Victoria State Nomination 2026–27: Eligibility, Points Test, Fees and How to Apply

What Is Victoria State Nomination?

Victoria state nomination is a process through which the Victorian Government nominates eligible skilled migrants for certain Australian skilled visas. The program helps Victoria attract skilled professionals who can contribute to its workforce and address skills needs.

The two visa subclasses associated with state nomination are:

Subclass 190: A permanent skilled visa for applicants nominated by a state or territory government.

Subclass 491: A provisional skilled visa for eligible applicants who intend to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia.

State nomination does not automatically grant a visa. Applicants must meet the relevant state nomination criteria, satisfy the Australian Government’s visa requirements and receive the required invitation to apply

Subclass 190 vs Subclass 491: Which Visa Should You Consider?

The subclass 190 and subclass 491 visas offer different migration pathways. Your choice depends on your eligibility, intended location, occupation and long-term plans in Australia.

Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated Visa

The subclass 190 visa is a permanent residence pathway for eligible skilled migrants who receive state or territory nomination and meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements.

Victoria’s 2026–27 program has an allocation of 900 subclass 190 nomination places. Applicants must meet the applicable Victorian eligibility criteria and be selected through the ROI process before they can submit a state nomination application.

Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

The subclass 491 visa is designed for eligible skilled migrants who will live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. It is a provisional visa, generally valid for five years, and may provide a pathway to permanent residence after meeting the relevant requirements.

For Victoria, the 2026–27 subclass 491 allocation has not yet been finalised. Applicants should not assume that the previous year’s rules or application arrangements will continue unchanged. Monitor the official program website for an announcement about the Victorian 491 pathway.

Which option is better?

The subclass 190 may suit eligible applicants seeking permanent residence through state nomination, while the subclass 491 may suit those prepared to meet regional residence and work requirements. Eligibility and availability must be verified for your individual circumstances.

Victoria State Nomination Requirements for 2026–27

To be considered, you must meet the applicable Australian visa requirements and Victoria’s program criteria. For the open subclass 190 pathway, check the following before submitting an ROI.

1. Age requirement

For the points-tested subclass 190 visa, applicants generally must be under 45 years old when invited to apply for the visa. Meeting the age requirement does not guarantee Victorian nomination.

2. Eligible nominated occupation

Your nominated occupation must meet the applicable Australian skilled visa requirements. Victoria also uses occupation skill level and priority-industry criteria when ranking ROIs.

An occupation’s presence on an Australian skilled occupation list does not automatically mean that an applicant will receive a Victorian nomination invitation.

3. Skills assessment

You generally need a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation from the relevant assessing authority. Check that the assessment is valid and meets the requirements at the relevant stage of the visa process.

4. English language proficiency

You must meet the English language requirements applicable to your visa and occupation. English proficiency can also affect your Victorian Points Test score, with higher levels receiving more VPT points.

5. Minimum Australian migration points

Applicants for the subclass 190 visa must meet the Australian Government’s minimum points requirement of 65 points. This is separate from the Victorian Points Test, which ranks eligible ROIs competitively and has no fixed pass mark.

6. Expression of Interest and Registration of Interest

You must submit or update your Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and then submit a separate Registration of Interest through Victoria’s Live in Melbourne portal.

Submitting an EOI does not mean that you have applied for a visa or secured state nomination.

7. Genuine commitment to Victoria

Applicants should understand the conditions and expectations associated with the chosen pathway. In particular, subclass 491 applicants must comply with the relevant regional requirements.

Before applying, check the latest Victorian subclass 190 eligibility requirements and confirm that your profile meets the current criteria.

Victorian Points Test: The Seven Ranking Factors

The Victorian Points Test is how Victoria ranks Registrations of Interest for skilled visa nomination. It is different from the Australian Government’s SkillSelect points test, and it has no fixed pass mark. Competitiveness depends on the other ROIs in the pool.

The seven weighted factors are:

1. Age

2. English language proficiency

3. Years of experience in the nominated occupation

4. Educational qualification

5. Occupation skill level

6. Partner’s skills, where applicable

7. Annual earnings from skilled employment in Victoria, where applicable

Victorian Points Test scoring overview

The following table summarises the published VPT scoring structure for the 2026–27 program.

These are Victorian ranking points, not Australian migration points. The complete VPT criteria, including the precise conditions for partner skills and earnings, should be checked on the official Victorian Points Test page.

Victoria State Nomination Occupation List 2026–27

The Victoria state nomination occupation list is an important consideration for skilled migrants planning to apply for Victorian nomination. For 2026–27, Victoria has published priority occupations within selected industries to help address workforce needs.

Important: Victoria’s priority occupation list is not a guarantee of nomination, and priority occupations should not be confused with the full Australian skilled occupation lists.

