Subclass 189, 190 & 491 Points Guide 2026
Subclass 189, 190 and 491 all use the same points test, but the 65-point minimum is not the score that gets invited. Most 2026 rounds are inviting applicants well into the 80s and 90s. This guide covers eligibility for each visa and includes a live calculator so you can check your own score against the current table.
LAST UPDATED 23 JULY 2026
PROGRAM YEAR 2026-27
3 VISA PATHWAYS
LIVE POINTS CALCULATOR
⚠️ SUBCLASS 189 UPDATE
The next invitation round for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa is expected to be held by 30 September 2026. Please ensure your Expression of Interest is up to date and that all the information you have provided is accurate.
THE THREE PATHWAYS
Skilled Migration Visas in Australia:
Subclass 189, 190, and 491
Australia’s Skilled Migration Program provides clear pathways for qualified professionals to live and work in Australia, either permanently or provisionally. It is designed to address skill shortages in key industries and, in some cases, promote regional development.
The three main points-tested skilled visas are:
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Subclass 189 - Skilled Independent Visa (Permanent) : Does not require state or territory nomination or employer/family sponsorship.
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Subclass 190 - Skilled Nominated Visa (Permanent) : Requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government.
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Subclass 491 - Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) : Requires nomination by a state or territory government or sponsorship by an eligible family member living in a designated regional area.
All three visas require lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect and achieving at least 65 points on the points test, which assesses factors such as Age English Language ability Skilled Work Experience Qualifications Australian Study, and Partner Skills While the Subclass 189 offers the most independence, the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 can boost your points through nomination or sponsorship, but come with location or commitment requirements. Choosing the right visa depends on your skills, points score, and where you plan to live and work in Australia.
All three visas require lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect and achieving at least 65 points on the points test, which assesses factors such as
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Age
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English
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Language ability
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Skilled Work Experience
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Qualifications Australian Study, and
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Partner Skills
While the Subclass 189 offers the most independence, the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 can boost your points through nomination or sponsorship, but come with location or commitment requirements. Choosing the right visa depends on your skills, points score, and where you plan to live and work in Australia.
SUBCLASS 189
INDEPENDENT · PR
Skilled Independent
No sponsor. No nomination. No location conditions.
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Occupation must sit on the Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
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Permanent residency granted from day one
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Live and work anywhere in Australia
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Minimum 65 points, ranked competitively in SkillSelect
Nomination bonus:
None. Your raw score is your score.
SUBCLASS 190
STATE NOMINATED · PR
Skilled Nominated
A state or territory vouches for you in exchange for a commitment.
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Occupation must be on the nominating state's skilled occupation list
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Permanent residency from grant
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Typically requires living/working in the nominating state for 2 years
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Meet the state's own nomination criteria on top of the points test
Nomination bonus:
+5 points added automatically once nominated.
SUBCLASS 491
REGIONAL · PROVISIONAL
Skilled Work Regional
A five‑year runway to PR, anchored to regional Australia.
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Occupation must be on the relevant MLTSSL, STSOL or Regional Occupation List
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Provisional visa (5 years), not permanent on grant
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Must live, work and study in a designated regional area
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Pathway to Subclass 191 permanent residency after 3 years
Nomination bonus:
+15 points, the largest boost in the system.
SUBCLASS 491 IN DETAIL
Two Ways Into The Regional Pathway
The 491 isn't a single queue. It runs through two separate streams with different sponsors, different occupation lists, and the same 15‑point advantage.
State/Territory Nominated Stream
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Nominated by a state or territory government
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Occupation must appear on that state's skilled occupation list
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Extra state criteria often apply, such as residency, a job offer, or local work experience
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Submit your EOI through SkillSelect after nomination
Often a wider occupation list, and faster movement where local demand is high.
Family Sponsored Stream
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Sponsored by an eligible relative: an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen
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Sponsor must be 18+ and living in a designated regional area
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Occupation must be on the MLTSSL only
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No state nomination process to navigate
A strong option if you already have close family settled regionally.
📄 PATHWAY TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY
491 holders can move to Subclass 191 after living and working in a designated regional area for at least three years, provided they earn at least $53,900 in taxable income per year across three consecutive years and meet all visa conditions.
THE SCORING SYSTEM
The 2026 Point Test Guidance
Every 189, 190 and 491 applicant is scored against the same table below. You need 65 points to submit an Expression of Interest, but SkillSelect ranks by score, so most 2026 invitations go to applicants well above that floor. Work through the calculator underneath the table to see your own number update live.
MATRIX TOOL
Skilled Migration Visas' Points Calculator
Estimate your points score using the official Department of Home Affairs scoring criteria. Select your situation in each category below, your score updates in real time and is benchmarked against 2026 invitation trends.
APPLICATION PROCESS
From Points To Visa Grant
1
Skill Assessment
Get your nominated occupation assessed by the relevant assessing authority before claiming any points tied to work experience or qualifications.
2
Submit Your EOI
Lodge an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect, declaring your occupation and points. This is mandatory for all three subclasses.
3
Nomination (190/491)
If pursuing a nominated pathway, apply to the relevant state or territory and wait for their decision before your EOI points update.
4
Invitation and Lodgement
Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge your visa application via ImmiAccount. Invitation rounds vary by visa; state nominations aren't limited by departmental quotas.
Frequently Asked Question
Does 65 points guarantee an invitation?
No. 65 is the minimum required to lodge an Expression of Interest, not the score that gets you invited. SkillSelect ranks all EOIs by points within each occupation, and in 2026 most successful applicants are scoring well into the 85–95 range, with some competitive occupations sitting even higher.
What's the actual difference between 189, 190 and 491?
189 needs no nomination or sponsorship and comes with permanent residency and full location freedom. 190 requires state nomination, adds 5 points, and typically carries a 2‑year residency commitment in that state. 491 requires state or family sponsorship, adds 15 points, is provisional rather than permanent, and requires living and working in a designated regional area, with a pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 191.
Can I combine overseas and Australian work experience points?
You can claim points in both categories, but the combined total for skilled employment (overseas plus Australian) is capped at 20 points. Our calculator applies this cap automatically once you select both fields.
How much do partner points actually matter?
Up to 10 points, and it's one of the most under‑used levers in the whole system. If your partner holds a positive skills assessment in a relevant occupation and at least competent English, you can claim the full 10 points as a couple, the same amount you'd get applying as a single applicant.
Is the points test about to change?
The Department of Home Affairs has flagged a broader review of the points test as part of its ongoing Migration Strategy, with consultation opening through 2026. Nothing has been legislated. If you currently meet the 65‑point minimum, there can be an advantage in lodging sooner rather than waiting on reform that hasn't been finalised.
What happens after my 491 visa is granted?
You'll need to live, work and study in your designated regional area for the life of the visa. After at least three years, and provided you've earned at least $53,900 in taxable income per year across three consecutive years while meeting all conditions, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency through Subclass 191.
STAY AHEAD OF THE 2026-27 OPENING
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