Surgeon (General) — Subclass 190 Pathway
Skilled Nominated visa · Permanent
At a glance
- Visa
- Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated visa
- Points test
- Yes — points-tested via SkillSelect
- Sponsor
- State / territory nomination required
- Eligibility list
- MLTSSLSTSOLCSOL
- Base fee
- from $4,640 (check immi.gov.au for current fee)
- Processing time
- ~8-14 months (median)
Skills assessment for this occupation
Assessing Surgeon (General) for migration purposes is handled by: MedBA.
Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority for migration purposes — refer to the occupation page for the body that assesses it.
Surgeon (General) × Subclass 190 — pathway overview
General Surgeons (ANZSCO 253511) are eligible for the Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa, appearing on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), enabling state or territory nomination. This permanent points-tested visa requires nomination from an Australian state or territory government, each of which maintains its own occupation list and residency commitment requirements to address local health workforce gaps in general and abdominal surgery. A positive skills assessment from the Medical Board of Australia (MedBA) with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) is required prior to nomination, confirming overseas training meets Australian specialist equivalence. Applicants must meet a points threshold covering age, English proficiency, qualifications, and experience, and agree to reside in the nominating jurisdiction for at least two years. English language testing and health and character checks are mandatory. Fees include state nomination charges and federal application charges, plus skills assessment costs. The Subclass 190 grants permanent residence and a pathway to citizenship. For advice tailored to your individual circumstances, always consult a registered MARA migration agent.
Content last generated: 2026-06-26
Key requirements
High-level criteria for Subclass 190. Verify every requirement on immi.gov.au before applying.
- Under 45 years of age at invitation
- Competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
- Positive skills assessment in a nominated occupation on a state list
- State or territory nomination (each state runs its own program)
- Commitment to live and work in the nominating state
- Health and character requirements
Other visa pathways for Surgeon (General)
- 186Details →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 189Details →Skilled Independent visa
Permanent points-tested visa for workers not sponsored by an employer, family member, or state.
- 482Details →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 485Details →Temporary Graduate visa
Post-study work visa for recent graduates of Australian qualifications.
- 491Details →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- 494Details →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations for Surgeon (General)
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.