04Apr

nsw-190-visa-2026-points-cutoff-occupation-list- invitation-round
Updated on: 24/06/2026

NSW 190 Visa March 2026 Results – Points, Occupations & Next Round

The 2025–26 NSW 190 program year ends 30 June 2026 — this is your final window. Check your chances now.

Many applicants are asking — when is the next NSW 190 invitation round after the March 2026 results, and whether any spots are still available for June 2026. The short answer: yes, the NSW 190 visa is still active, and approximately 200 places remain for the May–June 2026 window — the final stretch of this financial year.

If you are an onshore skilled worker targeting the NSW 190 visa in 2026 - you are exactly who New South Wales is looking for right now. The March 4, 2026 NSW state nomination round was almost entirely designed for onshore professionals - people already living, working, and contributing to New South Wales. NSW skilled migration 2026 is competitive and places are limited - but the opportunity is real. The NSW Subclass 190 visa pathway is still active — the program year closes on 30 June 2026, making the May–June 2026 window the final opportunity for state nomination this financial year.

What Is the NSW 190 Program - and Why Does It Work in Your Favour?

The NSW state-sponsored migration program, managed by Investment NSW, targets skilled workers in three high-demand occupation areas - construction trades, healthcare, and ICT and technology. Unlike the federal points-only system, the NSW Subclass 190 visa takes a demand-driven approach - meaning if your occupation is on the NSW skilled occupation list 2026, you have a genuine shot at state nomination even with a modest points score.

NSW 190 Visa Allocation 2025-26: How Many Spots Are Left?

For the 2025–26 financial year, the Federal Government allocated NSW a total of 3,600 skilled migration places across two visa subclasses:

Visa SubclassTotal PlacesCurrent Status
Subclass 190 (Permanent Visa)2,100Active - rounds ongoing
Subclass 491 (Regional Visa)1,500Closed until July 2026
The NSW Subclass 491 visa closed on January 19, 2026 - the same day it opened. All 1,500 places across Pathway 1 (Workers) and Pathway 3 (Graduates) were filled within hours. No further 491 applications will be accepted until July 2026. If the 491 was your plan, the NSW Subclass 190 visa is now your only state-sponsored pathway for this financial year.

NSW 190 Invitation Round Breakdown: 2025–26

NSW does not publish live spot counts, but based on allocation data and invitation tracker records, here is how the 2,100 places have been distributed:

Period190 Invites (Est.)Key Event
Jul–Oct 2025600Steady interim rounds
Nov–Dec 2025400Pre-January slowdown
Jan 2026300491 opened and filled in one day
Feb 2026350Full focus shifts to 190
Mar 2026250Large NSW 190 round on Mar  4,2026
Apr–Jun 2026200Remaining window - open now
Approximately 200 NSW 190 visa spots remain for April, May, and possibly June 2026. If your SkillSelect EOI is updated, accurate, and your points score meets the cut-off for your occupation, you are still in the running for a NSW state nomination this financial year.

April 2026 NSW 190 Round — What Happened

Investment NSW confirmed two invitation round windows for April 2026:

Round 1: Week beginning 13 April 2026 (Subclass 190)
Round 2: Week beginning 27 April 2026 (Subclass 491 
                    — reopened briefly for regional pathway)

Key finding from April round: NSW pulled SkillSelect data at close of business on the Sunday before each round. Any EOI not refreshed before that Sunday cut-off was assessed on outdated data — regardless of points score.
As of June 2026: The program year ends 30 June 2026. The May–June window is the last chance for a NSW 190 nomination in the 2025–26 financial year. The next allocation (2026–27) begins in July 2026.

How NSW 190 Points Cut-Offs Changed: 2025 vs 2026

As competition has intensified, cut-off points have risen sharply across all sectors:

Sector          2025 Typical2026 (March Round)
Healthcare70–80 pts80–100 pts
Construction 65 pts70 pts
ICT/Technology85–95 pts95–110 pts
Education       75 pts80–85 pts
Key insight for 2026: In ICT, Software Programmers now require 110 points — reflecting thousands of qualified applicants competing for limited spots. Even a single 5-point gap means disqualification  for that round.

