What are the main skilled migration options?
Common skilled pathways include the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). Each has its own requirements and invitation or nomination process.
What RightWay can help you understand
- Whether your occupation and skills assessment align with a current skilled pathway
- How SkillSelect, an Expression of Interest and invitations fit into the process
- Points-test factors such as age, English, employment, qualifications and partner factors
- State or territory nomination for subclass 190 and some subclass 491 pathways
- Regional migration obligations and the relationship between provisional and permanent regional pathways
Common pathways or topics
A permanent points-tested pathway for invited skilled workers. State or territory nomination is not required for the points-tested stream.
A permanent points-tested pathway requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory government agency.
A five-year provisional regional visa for eligible applicants nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible family member.
A permanent pathway for eligible holders of specified regional provisional visas who meet current requirements.
Do you automatically qualify if you reach the minimum points score?
No. Meeting a points threshold does not itself guarantee an invitation. Skilled migration involves eligibility requirements as well as invitation, occupation, nomination and program settings that can change.
State nomination is separate from the visa criteria
For subclass 190 and state-nominated subclass 491 pathways, states and territories set their own nomination criteria and priorities. These can differ from Home Affairs visa criteria and can change during a program year.
- Home Affairs — Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
- Home Affairs — Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
- Home Affairs — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)