Victoria Construction Trades Nomination 2026: 14 Trades Fast-Tracked for State Sponsorship

If you hold a trade qualification and have a positive skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), Victoria's priority sector status could be your fastest route to Australian permanent residency. Here's exactly what you need to know.

Which Construction Trades Are Prioritised?

Victoria has designated the following 14 occupations as priority construction trades for the 2025-26 program year:

ANZSCO Code	Occupation	Visa Lists
331211	Carpenter and Joiner	MLTSSL
331212	Carpenter	MLTSSL
331213	Joiner	MLTSSL
334111	Plumber (General)	MLTSSL
334112	Air Conditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber	MLTSSL
334115	Roof Plumber	MLTSSL
341111	Electrician (General)	MLTSSL
341112	Electrician (Special Class)	MLTSSL
333111	Glazier	MLTSSL
333211	Fibrous Plasterer	MLTSSL
333212	Solid Plasterer	MLTSSL
342211	Electrical Lines Worker	MLTSSL
342411	Cabler (Data and Telecommunications)	MLTSSL
394111	Cabinetmaker	MLTSSL

All 14 occupations are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which means they are eligible for the Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) visa - the direct pathway to permanent residency.

TIP

Not sure which ANZSCO code matches your trade? Use our ANZSCO Occupation Search tool to instantly check your occupation's eligibility across all skilled visa lists.

Victoria's 2025-26 Nomination Allocation

The Australian Government has allocated Victoria 3,400 nomination places for the 2025-26 program year:

Stream	Places	Visa Type
Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated)	2,700	Permanent residency
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional)	700	5-year provisional → 191 PR
Total	3,400

Construction trades sit within Victoria's priority sectors, meaning candidates in these occupations may receive invitations ahead of other applicants - even at lower points scores. Reports indicate that some trade occupations (such as Carpentry) have received invitations at the 65-point minimum, while most professional occupations require 80-85+ points.

How to Apply: The Two-Step Process

Victoria uses a Registration of Interest (ROI) system through the Live in Melbourne portal. The process works as follows:

Step 1: Submit Your SkillSelect EOI

Lodge an Expression of Interest via SkillSelect, selecting Victoria (VIC) as your preferred state. You must:

Score at least 65 points on the points test
Hold a valid skills assessment from TRA for your nominated occupation
Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation
Have at least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent in each band)

Step 2: Register on Live in Melbourne

Create an account on the Live in Melbourne portal and submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) using your SkillSelect EOI number. Victoria assesses ROIs and invites suitable candidates to formally apply for state nomination.

IMPORTANT

Victoria prioritises applicants who are already living and working in Victoria, particularly those employed in their nominated occupation. Offshore applicants may be considered for high-demand trades like carpentry and electrical work, but onshore applicants generally receive stronger consideration.

Skills Assessment: The TRA and JRP Pathway

Every construction trade on Victoria's priority list requires a skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA).

For Overseas-Qualified Tradespeople

If you qualified offshore, you will typically need:

Requirement	Detail
Formal training pathway	Relevant trade qualification + 3 years post-qualification experience
Experience-only pathway	6 years full-time employment without formal training
Recent employment	Min. 12 months in the last 3 years in your nominated trade

For Australian-Qualified Trade Graduates (JRP)

If you completed a trade qualification in Australia (Certificate III or IV from a CRICOS-registered RTO), you must complete the Job Ready Program (JRP) - a structured, 12+ month assessment process:

JRP Stage	What Happens	Approx. Cost
1. Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA)	Confirms your Australian qualification is genuine and relevant	~$500
2. Job Ready Employment (JRE)	12 months (1,725 hours) of paid employment in your trade	-
3. Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA)	On-site practical assessment at ~6 months	~$1,880
4. Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA)	Final document review confirming completion	~$1,160
Total JRP Cost		~$3,540

WARNING

The JRP takes a minimum of 12 calendar months and must be completed within 3 years of registration. Unpaid work and volunteering do not count towards the 1,725-hour requirement. Do not underestimate this - plan your timeline carefully.

Licensed Trades: Extra Steps in Victoria

Electricians and plumbers are licensed trades in Victoria. Even with a positive TRA assessment, you must obtain a state licence before you can legally work:

Electricians: Apply for a Supervised Worker's Licence from Energy Safe Victoria (ESV), complete Australian Context Gap Training, pass the Licensed Electrician's Assessment (LEA), and gain 12 months of supervised experience.
Plumbers: Contact the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) for licensing requirements, which include additional training and registration.

Visa Costs and Points Breakdown

Item	Cost (AUD)
Visa application fee (190 or 491)	$4,910
TRA skills assessment	~$300-$1,200 (varies by pathway)
JRP (if applicable)	~$3,540
English test (IELTS/PTE/OET)	~$400-$500
Health examination	~$400-$700
Police clearance	~$50-$200

Fees are current as of March 2026 and are subject to change. The next fee adjustment is expected on 1 July 2026.

Points Boost: 190 vs 491

Factor	190 Points	491 Points
State nomination bonus	+5	+15
Minimum to qualify	65	65
Typical competitive score	65-75 (trades)	65-70 (trades)

The +15 point bonus for Subclass 491 makes it particularly attractive for trade workers who may not reach the higher thresholds needed for 189 or 190. After 3 years of living and working in regional Victoria (Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and surrounds), you can transition to the Subclass 191 permanent visa.

Why Victoria? The Construction Labour Shortage

Victoria is in the middle of a massive infrastructure and housing boom. The Big Build program, suburban housing developments and population growth are driving unprecedented demand for skilled tradespeople. The state government has responded by classifying construction trades as a priority sector for state nomination - the same designation given to healthcare and IT.

This means:

Faster processing of ROIs for construction workers
Lower points thresholds - some trades invited at 65 points
Greater willingness to consider offshore applicants in acute shortage areas
Alignment with federal priorities - construction trades sit in SkillSelect's Tier 1 or Tier 2 invitation priority

State nomination requirements and occupation lists are subject to change. Please confirm current availability before applying.

For a broader overview of trade pathways at the national level - including 189 visa options - see our Trades & Construction PR Pathway 2026 guide. For the full Victoria state nomination program (covering all occupation sectors, not just construction), read our Victoria State Nomination 2026: Complete 190 & 491 Guide.

How First Migration Can Help

Navigating Victoria's nomination process, TRA skills assessments and the points system can be complex - especially when licensed trade requirements add extra steps. At First Migration Service Centre, our registered migration agents specialise in trade visa pathways and can guide you through every stage.

Ready to take the next step? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment so we can understand your situation and provide tailored advice on the best pathway for your trade.