Australia's three main skilled migration visas — the Subclass 189, 190, and 491 — all use the same points test, but they differ in one crucial way: who, if anyone, has to nominate you. The 189 (Skilled Independent) requires no nomination and gives immediate permanent residence. The 190 (Skilled Nominated) requires nomination by a state or territory and also gives permanent residence. The 491 (Skilled Work Regional) requires state nomination or eligible family sponsorship, is provisional for five years, and leads to permanent residence via the Subclass 191.
Here's what that means in practice, and how to work out which one fits you.
What is the difference between the 189, 190, and 491?
The Subclass 189 is the most independent option. You don't need a sponsor or nominator, you can live anywhere in Australia, and it's permanent from grant. Because it's the most flexible, it's also the most competitive — the points scores needed are usually the highest.
The Subclass 190 requires an Australian state or territory to nominate you. In exchange, you get 5 extra points, and it's permanent from grant. The trade-off: you're generally expected to live and work in the nominating state, typically for at least two years.
The Subclass 491 is a regional visa requiring state nomination or sponsorship by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area. It gives 15 extra points — the biggest points boost of the three — but it's a provisional (temporary) visa for five years. After living and working in a regional area and meeting income requirements for three years, you can apply for permanent residence through the Subclass 191.
Which skilled visa is best for me?
There's no single answer — it depends on your points, your occupation, and your flexibility. As a general guide: if your points are high and your occupation is in demand, the 189 offers the most freedom. If you're a little short on points but willing to commit to a particular state, the 190 nomination can get you there. If you're open to living regionally, the 491 offers the largest points boost and a genuine path to permanent residence. Many successful applicants treat all three as parallel options rather than picking just one.
How many points do I need — and is 65 enough?
You need a minimum of 65 points to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. But here is the honest truth that matters most: 65 is rarely enough in practice. In recent invitation rounds, competitive scores for many occupations have sat around 85 to 95 or higher, particularly for popular fields like IT, engineering, and accounting. Meeting the 65-point floor lets you into the pool; it does not get you an invitation on its own.
How is the points test calculated?
Points are awarded across factors including your age (a maximum of 30 points, for applicants aged 25 to 32), English language ability (up to 20 points for Superior English), skilled work experience (Australian and overseas, capped at 20 points combined), educational qualifications (up to 20 points), specialist education, a Professional Year in Australia, an accredited community language (NAATI), Australian study, regional study, partner skills, and state nomination.
One detail that catches people out: your Australian and overseas work experience are scored separately but capped at 20 points combined. If you have 8 or more years of Australian experience (20 points), additional overseas experience adds nothing. It's worth getting your skills assessment done early so you know exactly what counts.
You can estimate your full score in under a minute using our free points calculator on the homepage. It applies all the official factors, including the combined work-experience cap.
How can I increase my points score?
The fastest, most reliable lever for most applicants is English. Moving from Proficient (10 points) to Superior (20 points) adds 10 points — often the difference between waiting and getting invited. Beyond that: securing state nomination (5 points for the 190, 15 for the 491), gaining more skilled work experience, completing a Professional Year if you're in ICT, engineering, or accounting, obtaining a NAATI community language credential, or having your partner assessed for their skills.
How does NSW state nomination work?
New South Wales nominates skilled workers for the 190 and 491 visas based on its own priorities and occupation lists, which can differ from the national lists and change through the year. NSW invites candidates from the SkillSelect pool — you generally can't apply directly; you submit your EOI and indicate interest in NSW nomination, and the state selects candidates by occupation and score. Because nomination places are limited and allocated competitively, a strong points score and an in-demand occupation matter. As a Sydney-based agency, this is an area Nova works in closely.
The pathway from a 491 to permanent residence
The 491 isn't the end point — it's a five-year provisional visa with a clear destination. After you've lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least three years and met the minimum taxable income requirement, you can apply for the Subclass 191 permanent visa. Note that most of Australia outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane counts as "regional," including cities like Perth, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast.
This article is general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Points outcomes depend on a formal skills assessment and your individual circumstances — book a consultation with Sirat to map your best pathway.