Subclass 190 Costs & Timeline
SUBCLASS 190 STATE NOMINATED PERMANENTUnderstanding the complete cost and timeline for your 190 journey is essential for planning. This guide covers all expenses from preparation to permanent residence, plus realistic timeframes for each stage.
?? Total Cost Summary
Quick Cost Overview
Preparation: AUD $2,000-3,500 | State Nomination: AUD $0-330 | Visa: AUD $4,640+ | Total: AUD $6,640-9,000+
Key Advantage: 190 costs are similar to 189, but with state nomination you get +5 bonus points, making PR more accessible!
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Stage 1: Preparation Costs (AUD $2,000-3,500)
| Item | Cost (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skills Assessment | $300-1,200 | Varies by assessing authority (ACS, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, etc.) |
| English Test | $385-450 | IELTS (~$385), PTE (~$410), TOEFL (~$450) |
| Educational Documents | $200-500 | Certified copies, transcripts, degree certificates |
| Police Certificates | $50-400 | From each country lived 12+ months since age 16 |
| Document Certification | $100-300 | Justice of Peace, lawyer, notary services |
| Translation Services | $0-800 | NAATI-certified if documents not in English |
| Passport Photos | $15-30 | Recent passport-sized photos |
| Migration Agent (optional) | $0-5,000 | Optional professional assistance |
?? Skills Assessment Timing: Start early! Some assessments take 8-12 weeks. Budget extra if you need to retake English tests.
Stage 2: State Nomination Costs (AUD $0-330)
| State/Territory | Nomination Fee (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Free ($0) | No nomination fee |
| Victoria | $265 | Per application |
| Queensland | $200 | Per application |
| South Australia | $300 | Per application |
| Western Australia | $200 | Per application |
| Tasmania | $220 | Per application |
| ACT | $300 | Canberra Matrix application |
| NT | $330 | Per application |
Pro Tip: You can apply to multiple states simultaneously (if eligible) to increase your chances. Each state charges separately.
Stage 3: Visa Application Costs (AUD $4,640+)
Same as 189: The visa application charge for 190 is identical to Subclass 189, but you get +5 bonus points!
| Applicant | Visa Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Main Applicant | $4,640 |
| Partner (18+ years) | $2,320 |
| Each Child (under 18) | $1,160 |
| Second Installment (if partner lacks functional English) | $4,885 |
Example Family Costs:
- Single applicant: $4,640
- Couple (no children): $6,960
- Couple + 1 child: $8,120
- Couple + 2 children: $9,280
- Add $4,885 if partner doesn't have functional English (IELTS 4.5 each band equivalent)
?? Second VAC: If your partner doesn't have functional English, you'll be charged an additional $4,885. Consider having partner take English test to avoid this charge!
Stage 4: Health & Character Costs (AUD $500-1,500)
| Item | Cost (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Health Examination (adult) | $300-450 each | Panel doctor only |
| Health Examination (child) | $150-250 each | Under 18 years |
| Chest X-ray | $85-150 each | Adults and children 11+ |
| Australian Federal Police Check | $42 | If lived in Australia 12+ months |
| Overseas Police Certificates | $50-300 each | Varies by country |
Example Family Health Costs:
- Single applicant: $385-600
- Couple: $770-1,200
- Family (2 adults + 2 children): $1,070-1,700
Total Cost Examples
| Scenario | Low Range (AUD) | High Range (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Single Applicant | $6,640 | $9,500 |
| Couple (no children) | $8,960 | $12,000 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children) | $11,280 | $14,980 |
Add if applicable:
- Migration agent: +$2,000-5,000
- Partner lacking functional English: +$4,885
- Additional English test retakes: +$385-450 each
- Extra document translations: +$500-1,500
Complete Timeline
Quick Timeline Overview
Preparation: 1-6 months | State Nomination: 2-12 weeks | Visa Processing: 6-12 months | Total to PR: 1.5-2.5 years
Detailed Timeline Breakdown
Stage 1: Preparation (1-6 months)
- Skills Assessment: 4-12 weeks (varies by authority)
- English Test: Preparation + results (2-4 weeks for results)
