For thousands of skilled migrants living, studying or working in Sydney, the biggest question of 2025 is:
“Should I aim for 189 or 190 NSW? Which PR visa has the better chance this year?”
Both visas — the Skilled Independent (189) and the NSW State Nominated (190) — remain the most popular pathways to Permanent Residency for engineers, IT professionals, accountants, nurses, tradespeople, and international graduates in Sydney CBD, Parramatta, Inner West, Northern Beaches, and Greater Western Sydney.
However…
The points cut-offs, invitation patterns, and occupation priorities for 2025 are very different compared to previous years.
This detailed guide is based on IME Advisors’ 30+ years experience handling skilled migration cases across Sydney, Parramatta and NSW, and reflects the actual trends we see across hundreds of EOIs every year.
Let’s break down:
- Latest 189 and 190 NSW points cut-offs
- Which occupations were invited recently
- How many points Sydney applicants really need in 2025
- What NSW is prioritising this year
- How graduates (485 visa holders) should plan their roadmap
- Strategic differences between both visas
- What YOU should do next based on your occupation
1. Understanding the Difference Between 189 and 190 (NSW Applicants)
Before cut-offs, you MUST understand the structure:
189 – Skilled Independent Visa
- No state sponsorship
- No residency requirement
- National selection
- Purely points-based
- VERY competitive
- Invitations are limited and unpredictable
- Often favours extremely high-scoring candidates
Common 189 invitees from Sydney:
- Software engineers
- Cybersecurity specialists
- Registered nurses
- High-scoring accountants (rare)
- High English scorers
- Applicants with 90–100+ points
190 – NSW State Nominated Visa
- Requires NSW state invitation
- Must have strong ties to NSW (work, study, residency)
- Much more achievable for real Sydney applicants
- Points threshold usually lower
- More predictable patterns
- Prioritises NSW shortages
- PR granted immediately with nomination
This is the top PR pathway for most Sydney migrants in 2025.
2. 189 & 190 NSW Points Cut-offs (2025 Reality Check)
Based on IME Advisors’ internal case data + NSW invitation trends + Home Affairs results
189 Visa Recent Cut-off Trends (Sydney Applicants)
IT & Engineering
- Software Engineer — 90–100 points
- ICT Business Analyst — 95+ points
- Civil Engineer — 90–95 points
- Mechanical Engineer — 90+
Healthcare
- Registered Nurse — 85–90 points
- Aged Care — case-by-case, often 85+
Accounting/Finance
- Accountant — 95+ (extremely competitive)
Trades
189 rarely invites trades unless very high points:
- Electrician — 95+
- Chef — Not commonly invited for 189
190 NSW Recent Cut-offs (Based on NSW 2024–25 Rounds)
NSW invites candidates based on:
- Points
- Employment in NSW
- Occupation demand
- Residency in NSW
- Sector shortages
IT & Engineering
- Software Engineer — 85–90 points
- ICT BA — 90
- Civil Engineer — 80–85
- Electrical Engineer — 80–85
Healthcare
- Nurse (all streams) — 70–85
- Medical technicians — 65–75
Accounting
- Accountant — 85–90
Trades & Construction
- Chef — 70–75
- Carpenter — 65–75
- Electrician — 70–80
Early Childhood Teachers
- Often invited from 65–75 points
NSW is much more achievable for real Sydney applicants on 485 visas.
3. What Sydney Applicants Need in 2025 (Honest Point Targets)
IME Advisors’ recommended safe points targets:
| Occupation Type | 189 Points | 190 NSW Points |
| IT & Engineering | 95–100 | 85–90 |
| Accounting & Finance | 95–105 | 85–90 |
| Nursing & Healthcare | 85–95 | 70–85 |
| Trades (Chef, Carpenter etc.) | Rare invites | 65–75 |
| Early Childhood Teachers | Rare invites | 65–75 |
| Social Work | Rare invites | 70–80 |
| Marketing/Business | Not eligible | Employer/491 pathways |
4. Why 190 NSW Is the Better Pathway for Most Sydney Graduates?
Sydney graduates from:
- USYD
- UNSW
- UTS
- Macquarie
- WSU
- Torrens & colleges
…often find 190 more realistic because NSW heavily prefers:
People who live in NSW
People working in skilled roles in NSW
Good English scores
Occupations in ongoing shortages
Applicants with genuine long-term plans to stay in NSW
If you’re living or working in:
- Sydney CBD
- Parramatta
- Blacktown
- Liverpool
- Hills District
- Eastern Suburbs
- Northern Beaches
…your chances rise significantly.
5. What Affects Your Points Most (Sydney Skill Applicants)
The most powerful boosters:
1. Superior English (IELTS 8 / PTE 79) → +20 pts
2. Professional Year (PY) → +5 pts
3. NAATI CCL → +5 pts
4. 1 Year Skilled Work Experience in NSW → +5–10 pts
5. Partner Skills → +5 pts
6. Study in Australia → +5 pts
Sydney 485 visa holders who focus intentionally can jump from 65 → 85 points within 12–18 months.
6. Which Visa Should YOU Choose? (Sydney Applicant Profiles)
Profile A — Software Developer (UTS Graduate, 485 Visa, Superior English)
- Points: 80–90 range
- Best Path: 190 NSW first, then wait for 189 invite as bonus
- Very strong in 2025
- Sydney employers deeply need IT talent
Profile B — Civil Engineer (Working in Parramatta construction firm)
- Points: 75–85
- Best Path: 190 NSW
- NSW shortage = strong chance
Profile C — Chef (Commercial Cookery Graduate)
- Points: 65–75
- Best Path: 190 NSW or 482 → 186 PR
- 189 not realistic
Profile D — Registered Nurse (Sydney hospital)
- Points: 75–85
- Best Path: Both 189 and 190 NSW
- Strong demand = high PR success
Profile E — Accountant (Sydney CBD firm)
- Points: 90–100+
- Best Path: 190 NSW, 189 only for premium profiles
- Still competitive
7. Recommendation: What You Should Do RIGHT NOW (Sydney Applicants)
IME Advisors recommends:
Step 1 — Calculate Your Points Today
Your real PR strategy depends entirely on your points score.
Step 2 — Improve Your Score on 485 (Don’t Waste This Time)
Sydney graduates MUST use their 485 for:
- English
- NAATI
- Professional Year
- Work experience
Step 3 — Work in a Job Matching ANZSCO
100% essential for NSW nomination.
Step 4 — Lodge an EOI & ROI Early
NSW invites continuously.
Step 5 — Consider a 482 → 186 Employer Pathway as Backup
Especially for trades, hospitality, accounting, and business roles.
8. Why Work With IME Advisors (Sydney & Parramatta Skilled PR Specialists)
IME Advisors provides:
- Full Points Calculation
- PR Roadmap Planning
- Document Checklists
- Skilled Assessment Guidance
- EOI/ROI preparation
- Priority guidance for Sydney graduates
- Employer sponsorship strategy
- NSW nomination readiness assessment
With offices in Sydney CBD and Parramatta, we specialise in the actual conditions NSW applicants face — not generic national advice that doesn’t match reality.
Use the PR Points Calculator
Before making any decision, check where you stand.
IME Advisors provides a detailed PR Points Calculator Review and a tailored PR Roadmap.
Use the PR Points Calculator
We’ll map your best pathway: 189, 190 NSW or employer-sponsored PR.