Priority industries for Victoria state nomination

Victoria’s published 2026–27 priorities include the following industries and occupation groups.

These are examples rather than the complete list. Each occupation has its own ANZSCO code and may have specific assessment, registration or qualification requirements.

How to check whether your occupation is eligible

Follow these steps before submitting your ROI:

1. Find your occupation and ANZSCO code.

2. Check the relevant Australian skilled occupation list and visa requirements.

3. Review Victoria’s 2026–27 priority industries and occupations.

4. Confirm that you meet the relevant skills assessment and other eligibility criteria.

5. Check whether the relevant visa pathway is accepting ROIs.

6. You can view the official Victorian Points Test and priority occupations for the latest published information.

Does being on Victoria’s priority list guarantee an invitation?

No. Applicants in eligible occupations can submit an ROI, but Victoria selects candidates according to the Victorian Points Test, the competitiveness of the applicant pool and the state’s priority industry needs.

A candidate in a priority occupation may still not be invited if their ROI is less competitive than other eligible candidates.

Victoria State Nomination Fees for 2026–27

Victoria introduced fees for its skilled visa nomination process from the 2026–27 program year. Applicants should budget for both the Registration of Interest fee and, if invited, the separate state nomination application fee.

The following fees have been published by the Victorian Government.

*The 10% GST applies when the applicant is in Australia at the time of payment. The payment system calculates the GST-inclusive amount during checkout. You only need to pay the nomination application fee if Victoria invites you to apply for nomination and you submit your application.

How to Apply for Victoria State Nomination: Step-by-Step

The Victoria state nomination process involves several stages. For the 2026–27 program, the subclass 190 ROI pathway is open, while subclass 491 ROIs are not currently being accepted.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Review the Australian visa requirements, nominated occupation, age, skills assessment, English proficiency and points eligibility.

Step 2: Submit or update your EOI

Create or update your Expression of Interest in the Australian Government’s SkillSelect system. Ensure all information is accurate and supported by evidence.

Step 3: Submit your Victorian ROI

Use your SkillSelect EOI number to access the Live in Melbourne portal and submit your Registration of Interest for the available pathway. Pay the applicable ROI fee.

Step 4: Wait for an invitation

Victoria ranks eligible ROIs and invites selected candidates. Submitting an ROI does not guarantee an invitation.

Step 5: Submit the state nomination application

If invited, complete the nomination application through the Live in Melbourne portal, provide the requested information and pay the applicable fee.

Step 6: Apply for the visa

Once Victoria approves your nomination and issues the required visa invitation, you must submit your visa application to the Department of Home Affairs within the specified timeframe.

Documents to prepare

Depending on your circumstances and the stage of the application, you may need:

Use the official Victorian ROI guidance to confirm the information required for your application.

How Victoria Selects Registrations of Interest (ROIs)

Victoria does not select every applicant who meets the minimum visa requirements. The Victorian Government ranks eligible ROIs using the Victorian Points Test and invites selected candidates during invitation rounds.

The published selection process has two main approaches.

1. Most competitive applicants

Victoria considers ROIs across eligible occupations and may invite applicants with the highest VPT totals in the pool at the time of a round.

2. Priority industry applicants

Victoria also considers applicants within designated priority industries. ROIs with the highest VPT totals within those industries or industry subgroups may be invited.

What influences ROI selection?

Several factors can affect how competitive your ROI is:

Victoria does not publish a guaranteed invitation score. Your ROI should therefore reflect your current circumstances accurately, and you should check the official program website for changes to selection criteria.

Common Reasons an ROI May Not Be Selected

Eligibility and selection are two different stages. You can meet the requirements and still not be invited. Common reasons include:

1. A less competitive VPT score. Other applicants may have higher totals.

2. Occupation and industry priorities. Your occupation may be eligible but outside a priority industry, or others in your industry may score higher.

3. Limited nomination places. Victoria has 900 subclass 190 places for 2026–27, and its 491 allocation is not finalised.

4. Incorrect or outdated information. Errors in your EOI or ROI can affect assessment. Keep employment history, qualifications and English results accurate and consistent.

5. Not meeting a requirement. You may not be eligible for selection or approval if you miss a visa or nomination requirement.

6. Assuming 65 points guarantees nomination. The Australian points threshold is not the Victorian Points Test, and 65 points does not guarantee an invitation.

What should you do if your ROI is not selected?

Review your eligibility and the information submitted in your EOI and ROI. Check whether your circumstances have changed, whether your EOI needs updating and whether Victoria has announced new program arrangements.

For 2026–27, applicants who submitted an ROI in an earlier program year must submit a new ROI to qualify for consideration in the new program year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Victoria State Nomination