Victoria is Australia's second-largest state nomination programme - and the only major state where nomination itself costs you nothing. With 3,400 skilled visa places allocated for 2025-26 and the most recent invitation round held on 15 January 2026, the next round could drop at any time. If you've been waiting for a deep dive into how Victoria's programme actually works, this is it.
Whether you're a nurse already working in Melbourne, a software developer considering a move from Sydney, or an offshore engineer targeting Australia for the first time, this guide covers Victoria's ROI system, priority sectors, selection factors, and the strategies that separate invited applicants from the rest.
VIC's 2025-26 Nomination Allocation
Victoria received 3,400 skilled visa nomination places for the 2025-26 programme year - the second-largest allocation in Australia behind New South Wales:
| Visa Subclass | Allocation | What It Offers |
|---|---|---|
| 190 - Skilled Nominated | 2,700 places | Permanent residency + 5 state nomination points |
| 491 - Skilled Work Regional | 700 places | Provisional visa (3 years in regional VIC → 191 PR) + 15 nomination points |
Victoria's invitation rounds are not on a fixed schedule - unlike SA's monthly rounds, VIC issues invitations when the programme is ready. The last round was 15 January 2026. Don't wait for an announcement to submit your ROI; have it lodged and up to date so you're in the pool when the next round runs.
How Victoria's ROI System Works
Victoria uses a Registration of Interest (ROI) system managed through the Live in Melbourne portal. This is the gateway to state nomination - you cannot be invited without an active ROI.
The Process
- Submit your EOI via SkillSelect (select Victoria as your preferred state)
- Submit your ROI via the Live in Melbourne portal
- Wait for an invitation - Victoria reviews the ROI pool and sends invitations during periodic rounds
- Apply for nomination - if invited, submit your nomination application (no nomination fee)
- Receive your visa invitation - if nominated, VIC sends a notification and SkillSelect issues your visa invitation
- Lodge your visa application - apply within 60 days of your visa invitation
If you submitted an ROI during the 2024-25 programme year, it remains valid for 2025-26. However, if your circumstances have changed (new job, updated skills assessment, different English score), you should submit an updated ROI to reflect your current profile.
What Victoria Looks for: Selection Factors
Victoria doesn't simply rank applicants by points score. The programme uses a holistic assessment that weighs multiple factors - and understanding these is the key to getting invited.
Priority Sectors
Applications from these industries receive preferential consideration:
| Priority Sector | Example Occupations |
|---|---|
| Health & Social Services | Registered nurses, medical practitioners, physiotherapists, social workers, aged care workers |
| Education | Early childhood teachers, secondary teachers, special education |
| Digital Technology & ICT | Software engineers, developer programmers, data analysts, cybersecurity specialists |
| Construction & Transport | Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, structural engineers, construction managers |
| New Energy & Emissions Reduction | Renewable energy engineers, environmental scientists |
| Medical Technologies & Pharmaceuticals | Biomedical engineers, medical laboratory scientists |
| Advanced Manufacturing | Mechanical engineers, quality assurance managers, food technologists |
| Hospitality & Tourism (491 only) | Chefs, hospitality managers (primarily for regional Victoria) |
Key Selection Factors Beyond Points
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Estimated annual earnings | VIC uses your current or expected salary as a proxy for labour market relevance. Higher earnings in a skilled role significantly strengthen your ROI |
| Australian skilled employment | Onshore applicants with current skilled work in Victoria are strongly favoured (~80% of January 2026 invitations went to onshore candidates) |
| English proficiency | Superior or Proficient English (IELTS 7-8+) gives a meaningful advantage |
| Partner points | A skilled partner with competent English adds to your overall profile strength |
| Occupation demand | Occupations in active shortage (nursing, construction trades, ICT) are prioritised regardless of points score |
The January 2026 round heavily favoured onshore applicants - approximately 80% of invitations went to candidates already living and working in Victoria. If you're currently in another Australian state, consider whether relocating to VIC before submitting your ROI could strengthen your case.
You can check if your occupation is on the skilled list to confirm your ANZSCO code and which skill lists it appears on.
Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | 190 - Skilled Nominated | 491 - Skilled Work Regional |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Under 45 at time of nomination | Under 45 at time of nomination |
| Skills assessment | Positive assessment from relevant authority | Positive assessment from relevant authority |
| English | Minimum Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) | Minimum Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) |
| Points | Minimum 65 (including +5 for 190 nomination) | Minimum 65 (including +15 for 491 nomination) |
| EOI | Active in SkillSelect with VIC as preferred state | Active in SkillSelect with VIC as preferred state |
| ROI | Submitted via Live in Melbourne portal | Submitted via Live in Melbourne portal |
| Commitment | Live and work in VIC for 2 years | Live, work, and study in regional VIC for 3 years |
Onshore vs Offshore Applicants
| Criteria | Onshore | Offshore |
|---|---|---|
| Residence | Must currently reside in Victoria | Must demonstrate commitment to move to VIC |
| Employment (190) | Skilled employment not mandatory but strongly recommended; include estimated earnings | Not required, but exceptional expertise in priority sectors is expected |
| Employment (491) | Must be living and working for an employer in regional Victoria | Must commit to living and working in regional VIC |
| Selection rate | ~80% of invitations (Jan 2026) | ~20% of invitations (highly competitive) |
Use the GSM Points Calculator to estimate your score and see whether the 190 (+5 points) or 491 (+15 points) pathway works best for your profile.
How Much Does It Cost?
One of Victoria's biggest advantages: the state nomination itself is free.
| Fee | Amount (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| VIC state nomination | Free | No charge for ROI submission or nomination application |
| Visa application fee (190 or 491) | $4,910 | Paid to the Department of Home Affairs (current as of July 2025) |
| Skills assessment | $500-$1,500 | Varies by assessing authority (e.g., ACS, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS) |
| English language test | $350-$500 | IELTS, PTE, OET, or TOEFL |
Fees are current as of March 2026 and are subject to change. The next fee adjustment is expected on 1 July 2026. Skills assessment costs vary significantly by occupation and assessing authority.
Compare this to other states: NSW charges $330 for nomination, SA charges $381, and Queensland charges $310. Victoria's zero nomination fee makes it one of the most cost-effective pathways.
190 vs 491: Which Should You Choose?
| Factor | 190 - Skilled Nominated | 491 - Skilled Work Regional |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent residency | Provisional (leads to 191 PR) |
| Nomination points | +5 | +15 |
| Location | Live and work anywhere in Victoria | Must live, work, and study in regional Victoria (Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, and others) |
| Commitment | 2 years in Victoria | 3 years in regional Australia |
| PR pathway | Immediate PR on grant | Apply for 191 after 3 years |
| Allocation | 2,700 places | 700 places |
| Competitive points | Typically 80-95+ | Typically 65-80 |
| Best for | Higher-scoring applicants already in Melbourne | Applicants who need the extra 15 points; those open to regional living |
For many applicants, the 491's extra 15 nomination points make it the more achievable pathway. If your base score (before nomination points) sits between 50 and 60 points, the 491 may be your only route to reaching the 65-point threshold.
State nomination requirements and occupation lists are subject to change. Victoria may update its priority sectors, selection criteria, or available streams at any time. Always confirm current availability with the Live in Melbourne portal before applying.
For more detail on how 190 and 491 compare nationally, see our 189 vs 190 vs 491 comparison guide.
Why Victoria Right Now?
With the 189 visa quota effectively exhausted for 2025-26, Victoria offers a compelling alternative - and in several ways, it's the strongest state nomination programme in the country:
- 3,400 places - the second-largest allocation after NSW
- Free nomination - no state nomination fee (unlike NSW, SA, or QLD)
- Broad priority sectors - health, education, ICT, construction, new energy, medtech, and advanced manufacturing
- Offshore applicants welcome - both 190 and 491 are open to overseas candidates
- ROI rolls over - your 2024-25 ROI remains valid, so you don't need to reapply if nothing has changed
- Melbourne's appeal - Australia's cultural capital with world-class healthcare, education, and tech ecosystems
Explore how VIC compares to other states in our state nomination comparison guide, or read our deep dive on the Victoria 491 regional pathway from Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo.
How First Migration Can Help
Navigating Victoria's state nomination system - from crafting a competitive ROI to optimising your points score and understanding which selection factors matter most - can be complex. At First Migration Service Centre, our registered migration agents specialise in skilled migration pathways and can guide you through every step of the process.
Ready to take the next step? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment so we can evaluate your eligibility for Victoria's state nomination and provide tailored advice on your best pathway forward.
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