former restrictions on what employment can be claimed and now follows the Home Affairs definition.
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The NSW State Nomination Handbook
The skills-list check, the evidence Investment NSW asks for, and a 14-day response checklist. Work through it before an invitation arrives, not after.
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The NSW State Nomination Handbook
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Common Mistakes — NSW Skilled Migration
Most NSW applications fail for very predictable reasons
Occupation not on the NSW Skills List. Waiting for NSW when other pathways are more viable. EOI claims not
substantiated with valid documents. Missing the 14-day response window. Overestimating points relative to
the competition.
- Applying for NSW 190 when the occupation is not on the NSW Skills List — if it is not listed, no invitation is possible this program year.
- Relying solely on a NSW 190 invitation as a migration strategy — NSW itself warns that demand far exceeds available places. If you are waiting for NSW, you should also be pursuing employer sponsorship, other state nominations, and any alternative pathways simultaneously.
- Assuming that a high points score guarantees a NSW invitation — NSW selects the highest-ranked applicants within each ANZSCO unit group. A 90-point score in a low-priority or over-subscribed occupation may not be selected over an 80-point score in a high-demand occupation
- Submitting an EOI with inflated claims — every claim must be supported by valid documents inside the 14-day invitation window. An EOI that cannot be substantiated fails at nomination stage, and the fee is non-refundable.
- Missing the 14-day invitation response window — the window is never extended. If you do not respond and submit all documents within 14 days, your invitation lapses.
- Assuming all three 491 pathways work the same way, or are all open — Pathways 1 and 3 are direct applications and both are currently closed to new applications; Pathway 2 is invitation-only and is the one NSW runs through the year. Check the status page before building a plan around either.
- Assuming any amount of work satisfies the onshore 190 residency test — NSW requires at least 20 hours a week, for remuneration, in your nominated occupation. Below that, use the continuous-residence alternative.
- Not monitoring the NSW Skills List for updates — the list is updated throughout the year. An occupation that was listed in October may be removed in January. Always check the current list at nsw.gov.au before submitting.
Related Visas and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NSW skilled migration program open right now?
Check before you rely on an answer. NSW runs invitation rounds through the financial year without announcing dates in advance, and individual 491 pathways close during a year once their allocation is reached. A programme year starts on 1 July, often before the federal allocation is settled. So early in a year a state may be running on interim numbers, or not inviting at all. Current status by state is on our state nomination status page, and on nsw.gov.au. Lodge your EOI regardless — it is free and valid for two years.
Can I apply directly for NSW nomination?
No. You cannot apply directly for NSW nomination for Subclass 190 or 491 Pathway 2. You must submit an EOI in SkillSelect and wait to be invited by Investment NSW. NSW holds invitation rounds throughout the financial year with no publicly announced dates. 491 Pathways 1 and 3 are direct applications when open — both are currently closed to new applications. NSW has no Registration of Interest step.
Does my EOI submission date affect whether I am invited?
No. NSW has stated explicitly on its official website that the date you submit or amend your SkillSelect EOI does not affect your likelihood of being invited. NSW selects based on ranking factors including points, occupation, English, age, education, and work experience — not when you submitted.
Is Newcastle or Wollongong regional for Subclass 491?
Yes. Both Newcastle/Lake Macquarie and Wollongong/Illawarra are Category 2 designated regional areas under the Department of Home Affairs regional postcode framework. Both qualify for Subclass 491. Most of NSW outside metropolitan Sydney qualifies as either Category 2 or Category 3 regional. Always verify your specific postcode at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before applying.
Is my occupation on the NSW Skills List?
The NSW Skills List identifies occupations eligible for nomination at the ANZSCO unit group level — 80 unit groups for the 190 and 78 on the Regional list for the 491. NSW states plainly that not all occupations within a listed unit group are eligible — you must also check DHA's eligible occupation list for the specific visa. Check the current NSW Skills List at nsw.gov.au. If your occupation's unit group is not listed, you will not be considered for NSW nomination this program year.
