Australia permanent residence: skilled visas 189, 190 and 491

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) needs no sponsor: the department invites the highest-ranked expressions of interest. The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) requires nomination by a state or territory government agency, which looks at the EOIs in SkillSelect and applies its own criteria. The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) requires nomination by a state or territory or sponsorship by an eligible relative, and you must live, work and study in a designated regional area.

Employer sponsorship is a separate route: the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) gives permanent residence to workers nominated by an Australian employer, for example after 2 years on the Skills in Demand visa.

You must have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, a suitable skills assessment for it (Home Affairs accepts one obtained within the 60-day invitation period), at least competent English at the time of invitation, and be under 45 when invited. Turning 45 after the invitation does not stop you applying, but turning 45 before it does.

The points test awards points for age, English, skilled employment, qualifications, Australian study and other factors; 65 points is the minimum to be invited, and the invitation states the score you must achieve. You and your family must also meet the health and character requirements and sign the Australian Values Statement.

First obtain the skills assessment from the assessing authority for your occupation and sit an approved English test. Then lodge an expression of interest in SkillSelect, which is free and gives you an indicative score. Invitations are issued in regular rounds; for the 190 and 491 a state or territory must nominate you first. Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge the visa application in ImmiAccount with evidence for every points claim.

Subclass 189 applications are processed in the order set by Ministerial Direction 122. In October 2026 Home Affairs reported processing applications lodged in or before June 2026 for priority sectors such as construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, fishing and resources.

Holders of a 189 or 190 can live, work and study anywhere in Australia, enrol in Medicare, sponsor eligible relatives and later apply for citizenship if eligible. Travel on the visa is allowed for 5 years from grant; after that a Resident Return visa (subclass 155 or 157) is needed to re-enter as a permanent resident. Some government payments have waiting periods for newly arrived residents.

The 491 lasts 5 years and cannot be extended. After holding it for 3 years and meeting the regional living and income conditions, you can apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).