189 vs 190 vs 491 Visa Australia: Which Skilled Visa If You Have 70–75 Points?

You have done your points test and you are sitting at 70, 65, or 75 points. You know you want permanent residency through the skilled migration stream, but you are facing a choice that confuses thousands of applicants: should you target the 189, the 190, or the 491?

Each visa has different requirements, different invitation cut-offs, and very different levels of competitiveness. Picking the wrong pathway — or targeting one visa when another gives you a far better chance — can mean years of waiting for an invitation that never comes.

This guide explains each pathway, compares them head-to-head, and helps you work out which is right for your situation.

At Magpie Consultants, Umar Ashraf (MARN 2619222) helps skilled migrants assess their pathway and build a strategy for invitation.

This article is for general information only. Points cut-offs and nomination availability change every round. Always verify with the Department of Home Affairs and a registered migration agent before making decisions.

The Three Pathways at a Glance

Subclass 189: Points-Tested Permanent Residency

The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa is the most desirable pathway — it provides permanent residency from day one with no state obligation or regional requirement. But it is also the most competitive.

What You Need

• An occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list (MLTSSL or equivalent)
• A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing body
• An Expression of Interest (EOI) submitted in SkillSelect
• An invitation from the Department to apply

Points Cut-offs in 2026

The 189 is highly competitive. For most occupations, invitations are only issued to applicants with 85 points or above. Some specific occupations — particularly those on priority lists — may see invitations at lower cut-offs, but these are exceptions, not the rule.

If you have 70–75 points, the 189 is realistically out of reach for most occupations in the current environment. You would need to boost your points significantly (better English, additional qualification, more work experience, or a partner skill component) to be competitive.

Subclass 190: State Nominated Permanent Residency

The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa requires a nomination from an Australian state or territory government. In return for being nominated, you receive 5 bonus points — and typically a commitment to live and work in that state for at least 2 years after grant (though this is a commitment, not an enforceable visa condition in most states).

What You Need

• An occupation on the state’s skilled occupation list — each state publishes its own list, which changes regularly
• A positive skills assessment
• An EOI submitted in SkillSelect with a state nomination expression of interest
• Selection by the state for nomination
• An invitation from the Department following state nomination

Points Cut-offs in 2026

190 cut-offs vary significantly by state and occupation. Because the 190 adds 5 bonus points, a person with 70 base points effectively competes with 75 points, and a person with 75 base points competes with 80 points.

Some smaller or less popular states — such as Tasmania, the ACT, or the Northern Territory — have historically nominated at lower points thresholds because they have smaller skilled migration allocations and fewer EOIs competing for each place. If your occupation is on their list, a 190 nomination from these states at 70–75 base points may be achievable.

With 70–75 base points (75–80 effective), the 190 is a realistic pathway for many occupations through the right state.

Things to Watch With the 190

• States open and close their lists frequently — what’s available today may not be next month
• Some states have genuine living/working requirements and will scrutinise your ties to the state
• State nomination does not guarantee a Department invitation — you still need to clear the EOI pool

Subclass 491: Regional Skilled Pathway

The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa is a temporary visa designed to attract skilled workers to regional Australia. It provides 15 bonus points for EOI purposes, making it the most accessible pathway for applicants with fewer base points.

What You Need

• An occupation on the relevant regional occupation list
• A positive skills assessment
• A nomination from a state/territory government OR sponsorship from an eligible family member who is in a regional area
• A genuine commitment to live and work in a designated regional area for 3 years

Points Cut-offs in 2026

The 491 adds 15 bonus points. A person with 65 base points competes with 80 effective points in the 491 pool. With 70–75 base points (85–90 effective), you are well-placed in the 491 pool.

With 70–75 base points, the 491 is likely your most accessible current pathway to an invitation.

The 491 to PR Pathway

The 491 is a temporary visa — it does not give you permanent residency on grant. After 3 years on the 491 living and working in a designated regional area:

• You can apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Work Regional) Visa
• The 191 provides permanent residency without an additional points test or invitation
• The 3 years must be spent genuinely living and working (not just registered) in a regional area

Many applicants find that living in regional Australia for 3 years is a worthwhile trade-off for permanent residency — particularly in cities like Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Toowoomba, Newcastle, or the Sunshine Coast, which are designated regional areas with full urban amenity.

Which Pathway Is Right for You?

If you have 70–75 points

• 189: Not realistically achievable at current cut-offs for most occupations. Focus your energy elsewhere unless you can boost points significantly.
• 190: Realistic if your occupation is on the right state list. Target states with lower demand and higher invitation rates (smaller states, less popular occupations).
• 491: Most accessible pathway. The 15-point bonus makes you highly competitive in the 491 pool. Consider whether you are willing to live in a regional area for 3 years.

