An overview of Australia's invitation-based skilled routes that do not require an employer sponsor: subclasses 189, 190, and 491.
Route overview
189 / 190 / 491 points-tested skilled migration
Typical timeline / duration: 189 and 190 are permanent; 491 is a five-year provisional visa with a later regional permanent-residence pathway.
Important notes
Submit a SkillSelect Expression of Interest, nominate an eligible occupation, and obtain the required skills assessment.
Meet the points, English, age, identity, health, and character requirements; 65 points is the basic threshold for a valid EOI, not a guaranteed invitation.
For subclass 190, obtain nomination from an Australian state or territory; for subclass 491, obtain state/territory nomination or eligible-relative sponsorship in a designated regional area.
There is no employer sponsor requirement, but 491 holders must live, work, and study only in designated regional areas.
Subclass 189: independent permanent residence with no state nomination or eligible-relative sponsorship points.
Subclass 190: permanent residence with state or territory nomination and a five-point nomination benefit.
Subclass 491: provisional regional residence with a 15-point nomination or family-sponsorship benefit and a later subclass 191 pathway.
Invitation cut-offs, occupation lists, state criteria, and regional settings change; check the official route page before lodging an EOI.
Preparation checklist
Passport and identity documents
Skills assessment
English test result
Qualification and skilled-employment evidence
EOI, invitation, and nomination or sponsorship evidence
Health and police clearances
Each visa in this group
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent
Permanent residence for an invited skilled worker without state nomination or eligible-relative sponsorship. It is the most independent option, but invitation competition can be especially high.
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated
Permanent residence for an invited skilled worker nominated by an Australian state or territory. Each jurisdiction sets its own occupation, points, work, and settlement criteria.
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional
A five-year provisional visa for an invited skilled worker nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible relative in a designated regional area. Holders must live, work, and study regionally and may later qualify for subclass 191.
See the individual 189, 190, and 491 pages for route-specific detail.