Victoria State Sponsorship 2026–27: What skilled applicants need to know
Victoria’s 2026–27 skilled visa nomination program is expected to open soon for Registrations of Interest (ROIs). Applicants considering Victorian state nomination should prepare early for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) or the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
Victoria uses its Victorian Points Test (VPT) to rank ROIs and decide which candidates may be invited to apply for nomination. The VPT is separate from the Australian Government’s SkillSelect points test. A strong SkillSelect score does not automatically mean a high VPT ranking or an invitation from Victoria.
The Live in Melbourne website says the 2026–27 program will open soon and that further eligibility details will be published when it opens. The 2026–27 VPT selection factors and priority occupation information are already available. Check the official site again before lodging because program requirements, dates and selection settings can change.
What is Victorian state nomination?
State nomination is a state government’s support for a skilled visa application. It is not a visa in itself. Victoria selects eligible skilled migrants whose skills it considers valuable to the state, and nominated applicants must still apply to the Australian Government and meet the visa requirements.
The two Victorian skilled nomination pathways are:
- Subclass 190: a permanent skilled visa. State nomination adds 5 points to the applicant’s SkillSelect points test.
- Subclass 491: a provisional skilled regional visa, generally valid for five years. State nomination adds 15 points to the SkillSelect points test. Holders must meet the visa’s regional requirements and conditions. Check that the intended address is in a designated regional area; not every location in Victoria qualifies.
Both visas are points tested. Applicants generally need an eligible occupation, a suitable skills assessment, an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and an invitation to apply. Visa-specific requirements also apply, including age and English criteria. Confirm the current Department of Home Affairs rules for your occupation and visa subclass.
How the Victorian Points Test works in 2026–27
Victoria ranks ROIs using seven weighted factors:
| Factor | What Victoria considers |
|---|---|
| Age | Younger applicants receive a higher VPT score. The published table gives the highest score to applicants aged 20–29. |
| English | Competent English: 0; Proficient: 100; Superior: 200 VPT points. |
| Skilled work experience | Years of experience in the nominated occupation. More experience generally receives more VPT points. |
| Education | The highest listed category, a PhD, receives 100 VPT points; a master’s receives 75; bachelor’s or honours receives 50. |
| Occupation skill level | Skill Level 1 occupations receive 50 points; Skill Levels 2 and 3 receive 0. |
| Partner’s skill | 50 points may apply when the applicant claims 10 partner-skill points in SkillSelect, includes that partner in the visa application, and the partner’s occupation is in a current Victorian priority industry. |
| Victorian skilled earnings | Current skilled employment earnings in Victoria can attract points, starting at $80,000–$84,999 and increasing to 150 points for earnings of $170,000 or more. |
The published VPT table includes additional age, work experience and earnings bands. Check the official Victorian Points Test page and its earnings guidance before estimating your score. The data used for the VPT comes from both the SkillSelect EOI and the Victorian ROI, so the information in both records should be accurate and consistent.
VPT points are not SkillSelect points
The VPT is Victoria’s ranking tool for choosing ROIs. SkillSelect’s points test is the Commonwealth test for skilled visa eligibility and invitation. The two systems use different criteria and score ranges. For example, Proficient English is worth 10 SkillSelect points in the Commonwealth points test, but 100 points in Victoria’s published VPT. Do not add the two totals together or assume one score guarantees the other.
The VPT does not have a fixed pass mark. Victoria invites the highest-ranked ROIs available in a particular round, subject to the pool and places available. There is no guaranteed score that ensures an invitation.
Priority occupations and industries for Victoria in 2026–27
Applicants in eligible occupations can submit an ROI, but Victoria also runs a priority industry pathway. In each round, the highest-ranked ROIs may be selected across all eligible occupations, and the highest-ranked ROIs within each priority industry or subgroup may also be selected.
The 2026–27 published priority groups include:
- Healthcare: a broad range of medical specialists, registered nurses, allied health professionals and dental technicians.
- Social assistance: clinical, organisational and educational psychologists, social workers and welfare workers.
- Education: middle school, secondary, special needs and special education teachers, plus early childhood teachers.
- Construction: selected construction professionals and trades, including construction project managers, surveyors, geotechnical engineers, bricklayers, stonemasons, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, mechanics and related trades.
The list is occupation-specific, so a job title that sounds similar may not qualify. Check the ANZSCO code and the full current list on the official VPT page. For early childhood teachers, the page states that ROIs with at least one year of relevant work experience and Proficient or Superior English will be prioritised for invitation.
Being in a priority occupation can place an ROI in a priority selection group; it does not guarantee an invitation or nomination. Your VPT ranking and the competitiveness of the pool still matter.
