189 vs 190 vs 491: Which Skilled Visa is Right for You?
Choosing between Australia's three main skilled migration visas—the 189, 190, and 491—is one of the most important decisions you'll make on your journey to Australian permanent residency. Each pathway offers distinct advantages and requires different commitments, from where you can live to how many points you need.
Understanding these differences will help you select the visa that best matches your circumstances, occupation, and long-term goals in Australia.
Overview of the Three Skilled Visas
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent Visa
The Subclass 189 is Australia's premier independent skilled migration visa, offering permanent residency without requiring any nomination or sponsorship. This visa provides complete flexibility to live and work anywhere in Australia from day one.
The 189 visa is highly competitive, typically requiring strong points scores and occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Once granted, you receive full permanent residency status with all associated rights and benefits.
Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated Visa
The Subclass 190 requires state or territory government nomination but provides immediate permanent residency. This visa offers a more accessible pathway than the 189 for many applicants, as states often have broader occupation lists and you receive 5 bonus points for the nomination.
In exchange for state support, you commit to living and working in the nominating state or territory for at least two years after visa grant. After fulfilling this commitment, you're free to move anywhere in Australia.
Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
The Subclass 491 is a five-year provisional visa that requires you to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. This visa offers the highest bonus points (15 points) and can be obtained through state/territory nomination or eligible family sponsorship.
While the 491 is not immediate permanent residency, it provides a clear pathway to PR after three years through the Subclass 191 visa. During those three years, you must demonstrate that you've lived in a regional area and met minimum income requirements.
Detailed Comparison Table
| Feature | 189 Visa | 190 Visa | 491 Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Type | Permanent residency | Permanent residency | Provisional (5 years) → PR via 191 |
| Nomination Required | No | Yes (state/territory) | Yes (state/territory or family) |
| Bonus Points | None | +5 points | +15 points |
| Where You Can Live | Anywhere in Australia | Initial 2-year commitment to nominating state | Designated regional areas only |
| Work Rights | Full work rights nationwide | Full work rights nationwide | Full work rights in regional areas |
| Occupation Lists | MLTSSL (narrower) | State lists (broader) | Regional lists (broadest) |
| Pathway to PR | Direct PR | Direct PR | After 3 years via 191 visa |
| Medicare Eligibility | Immediate | Immediate | After PR is granted |
| Processing Time | 8-12 months | 6-10 months | 6-12 months |
| Application Cost | AUD 4,640 (primary) | AUD 4,640 (primary) | AUD 4,640 (primary) |
Key Differences Explained
Nomination Requirements
The most fundamental difference between these visas lies in their nomination requirements:
- 189 visa: Completely independent; no nomination needed
- 190 visa: Requires nomination from an Australian state or territory government
- 491 visa: Requires nomination from a state/territory government OR sponsorship from an eligible family member in regional Australia
Each state and territory maintains its own occupation lists and eligibility criteria, which change regularly based on local labour market needs.
Points and Competitiveness
The points system creates distinct competitive landscapes for each visa:
Subclass 189 typically requires the highest points scores because it offers maximum flexibility and doesn't provide any bonus points. Recent invitation rounds have seen minimum scores of 70-90+ points depending on the occupation.
Subclass 190 provides 5 bonus points for state nomination, making it more accessible for applicants with 60-85 base points. However, you must meet specific state requirements and competition varies by state and occupation.
Subclass 491 offers 15 bonus points, significantly boosting your chances of invitation. This makes it the most accessible pathway for applicants with moderate points scores (50-70 base points), provided they're willing to commit to regional living.
Residency Obligations
Where you can live and work differs significantly between these visas:
189 visa holders enjoy complete freedom to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia from the moment they arrive. There are no regional or state commitments.
190 visa holders must live and work in their nominating state or territory for at least two years. This doesn't mean you can never travel or visit other states, but your primary residence and employment should be in that state. After two years, you can relocate anywhere in Australia.
491 visa holders must live, work, and study in designated regional areas throughout their five-year provisional visa period. To transition to permanent residency via the 191 visa, you must demonstrate three years of regional living and meet minimum taxable income thresholds (currently AUD 53,900 per year).
Occupation Lists
The occupation lists vary in breadth across the three visas:
189 visa: Uses the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List), which is the most restrictive list focused on occupations with long-term skill shortages.
190 visa: Each state maintains its own occupation list, often drawn from both the MLTSSL and Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), providing wider options.
491 visa: Offers the broadest occupation access, with regional areas and states nominating from combined lists that include many occupations not available for 189 or 190 visas.
Processing Times and Costs
Application fees are identical across all three visas: AUD 4,640 for the primary applicant, AUD 2,320 for additional adults, and AUD 1,160 for children.
Processing times are relatively similar, ranging from 6-12 months depending on case complexity and the specific visa. The 190 visa sometimes processes slightly faster (6-10 months) compared to the 189 (8-12 months), though individual cases vary considerably.
Remember that these fees don't include additional costs such as skills assessments, English tests, health examinations, police certificates, and migration agent fees if you choose to use one.
Which Visa Should You Choose?
Choose the 189 Visa If:
- You have a high points score (typically 75+ points)
- Your occupation is on the MLTSSL
- You want maximum flexibility to live anywhere in Australia
- You prefer not to commit to a specific state or region
- You don't want to go through state nomination processes
The 189 is ideal for highly competitive applicants who value freedom of movement and can achieve invitation without state support.
