Planning to immigrate to Australia as a skilled worker in 2025? You’ve probably come across the three most popular skilled visa subclasses: 189, 190, and 491. All of them fall under Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program — but each has its own eligibility rules, advantages, and pathways to Permanent Residency (PR).
In this article, we compare Subclass 189 vs 190 vs 491 to help you choose the right Australian visa based on your profile and goals.
🛂 Visa Overview Table
| Visa | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Skilled Independent | Skilled Nominated | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) |
| PR or Provisional | ✅ Permanent | ✅ Permanent | ❌ Provisional (leads to PR) |
| Points-Based? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| State Nomination Required? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Job Offer Needed? | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No (but helps) |
| Stay Requirement | Anywhere in Australia | In nominating state | In regional area (3+ years) |
| Leads to PR? | Direct | Direct | After 3 years |
🇦🇺 Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa
✅ Best For:
- High points scorers (typically 85+)
- IT, engineering, and healthcare professionals
- Those who want full freedom to live/work anywhere in Australia
📌 Key Features:
- No sponsorship or nomination required
- Points-based invitation via SkillSelect
- Direct pathway to PR
- Work and travel freely across all states
🕐 Processing Time: 6–10 months
💰 Visa Fee (Primary): AUD 4,640
⚠️ Very competitive — invitations are limited and often go to high-scoring candidates.
🏙️ Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa
✅ Best For:
- Applicants with lower points (70–85)
- Willing to live and work in a specific Australian state
- Have skills in demand on a state occupation list
📌 Key Features:
- Requires nomination by a state or territory
- Adds +5 points to your SkillSelect score
- Direct pathway to PR
- Must live and work in nominating state for at least 2 years
🕐 Processing Time: 6–9 months
💰 Visa Fee: AUD 4,640
💡 Every state (NSW, Victoria, SA, WA, etc.) has its own occupation list and nomination criteria.
🌄 Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
✅ Best For:
- Applicants with low to medium CRS scores (65–75)
- Willing to live in regional Australia (non-metro cities)
- Open to family-sponsored or state-sponsored options
📌 Key Features:
- 5-year provisional visa
- Must live and work in regional areas (not Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane)
- Adds +15 points to SkillSelect score
- Eligible for PR via Subclass 191 after 3 years
🕐 Processing Time: 7–12 months
💰 Visa Fee: AUD 4,640
🧠 You must show income of AUD 53,900+ per year for 3 years to apply for PR.
🧮 Points Boost Comparison
| Factor | 189 | 190 | 491 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| State Nomination Points | ❌ 0 | ✅ +5 | ✅ +15 |
| Job Offer Needed | ❌ No | ❌ No (helps) | ❌ No (helps) |
| Regional Residency Required | ❌ No | ⚠️ Yes (state) | ✅ Yes (mandatory) |
🔄 Summary – Which Visa Should You Choose?
| Situation | Recommended Visa |
|---|---|
| You have 85+ points & want full freedom | Subclass 189 |
| You have 70–85 points & open to a state nomination | Subclass 190 |
| You have 65–75 points & willing to live regionally | Subclass 491 |
| You want PR immediately | 189 or 190 |
| You need more points to qualify | 491 (adds +15 points) |
| You are sponsored by a family member in a regional area | 491 Family-Sponsored |
🧠 Final Thoughts
All three visas — 189, 190, and 491 — offer excellent opportunities for skilled workers to live and work in Australia. Your choice depends on your score, flexibility, and long-term goals.
✅ High score, full freedom → 189
✅ Medium score, state-based opportunity → 190
✅ Low score, regional path → 491 with a route to PR