General Skilled Migration
Skilled migration: understand your options
General Skilled Migration covers points-tested pathways for people whose skills match an eligible occupation. This guide compares the subclass 189 points-tested stream, subclass 190 and subclass 491. Your occupation, evidence, points and nomination options all matter; there is no single pathway that suits everyone.
Before you start: an Expression of Interest (EOI) is not a visa application. Meeting the minimum points threshold does not guarantee an invitation, nomination or visa.
Reviewed 29 October 2026. General information; individual eligibility needs assessment.
On this page: Compare visas · Eligibility · Application steps · Documents · 491 to 191 · Time and costs · Already in Australia · Get advice
Compare 189, 190 and 491
At a glance: your visa's status and selection route
All three pathways require a valid occupation, suitable skills assessment, points evidence and a SkillSelect invitation. 65 points is the minimum threshold, not a guaranteed invitation.
No state nomination or family sponsorship. Home Affairs selects eligible EOIs in its invitation rounds, with occupation-specific cut-offs and tie-breaks.
Explore subclass 189State or territory nomination is required and gives 5 points under the points test. Each government applies its own selection requirements.
Explore subclass 190State/territory nomination or eligible-relative sponsorship gives 15 points. Designated regional conditions apply. A later 191 application is separate and conditional.
Explore subclass 491Important: A SkillSelect EOI is not a visa and does not extend lawful stay. Check Home Affairs EOI guidance, the relevant state nomination rules and evidence requirements before relying on a pathway. Advice about your circumstances is provided by Sunil Choudhary, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2418425). Reviewed 3 November 2026.
189: Skilled Independent — points-tested stream
Permanent residence without employer or state nomination. You must receive a SkillSelect invitation and meet the visa requirements. This visa allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia.
190: Skilled Nominated
Permanent residence with state or territory nomination. Nomination contributes 5 points, but you must satisfy both the visa rules and that government’s selection requirements. Check its settlement commitments before accepting nomination; do not confuse these with the regional visa conditions attached to subclass 491.
491: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
A five-year provisional visa, not permanent residence. It requires state or territory nomination, or sponsorship by an eligible relative. Qualifying nomination or accepted sponsorship contributes 15 points. Regional living, work and study conditions apply to visa holders, including accompanying family members.
Check eligibility before choosing a pathway
- Occupation: check the list for the particular visa and nomination or sponsorship route. Match the occupation code to your duties, not just your job title. The Core Skills Occupation List used in some employer-sponsored pathways is not a universal GSM eligibility list.
- Skills assessment: identify the assessing authority and the assessment required for migration. Check its validity and the visa’s timing rules. Arrange your evidence early; do not assume every assessment or professional registration is interchangeable.
- Age: for these points-tested routes, you must be under 45 when invited. An EOI lodged before your birthday does not preserve eligibility if you turn 45 before invitation.
- English: at least competent English is required at invitation. Higher qualifying results may earn points. Use the score table for your test date: accepted tests and scores changed on 7 August 2025. At-home tests are not accepted.
- Points: the minimum is 65, including applicable nomination or sponsorship points. You must substantiate the score on your invitation, which may be higher.
- Other checks: health, character, immigration history, government debts and the Australian Values Statement may affect the application. Requirements also apply to relevant family members.
Official checks: occupation lists and assessing authorities · skills assessments · competent English evidence
How points and selection work
Points can come from age, English, eligible employment, qualifications and other qualifying circumstances. Overseas and Australian employment points have a combined maximum of 20. Do not assume every year on your CV qualifies or count the same entitlement twice.
Use an A2MS points calculator as an initial estimate, then check each claim against the official points table and your documents.
Home Affairs invitation rounds cover 189 and family-sponsored 491 applicants. State-nominated 190 and 491 applicants follow the relevant government’s selection process. A state Registration of Interest (ROI) is a separate expression of interest in nomination; it is not a visa application. State ranking systems must not be added to your Commonwealth points score.
Check official invitation rounds · South Australia nomination guide · Victoria nomination guide. Check current state opening dates and criteria before acting on a dated update.
Check your IELTS/PTE English level: The A2MS English Test Score Checker compares your reported component scores against the Home Affairs Competent, Proficient and Superior requirements, including the August 2025 PTE change. Also read the full English-language requirements guide. A score threshold alone does not guarantee an EOI invitation or visa.
Your pathway, step by step
- Assess your options. Check occupation eligibility, age, English, skills assessment and current visa position. Compare permanent and regional routes before committing to a location.
- Prepare evidence for your claims. Review your points and the relevant state or family-sponsorship requirements before lodging an EOI.
