Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) NSW Requirements

NSW nomination for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) remains by invitation only.

As with previous years, because demand for NSW nomination greatly exceeds the number of available places, we strongly recommend you explore all other migration pathways and do not wait to be invited by NSW.

Key changes to NSW nomination this financial year include: 

Your SkillSelect EOI

Your SkillSelect EOI must be for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and NSW only. EOIs selecting additional visa subclasses and/or other Australian states or territories will be excluded from consideration.

Note: When your SkillSelect EOI was created or amended in no way affects your likelihood of being invited to apply for NSW nomination. 

Residency Requirement

To be eligible for NSW you must be either currently residing in NSW or offshore, and have done so for a minimum period of six months.

Offshore Candidates

Offshore candidates will be considered in all occupations within unit groups identified on the NSW Skilled Nominated Skills List that are eligible for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). This means there are no excluded unit groups this financial year.

Minimum Experience and Scores

Each unit group will have a minimum number of years of skilled work experience and minimum point score to be eligible for NSW nomination. These minimum numbers will be identified on the NSW Skilled Nominated Skills List.

Minimum numbers are informed by the number of places available in each unit group for the financial year and the number of EOIs submitted in SkillSelect.

If you score below these numbers, unfortunately you are not eligible for NSW nomination.

 Common reasons applications are declined after being invited to apply

Common reasons why applications are declined include where an applicant:

Wasn't eligible to claim all the points in their EOI

It is the responsibility of the EOI owner to ensure they can provide evidence for all the claims in their SkillSelect EOI. Common causes for being declined for this include:

• Claiming credentialled community language points when your qualification has expired. Your CCL certificate must be valid on the day you are invited to apply by NSW to claim these points
• Claiming professional year points when you are not eligible. Your professional year must be in your nominated (or closely related) occupation  to claim these points
• Claiming points for skilled employment before the date you are deemed skilled in your occupation (see below)

Does not meet the residency requirement

You must be either currently residing in NSW or offshore, and have done so for a minimum period of six months.

Over-claimed points for employment

If your skills assessment displays a date you have been deemed skilled in your occupation, you cannot claim points for skilled employment before this date. This particularly applies to ACS and most VETASSESS assessments.

If your assessment does not display this date, you cannot claim points for skilled employment before you completed your qualification.

To ensure you are eligible to accept your NSW invitation, we strongly recommend you confirm you are eligible to claim all the points in your SkillSelect EOI, and that you have only claimed eligible skilled employment.

If you have claimed points in error, you are not eligible to accept your NSW invitation if invited. There are no exceptions for any reason.

Important information about providing false documents

NSW participates in the 190 visa program to support its economy and communities through the settlement of highly skilled migrants who are committed to living and working in NSW long term.

Providing falsified or misleading information to NSW in support of your claims against our nomination criteria is taken very seriously.

Any instances of fraudulent activity will be reported to Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs and/or NSW Police and may result in any nomination being withdrawn and/or visa cancelled.

Alternative migration pathways

NSW nomination for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is just one of a number of visa options for prospective skilled migrants. There are a range of visas offered by Home Affairslaunch, including both temporary and permanent employer nominated visas.