Choose the 190 Visa If:
- You have a moderate to good points score (60-80 points)
- Your occupation appears on one or more state occupation lists
- You're happy to commit to living in a specific state for two years
- You want immediate permanent residency with state support
- You have connections or preferences for a particular state
The 190 offers the best of both worlds: immediate PR with the boost of state nomination, requiring only a manageable two-year commitment.
Choose the 491 Visa If:
- You have a moderate points score (50-70 base points)
- You're open to regional living for three to five years
- You want the highest chance of invitation (+15 points is substantial)
- You're willing to follow a two-step pathway to PR (491 → 191)
- Your occupation is on regional occupation lists
The 491 is increasingly popular because it offers the most accessible pathway to eventual permanent residency, especially for applicants who might struggle to compete for 189 or 190 invitations.
Understanding Regional Australia
For the 491 visa, understanding what constitutes "regional Australia" is crucial. Regional Australia includes all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and the Gold Coast. This means cities like:
- Adelaide (South Australia's capital)
- Canberra (Australia's capital)
- Hobart (Tasmania)
- Geelong (Victoria)
- Newcastle and Wollongong (NSW)
- Sunshine Coast (Queensland)
- All of regional Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia, and Tasmania
Many of these regional centres offer excellent employment opportunities, quality education, and lifestyle benefits while being considerably less expensive than major metropolitan areas.
The Expression of Interest (EOI) Process
All three visas require you to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system before you can be invited to apply. Your EOI includes:
- Personal details and current location
- Nominated occupation and skills assessment
- Points breakdown
- English test results
- Work experience details
- Educational qualifications
- State nomination preferences (if applicable)
For the 189 visa, the Department of Home Affairs directly issues invitations based on your points score and occupation. For the 190 and 491 visas, you must first receive state nomination before receiving a visa invitation.
Your EOI remains active for two years and is automatically ranked against other applicants in the system. Higher points scores and priority occupations receive invitations first.
Common Eligibility Requirements
Regardless of which visa you choose, all three require you to meet these fundamental criteria:
- Age: Under 45 years at the time of invitation
- Skills assessment: Positive assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation
- Points test: Minimum 65 points (though competitive scores are typically much higher)
- English language: At least Competent English (equivalent to IELTS 6.0 in each component)
- Health and character: Meet health requirements and provide police certificates
Some states may have additional requirements such as higher English scores, specific work experience, or job offers in nominated occupations.
Strategic Tips for Maximising Your Chances
Boost Your Points Score
Before selecting your visa pathway, explore ways to increase your points:
- Improve English scores: Moving from Competent (0 points) to Proficient (10 points) or Superior (20 points) English significantly improves competitiveness
- Gain Australian work experience: One year of skilled work in Australia adds 5 points; three years adds 10 points
- Partner skills: If your partner also has skills assessment and competent English, you can claim 5-10 additional points
- Professional Year: Completing a Professional Year program in Australia adds 5 points for accounting, IT, and engineering occupations
- NAATI certification: Credentialed Community Language certification adds 5 points
Research State Requirements Carefully
If considering a 190 or 491 visa, thoroughly research each state's requirements:
- Review occupation lists monthly as they change regularly
- Check additional state criteria (some require job offers, minimum work experience, or specific qualifications)
- Understand nomination caps and processing times by state
- Consider which states align with your lifestyle preferences and career opportunities
Consider the Long-Term Pathway
Think beyond just visa grant to your long-term goals in Australia:
For families: Consider school quality, costs of living, and family support networks in different states and regional areas.
For career progression: Research job opportunities and salary levels in your occupation across different locations.
For lifestyle: Evaluate climate, housing affordability, community, and cultural factors that matter to your family.
Transitioning from 491 to 191 (Permanent Residency)
If you choose the 491 pathway, understanding the transition to permanent residency is essential. After holding your 491 visa for three years, you become eligible for the Subclass 191 visa if you:
- Lived in a designated regional area for at least three years
- Worked in a regional area for at least three years
- Earned at least the minimum taxable income threshold (currently AUD 53,900) in each of those three years
- Continue to meet health and character requirements
The 191 visa grants full permanent residency with no further regional obligations, allowing you to live anywhere in Australia.
Making Your Decision
Choosing between the 189, 190, and 491 visas ultimately depends on your individual circumstances, priorities, and willingness to make commitments:
Highest points and want flexibility? Choose the 189 visa.
Want immediate PR with state support? Choose the 190 visa.
Need the points boost and open to regional living? Choose the 491 visa.
Many applicants lodge EOIs for multiple visa types simultaneously to maximise their chances of receiving an invitation. This is a valid strategy, as you can always choose which invitation to accept based on your circumstances at the time.
Remember that Australian migration policy evolves regularly, so staying informed about occupation list changes, state nomination updates, and invitation trends is crucial for success.
Next Steps
- Calculate your points score using the official points test
- Obtain a skills assessment for your nominated occupation
- Take an English test if required (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or CAE)
- Research state requirements if considering 190 or 491 pathways
- Lodge your EOI through SkillSelect
- Monitor invitation rounds and state nomination programs
If you need assistance determining which pathway suits you best, consider consulting with a registered migration agent who can assess your individual circumstances and provide tailored advice for your situation.
The journey to Australian permanent residency requires careful planning, but understanding the differences between these three visa options puts you in the best position to make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and maximises your chances of success.