Subclass 190 vs 491: state sponsorship, points, cost and processing time
The subclass 190 gives permanent residence immediately with a 2-year state commitment. The subclass 491 is temporary, adds more points, and needs 3 years of regional work before converting to the 191. Here's how the points, processing times and costs actually compare. Figures as at September 2026.
Read the full guide, with official sources →
Watch
Chapters
- 0:00 189 invitation not coming?
- 0:16 Subclass 190: permanent residence
- 0:26 Subclass 491: 5-year temporary visa,
- 0:37 Points: 190 adds 5,
- 0:47 190 processing:
- 0:59 491 processing:
- 1:09 Converting to the 191:
- 1:20 191: no minimum income threshold —
- 1:31 State nomination: $0 to $330
- 1:46 Regional area = everywhere
- 2:00 Check the postcode list
- 2:11 Nomination thresholds vary
- 2:21 Where to read more
Transcript
No invitation for a subclass 189 yet? State sponsorship, through a subclass 190 or 491, is the other route in. Here's how the two actually differ.
The subclass 190 grants permanent residence the moment it's granted. In exchange, you commit to living in the sponsoring state for at least 2 years.
The subclass 491 is temporary: 5 years, and you have to live and work in a designated regional area for at least 3 of those years before converting to a permanent visa.
Points are the real difference. State nomination adds 5 points for the 190, but 15 points for the 491.
Home Affairs' own processing data, for the year to 30 June 2026, shows a median of 12 months for the 190, up to 15 months at the 75th percentile.
For the state-nominated 491 stream over the same period, the median is also around 12 months, with 14 months at the 75th percentile.
After 3 years on a 491, converting to the subclass 191 has a median processing time of 7 months, 10 months at the 75th percentile.
The 191 has no minimum income threshold. It does require 3 years of tax notices of assessment from the ATO, showing you worked while on the 491.
State nomination fees run from $0 to $330, depending on the state or territory. The visa application charge itself is around $6,140 for either the 190 or the 491.
What counts as regional for the 491? Home Affairs says most of Australia outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane is a designated regional area — that includes Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart.
Exact boundaries are set by postcode, and definitions differ at the edges — check the designated regional area postcode list for the specific postcode you'd be living in.
Each state sets its own nomination threshold for each occupation, and these change through the year — there's no single national points figure for either visa.
The full guide, with the official sources, is on migratio.com.au. The link is in the description. And if you'd like to talk it through, you can compare registered migration agents there, and see their fees before you book anything.
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