Skilled Nominated Visa
Permanent residency with a state or territory government behind your application.
Overview
Works like the 189, but a state or territory nominates you for a skill they specifically need — that nomination adds 5 points to your score and generally comes with a commitment to live in that state for a period after arrival. It's not an employer-sponsored visa: you submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect, and a state or territory decides whether to nominate you under its own program criteria.
Who it's for
- Skilled workers who fall just short of the 189 threshold
- Applicants whose occupation is in demand in a specific Australian state or territory
Key requirements
- A skills assessment in your nominated occupation, completed before you submit your EOI
- Nomination from an Australian state or territory government
- Occupation on the relevant list for that state's nomination stream
- At least 65 points on the SkillSelect points test, plus the state's own current requirement
- Commitment to live and work in the nominating state for a set period
- Visa application lodged within 60 days of receiving your invitation
The visa application charge increased to $6,140 for the primary applicant from 1 July 2026 (up from $4,910). The fee that applies is whichever is in force on the date you lodge and pay.
You can lodge Expressions of Interest with multiple states at once — a common strategy to improve your overall chances of receiving a nomination invitation. 65 points is only the legal minimum to appear in SkillSelect; states generally nominate well above that in competitive occupations.
A broader reform of the skilled points test has been proposed, but current indications suggest it's unlikely to start before 1 July 2027 — so if you're points-ready now, there's little reason to wait for a system that isn't confirmed yet.
Not sure if this is the right visa for you?
Tell us your situation and we'll confirm whether the Skilled Nominated Visa fits, or point you to the one that does.
Book a free visa assessmentVisa subclasses, eligibility criteria, streams, points thresholds and fees are set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and change periodically, often each 1 July. The figures above reflect published guidance as of August 2026 — your Rigpa House adviser will confirm current figures, state-specific requirements and eligibility before you apply.