Complete Guide to PR via State Sponsorship (190/491)

Aspire SquareAspire Square
4 min read

Are you exploring Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia through state nomination pathways? The Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa) are two of the most powerful options for skilled professionals.

With expert help from a qualified Australia PR consultant in Ahmedabad and proper test prep through PTE Coaching Classes in Ahmedabad, you can significantly increase your success rate.

In this complete 2025 guide, Aspire Square, a trusted Australia PR Agency, explains everything you need to know.

What Is State Sponsorship? (190 & 491 Visas)

State sponsorship allows Australian states and territories to nominate skilled applicants based on regional occupation needs.

  • Subclass 190: A permanent visa for those nominated by a state or territory.
  • Subclass 491: A 5-year provisional visa that requires the applicant to live and work in designated regional areas and later transition to PR via Subclass 191.

190 vs 491 Visa – Key Differences

Feature

Subclass 190

Subclass 491

Type

Permanent

Provisional (5 years)

Nomination

State/Territory

State or Eligible Family

Residency Condition

Live in nominating state

Live in regional area

Extra Points

5 points

15 points

Pathway to PR

Immediate

After 3 years via Subclass 191

Eligibility Criteria for State Nomination

To qualify for state sponsorship, you typically need:

  • An occupation on the relevant state list
  • A positive skills assessment
  • A minimum of 65 points
  • A valid Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect
  • A genuine intention to live and work in the nominating state

🔹 New South Wales (NSW)

  • High demand for ICT, nursing, and engineering

  • Competitive and point-focused

🔹 Victoria (VIC)

  • Prioritizes STEM, healthcare, and education roles
  • Local work or study is often preferred

🔹 South Australia (SA)

  • Welcoming to offshore applicants and international graduates
  • Broad occupation list

🔹 Tasmania (TAS)

  • Favors graduates, family sponsors, and regional workers
  • Flexible for trades and niche roles

Documentation Checklist

To apply successfully, ensure you have:

  • Positive skills assessment
  • PTE/IELTS English language test results
  • Relevant work experience letters
  • Certified academic documents
  • Job offer (only for some 491 streams)

Points System – 190 & 491

Your visa success depends on your points total. Here’s how nomination helps:

  • 190 Visa: +5 points for state nomination
  • 491 Visa: +15 points for regional nomination

Boost your score with:

  • Superior English (PTE 79+)
  • Partner’s skills/English
  • NAATI credentialed interpreter
  • Regional Australian education

Application Process (Step-by-Step)

  1. Check your occupation on the state/territory list
  1. Obtain a skills assessment
  1. Prepare PTE results through PTE Coaching Classes in Ahmedabad

  2. Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect

  1. Apply for state nomination
  1. Receive invitation to apply for visa

According to the Department of Home Affairs, over 80,000 PR places are expected to be granted under state nomination streams in 2025.

  • Top nominated occupations:
  • Healthcare: Nurses, aged care
  • ICT: Developers, analysts
  • Trades: Electricians, chefs

Common Pitfalls in State Nomination

Avoid these mistakes:

  • Not checking state-specific requirements
  • Low PTE scores
  • Incomplete or poor documentation
  • Delayed EOI submissions

Get support from Australia PR Visa Consultant to avoid these issues.

Need Help Securing State Nomination?

Let Aspire Square guide you. As leading Australia PR Visa Consultant, we help with:

  • Profile & points evaluation
  • Skills assessment & EOI submission
  • Documentation & compliance
  • State nomination and visa filing

With personalized support and expert coaching, your migration journey becomes much smoother.

Conclusion

The Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas are powerful PR pathways for skilled migrants. Aligning your occupation and profile with a suitable state greatly improves your chances.

Need personalized advice? Connect with Aspire Square – the most trusted Australia PR consultant in Ahmedabad – and start your PR journey today. Don’t forget to join our expert PTE Coaching Classes in Ahmedabad to increase your points!

FAQ’s

1. Can I apply for both 190 and 491 visas simultaneously?

You can lodge an EOI for both subclasses, but once invited for one, you must proceed with that visa stream.

2. What PTE score is required for 190/491 state nomination?

The minimum is Competent English (PTE 50+), but aiming for PTE 79+ gives 20 extra points and boosts your selection chances.

3. How long does it take to receive state nomination?

It varies by state, but generally 2–8 weeks after EOI if your profile is competitive. Some states offer faster pathways for priority occupations.

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Written by

Aspire Square
Aspire Square

Aspire Square is one of the Trusted, Dedicated and leading immigration, Migration and education consultancy for Australia, USA, UK, Canada & New Zealand in Ahmedabad, India. We are specialist immigration consultant in all type of visa for Australia. Our main focus is to give the best and affordable migration services for Australia to every aspirant.