Australia Subclass 189 vs 190: Which Skilled PR Visa Is Right for You?

"Should you be intending to apply for permanent residence in Australia under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, you have most likely heard of two very similar-looking visas: Subclass 189 and Subclass 190. They both provide immediate permanent residence (PR) and equal Medicare rights, but the eligibility criteria, competition thresholds, and geographical obligations differ fundamentally."

This authoritative guide breaks down the precise distinctions between the 190 and 189 visas so you can make an informed, data-driven decision tailored to your points score, occupational list eligibility, and settlement aspirations.

What Is the Subclass 189 Visa?

The Subclass 189 is termed the Skilled Independent Visa. The defining word is independent. This means you do not require nomination from an Australian state or territory government, nor do you require employer sponsorship. Your application is evaluated strictly on personal merit, your points score, and your occupation.

In order to be invited to apply for a 189 visa, your occupation must feature on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), and you must lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the Department of Home Affairs’ SkillSelect portal. If your points score is sufficiently competitive relative to other candidates in your ANZSCO unit group, you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Upon approval, the 189 visa grants you and your accompanying family immediate permanent residence with zero restrictions. You can live, work, and study in any Australian state or city from day one.

What Is the Subclass 190 Visa?

The Subclass 190 is known as the Skilled Nominated Visa. The foundational difference is that you must be officially nominated by an Australian state or territory government (such as New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, or Western Australia) before you are permitted to lodge your visa application.

States nominate applicants because their profession aligns with regional economic skill shortages. In exchange for this nomination, SkillSelect awards you 5 additional bonus points toward your score—which is frequently the exact margin between waiting endlessly and receiving an ITA.

However, this comes with a condition: you make a moral and contractual commitment to live and work in your nominating state for at least two years after your visa is granted.

Direct Comparison: Subclass 189 vs 190 at a Glance

The Points Test & Occupation Lists Breakdown

Both subclasses utilize the identical 65-point minimum baseline. Points are accrued through standardized criteria including age (maximum 30 points between ages 25–32), English language competencies (20 points for Superior English via IELTS 8+ or PTE 79+), skilled work history inside and outside Australia, educational degrees, and partner skills.

Occupational List Restrictions

• For Subclass 189: Your occupation must strictly belong to the MLTSSL. If your role sits on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), you are statutorily ineligible for the 189 visa.
• For Subclass 190: States have the legislative freedom to sponsor occupations from both the MLTSSL and the STSOL. If your occupation is absent from the MLTSSL, state nomination via Subclass 190 is your primary skilled permanent residency pathway without needing an employer sponsor.

State Nomination Dynamics & The 2-Year Rule

State nomination is a discrete, competitive assessment administered before your formal visa lodgement with the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA). States like New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria prioritize onshore experience and high earnings, whereas South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania offer generous offshore quota allocations for professions in construction, healthcare, and engineering.

The 2-year living requirement is a commitment signed with the state government. While your visa grant grants full permanent residency, honoring this obligation maintains ethical standing with the nominating state and avoids complications should you later apply for Australian Citizenship.

189 vs 190: Which One Should You Apply For?

Your pathway depends on your point ceiling and occupation eligibility:

• Choose Subclass 189 if: You have accumulated 85+ points organically (Superior English + Master's + 5–8 years experience), your occupation is on the MLTSSL, and you require immediate, unrestricted freedom to relocate to any city without state obligations.
• Choose Subclass 190 if: Your points score sits between 70 and 80, the extra 5 points are essential to secure an invitation, your role is on an STSOL list, or you prefer establishing your career in a specific state where localized demand guarantees faster job placement.

How Sunbridge Outsourcing Helps You Identify Which One Is Better

Choosing incorrectly between Subclass 189 and 190 can result in years of stagnation in the SkillSelect pool. Sunbridge Outsourcing provides data-driven profile diagnostics to remove guesswork:

• Point Maximization Audit: Our consultants evaluate untangled points levers—such as translating IELTS/PTE scores into 20 Superior English points, claiming partner skills points, or securing NAATI CCL credentials.
• ANZSCO & Occupation Matrix Matching: We examine your employment duties against Australian assessing bodies (ACS, VETASSESS, Engineers Australia, TRA) to verify whether your role is restricted to MLTSSL or opens wider doors across specific state nomination lists.
• State Quota & Historical Cut-Off Tracking: We track real-time intake caps and invitation trends across all 8 Australian states and territories, directing your nomination targets toward the states with the highest quota capacity for your profession.

How Sunbridge Outsourcing Helps You Apply (Step-by-Step)

From initial skills assessment to visa grant, our dedicated Australian migration desk manages your complete dossier under a transparent 4-stage framework: