General Skilled Migration

Published 23 May 2024 | Written by Migration Partner Lauren Blud | Last reviewed: 8 September 2026

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General Skilled Migration (GSM) is Australia’s points-tested pathway for skilled workers, made up of the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visas. To be considered, applicants generally need a minimum of 65 points, a nominated occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, a positive skills assessment, and must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation. The 189 and 190 grant permanent residency immediately; the 491 is a provisional visa that leads to permanent residency (Subclass 191) after three years in a regional area.

Are you considering giving your family a better future by migrating to Australia? General skilled migration is a common route to Australia. It is Australia’s initiative to attract highly skilled individuals from around the globe.

General skilled migration is a common route for migrating to Australia. It is Australia’s initiative to attract highly skilled individuals from around the globe. It is a testament to Australia’s commitment to building a diverse and dynamic workforce that contributes to the nation’s growth and innovation.

Australia’s General Skilled Migration program stands as an open door for skilled individuals worldwide, offering various opportunities through visas like the Subclass 189, 190, and 491 visas.

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SUBCLASS 189 VISA

The Subclass 189 Visa is designed for skilled workers with qualifications in occupations listed on the relevant skilled occupation list. This visa provides you with permanent residency in Australia. With this visa, you can commence living and working in any state or territory in Australia.

To be eligible for this visa, applicants must:

Have a minimum of 65 points. Points are awarded based on age, English proficiency, education, and work experience. Meeting the minimum only allows you to enter the pool of candidates in SkillSelect, Australia’s expression of interest system, it does not guarantee an invitation. Invitation rounds are competitive, and in recent years successful applicants have often scored well above 65.
Have an occupation listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) that aligns with your skills and qualifications. This is sometimes referred to informally as the “skilled occupation list.” Note that this is a different list to the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which applies to employer-sponsored visas such as the Subclass 482 and Subclass 186, not to points-tested General Skilled Migration visas.
Apply for a skills assessment by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation and obtain a positive skills assessment. This is to ensure that you have the necessary qualifications and experience in your nominated occupation.
Be under 45 years of age at the time of being invited before applying for the visa.
Meet health and character requirements to ensure you pose no risk to Australia’s community.

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SUBCLASS STATE SPONSORED 190 AND SUBCLASS 491 REGIONAL VISAS

The Subclass State Sponsored 190 visa involves state or territory sponsorship, adding an extra collaboration layer to the skilled migration process. This visa provides you with permanent residency in Australia, and you may settle anywhere in a city or regional area in the respective state or territory.

The Subclass 491 State or Family Sponsored Regional visa targets skilled workers willing to contribute to Australia’s regional growth. This temporary five-year visa, if eligible, allows you to apply for a permanent residency visa (Subclass 191) after three years.

All the requirements mentioned for the Subclass 189 visa also apply to the Subclass 190 state-nominated and Subclass 491 Regional visa, except for some additional requirements, such as:

For both the 190 and 491, you will need to obtain a nomination from an Australian state or territory by meeting their specific criteria. With a 491 visa, you can alternatively get an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area to sponsor you; however, you will still need to meet the relevant regional and occupation criteria.

For the State Sponsored 190 visa, you must agree to live and work in the nominating state or territory for two years. For the 491 Regional visa, you must agree to live and work in a designated regional area for three years before you can apply for permanent residency or move elsewhere.

It’s worth noting that places under the regional program have tightened in recent years, and a review of the national points test has been underway since 2023. No legislated changes to the points test had taken effect as at September 2026, but the criteria above should always be confirmed against the current Department of Home Affairs settings before you lodge an expression of interest.

RAMSDEN LAWYERS, HOW WE CAN ASSIST YOU WITH GENERAL SKILLED MIGRATION

Embarking on a journey to migrate to Australia is a big step that requires a thorough understanding of the unique legal requirements for each visa subclass.

Whether you are aiming for independence with the 189 visa, seeking state nomination through the 190 state-sponsored visa, or embracing regional opportunities via the 491 Regional visa, meeting the eligibility criteria outlined above is your first step towards realising your dream of calling Australia home.

The only question that remains is, are you ready to take the leap? Meeting the requirements of the Australian migration process can be complex, and regulations may change, so it is essential to stay updated and consult with one of our migration law experts for the latest information tailored to your individual circumstances.

Should you want to migrate to Australia, please do not hesitate to contact us for a consultation. You may also find our guide to skills assessments helpful if you are still working out which occupation to nominate.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is General Skilled Migration (GSM)?

General Skilled Migration is the collective name for Australia’s points-tested skilled visas, the Subclass 189, 190 and 491, designed to attract workers whose skills are in demand across the Australian economy.

What's the difference between the Subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas?

