Ravi is an electrician, aged 44. He has a 190 registration with one state and a 491 offer from another. His instinct is to wait for the 190, because it is permanent on day one. The calendar disagrees. Age is tested at invitation, and his 45th birthday is seven months away. The 491 invitation is on the table now. The 191 that follows it has no age limit at all. For Ravi, regional first is not the lesser option; it is the one that survives his birthday.
Short answer: The 190 is permanent on grant. The 491 is a five-year provisional visa that leads to the 191 after three years of regional residence and an income requirement. Both charge $6,140 for the main applicant, and the 191 costs $630.
This guide compares the two state-nominated visas, walks the 491 through to the 191, and sets out the questions that decide between them.
What the two visas share
Both are points-tested and both require a positive skills assessment, competent English and a score of at least 65. Both require you to be under 45 at invitation. Both depend on a state or territory choosing you, and for the 491 an eligible relative in a regional area can nominate instead. Consequently, the preparation is identical up to the point where the state decides which visa to offer.
What separates them
| Feature | 190 | 491 |
|---|---|---|
| Status on grant | Permanent | Provisional, valid five years |
| Nomination points | 5 | 15 |
| Where you may live | Nominating state, by commitment to the state | Designated regional areas, by visa condition |
| Medicare | Yes | Yes, while the visa is held |
| Route to permanent residence | Immediate | 191 after three years |
| Age limit at the permanent stage | Under 45 at invitation | None for the 191 |
| Main applicant charge | $6,140 | $6,140, then $630 for the 191 |
The location line is the one that changes lives. A 190 holder is bound by a commitment to the state, which is serious but not a visa condition. A 491 holder carries conditions that require living, working and studying in designated regional areas. Breaching those conditions can end the visa and closes the door to the 191.
The road from 491 to 191
- Year 0491 granted. Move to a designated regional area and notify the Department of your address.
- Years 1 to 3Live, work and study only in regional areas. Keep tax returns, payslips and lease records for every year.
- Year 3Confirm three years of compliance and taxable income at or above the set threshold for three income years.
- Year 3 onwardLodge the 191 at $630 for the main applicant. No points test, no nomination and no age limit apply.
- Year 5The 491 expires. The 191 must be lodged before then, or a bridging visa must be in place.
The income requirement is the part people discover late. It is assessed on taxable income shown in notices of assessment. Consequently, a year of low earnings during a job change can cost a year of eligibility. Planning employment around it from the start avoids that.
Choose the 190 if, choose the 491 if
Your occupation is on a state’s 190 list and your score sits comfortably in its ranking. You want permanent residence on grant, with no further application to fund. You are content to settle in that state for a period. Above all, the state is actually inviting people in your occupation this program year, rather than merely listing it.
Your occupation appears on a 491 list but not a 190 list, or the 15 points make the difference to your ranking. You are open to regional Australia, which includes Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and the Gold Coast. Your age is close to 45, because the 191 has no age limit. You can plan employment to meet the income requirement over three years.
What both routes cost
The 491 route therefore costs slightly more in government charges over its life. Health checks, police clearances and any state nomination fee are additional. Our fees and process page explains how professional fees are staged across the two applications.
Questions we are asked before the choice
Can I hold an expression of interest for both at once?
Yes. One SkillSelect expression of interest can nominate both visas, and states routinely consider a candidate for either. When a state invites you for one, you decide whether to proceed. You cannot hold two invitations for two visas from the same expression of interest at the same time.
What if I move out of the regional area on a 491?
Moving to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane breaches the visa conditions. The Department can cancel the visa, and non-compliance blocks the 191. Moving between regional areas is allowed, although the nominating state expects to be told. Seek advice before changing address, not after.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 191 harder to get than the 491?
Different, rather than harder. The 191 has no points test, no nomination and no age limit. It requires three years holding the 491, compliance with its conditions, and taxable income at or above a set threshold for three income years. Applicants who plan for the income requirement rarely have difficulty.
Does the 190 have a visa condition to stay in the state?
No. The obligation is a commitment given to the state when it nominated you, usually for a stated period. States take breaches seriously and record them. However, it is not a ground for cancellation in the way a 491 condition is.
Can I apply for the 190 while holding a 491?
Generally not. A condition on the 491 prevents most other permanent visa applications for three years. The 191 is the intended route. Treat the 491 as a commitment to the regional pathway before you accept it.
Can my family be included on the 491 and then the 191?
Yes. Partners and children are included at each stage and pay their own charges. Those are $3,070 and $1,535 for the 491, and $315 and $160 for the 191. Family members must also comply with the regional conditions.
Which visa is quicker to be invited for?
It varies by occupation, state and program year. In practice, 491 lists tend to be broader and the 15 points lift a candidate higher in the ranking. Even so, some states invite strongly for the 190 in priority occupations, so check both lists in each target state.
Figures verified against Home Affairs visa pricing as at 1 July 2026.
This article is general information about Australian migration law as at 2 September 2026. It is not legal advice. State lists and figures change each program year, so obtain advice on your own profile before acting.