How to boost your points score:

  • Superior English (IELTS 8+ / PTE 79+) = +10 points
  • Partner skills assessment = +10 points  
  • Professional Year (Australia) = +5 points
  • Additional qualifications = +5–10 points
  • Age (25–32 years) = maximum 30 points

NSW 190 Visa Points Cut-Off - March 4, 2026 Round

The March 4, 2026 NSW state nomination round focused almost entirely on onshore applicants across four priority sectors. Here are the minimum points required by occupation:
Here is the table:

OccupationSectorMin. Points
Speech PathologistHealthcare80
Registered Nurse (Aged Care)Healthcare80
PhysiotherapistHealthcare85
Radiographer / RMO / GPHealthcare85
Registered Nurse (General)Healthcare100
Carpenter / WelderConstruction70
Early Childhood TeacherEducation85
Community / Social WorkerEducation80
Developer / ICT SecurityICT95
Software EngineerICT100
ICT Business AnalystICT105
Software Programmer (NEC)ICT110

Onshore Applicants Are Being Prioritised in 2026

In the March 2026 NSW 190 invitation round, nearly all invitations went to candidates already living and working in Australia. Offshore applicants were invited for only a handful of niche roles. If you are onshore and working in your nominated occupation in NSW, being physically present is effectively a prerequisite - not just a tiebreaker - for receiving a state nomination this financial year.

3 Things That Determine If You Get a NSW 190 Invitation

  • Your SkillSelect EOI must be updated and accurate. NSW targets profiles updated before each round's cut-off. An outdated or incomplete EOI is automatically skipped -  regardless of your points score.
  • Your points must meet the occupation threshold. A gap of even 5 points disqualifies you. Boost your NSW 190 points score through additional work experience, a stronger English test result, or further qualifications.
  • Inaction is your biggest risk. With roughly 200 NSW 190 visa spots remaining for April–June 2026, the next invitation round may be the last of this financial year. Prepared applicants get invited - passive ones miss out.

Check Your NSW 190 Points Score — Free

Use our Australia PR Points Calculator to see exactly where you stand before the final round.

[Check My Points Now →] (https://leamss.com/australia-pr-points-calculator)

Already know your score? Chat with our registered migration agents on WhatsApp — we'll tell you if you're invitation-ready.
[WhatsApp LEAMSS →7738352427 ] 

Final Word - From the LEAMSS Immigration Team

The NSW Subclass 190 visa window for 2025–26 is still open - but it is closing fast. With the 491 visa shut until July 2026 and only around 200 places remaining, the April to June 2026 period is the most critical window for NSW skilled migration this financial year.

At LEAMSS, our registered migration agents work with onshore skilled workers every day to get their SkillSelect EOI invitation-ready before each round. Do not leave your permanent residency to chance - get expert guidance before the next NSW 190 round drops.
Follow LEAMSS for real-time updates on NSW 190 invitation rounds, points cut-offs, and occupation list changes.




(FAQs) NSW 190 Visa 2026 :-


Q.1 Is the NSW 190 visa still open in 2026?

Yes — the NSW Subclass 190 visa is still active in 2026, with approximately 200 places remaining for the April–June 2026 invitation rounds.


Q.2  What are the NSW 190 points cut-offs for 2026?

Points cut-offs vary by occupation - ranging from 70 points for Construction trades to 110 points for Software Programmers, based on the March 4, 2026 NSW invitation round.


Q.3  Is the NSW 491 visa open in 2026?

No - the NSW 491 visa is closed until July 2026, after all 1,500 places were filled on the day the portal opened in January 2026

Q.4  Do you need to be onshore to get a NSW 190 invitation?

While not a formal requirement, being onshore is effectively a prerequisite - the March 2026 round invited almost exclusively candidates already living and working in New South Wales.

Q.5  How do I update my SkillSelect EOI for the NSW 190 visa?

Log into your SkillSelect account, review every field including employment dates, qualifications, and nominated state, and ensure all details are updated and accurate before the next round's cut-off date.


Q.6  What happened in the NSW 190 April 2026 invitation round?

Investment NSW confirmed two rounds in April 2026 — week of 13 April (Subclass 190) and week of 27 April (Subclass 491). NSW pulled SkillSelect data on the Sunday before each round. EOIs not updated before that cut-off were assessed on outdated information, regardless of points score.


Q. 7 When does the NSW 190 program year end in 2026?

The 2025–26 NSW skilled migration program year ends on 30 June 2026. Any unused places from the 2,100 Subclass 190 allocation will not carry over. The 2026–27 allocation begins in July 2026.


Q. 8 How can I boost my NSW 190 points score quickly in 2026?

The fastest legitimate ways to gain points are: achieving Superior English (IELTS 8+ or PTE 79+for +10 points, adding a partner skills assessment for +10 points, and completing a Professional Year program in Australia for +5 points. Even a 5-point gain can move you from rejected to invited in the next round.


Q. 9 When is the next NSW 190 invitation round in 2026?

As of June 2026, the next NSW 190 invitation round is expected before 30 June 2026 — the final date of the 2025–26 program year. Investment NSW typically issues invitations every 2–4 weeks. With approximately 200 places still available, skilled workers with updated SkillSelect EOIs and sufficient points should act immediately. The NSW 190 latest invitation round data shows increasing competition, especially in ICT and Healthcare sectors.


Online calculator icon
Scroll to top
Online calculator icon
Icone-svg