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Victoria’s 2025-26 skilled visa nomination program is now open. The Victorian government has allocated 3,400 nomination places for skilled workers who want to live and work in Victoria through the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visa pathways.
If you’re planning to apply for Victoria state nomination, this guide explains everything you need to know about the application process, eligibility requirements, and how to maximise your chances of getting selected.
Victoria 2025-26 Allocation Overview
The Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs has allocated Victoria 3,400 places for the 2025-26 skilled visa nomination program.
The allocation is divided as follows:
- Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190): 2,700 places
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491): 700 places
This higher allocation for Subclass 190 shows strong opportunities for skilled professionals aiming to settle in metropolitan Victoria.
Understanding the Two Visa Pathways
Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated Visa
The Subclass 190 is a permanent residence visa that allows you to live and work anywhere in Victoria.
Key Benefits:
- Permanent visa from day one
- Live and work anywhere in Victoria (including Melbourne)
- Access to Medicare and social services
- Pathway to Australian citizenship
- Bring family members
Basic Requirements:
- Be under 45 years of age
- Have at least Competent English
- Hold a valid skills assessment
- Score a minimum of 65 points (including 5 state nomination points)
- Commit to living in Victoria for at least 2 years
Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional Visa
The Subclass 491 is a provisional visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Victoria.
Key Features:
- 5-year provisional visa
- Must live and work in designated regional areas of Victoria
- Pathway to permanent residence (Subclass 191) after 3 years
- Earn 15 nomination points (instead of 5 for Subclass 190)
Regional Victoria Areas: Some outer suburbs of Melbourne are considered regional, including Mornington Peninsula, Pakenham, and Geelong. Check the Department of Home Affairs designated regional areas list for complete details.
Who Can Apply for Victoria State Nomination?
Subclass 190 Eligibility
Onshore Applicants (Living in Australia):
- Must be currently living in Victoria
- No work requirement, but skilled employment in Victoria is a selection advantage
- Can claim annual earnings in ROI if employed in skilled work
Offshore Applicants (Living Overseas):
- Can apply from anywhere in the world
- Must commit to moving to Victoria upon visa grant
- Not required to claim earnings
Subclass 491 Eligibility
Who Can Apply:
- Offshore applicants (living overseas)
- Onshore applicants living and working in regional Victoria
Onshore Requirements:
- Must be living in regional Victoria
- Must be working in skilled employment
- Employer must be physically located in regional Victoria
- No minimum hours requirement
- Must provide annual earnings estimate
Offshore Requirements:
- Can apply from overseas
- Not required to claim earnings
- Must commit to living and working in regional Victoria
Victoria State Nomination Application Process
The Victoria nomination process involves five key steps:
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Make sure you meet all requirements for the visa you’re applying for.
Universal Requirements:
- Under 45 years of age
- Competent English minimum
- Valid skills assessment in an eligible occupation
- Minimum 65 points on the points test
- Skills assessment and English test valid for at least 12 weeks
Step 2: Submit Your EOI (Expression of Interest)
Submit or update your EOI through the Australian Government’s SkillSelect system.
Your EOI shows:
- Your nominated occupation
- Your points score
- Your personal details
- Your work experience
Step 3: Submit Your ROI (Registration of Interest)
After receiving your EOI number from SkillSelect, create an account on the Live in Melbourne portal and submit your ROI.
Important Notes:
- ROI is NOT a nomination application
- There’s no guarantee your ROI will be selected
- No processing timeframe for ROI selection
- If you submitted an ROI in 2024-25, it remains valid for 2025-26
Step 4: Wait for the invitation
Victoria selects ROIs based on several factors:
- Your occupation demand in Victoria
- Your points score
- Your annual earnings (if onshore and employed)
- English language ability
- Work experience in nominated occupation
Invitation rounds run throughout the year with no set dates.
Step 5: Submit Nomination Application
If your ROI is selected, you’ll receive an invitation to apply. You then have to submit a full nomination application with supporting documents through the Live in Melbourne portal.
Average Processing Time: 20 business days
Step 6: Submit Visa Application
If your nomination is approved, you must submit your visa application to the Department of Home Affairs within 60 days.
Required Documents for Nomination Application
When invited to apply, you’ll need to provide:
Basic Documents:
- Valid passport
- Evidence of Victorian residence (for onshore applicants)
Residence Evidence (Onshore Applicants):
- Bank statements (minimum 6 months)
- Rental or lease agreements
- Utility bills (gas, water, phone, internet)
- Driver’s licence or proof of age card
Employment Evidence (If Claiming Earnings):
- Employment contract
- Position description
- Recent payslips (at least 4 weeks)
- Superannuation statement
- Letter of offer
Points Needed for Victoria Nomination
Victoria uses a competitive selection process. While 65 points is the minimum, recent invitation rounds show higher scores are often needed.
