If you are looking at the 190 visa NSW pathway, the short answer is this: NSW nominates people for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) by invitation only, it ranks expressions of interest (EOIs) inside each occupation group, and once NSW invites you, you have 14 days to apply. There are no published round dates and no way to apply directly. This guide explains how the invitation process works, who is eligible and what to check before you submit your EOI.
Written by Navpreet Aulakh, Registered Migration Agent MARN 2619467
Checked against Department of Home Affairs guidance on 15 October 2026
What is the 190 visa and where does NSW fit in?
The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a points-tested permanent visa. According to the Department of Home Affairs, you can only apply if you are invited, and Home Affairs will only invite you once a state or territory government has nominated you. NSW is one of eight jurisdictions that nominate for this visa, and its program is run by Investment NSW.
So there are really two invitations involved. First, NSW invites you to apply for nomination. If NSW approves the nomination, Home Affairs then invites you through SkillSelect to lodge the visa application. Our state nomination guide compares how each state handles this first step.
Who is eligible for NSW 190 nomination?
The NSW Government 190 page sets out the basic criteria. You need to:
- meet all the Home Affairs requirements for the 190 visa
- hold a valid skills assessment for an occupation that is eligible for the 190 and falls within an ANZSCO unit group on the NSW Skills List
- meet one of the NSW residency requirements below
NSW describes its program as "exceptionally competitive" and encourages applicants to look at other visa options as well. Meeting the minimum criteria does not mean you will be invited.
What are the NSW residency requirements?
| Where you are | What NSW requires |
|---|---|
| Onshore (in Australia) | Either work in NSW in your nominated occupation for at least 20 hours a week, or live in NSW and have lived there continuously for at least six months |
| Offshore (outside Australia) | Live outside Australia and have lived offshore continuously for at least six months |
NSW treats you as onshore or offshore based on the residency status recorded in your EOI, so make sure it is accurate and up to date.
What are the Home Affairs requirements for the 190?
On top of the NSW criteria, Home Affairs requires that you:
- are under 45 when you are invited to apply
- score at least 65 points on the points test
- have at least competent English at the time of invitation (see our English requirements page)
- have a suitable skills assessment and an occupation on the relevant skilled list
- meet health and character requirements and sign the Australian values statement
If you are in Australia when you apply, you must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging visa A, B or C. If you hold, or your last substantive visa was, a subclass 491 or 494, Home Affairs says you must have held it for at least three years before applying for the 190.
How does the NSW Skills List work?
NSW does not nominate every occupation. The NSW Skills Lists page sets out eligible skills by ANZSCO unit group, with a separate NSW Skills List for the 190 and a NSW Regional Skills List for the 491. NSW warns that not every occupation within a listed unit group is eligible, so check your exact occupation against both the NSW list and the Home Affairs eligible occupation list. Our occupation search tool is a quick starting point.
The list is meant to reflect skills shortages across NSW, aligned with the sectors and priorities set out in the NSW State Migration Plan. NSW updates it from time to time, so check it again before you lodge or update an EOI.
How do NSW 190 invitations work?
This is the part most people ask about. Based on what NSW publishes, the process looks like this.
Step 1: Submit your EOI in SkillSelect
You lodge an EOI in SkillSelect for the 190 and select NSW. Every claim in it must be backed by valid documents if you are invited, including your skills assessment, English test and evidence of work experience. Our SkillSelect EOI guide covers how to set this up properly.
Step 2: NSW ranks EOIs within each occupation group
NSW says it looks at factors including your age, English level, education, points score and total years of skilled work experience. It then invites the highest-ranking EOIs within each ANZSCO unit group. This means you are effectively competing with others in your own occupation group, not with every EOI in the system.
NSW also says the date you submit or update your EOI does not affect your chance of being invited. Unlike some other systems, lodging early does not put you ahead in a queue.
Step 3: Invitation rounds happen during the financial year
NSW runs invitation rounds throughout the financial year, but it states there are no predetermined or publicly announced dates. You will not get advance notice of a round, so your EOI needs to be ready at all times.
Step 4: You have 14 days to apply for nomination
If NSW invites you, the invitation is valid for 14 days and NSW says this window will not be extended. Have your documents ready before you are invited, not after.
Step 5: NSW assesses your nomination application
NSW says it typically assesses applications within six weeks and asks applicants not to contact it for updates during that time. NSW can refuse a nomination if it does not meet the published criteria, if it is not in the state's best interests, or if its allocation is already fully committed.
