Published: May 2026 | Category: Skilled Visas | Back to Blog

189 vs 190 vs 491 Visa: Which is Best for Skilled Engineers in 2026?

Q: Does the 491 visa lead to permanent residency?

Yes. After holding a 491 visa and living and working in a designated regional area for at least 3 years, you become eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence — Skilled Regional) visa. This provides a clear PR pathway via the regional route.

Q: What is the minimum points score for the 189 visa?

The minimum to submit an EOI is 65 points. However, the actual points score needed for an invitation depends on occupation demand. For many engineering occupations, invitations have historically been issued at 80–90+ points. Check the most recent invitation rounds on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Q: Which states offer 190 nomination for engineers?

Most Australian states and territories have 190 nomination programs including Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT. Nomination criteria, eligible occupations, and application processes vary significantly by state and change frequently.

Q: Can I apply for both 190 and 491 nomination at the same time?

Yes. You can apply for state nomination under both the 190 and 491 programs simultaneously, and you can also have an active EOI for the 189 at the same time. Submitting multiple EOIs and nomination applications maximises your chances of receiving an invitation.

Australia's General Skilled Migration (GSM) program offers three visa subclasses for skilled professionals — the Subclass 189, Subclass 190, and Subclass 491. Understanding the differences between these visas is essential for planning your migration strategy effectively. This guide explains each visa, compares their requirements, and helps you determine which is best for your situation as a skilled engineer.

Quick Comparison: 189 vs 190 vs 491

Feature	189 Skilled Independent	190 Skilled Nominated	491 Skilled Regional
Visa type	Permanent	Permanent	Temporary (5 years)
Sponsorship	None required	State/territory nomination	State/territory or family sponsorship
Points bonus	None	+5 points	+15 points
Living requirement	No restriction	Usually 2 years in nominating state	3 years in regional area
PR pathway	Immediate PR	Immediate PR	Subclass 191 after 3 years
Min. points to EOI	65 points	65 points	65 points
Typical invitation threshold	Highest	Moderate	Often lowest

Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent Visa

The Subclass 189 is Australia's "pure meritocracy" skilled visa — no sponsorship, no employer required, no regional obligations. You compete purely on your points score across all applicants in SkillSelect.

This sounds appealing, but the competition is fierce. For popular engineering occupations, 189 invitation rounds often clear at 90+ points. Engineers who are younger (25–32 age bracket), have Superior English (IELTS 8+), a PhD, and extensive Australian work experience may achieve these scores — but most overseas-based engineers will find the 189 very difficult to access without additional factors.

Best for: Engineers with very high points scores (90+) who do not want state nomination obligations, or those who have accumulated points through Australian work and study experience.

See our detailed guide: Subclass 189 Visa Guide

Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated Visa

The Subclass 190 requires a nomination from an Australian state or territory government. In exchange for committing to live in that state for 2 years (usually), you receive 5 additional points — and crucially, state nomination programs often invite at lower points thresholds than the 189.

States actively nominate skilled workers based on their specific labour market needs. For engineers, states like Victoria (with major infrastructure projects), Queensland (resources and construction), and South Australia (defence and technology) regularly nominate engineers in high-demand occupations.

Key considerations:

You must monitor state nomination programs actively — invitation rounds open and close frequently
State nomination is not guaranteed — you apply for nomination and the state selects candidates based on their own criteria
You typically commit to live and work in the nominating state for 2 years after the visa is granted

Best for: Engineers with 75–90 points who are willing to initially settle in a specific state, or those who target states with high demand for their engineering discipline.

See our detailed guide: Subclass 190 Visa Guide

Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional Visa

The Subclass 491 is a 5-year temporary visa, but it provides a clear pathway to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 after 3 years of regional living and working. It awards 15 bonus points — the largest single points bonus available in the GSM program.

For engineers who cannot currently reach 189 or 190 invitation thresholds, the 491 offers a practical route into Australia. Regional areas in Australia are not the remote outback — many regional cities and towns offer excellent quality of life, strong engineering demand, and rapidly growing communities. Cities like Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Townsville, Newcastle, and Hobart all qualify as regional for visa purposes.

Key considerations:

You must live and work in a designated regional area for at least 3 years before applying for the 191 PR visa
The 491 + 191 pathway to PR is slightly longer than the 189/190 direct PR route
Regional engineering demand is genuine — many major infrastructure projects are in regional areas

Best for: Engineers with 70–80 points who want to enter Australia sooner and are open to living in regional areas, or those who prefer a lower-pressure initial transition to Australia before seeking PR.

See our detailed guide: Subclass 491 Visa Guide

Which Visa Should You Choose?

The honest answer: start by maximising your points score, then see which visa is accessible.

Calculate your points score accurately using our guide: How Many Points Do You Need for Australian PR in 2026?
Check current invitation rounds on SkillSelect for your occupation under each visa subclass
Research state nomination programs for 190 and 491 that match your occupation
Submit EOIs for multiple visa subclasses simultaneously — you can hold EOIs for 189, 190, and 491 at the same time
Accept the first invitation you receive and proceed to visa lodgement

For engineers, securing a positive Engineers Australia assessment first is the essential prerequisite before any of the above steps are possible.

Plan Your Australian Migration Strategy

Book a free consultation with Assessment Abroad. We'll help you calculate your points score, identify the right visa pathway, and prepare your skills assessment documentation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: 189 or 190 visa?

Both are permanent visas. The 189 requires no state sponsorship but typically demands a higher points score. The 190 requires state nomination but adds 5 points and often has lower invitation thresholds. For most engineers, the 190 is a faster practical pathway.

Does the 491 visa lead to permanent residency?

Yes. After 3 years on a 491 visa living and working in a regional area, you become eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 permanent residency visa.

What is the minimum points score for the 189 visa?

Minimum 65 to submit an EOI. However, actual invitation thresholds for engineering occupations are typically 80–90+ points. Check current invitation rounds for your specific occupation.

Which states offer 190 nomination for engineers?

Most states and territories — Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, and ACT — have 190 nomination programs. Criteria and eligible occupations vary by state and change frequently.

Can I apply for both 190 and 491 nomination at the same time?

Yes. You can apply for nomination under both programs simultaneously and also hold an active 189 EOI. Pursuing multiple options maximises your chances of receiving an invitation.