State Nomination 190 vs 491 in 2026: Requirements Compared by State

Selecting the right pathway under Australia’s skilled migration system is a major decision and one that frequently comes down to choosing between the Subclass 190 visa (Skilled Nominated) and the Subclass 491 visa (Skilled Work Regional – Provisional). Both offer state-nomination support and access to permanent residency eventually, but the differences in residency obligations, points bonuses and state-specific criteria demand careful consideration.
In 2026, many applicants face heightened competition, evolving state occupation lists and growing regional incentives. This article breaks down what each visa requires, how the requirements vary by state or territory, and which pathway fits different applicant profiles. Whether someone aims to live in a major city or in regional Australia, understanding the nuances of 190 vs 491 is essential.

Overview of 190 and 491 Visas

What is the Subclass 190 Visa?

The Subclass 190 visa grants immediate permanent residency once approved (provided all conditions are met). It requires nomination by an Australian state or territory. On the official Department of Home Affairs website, the 190 is described as: “The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) lets nominated skilled workers live and work in Australia as permanent residents.”

Key attributes:

Points-tested, with additional 5-points for state nomination.
Must meet state nomination criteria — often work experience, occupation list, age, and commitment to live in the nominating region for at least two years.
No strict regional-area work and residence requirement beyond what the state imposes.

What is the Subclass 491 Visa?

The Subclass 491 visa is a temporary (five-year) regional skilled visa, which offers a pathway to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa. The visa is designed to promote skilled settlement and work in designated regional areas of Australia.

Key attributes:

Points-tested, with a larger bonus of +15 points for state/territory nomination or eligible family sponsorship in a regional area.
Requires the visa holder to live, work and study in a regional area for at least three years (or meet other specified conditions) before applying for the Subclass 191 for permanent residency.
Occupation list is often broader in regional streams, and some states give priority to regional applicants.

Highest-level Comparison

Feature	Subclass 190	Subclass 491
Residency Status	Permanent from grant	Provisional (5 years) + pathway to PR
Nomination Type	State/territory	State/territory or eligible regional family sponsor
Geographic Limitations	Must live/work in nominating state (often 2 years)	Must live/work in designated regional area for at least 3 years
Points Bonus	+5 for nomination	+15 for nomination/sponsorship in regional area
Pathway to PR	Immediate permanent status	After meeting conditions, apply for Subclass 191

Requirements: Common Criteria for Both Visas

Before diving into state differences, both 190 and 491 visas share core eligibility criteria. Applicants must:

Be nominated by a state or territory government.
Possess a positive skills assessment in an occupation on the relevant list.
Meet the points-test minimum (currently 65 points) and other standard criteria such as age, English proficiency and health/character checks.
Demonstrate intent to live in Australia (or in regional areas for 491) and commitment to the state’s requirements.

As noted by migration experts: “Each state/territory may have additional requirements beyond those set by the Department of Home Affairs.” To succeed, applicants must satisfy both Commonwealth and state-specific nomination conditions.

Another Must-Read: Skills Assessment Australia 2026: Required Documents by Occupation

How Requirements Vary by State in 2026

Each Australian state and territory sets its own nomination criteria for 190 and 491 visas — including occupation lists, minimum points, residency/work experience and streams. The table below highlights selected states for key differences; applicants must always check the current state nomination websites.

New South Wales (NSW)

For 190: Requires nomination via NSW Skilled Nominated program, occupation must appear on NSW list, points test eligible.
For 491: Must live/work in regional NSW, plus nomination or sponsorship. Entry may be more accessible compared to metro areas.
Key note: NSW often demands higher competition, and living in major metros often means 190 is used; 491 is used for regional roles.

Victoria (VIC)

VIC’s nomination criteria for 190 allow both onshore and offshore applicants, occupation lists vary and priority is given to health, STEM and education sectors.
VIC may require additional regional commitments for 491, and points threshold may differ slightly due to region priority.

Queensland (QLD)

QLD sets separate occupation lists for both onshore/offshore applicants and both 190 and 491 streams. Residency/work requirements may apply for onshore 491 applicants.
Applicants must check QLD’s state nomination page for updated allocations and eligibility.