- Document Collection: 2-8 weeks (police certificates take longest)
- Police Certificates: 2-12 weeks depending on country
Stage 2: EOI Submission (Instant)
- Submit EOI: Takes 1-2 hours to complete form
- EOI Active: Valid for 2 years, can update anytime
- Waiting Period: Varies greatly by state and occupation (1 week to 12+ months)
Stage 3: State Nomination (2-12 weeks)
| State/Territory | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|
| NSW | 4-12 weeks |
| Victoria | 8-12 weeks |
| Queensland | 6-12 weeks |
| South Australia | 6-10 weeks |
| Western Australia | 4-8 weeks |
| Tasmania | 4-10 weeks |
| ACT | 4-12 weeks |
| NT | 2-8 weeks |
Stage 4: Visa Invitation (Instant)
- Once nominated, invitation is automatic
- 60-day deadline to lodge complete application
Stage 5: Visa Application Lodgement (Within 60 days)
- Prepare documents: Should have most ready from state nomination
- Complete application: 2-4 hours online
- Upload documents: 1-3 days
- Pay fees: Instant
- Submit: Must complete within 60 days of invitation
Stage 6: Visa Processing (6-14 months)
Official Processing Times (Department of Home Affairs):
- 25% of applications: 5-7 months
- 50% of applications: 7-9 months
- 75% of applications: 9-12 months
- 90% of applications: 11-14 months
During Processing:
- Health examinations: Requested 2-6 months after lodgement
- Additional documents: Case officer may request (respond within 28 days)
- Employment verification: May contact current/previous employers
- Background checks: Character and security assessments
Processing Priority: 190 applications generally receive similar priority to 189. Complete applications with all documents lodge faster.
Stage 7: Visa Grant
- Notification: Via email and ImmiAccount
- Grant letter: Includes visa details and conditions
- First entry date: Must enter Australia before specified date
- Immediate PR: Permanent residence from grant date!
Timeline Comparison
| Visa Type | Average Timeline to PR | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 190 | 1.5-2.5 years | Immediate PR, state commitment |
| Subclass 189 | 1.5-3+ years | Immediate PR, complete freedom |
| Subclass 491 | 4.5-6 years | Provisional 5 years, then 191 PR |
Tips to Speed Up Your Application
- Front-load documents: Submit everything with initial application - don't wait for requests
- Police certificates early: Get these before invitation (valid 12 months)
- Respond quickly: Answer case officer requests within days, not weeks
- Complete forms carefully: Errors cause delays for clarification
- Use Form 80: Submit Form 80 (character assessment) proactively
- Employment verification ready: Inform employers they may be contacted
- Health checks early: Some applicants complete before invitation (valid 12 months)
- Stay in Australia: Onshore applications sometimes process faster
- Monitor ImmiAccount: Check daily for requests or updates
?? Sample Timeline: Real Example
Typical 190 Journey Timeline:
- Month 1-3: Obtain skills assessment and English test
- Month 4: Submit EOI in SkillSelect
- Month 5-7: Apply for state nomination (Victoria)
- Month 7: Receive state nomination approval
- Month 7: Receive automatic visa invitation
- Month 8: Lodge complete visa application within 60 days
- Month 10: Health examinations requested and completed
- Month 12: Additional document request (employment verification)
- Month 15: Case officer assigned, final checks
- Month 18: Visa granted - Permanent Residence!
Total: 18 months from start to PR grant
Planning Your Budget
Budgeting Tip: Set aside AUD $8,000-12,000 as a safe budget for a single applicant. Families should budget $12,000-16,000+. Start saving early!
Financial Planning Checklist:
- Skills assessment and English test: Save first (needed before EOI)
- Document preparation: Budget for certifications and translations
- State nomination fee: Set aside state-specific amount
- Visa application charge: Must pay when lodging (within 60 days)
- Health examinations: Usually months after lodgement
- Emergency fund: Keep extra for unexpected costs (retests, additional documents)
- Settlement funds: Budget for moving to Australia (separate from visa costs)
Ready for the Next Step?
Now you understand the costs and timeline - let's compare 190 with other visa options!