If you're a qualified tiler in NSW working towards permanent residency, you'll likely be choosing between two visa pathways: the Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa and the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. Both are points-tested and require a skills assessment, but they work quite differently. Here's what you need to know.
The 190 visa gives you immediate permanent residency anywhere in Australia; the 491 visa is a 5-year provisional visa that requires you to live and work in a regional area, with permanent residency available after 3 years through the Subclass 191 visa.
The 190 is a permanent visa. Once granted, you can live and work anywhere in Australia. You receive a 5-point bonus for state nomination, which helps significantly in the points test.
2026 update: As of the 2025–26 program year, Wall and Floor Tiler (ANZSCO 333211) remains on the NSW Skills List, making tilers eligible for the 190 pathway. Invitation scores for tilers have been competitive — check the latest SkillSelect data for current invitation trends.
The 491 is a provisional visa valid for 5 years. It requires you to live and work in a designated regional area of NSW. After 3 years, you can apply for the permanent Subclass 191 visa — provided you've met the income and residency requirements.
Here's how the points stack up for a tiler aged 25–32 with an Australian qualification and competent English:
A tiler with proficient English, overseas experience, and Australian study could accumulate 60–70 points — competitive for both pathways depending on current invitation scores.
Choose the 190 visa if you want to settle in Sydney or another major city immediately and don't want the uncertainty of a provisional visa. It requires a higher points score but delivers permanent residency straight away.
Choose the 491 visa if you're willing to live in regional NSW for 3 years in exchange for the 15 extra points and a lower invitation score threshold. Regional NSW has strong demand for tilers, and many 491 holders find excellent work opportunities outside major cities.
Wyatt Education Group's CPC31320 Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling is delivered as a CRICOS course and includes TRA-accepted outcomes aligned to the Job Ready Program. Our student support team helps you understand the documentation requirements for your skills assessment — an important first step on either visa pathway.
Wyatt Education Group is a CRICOS-registered RTO (46003) delivering nationally recognised qualifications in Bankstown, Sydney.
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