The 189 is a permanent visa that doesn’t require sponsorship and lets you live anywhere in Australia. The 190 is also permanent but requires nomination by a state or territory, which comes with a two-year commitment to live and work there. The 491 is a provisional (temporary) visa requiring state, territory or eligible family sponsorship, tied to a designated regional area, and can lead to permanent residency after three years.

How many points do I need for a General Skilled Migration visa?

The legal minimum to be considered is 65 points, calculated across factors including age, English proficiency, education and work experience. In practice, invitation rounds in 2026 have been highly competitive, and many successful applicants, particularly for 189 and 491, are scoring well above the minimum.

Is 65 points enough to get an invitation in 2026?

It’s enough to enter SkillSelect, but it doesn’t guarantee an invitation. Places are limited and allocated to the highest-scoring candidates in each round, so a competitive strategy, and, where possible, state nomination or regional sponsorship for extra points, matters.

What is the age limit for General Skilled Migration visas?

You must be under 45 years of age at the time you are invited to apply for the 189, 190 or 491 visa.

Do I need a skills assessment for a GSM visa?

Yes. You must nominate an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list and obtain a positive skills assessment from the assessing authority for that occupation before you can be invited.

Can the Subclass 491 visa lead to permanent residency?

Yes. After holding a 491 visa for three years and meeting the regional living and working requirements, you can apply for the Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) visa.

What are the state or regional obligations attached to the 190 and 491 visas?

Subclass 190 holders must live and work in their nominating state or territory for two years. Subclass 491 holders must live, work (and in some cases study) in a designated regional area for three years before they can apply for permanent residency or relocate freely.

RAMSDEN LAWYERS: A FOCUS ON CLIENT EXPERIENCE

Jared Verbruggen 2 weeks ago

Our modelling agency has had an excellent experience working with Marilia Vianna and the team at Ramsden Lawyers. Marilia has assisted us with multiple visa matters for international models travelling to Australia to work with our agency and clients. She is consistently professional, knowledgeable and responsive, even when working within urgent booking timeframes. Marilia goes above and beyond to explain the process clearly, carefully review supporting documents and ensure each application is prepared thoroughly. Her practical advice, attention to detail and proactive communication have made complex visa matters much easier to manage. We greatly value her support and would highly recommend Marilia and Ramsden Lawyers.

Lauren Gray 1 month ago

I am so grateful for Evan and the team at Ramsden Lawyers. Evan handled my late mother’s estate and deed of family arrangement with the utmost care and timeliness, walking me through each step and being consistently available when I had questions or concerns. This lead me to utilise Evan’s assistance again with my own property purchase. Evan was patient and gave me sound advice, listening to my concerns and walking me through each step. Thank you Evan!

Lauren Gray 2 months ago

I am so grateful for Evan and the team at Ramsden Law. Evan handled my late mother’s estate and deed of family arrangement with the utmost care and timeliness, walking me through each step and being consistently available when I had questions or concerns. This lead me to utilise Evan’s assistance again with my own property purchase. Evan was patient and gave me sound advice, listening to my concerns and walking me through each step. Thank you Evan!

karlo negrini 4 months ago

I had a very good experience with this law firm. Everyone was professional and helpful, but I would like to especially thank Marley for her support. She was always kind, patient, and clear when explaining everything. She made the process much easier and gave me confidence throughout.

Valentin LYON 6 months ago

Really good experience with Ramsden Lawyers, Marley who was in charge of me was really professional and helpful in every steps.
Thank you to the team too !

Paul 8 months ago

Very knowledgeable, very helpful, and very supportive.

Sammy Assaad 9 months ago

The lawyers at Ramsden Lawyers were extremely helpful and efficient. They communicated clearly, handled everything professionally, and made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend their services.

Brett Whitton 10 months ago

Ramsden lawyers, in my view, are market leader in construction related litigation matters.
I feel Ramsden, and in particular -Riley Hickey-(lawyer) Is the epitome of a true professional.
In that, she has exceptional skills in explaining processes to the “layman”, absolutely thorough in diligence, and last but not least, TRUSTWORTHY.
I give this honest review of my own volition.
Ramsden are true professionals that won’t lead you up the garden path.
I strongly recommend them.

Yash Kacha 10 months ago

Amazing experience with Ramsden Lawyers Gold Coast team including Matilda, Marley and Lauren. Professionalism at it best. I have received my 482 visa with the help of Ramsden lawyer team and looking forward to apply for 186 visas with them as well.

Federico Spina 11 months ago

I had a really good experience with Ramsden Lawyers. Lauren, Marley and the whole team involved were super professional, helpful and always kind throughout the whole process. Communication was clear and they always made me feel supported. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a reliable and friendly team to deal with!

General Skilled Migration

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