- Submit your EOI in SkillSelect. An EOI normally stays active for two years. Update relevant changes before invitation, including work, qualifications, English results and family circumstances.
- Follow the nomination process if required. A state may require an ROI, an invitation to seek nomination and supporting documents. This differs by jurisdiction; a state invitation is not the same as a Home Affairs visa invitation.
- Check the visa invitation and apply. The usual deadline is 60 calendar days from invitation. Verify your claimed points and submit the required application and evidence through ImmiAccount.
- Respond and check the outcome. Monitor requests, update changes and read your grant letter and conditions carefully. An invitation alone does not guarantee a grant.
Documents to prepare — and mistakes to avoid
- Identity and family: current passports, name-change records and evidence of relationships and eligible dependants. Keep names consistent across records.
- Skills and study: the relevant assessment, qualifications and transcripts, plus evidence for any study-related points.
- Employment: support duties and dates with references and appropriate payslips, tax or bank records. A reference letter alone may not establish the work claimed.
- English: keep the full result and check the test version, component scores and validity period for your route.
- Health and character: follow your subclass checklist for examinations and police certificates. Plan timing so evidence does not expire unnecessarily.
- Translations and history: translate non-English documents and provide accurate residential and travel history. Explain missing documents rather than leaving unexplained gaps.
A complete application can avoid preventable delays, but does not buy priority or guarantee approval. Use the Home Affairs skilled-visa checklist and Check twice, submit once guidance.
Regional migration: Adelaide and the 491-to-191 pathway
“Regional” does not necessarily mean remote. Adelaide is included in the government’s regional classification. Check the official postcode definitions before choosing where to live, work or study.
Eligible 491 holders may apply separately for subclass 191 after holding an eligible visa for at least three years. They must meet the other requirements, including compliance with the eligible visa’s conditions. There is no minimum income requirement for this stream, but the main applicant must provide ATO notices of assessment for three income years out of the five years of the eligible visa.
Permanent residence does not happen automatically at the three-year mark. Keep records of regional compliance and tax assessments, and seek advice before changing visa pathways. Read the current subclass 191 requirements.
Waiting times, priorities and costs
There are separate waits for invitation, state nomination and visa processing. Published visa-processing figures do not predict when you will receive an invitation. Annual program places, selection rules, document checks and your circumstances can affect timing.
Processing update, checked 29 October 2026: Home Affairs says Ministerial Direction 122 applies to specified permanent and provisional skilled visas, including 189, 190, 491 and 191, from 19 September 2026. It replaced Direction 119 for these applications. Priorities include specified sectors and distinguish applications by the applicant’s location at lodgement and other circumstances. This concerns visa assessment, not automatic EOI selection.
Read the current processing priorities · Check the processing-time guide
Budget for the government application charge, additional applicants, skills assessment, English testing, medical examinations, police certificates and translations. State fees and professional fees may be separate. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator for current charges and applicable concessions rather than relying on an old quoted amount.
Already in Australia? Protect your current visa position
An EOI does not extend your visa or entitle you to a bridging visa. If your visa may expire before you can lodge a valid application, seek advice about lawful options early. A bridging visa depends on the application and your circumstances; do not assume you can stay or travel simply because you are waiting for an invitation.
Read your grant letter and check VEVO for current conditions. Keep Home Affairs informed of relevant changes.
You also have workplace rights. An employer cannot cancel your visa, and a contract cannot remove your basic legal protections. Keep your passport safe and seek help if you are underpaid, threatened or exploited. Read about worker rights and reporting protections.
Other skilled options and changes to watch
If a points-tested route is unsuitable, employer-sponsored visas or a labour agreement may be worth assessing. These have different requirements; they are not a guaranteed fallback. Explore A2MS employer-sponsored guidance and the official skilled visa options.
This guide discusses the 189 points-tested stream. The 189 New Zealand stream closed to new primary applications on 1 July 2023; that closure is not a closure of the points-tested stream. The Business Innovation and Investment Program closed to new applications on 31 July 2024. Check Home Affairs recent changes before relying on an older pathway guide.
Discuss your skilled migration options with A2MS
Sunil Choudhary, Founder & Principal Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2418425), can assess your occupation, evidence, points and possible pathways. We can explain the gaps, relevant deadlines and fees before you decide how to proceed.
For an initial discussion, have your occupation, qualifications, employment history, English results and current visa details ready. You do not need to send sensitive documents through a general enquiry form.
Book a consultation · Contact A2MS · +61 8 7094 8094
Information reviewed against Home Affairs sources on 29 October 2026. Rules, nomination availability and charges can change. A2MS cannot guarantee an invitation, nomination, employment or visa grant.
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