TL;DR: The Executive Summary
- The Core Difference: The Subclass 189 visa is an “Independent” visa, meaning you can live and work anywhere in Australia immediately. The Subclass 190 visa is a “State Nominated” visa, meaning a specific Australian state sponsors you, and you must live and work in that state for your first two years.
- The Points Advantage: Securing State Sponsorship for a 190 visa automatically awards you an additional 5 points toward your total SkillSelect score, making it a powerful tool for applicants falling short of 189 cutoffs.
- The Dual Strategy: You do not have to choose just one. You can absolutely submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for both the 189 and 190 visas simultaneously.
- Occupation Lists: Your decision is often made for you. To apply for a 189, your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). The 190 visa accepts a much broader range of occupations, including those on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
So you want to move to Australia, but you are immediately faced with a maze of numbers: 189, 190, 491, 482.
For skilled South African professionals seeking Permanent Residency (PR), choosing the right visa subclass can drastically alter your chances of success. A common trap for DIY applicants is obsessively chasing the “perfect” visa, only to watch their points expire in the SkillSelect waiting pool while others secure invitations.
Let’s settle the biggest debate for skilled migrants evaluating their Australia PR visa options: Subclass 189 vs 190. Here is your definitive guide to understanding the differences, the state commitments, and how to build a winning EOI strategy in 2026.
Step 1: Define the Core Difference
Both the 189 and 190 visas are permanent residency visas. They both allow you to enroll in Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare scheme) and eventually apply for citizenship. The difference lies in who is inviting you.
What is the main difference between 189 and 190?
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa): You are invited directly by the Australian Federal Government. Because you are “independent,” you have total freedom. The day you land in Australia, you can choose to live in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, or anywhere else. You have no geographical restrictions.
- Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa): You are invited (nominated) by a specific Australian State or Territory government (e.g., New South Wales or Queensland) because they have a specific shortage of your skills in their region. In exchange for this state sponsored visa Australia, you sign a moral declaration committing to live and work in that specific nominating state for your first two years.
Step 2: Evaluate the Difficulty
Because the 189 offers total freedom, it is highly coveted. Because it is highly coveted, it is highly competitive.
Is the 190 visa easier to get than the 189? In many cases, yes. The 190 visa is generally considered “easier” to secure for two main reasons:
- The +5 Point Bonus: When a state nominates you for a 190 visa, you automatically receive 5 extra points added to your SkillSelect EOI score. If you are stuck at 80 points, a state nomination bumps you to a highly competitive 85 points.
- Lower Cutoffs for Specific Skills: The federal 189 visa often requires 90+ points for competitive professions (like IT and Engineering). However, if South Australia desperately needs Mechanical Engineers this year, they might issue 190 invitations to applicants with only 75 or 80 points.
Step 3: Prepare for the Costs and State Commitments
If you opt for the 190 pathway, you must understand what you are signing up for.
While the Department of Home Affairs visa application charges are virtually identical for both visas (currently around AUD $4,640 for the main applicant), the 190 visa comes with the two-year state commitment.
The Reality of the 190 Commitment: If you are sponsored by Western Australia, you must live and work there for two years. If you receive a massive job offer in Sydney (New South Wales) six months after arriving, you cannot simply pack up and move. Breaking your state commitment can severely jeopardize your future Australian citizenship application. You must be genuinely willing to settle in the state that sponsors you.
Step 4: Compare the Benefits
When comparing the two, expats often want a definitive answer on which is superior.
Which is better: 189 or 190 visa? There is no “better” visa; there is only the visa that fits your points profile and career goals.
- The 189 is better if you have incredibly high points (90+), your occupation is on the MLTSSL, and you want absolute freedom to job-hunt across the entire continent.
- The 190 is better if you need a 5-point boost, your occupation is only on the STSOL (meaning you don’t qualify for the 189 at all), or you already have a strong desire to settle in a specific state like Queensland or Victoria.
Step 5: Strategize Your EOI
The SkillSelect system is flexible, allowing you to maximize your chances rather than putting all your eggs in one basket.
Can I apply for both 189 and 190 visas at the same time? Yes, absolutely. When you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) in the SkillSelect portal, you can tick the boxes for both the 189 and the 190 visa subclasses. You can even select “Any State” for the 190, signaling to all Australian states that you are open to sponsorship.
Strategic Warning: While you can select “Any State,” some states (like Victoria or New South Wales) specifically state in their criteria that they will only invite applicants who select their state exclusively on the 190 EOI. A specialized migration agent is critical here to ensure you do not accidentally disqualify yourself by ticking the wrong boxes.
Step 6: Make Your Decision Based on Your Occupation List
Often, you don’t actually have a choice between the two. The Australian government dictates your eligibility based on which skilled occupation list your job falls under.
- If your job is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) (e.g., Registered Nurse, Civil Engineer), you can apply for both the 189 and the 190.
- If your job is on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) (e.g., Marketing Specialist, HR Manager), you are legally ineligible for the 189 visa. Your only PR option is to seek a 190 state sponsorship.
2026 FAQ: Australia Subclass 189 vs 190
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Which is better: 189 or 190 visa? Neither is inherently better as both grant full Australian Permanent Residency. The 189 offers geographical freedom from day one, while the 190 requires a two-year commitment to a specific state but offers an easier pathway for applicants with slightly lower points.
Is the 190 visa easier to get than the 189? Generally, yes. The 190 visa grants an automatic 5-point bonus to your SkillSelect score. Furthermore, states often lower their points cutoffs for specific occupations they desperately need, making an invite more attainable than the highly competitive federal 189 visa.
What is the main difference between 189 and 190? The main difference is sponsorship and location. The 189 is an independent visa allowing you to live anywhere in Australia. The 190 is a state-nominated visa requiring you to live and work in the specific state that sponsored you for your first two years.
Can I apply for both 189 and 190 visas at the same time? Yes. You can submit a single Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and indicate your interest in both the 189 and 190 subclasses simultaneously to maximize your chances of receiving an invitation.
Stop Guessing Your Visa Strategy
As you can see, the process is incredibly detailed. Choosing the wrong subclass or misunderstanding state-specific EOI rules can result in your application languishing in the SkillSelect pool while your points and language tests expire.
Do not leave your family’s Australian future to trial and error.
ModernDayCEO connects South African professionals with elite, MARA-registered Australia Migration Agents who specialize in crafting winning EOI strategies.
👉 [Assess your 189 vs 190 eligibility with an expert. Book an Australian visa strategy session through ModernDayCEO today.]
