NSW state nomination (190 and 491)

What do you need for a NSW 190 nomination?

• You meet all the Home Affairs requirements for the 190 visa.
• You have a valid skills assessment in an occupation that is on the 190 occupation list and falls in an ANZSCO unit group on the NSW Skills List.
• Onshore invitation: you work in NSW in your nominated occupation for at least 20 hours a week, or you have lived in NSW continuously for at least six months.
• Offshore invitation: you have lived offshore continuously for at least six months.

NSW uses the residence status recorded in your EOI to decide whether you are onshore or offshore.

How does NSW choose who to invite?

NSW looks at age, English, education, points score and total years of skilled work experience, and invites the highest-ranked EOIs within each unit group. The date you lodge or change your EOI does not affect your chance. Invitations are at the sole discretion of the NSW Government, and demand is very high, so NSW itself advises you to look at other pathways and not wait for an invitation.

What happens after an invitation?

• You have 14 days to apply, and the deadline is not extended.
• You must provide valid, unexpired documents for every claim in your EOI.
• Assessment usually takes about six weeks.

What about the 491?

The NSW 491 has three pathways: working for a regional NSW employer, being invited by Investment NSW, or recently graduating from a regional NSW institution. The program is currently closed because all nomination places for the year are allocated. Applications already lodged will still be assessed once new places arrive, and NSW is reviewing the settings for the next program year.