NSW Skilled Migration 2025: Subclass 190 & Subclass 491 Pathways
If you are pursuing a Subclass 190 NSW nomination or a Subclass 491 NSW regional pathway, this guide cuts through the fog. We explain the real criteria, show which occupations make the NSW lists, and point out how onshore workers can satisfy “residency” by working in their nominated occupation. Better Life Migration is here to help you navigate it all.
What are Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 NSW state-nomination visas?
- Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa) is a permanent visa requiring state nomination by NSW.
- Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa) is a provisional (5-year) visa for those willing to live and work in regional NSW under one of three nomination pathways.
Both require you to first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect, then await an invitation (for 190 or 491 via NSW) before lodging the state nomination application with full supporting evidence.
NSW Skills List & NSW Regional Skills List – What are the key occupations in demand?
NSW publishes occupation lists at the ANZSCO unit group level. Only occupations explicitly eligible within those unit groups qualify for nomination under 190 or 491 in NSW.
Here’s a selection of occupations on the NSW Skills List (for Subclass 190 and some for 491) and NSW Regional Skills List (for Subclass 491, especially Pathways 2 & 3):
Representative occupations on the NSW 190 / NSW Skills List
- Engineers (Civil Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Mechanical / Industrial / Production Engineers)
- ICT professionals: ICT Managers, Software and Applications Programmers, Database and Systems Administrators, Computer Network Professionals
- Health professions: Registered Nurses, Pharmacists, Midwives, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychiatrists
- Education: Primary School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, University Lecturers
- Construction & Trades: Electricians, Plumbers, Carpenters and Joiners, Sheet metal Trades Workers, Roof Tilers
- Science: Environmental Scientists, Chemists, Geologists, Agricultural Scientists
- Other managerial roles: Construction Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Production Managers
Additional or specific occupations on the NSW Regional Skills List (for Subclass 491)
- Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmers
- Telecommunications Trades Workers
- Wood Machinists and other wood trades workers
- Chemical, Gas, Petroleum, Power Generation Plant Operators
- Welfare Support Workers
These lists are dynamic and reviewed each year. Always confirm your specific occupation (by code) against the current NSW Skills List and NSW Regional Skills List when preparing your EOI.
NSW Subclass 190 Criteria
To be considered for NSW state nomination for Subclass 190, you must:
- Have a valid skills assessment in an occupation eligible under the NSW Skills List (i.e. your ANZSCO unit group appears on the list)
- Meet Home Affairs visa eligibility (age, English, education, work experience, etc.)
- Satisfy NSW’s residency requirement in one of these ways:
- Be invited by NSW in its invitation rounds (you can’t directly apply for nomination)
- If invited, submit your nomination application with full documented proof of claims (employment contracts, payslips, residence, etc.)
Because the NSW 190 nomination process is highly competitive, your EOI must score well working in NSW in your nominated occupation is a strong differentiator if it lets you meet the “residency” test early.
NSW Subclass 491 Criteria – three distinct pathways
NSW provides three nomination Pathways for Subclass 491. Each has slightly different rules for how “residency/location” claims can be satisfied.
Pathway 1 – already employed in regional NSW
- You must be working in regional NSW in your nominated or closely related occupation
- You must have continuous employment over the past 6 months with the same regional NSW employer
- Your salary must meet TSMIT/CSIT (or for eligible occupations, a concession may apply)
- This is often the fastest route for onshore workers already in regional NSW
Pathway 2 – invitation by NSW (Investment NSW)
- Your occupation must be on the NSW Regional Skills List
- To satisfy the “residency” requirement here, you may use one of:
- Working in NSW in your nominated occupation, or
- Continuously residing in NSW for at least 3 months, or
- Continuously residing offshore for at least 3 months
- If invited, lodge your nomination with full proof
Pathway 3 – recent regional graduate
· You must have completed a bachelor degree or higher in a designated regional area of NSW in the last 2 years
- The degree should relate to your nominated occupation
- Residency claims follow the same three options as Pathway 2 (3-month NSW, 3-month offshore, or working in NSW in your nominated occupation)
Again: the NSW Regional Skills List filters which occupations are eligible for invitation under Pathway 2 / 3.
How onshore applicants can satisfy “residency” more quickly?
One of the most important advantages you can leverage:
- If you are already working in NSW in your nominated occupation, that counts as one of the permitted ways to satisfy the residency requirement (for both 190 and 491 in many pathways).
- That means you may bypass needing to live in NSW for 3 or 6 months first.
- This is especially powerful for Subclass 190 NSW nomination, since meeting the 6-month continuous residence requirement is often seen as a tough barrier working in the nominated occupation offers a workaround.
- When writing your EOI or state nomination application, emphasize your employment in NSW in that occupation, with concrete proof (contracts, pay evidence, employer statements).
📞 Contact Better Life Migration today for expert guidance.
🌐 www.betterlifemigration.com.au | 0415 419 414
