Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

About NSW Nomination

NSW uses a selection-based invitation process to ensure that NSW nominees are aligned with the skills needs of the state's economy. You cannot directly apply for NSW nomination.

NSW nomination for this visa is exceptionally competitive. Consequently, we strongly encourage you to consider all other migration pathways on the Home Affairs website and not wait to be invited to apply for NSW nomination.

See our Common questions about skilled visas page for answers to our most commonly received questions.

Basic Eligibility

To be considered for NSW nomination, at a minimum, you must meet the following basic criteria:

Visa eligibility: You must meet all visa requirements outlined by Home Affairs for this visa
Skills assessment: You must have a valid skills assessment in an occupation on the eligible skilled occupation list for this visa
Residency: You must be either currently residing:
- in NSW and have continuously resided in NSW for a minimum period of six months; or
- offshore and have continuously resided offshore for a minimum period of six months

Important Information About Submitting an EOI in SkillSelect for NSW Nomination

Submitting an EOI for NSW nomination under the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) requires careful attention. Don't miss these essential points:

EOI validity: Your EOI must remain valid for the entire assessment period if you are invited to apply for NSW nomination.
EOI Changes: Once invited, you cannot modify your EOI.
Specific Visa and State: Your EOI must be exclusively for the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) and seeking nomination from NSW only.
Evidence of claims: If invited, you must provide evidence for all claims in your EOI with valid documents. Ensure these documents remain valid for at least five business days post-application.
Employment claims: NSW has specific guidelines on the date you can claim skilled employment. These guidelines are unique to NSW and failing to comply will lead to your application being declined. Refer to our 'Common Questions about Skilled Visas' page for specific criteria.

Key Steps for Securing NSW Nomination

The NSW nomination process involves several crucial steps. Remember, you cannot apply directly—you must be invited. Given the high demand for NSW nominations, we strongly advise you to consider all other migration pathways and not rely solely on an invitation.

Check Eligibility: Before submitting your EOI in SkillSelect, ensure you meet both the visa and NSW nomination eligibility requirements.
Submit Your EOI: If you meet the criteria, submit an EOI in SkillSelect, specifically requesting NSW nomination for this visa only. Should you be invited to apply, you'll need to support every point claim in your EOI with valid (i.e. non-expired) documentation.
Be Invited: NSW holds invitation rounds ongoing throughout the financial year. All EOIs that meet the guidelines are considered, but preference is given to occupations in NSW target sectors. Important: because of the exceptionally high demand for NSW nomination, we strongly encourage anyone considering NSW nomination to explore all other migration pathways and not wait to be invited.
Respond Promptly if Invited: You'll have 14 days to complete your application for NSW nomination after being invited. When you apply, you will need to provide valid documents to substantiate every claim made in your EOI. This 14-day window will not be extended.
Wait For Your Nomination Assessment: Your application will typically be assessed within six weeks after payment. To help us stick to this timeline, please refrain from contacting us for updates during this period. For your benefit, common reasons for application declines are listed below, which we suggest you review to enhance your application’s success.

Understanding Invitation Rounds and NSW Target Sectors

Invitation rounds are an integral feature of the NSW nomination process. Here are the essential points:

Invitation Rounds

Timing: Invitation rounds occur throughout the financial year. There are no predetermined or publicly announced dates for invitation rounds.
Selection: NSW considers multiple factors when selecting EOIs. These include your points score, English language proficiency, and your skilled work experience. NSW prioritises EOIs submitted in NSW target sectors.
Discretion: Invitation for NSW nomination is at the sole discretion of the NSW Government.
Submission Date: The date you submit or amend your SkillSelect EOI has no impact on your likelihood of being invited.

NSW Target Sectors

NSW will prioritise EOIs in occupations that fall under our key industry sectors—health, education, ICT, and infrastructure—during the invitation rounds.

Read our 'Common questions about skilled visas' page for more information about invitation rounds and NSW target sectors.

Common Reasons Applications Are Declined

Before applying for a NSW nomination make sure you meet our eligibility criteria. Failing to do so will result in your application being declined. Here are some common reasons are declined by our office:

Modification of SkillSelect EOI Post-Invitation: It is crucial to note that any modifications made to your SkillSelect EOI after receiving an invitation will lead to the decline of your application. This is a strict policy with no exceptions. We verify the last modify date of the EOI during the application assessment to ensure compliance.
Residency: To be eligible for NSW nomination, you must meet our residency requirement. Failure to meet this requirement will result in your application being declined.
Skilled Employment Claims: If you claim employment before you are deemed skilled by NSW, your application will be declined. For details on when you can claim skilled employment, refer to our 'Common Questions About Skilled Visas' page.
Points Claims: You must provide evidence that you were eligible to claim all points in your SkillSelect EOI.

Exploring Alternative Migration Pathways

The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is just one path among various visa options available for skilled migration to New South Wales.

Further Opportunities

The Home Affairs website provides a comprehensive list of visa options, which include employer-nominated visas for those with specific job offers or sponsorships.

Professional Guidance

Navigating the various visa options can be complex. For specialised guidance, consider consulting our 'Using a migration agent or legal practitioner' page.

We strongly encourage you to explore all pathways and seek professional advice to maximise your chances of successful migration.