Step 6: Home Affairs invites you to lodge the visa
Once nominated, you receive a Home Affairs invitation through SkillSelect to apply for the 190 visa. Home Affairs refers to a 60-day invitation period for this stage. If NSW later withdraws its nomination after you apply, Home Affairs says your application becomes invalid.
How many points do you need for NSW 190?
The Home Affairs minimum is 65 points. State nomination for the 190 adds 5 points, according to the Home Affairs points table, as long as the nomination is not withdrawn. Points are assessed at the time of invitation.
NSW does not publish a minimum points score for invitation, and because it ranks EOIs within each occupation group, the score you need depends on who else is in your group. Use our points calculator to check your score, and read our points test guide to see where you might pick up extra points.
What are the 2026-27 settings for NSW?
This is where you need to be careful with what you read online. As at 15 October 2026:
- The Home Affairs state and territory nomination allocations page still shows the 2025-26 figures only. For 2025-26, NSW was given 2,100 places for the 190 and 1,500 for the 491. Home Affairs has not yet published 2026-27 allocations on that page.
- The NSW 190 page refers to rounds "throughout the financial year" but does not publish a separate 2026-27 program announcement or quota.
- The NSW 491 page says applications are closed for the current program year and that settings for the next year are under review.
Allocations are the number of new primary applicants a state can nominate in a year. Home Affairs notes they do not set the number of visas granted. Until 2026-27 numbers are released, anyone quoting a figure is guessing. Our invitation rounds page explains how SkillSelect rounds work in the meantime.
How much does the 190 visa cost?
| Cost item | Amount (Home Affairs) |
|---|---|
| Main applicant base charge | AUD6,140 (concessions apply in limited circumstances) |
| Each family member included | Additional charge - use the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator |
| Second instalment (family member 18+ with less than functional English) | AUD4,885, only requested before grant |
| Other costs | Health checks, police certificates, biometrics, skills assessment and English test fees are extra |
How long does a 190 visa take after NSW nomination?
Home Affairs does not publish a fixed processing time for the 190. It processes 190 applications under Ministerial Direction No. 122 and publishes the lodgement dates it is currently working on. At the time of checking, Home Affairs listed applications lodged in or before March 2026 for priority sectors such as construction, healthcare and teaching, and January 2026 for applicants who were in Australia when they lodged. Home Affairs also notes these dates may fluctuate while it moves to the new priorities.
For a guide based on recently decided applications, use the Home Affairs visa processing time guide tool. It is not specific to your case.
Should you consider the 491 or another state instead?
If your occupation is not on the NSW Skills List, or your points are on the lower side, it is worth comparing options. The Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa is a provisional regional pathway, but the NSW 491 program is closed for the current program year according to NSW. Other states have their own lists and residency rules. Our comparison of 189 vs 190 vs 491 explains the trade-offs between the three skilled visas.
What are the common mistakes with NSW 190 EOIs?
- Claiming points you cannot prove on the day you are invited. Every claim must be supported by valid documents at invitation.
- Letting your skills assessment or English test expire. Check expiry dates against the time you may wait in the pool.
- Getting the residency status wrong. NSW uses the status in your EOI to decide whether you are onshore or offshore.
- Waiting for an invitation to gather documents. The 14-day NSW window is not extended.
- Assuming an older guide still applies. NSW settings change between program years, so always check the current NSW and Home Affairs pages.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply directly to NSW for 190 nomination?
No. NSW nomination for the 190 is by invitation only, based on your SkillSelect EOI.
Does lodging my EOI early help?
NSW says the date you submit or amend your EOI does not affect your chance of an invitation. Ranking is based on factors such as age, English, education, points and skilled work experience within your occupation group.
Can I be invited for NSW 190 while living overseas?
Yes, if you have lived outside Australia continuously for at least six months and meet the other criteria.
What is the minimum points score for NSW 190?
Home Affairs requires at least 65 points. NSW does not publish a cut-off score, and the 5 nomination points count once you are nominated.
Has NSW released its 2026-27 allocation?
As at 15 October 2026, Home Affairs has only published 2025-26 allocations. Check the Home Affairs allocations page and the NSW Government site for updates.
Get advice on your NSW 190 strategy
Whether NSW is the right state for you depends on your occupation, points, location and how competitive your unit group is. A registered migration agent can review your EOI, check your claims and compare NSW against other states before you commit. Book your consultation with our team to talk through your options.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not migration advice for your circumstances. Visa and nomination settings change regularly. Please book a consultation with a registered migration agent before making any decisions.