State nomination for the 190 and 491: how the state programs work
Every state runs its own program, its own list and its own moods. How nomination adds 5 or 15 points, and how to be the candidate states actually pick.
Reviewed MARN 0317382Jul 2026 published6 min read
States and territories nominate skilled candidates for two visas: the permanent 190 (worth +5 points) and the regional 491 (worth +15). Each jurisdiction runs its own occupation list, criteria and opening windows, layered on top of the federal rules. For candidates whose score is competitive-but-not-stellar, state nomination is usually the difference between waiting and being invited.
How the two nominations differ
| 190 | 491 | |
|---|---|---|
| Points boost | +5 | +15 |
| Outcome | Permanent immediately | Five years, PR via 191 after three regional years |
| Commitment | Usually live/work in the state for around two years | Live and work in a designated regional area |
What states actually look for
- Occupation demand in that state, not nationally. The lists differ, sometimes sharply.
- Connection: living, studying or working in the state, or a genuine commitment to move; several programs have onshore-resident streams with different criteria to offshore ones.
- Employability evidence: some states want job offers or employment in the nominated field, others just a credible settlement case.
- Timing: programs open, fill and pause across the year with allocation levels. The candidates who win watch the windows.
Strategy over scattergun
Lodging interest with every state reads as commitment to none, and some programs ask you to declare intent. The stronger play is picking one or two jurisdictions whose lists, criteria and labour market genuinely fit your profile, then building the file they want to see. A nomination is a state investing in you settling there; write your case in those terms.
General information only, current at 18 July 2026. Not immigration assistance or advice for your circumstances. Visacorp Pty Ltd — MARN 0317382 · 1799004 · 0104178.
Common questions
Can I apply to multiple states at once?
Mechanically often yes, but several programs ask about genuine intent and some require exclusive commitment. A focused, well-evidenced case with one or two states usually outperforms a scattergun.
Do I have to stay in the state after a 190?
You commit to the state's residence expectation, commonly around two years. It's a condition of the nomination promise rather than a visa condition, but breaking it can affect future dealings and is taken seriously.
Which state is easiest?
The honest answer: the one whose list and criteria your profile genuinely fits this year. Programs change with allocations, so last year's 'easy' state is often this year's paused one.
Unsure where your situation fits?
Twenty minutes with a registered agent is the fastest way to a straight answer.