Are 491 Pathways 1 and 3 still open?
Not always, and they do not work the same way. Pathway 2, the invited pathway, is the one NSW runs through the year. Pathway 1 is a direct application for people already employed by a regional NSW employer. Pathway 3, for regional graduates, is also a direct application. NSW's own page headings currently read "Closed to new applications" for both Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 (checked 7 September 2026). Applications lodged before a closure are still assessed and finalised. Current availability is on our state nomination status page.
What happens if I miss the 14-day invitation deadline?
Your invitation lapses and you cannot proceed with that nomination. Investment NSW has stated that the 14-day window will not be extended under any circumstances. If your invitation lapses, you remain in the SkillSelect pool and may receive a future invitation — but there is no guarantee. Have all documents ready before you receive an invitation, not after.
Can I apply from overseas?
Yes. Offshore applicants are eligible for NSW 190 (provided you have resided offshore continuously for at least 6 months) and 491 Pathway 2 (at least 3 months offshore continuous residence). NSW does not require you to be in NSW to receive an invitation. However, NSW residents who are working in their nominated occupation in NSW are generally considered strong candidates.
What counts as "working in NSW" for the residency requirement?
For the 190: working in your nominated occupation, for remuneration, at least 20 hours a week. Below 20 hours you do not meet it through work. For the 491, NSW sets no hours figure on the working limb — it asks only that you are working in NSW in your nominated occupation. You would need the alternative instead: continuous residence in NSW, six months for the 190 and three for the 491. Unpaid or volunteer work does not count, because the test is remunerated employment.
What points score is actually competitive in NSW?
The minimum is 65 points including nomination points. 65 points is the pass mark to enter the pool, not what gets an invitation; the invitation is a separate requirement (cl 189.221) and round cut-offs are set each round, usually well above 65. In practice, NSW invitation thresholds vary significantly by occupation and round. NSW is the most competitive state in Australia — some ANZSCO unit groups have seen invitations only above 90 or 100 points. The minimum does not reflect a realistic competitive score. Speaking with a registered migration agent about your specific occupation and profile is essential before waiting for a NSW invitation.
Should I apply for NSW 190 or explore other states first?
NSW itself strongly recommends exploring all other migration pathways before relying on a NSW invitation. This is not standard caution — it is a direct statement from Investment NSW on the official nsw.gov.au website. Other states such as Queensland, Western Australia, and Victoria may have more available places relative to demand and may offer a faster, more reliable pathway for your occupation. A registered migration agent can assess which state gives you the best realistic chance.
Does NSW nomination mean I will get the visa?
No. Nomination leads to an invitation to apply, not to a grant. You must still satisfy every Home Affairs requirement for the visa, including skills, English, health and character. Investment NSW can also refuse on three grounds. The application fails the published criteria. The nomination is not in the best interests of NSW. Or the allocation is fully committed.
Waiting on NSW is a strategy only if it is not the only one.
A free eligibility check tells you which states your occupation opens. It also shows whether the 190 or the 491 suits your points score better.
Visa Advisor is a MARA-registered migration practice based in Sydney, NSW, working with clients across Australia and offshore.
Sources and last checked dates
- Investment NSW — Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) checked 7 September 2026 open ↗
- Investment NSW — Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491), including the three pathways and the TSMIT/CSIT concession checked 7 September 2026 open ↗
- Investment NSW — skilled visas overview checked 7 September 2026 open ↗
- Investment NSW — NSW Skills Lists (80 unit groups for the 190, 78 for the 491) checked 7 September 2026 open ↗
- Department of Home Affairs — designated regional area postcodes checked 7 September 2026 open ↗
- Department of Home Affairs — subclass 190 Skilled Nominated checked 7 September 2026 open ↗
- Department of Home Affairs — subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional checked 7 September 2026 open ↗
Programme settings, allocations, pathway availability and skills lists change during a programme year — confirm the current position with the source before acting on anything on this page.