Western Australia (WA)

WA’s State Nominated Migration Program (190/491) outlines that for WA, nominations for 190 and 491 include: submission of EOI via SkillSelect, minimum 65 points, occupation must appear on WASMOL lists (Schedule 1/2), and English/work requirements.
WA’s 491 Graduate stream requires two years of WA study for VET graduates or specific regional work contracts for regional occupations.

Tasmania (TAS) / Northern Territory (NT) / Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Often more generous to regional or remote settlement. For example TAS may focus on genuine commitment to the state and high-demand occupations.
NT and ACT may have specific rules like earning minimum income, employer in regional area, or onshore/offshore differences.

Takeaway: States vary — from the list of eligible occupations to whether prior residence or employment is required. Applicants must tailor their strategy to the specific nominating state and the visa subclass (190 vs 491) being pursued.

Key Differences Between 190 and 491: What Matters in 2026

Residency and Work Location

Under 190, the commitment is to live and work in the nominating state (which may be a metro or regional area) for a minimum period—commonly two years. Under 491, the requirement is more explicit: applicants must live, work and study in a designated regional area (as defined by the Commonwealth) for at least three years before applying for the Subclass 191 PR visa.
This means 491 is ideal for those willing to relocate regionally; 190 is better for candidates wanting full PR earlier and are ok with state obligations.

Points and Occupation List Access

While both are points-tested, 491 gives a +15 points bonus for regional nomination/sponsorship — significantly higher than the +5 for 190. This makes 491 attractive when points are borderline.
Occupation lists also differ: 491 may allow occupations on regional lists that are not always available in 190, broadening access.
In practice: for a candidate with 70 points and willingness to live regionally, 491 might offer an easier invitation pathway than 190 with 75 points but no regional commitment.

Pathway to Permanent Residency

The 190 visa grants immediate permanent residency upon grant (subject to conditions). Applicants do not need to convert later.
The 491 is provisional and requires additional steps: after holding it for three years in a regional area, meeting income and work criteria, the applicant can apply for the Subclass 191 permanent visa.
Therefore, applicants should consider: immediate PR with 190 vs phased regional settlement leading to PR via 491.

Timing and Allocation

States manage limited nomination quotas each year. According to data for 2024-25, some states allocated thousands of nomination slots for both subclasses.
Lower competition may apply in certain regional states for 491, making invitations faster in some sectors.

Important: Processing and invitation timing vary — meeting eligibility doesn’t guarantee instant nomination or invitation.

Which Pathway Should Applicants Consider?

Choose 190 if:

The occupation is in high demand in your target state, and you meet or exceed required points.
Desire immediate permanent residency and broader flexibility on where in the state to live/work.
Willing to commit to the nominating state for at least a couple of years.
Have strong points, but don’t want the extra obligation of working in a regional area.

Choose 491 if:

Willing to live and work in a regional area (often outside capital cities).
Need the +15 points boost to meet an invitation threshold.
Occupation appears on a regional list and you are ready to settle in that lifestyle.
See value in regional incentives and eventual PR via Subclass 191.

Example scenarios

A mechanical engineer with 75 points aiming to settle in Melbourne may favour 190 via Victoria.
An ICT professional with 68 points willing to move to regional Queensland may opt for 491 to maximise bonus points and regional list access.

Call to Action

If the 2026 skilled migration path is on the horizon, now is the time to pinpoint your occupation code, assess your points and choose your state nomination strategy. Share this article with fellow applicants or your migration agent to clarify your visa pathway, subscribe for updates as state nomination criteria evolve, and comment below with which state you’re targeting and your point score — one step closer to your Australia journey.

Wrapping Up

Choosing between the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas for state nomination in 2026 involves more than just meeting eligibility. It requires aligning personal preferences, occupation demand and willingness to live regionally. With the right strategy, applicants can position themselves for nomination and eventual invitation.
Whether opting for immediate permanent residency via 190 or the regional-first route of 491, understanding each state’s unique requirements and staying ahead of changes makes all the difference. Set your plan now, meet the criteria, and take confident steps toward your Australian skilled migration goal.