Points-boosting strategies (if targeting 189 long-term)

• IELTS/PTE improvement — moving from Competent to Proficient or Superior English can add 10–20 points
• Partner skills component — if your partner meets English, age, and skills assessment criteria, you receive 10 points
• Additional work experience — each additional year of skilled work adds points up to the maximum
• Australian study — Australian qualifications add bonus points
• Professional Year — adds 5 points; see our guide: Professional Year vs Regional Study Bonus: Which Gives More PR Points?

State Nomination Strategy for 190 and 491

One of the most common mistakes applicants make is assuming that submitting an EOI in SkillSelect automatically leads to a state nomination. It does not.

States have their own selection criteria and apply their own filters. You need to:

1. Identify which states have your occupation on their current list
2. Understand each state’s specific requirements (work history in the state, connection to the state, genuine intention to relocate)
3. Submit strong expressions of interest demonstrating genuine connection
4. Be responsive to any state requests for additional information

State nomination lists change frequently — sometimes monthly. What is available today may close next week, and new occupations may open. Monitoring these lists actively is part of an effective strategy. See our guide: State Nomination 2026: Which Australian States Are Currently Inviting?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum points to get a 189 visa invitation?

There is no fixed minimum — invitations are issued in rounds to the highest-scoring EOIs in the pool. In 2026, most occupations require 85 points or above to receive a 189 invitation. A small number of priority occupations may see lower cut-offs in specific rounds.

Can I apply for 190 and 491 at the same time?

Yes — you can submit EOIs for both the 190 and 491 streams simultaneously, targeting different states for each. This is a common and effective strategy: it maximises your chances of receiving a nomination invitation from at least one pathway.

Does the 491 lead to permanent residency?

Yes. After 3 years on a 491 visa genuinely living and working in a designated regional area, you can apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence visa. The 191 requires evidence of meeting the regional living/work requirement (tax records, employment contracts, lease agreements, etc.).

What is a designated regional area for the 491?

Designated regional areas include all of Australia except Sydney (Greater Sydney region), Melbourne (greater metropolitan area), and Brisbane (greater metropolitan area). This means cities like Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, and Hobart are all designated regional areas for 491 purposes.

How long does it take to get a 190 nomination?

State nomination timelines vary by state and season. Some states process nominations within a few weeks; others take several months. There is no standard timeline — contact the state’s skilled migration unit for current processing expectations.

What if my occupation is not on any state list?

If your occupation is not on any state or territory skilled occupation list, you cannot receive a 190 or 491 nomination in the standard pathway. Options include exploring whether a family member sponsors a 491, reassessing your occupation classification, or considering employer-sponsored alternatives such as the Skills in Demand (482) visa.

Key Takeaways

• With 70–75 points, the 491 gives you the most accessible pathway to an invitation — the 15-point bonus makes you highly competitive.
• The 190 is realistic for many occupations through the right state — particularly smaller states with lower competition for your occupation.
• The 189 is out of reach at 70–75 points for most occupations in the current environment — you need 85+ for most rounds.
• The 491 leads to PR via the Subclass 191 after 3 years of genuine regional living and work.
• State lists change frequently — monitor them actively and have a migration agent track openings for your occupation.

Planning Your Skilled Migration Strategy? Talk to Magpie Consultants

Choosing between 189, 190, and 491 is one of the most consequential decisions in your migration journey. The right strategy depends on your occupation, your points, your family situation, and your willingness to live in a regional area.

At Magpie Consultants, Umar Ashraf (MARN 2619222) and our team help skilled migrants assess their position, identify the right pathway, and build a strategy for invitation. We advise in English, Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi.

• Book a consultation: magpieconsultants.com.au/book-appointment
• Location: Office 3, 8/10 Childs Road, Epping VIC 3076, Melbourne

Related Articles

• Skills in Demand Visa Occupation List 2026
• Professional Year vs Regional Study Bonus: Which Gives More PR Points?
• 189 Visa Invitation Round June 2026: Occupations and Points Cut-offs
• State Nomination 2026: Which Australian States Are Currently Inviting?
• Skills Assessment Refused: How to Appeal or Reapply

DISCLAIMER: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or migration advice. Points cut-offs and state nomination availability change frequently. For advice specific to your circumstances, consult a MARA-registered migration agent. Umar Ashraf — MARN 2619222 — verify at mara.gov.au.

Umar Ashraf

MARA Registered Migration Agent & Education Consultant | MARA #2619222 | Epping, Melbourne VIC

Umar Ashraf is a MARA-registered migration agent specialising in complex cases, visa cancellations, ART tribunal appeals, and employer sponsorship. He provides consultations in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.

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