Subclass 190 vs 491: Detailed Comparison of Australian State Sponsorship 2025

Subclass 190 491 are the two most common sponsorship streams in Australia’s Skilled Migration group — especially suited when your Points Test score falls short of Subclass 189. In 2025, the quota Subclass 190 491 totals around 65,000 places, an increase from the previous year. This article compares the two streams in detail to help you choose the right one for your application.

Subclass 190 và Subclass 491 là gì?

• Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated: A PR (permanent) visa sponsored by a State/Territory Government. Adds 5 Points Test points, with a commitment to live & work in that state for the first 2 years (a commitment, not a legal enforcement).
• Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional): A 5-year temporary visa, living & working in a regional area (outside Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane CBD). Adds 15 Points Test points. After 3 years meeting the requirements (salary + time), transitions to PR via Subclass 191.

Subclass 190 vs 491 comparison table

Visa type

• 190: Permanent Residency from the grant date.
• 491: Provisional for 5 years → 191 PR.

Points Test bonus

• 190: +5 points.
• 491: +15 points (the biggest advantage).

Geographic restriction

• 190: Live in the nominating state for at least 2 years. May live in Sydney/Melbourne CBD.
• 491: Live & work in a Regional Area for the full 5 years (all of Australia except Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane CBD).

Occupation list (SOL)

• 190: MLTSSL + STSOL.
• 491: MLTSSL + STSOL + ROL (Regional Occupation List) — a broader list of over 504 occupations.

Sponsorship

• 190: State/Territory Government nominate.
• 491: State Government OR an eligible family member living in a regional area.

Phí visa

• 190: 4,640 AUD/main applicant.
• 491: 4,640 AUD/main applicant. 191 PR transition fee: 405 AUD.

2024-2025 cutoff threshold

• 190: 75-85 points (including +5 for state).
• 491: 70-80 points (including +15 for regional).

Family benefits

• 190: Full benefits as with PR — Medicare, child care subsidy, free public education, sponsoring relatives after 2 years.
• 491: Medicare, work rights for spouse/partner, public education (varies by regional state — free in NSW/QLD, discounted in some others). Cannot sponsor relatives until transitioning to 191.

Who are Subclass 190 and 491 suited to?

Choose Subclass 190 when:

• You want PR right away and don’t want to wait 3 years.
• You have an occupation on the MLTSSL or STSOL that is state-nominated.
• You prefer to live in a major CBD (Sydney, Melbourne — if that state nominates you).
• Your Points Test score is 70-80 (the +5 from the state is enough).

Choose Subclass 491 when:

• You’re willing to live in a regional area for 5 years.
• You need the 15-point bonus to clear the cutoff.
• Your occupation isn’t on the MLTSSL/STSOL but is on the ROL.
• You have relatives in an Australian regional area — you may qualify for family-sponsored 491.

How to determine Australia’s Regional Area for Subclass 491

Under the 2025 definition, Regional Area covers the whole of Australia except the 3 major CBD regions: Greater Sydney, Greater Melbourne, Greater Brisbane. This means the following cities are STILL regional:

• Perth (the whole of Western Australia).
• Adelaide (the whole of South Australia).
• Hobart, Darwin, Canberra (toàn TAS/NT/ACT).
• Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong (xa CBD chính).
• Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Cairns.

This is a point that often causes confusion: 491 does not mean “you must move to the countryside” — you can live in Perth (a city of 2 million) or Adelaide (1.4 million).

Which states nominate for Subclass 190/491 most easily in 2025?

• South Australia (SA): expanded its occupation list to 615 in 2024, prioritizing healthcare, construction, IT. Has a Talent & Innovators stream for founders.
• Tasmania (TAS): easier to access for Australian graduates — accepts lower points + work experience within the state.
• Northern Territory (NT): a Skilled Migration Program stream with a low cutoff, prioritizing people with a job offer or who studied in the NT.
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT) — Canberra: uses its own Matrix scoring, prioritizing people who have lived in Canberra for 6 months.
• Victoria, NSW: more competitive, prioritizing specific fields (digital skills, healthcare specialists).

Process for lodging Subclass 190/491

1. Skill Assessment + IELTS Competent.
2. Submit an EOI through SkillSelect, specifying the state & visa subclass.
3. Apply for State Nomination through each state’s own portal.
4. Wait for the state to nominate you (1-6 months).
5. Receive the ITA → lodge the visa application within 60 days.
6. Department of Home Affairs xét 6–12 tháng.
7. Visa Grant + Initial Entry.

Refer to state-by-state information at Home Affairs Regional Migration page.

Summary

Subclass 190 and 491 are the two “right hands” of Australia’s Skilled Migration, both solving the problem of falling short of the points needed for 189. The right choice depends on: point threshold, occupation, and willingness to live in a regional area. Read more Australia skilled migration, Subclass 189, SOL. Need advice on choosing a stream? Free assessment with an M2W migration specialist.

Read more: Overview of Australian migration · Core Skills Occupation List: the occupation list for Australia’s skilled visas