Recent Trends (December 2025 Round):
- 65 points may work for select trade occupations like carpentry
- Most competitive occupations (nurses, teachers) require 80+ points
- About 85-90% of invitations go to onshore applicants
- Strong English scores (20 points) are common among successful applicants
How to Maximize Your Points:
- Achieve Superior English (20 points instead of 10)
- Gain Australian work experience
- Complete a Professional Year Program
- Consider partner skills points
- Get NAATI accreditation for community language
In-Demand Occupations for Victoria
Based on recent invitation rounds, priority occupations include:
Healthcare:
- Registered Nurses
- Aged Care Workers
- Medical Practitioners
Education:
- Secondary School Teachers
- Early Childhood Teachers
- Education Aides
Construction & Trades:
- Carpenters
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Construction project manager
IT & Engineering:
- Software Engineers
- ICT Business Analysts
- Civil Engineers
Check the skilled occupation list to confirm your occupation is eligible.
Common Reasons for Nomination Refusal
Your application may be refused for:
Eligibility Issues:
- Not meeting minimum requirements
- Expired skills assessment or English test
- Incorrect partner points claims
- Overestimated earnings
- Working in non-skilled employment
Documentation Problems:
- Insufficient evidence for claims
- False or misleading information
- Modified SkillSelect EOI after invitation
- Working for employer not in Victoria
Other Issues:
- Living in another state (for onshore 190 applicants)
- Not responding to information requests within 2 weeks
- Employer not physically located in Victoria/regional Victoria
If your application is refused, you cannot submit a new application for 6 months.
Important Things to Remember
No Nomination Fees: Victoria does not charge any fee for ROI or nomination. However, you’ll pay visa fees to the Department of Home Affairs when you lodge your visa application.
State Nomination is Not Transferable: If Victoria nominates you, you must commit to living and working in Victoria. You cannot transfer your nomination to another state.
Respond Quickly: If Victoria requests additional information, you have only 2 weeks to respond. Set up email alerts to avoid missing requests.
Don’t Modify Your EOI After Invitation: Any changes to your SkillSelect EOI after receiving an invitation can lead to nomination refusal.
Keep Documents Current: Your skills assessment and English test must have at least 12 weeks’ validity when you submit your nomination application.
What Happens After Nomination?
Once nominated, you must:
- Submit your visa application within 60 days
- Keep your contact details updated
- Complete surveys about your settlement experience
- Commit to living and working in Victoria for at least 2 years (190) or 3 years (491)
Victoria cannot nominate you again in 2025-26 if you don’t submit your visa application within 60 days or if your EOI information was incorrect.
Need Help with Victoria State Nomination?
Think Higher Consultants can help you with your Victoria state nomination application. Our MARA registered migration agents provide:
- Eligibility assessment for 190/491 visas
- Skills assessment assistance
- ROI and EOI preparation
- Document verification
- Application review and lodgment support
- Points calculator to check your score
Contact us today or complete our free online assessment to get started.
FAQs: Victoria State Nomination
Is 65 points enough for Victoria’s nomination in 2026? For some trade occupations like carpentry, 65 points may be sufficient. However, for healthcare, teaching, or community services occupations, you should aim for 80+ points to be competitive.
Do I need a job offer for the Victoria 190 nomination? No, you don’t need a job offer for Subclass 190. However, if you’re living in Victoria and working in skilled employment, claiming your earnings in your ROI gives you a selection advantage.
Can offshore applicants get a Victoria nomination? Yes, offshore applicants can apply for both 190 and 491. However, recent rounds show about 85-90% of invitations go to onshore applicants already working in Victoria.
What’s the difference between ROI and nomination application? An ROI is a Registration of Interest showing you want a Victoria nomination. It’s not an application. If your ROI is selected, you’ll be invited to submit a formal nomination application with documents.
How long does Victoria take to process nominations? The average processing time is 20 business days. However, this doesn’t include the time you might need to provide additional information if requested.
Can I apply for both 190 and 491? Yes, you can submit separate ROIs for both visa types if you meet the requirements for each.
Is there a fee for Victoria state nomination? No, Victoria doesn’t charge any fee for ROI or nomination. You only pay visa fees to the Department of Home Affairs when lodging your visa application.
What happens if my nomination is refused? If refused, you cannot submit a new application for 6 months. Make sure you meet all requirements and provide accurate information before applying.