How to apply for Victorian nomination
The general process is expected to involve these stages. Confirm the final 2026–27 instructions when the program opens:
- Check your occupation and visa pathway. Confirm that your occupation is eligible for the relevant subclass and assess whether the 190 or 491 pathway fits your circumstances.
- Arrange a suitable skills assessment and English evidence. Check that your assessment and test results will remain valid when required.
- Submit or update your SkillSelect EOI. Include the correct occupation, points claims, work history, English result and partner details. An EOI is not a visa application and does not give you a bridging visa.
- Submit a new Victorian ROI through Live in Melbourne. A previous year’s ROI does not carry forward. Applicants seeking consideration in 2026–27 must lodge a new ROI when the program opens.
- Wait for an invitation. Victoria ranks ROIs and conducts invitation rounds. The timing and outcome depend on the pool and available places.
- If invited, lodge the Victorian nomination application. Submit the required evidence and pay the nomination application fee within the invitation period.
- If Victoria approves the nomination, apply for the visa. The Department of Home Affairs makes the final visa decision.
An invitation to apply for nomination, a successful state nomination, and a visa grant are separate steps. None is guaranteed by submitting an ROI.
Victoria state nomination fees for 2026–27
Victoria has introduced fees for service for the 2026–27 program:
| Application | Excluding GST | Including GST if you are in Australia at payment |
|---|---|---|
| Registration of Interest | $60 | $66 |
| Subclass 190 nomination application | $180 | $198 |
| Subclass 491 nomination application | $180 | $198 |
The ROI fee is charged once per program year. If you withdraw and submit a new ROI in the same program year, you will not be charged a second ROI fee. A nomination application fee is payable only if you receive an invitation and submit a nomination application. The official fee information says fees are generally non-refundable, including where an ROI does not lead to an invitation.
The GST-inclusive fee applies when the applicant is in Australia at the time of payment. The Live in Melbourne application form calculates GST when completed. Review the official Victorian skilled migration fees page for payment and refund terms.
How to prepare for the 2026–27 Victorian nomination program
Use the time before the program opens to check the details that can affect both eligibility and ranking:
- Confirm your ANZSCO occupation and whether it appears on the relevant skilled occupation list and Victoria’s priority list, if applicable.
- Check your skills assessment authority, assessment outcome and expiry date.
- Consider whether a new English test could improve your SkillSelect eligibility and VPT ranking.
- Review your employment evidence and calculate relevant experience in your nominated occupation.
- Check whether your qualifications meet the required level and can be supported by documents.
- If relying on Victorian earnings, make sure the employment is skilled employment in Victoria and review the state’s earnings estimation guidance.
- Review your partner’s occupation, skills assessment and SkillSelect claims before including partner-skill points.
- Ensure your SkillSelect EOI and Victorian ROI information are consistent and supported by evidence.
- If considering subclass 491, check the regional status of the specific location where you intend to live and work.
- Monitor Live in Melbourne for the program opening date, detailed eligibility rules, invitation rounds and any revised requirements.
Do not rely on an old ROI or assume that you can edit it into the new program year. The state says applicants with a previous-year ROI must submit a new ROI to be considered in 2026–27.
Frequently asked questions about Victoria state sponsorship
When does Victoria’s 2026–27 nomination program open?
The Live in Melbourne website currently says the program will open soon. It has not published a specific opening date on the VPT page. Check the official website for the announcement before submitting an ROI.
Do I need to submit a new ROI for 2026–27?
Yes. Victoria says applicants who lodged an ROI in a previous program year and want to be considered in 2026–27 must submit a new ROI when the program opens.
Is there a minimum VPT score to receive an invitation?
No fixed pass mark is published. Victoria ranks ROIs and invites candidates based on their relative ranking in each round, including selection within priority industries. A high VPT score does not guarantee an invitation.
Does a priority occupation guarantee Victorian nomination?
No. A priority occupation may be considered through the priority industry pathway, but ROIs are still ranked and invitations depend on the pool and available places. Applicants must also meet the relevant visa and state nomination requirements.
Is the VPT the same as the SkillSelect points test?
No. The VPT is used by Victoria to rank ROIs. SkillSelect points are assessed under the Commonwealth visa process. They are separate calculations, and applicants need to meet the applicable requirements for both.
Can I apply for a 491 nomination if I want to live in Melbourne?
Subclass 491 is a regional visa with regional conditions. Check the Department’s designated regional areas list before choosing a location. Do not assume that every Victorian address, including locations near Melbourne, qualifies as regional.
Are the Victorian fees refundable if I am not invited?
The published fee terms say ROI and nomination application fees are generally non-refundable, including where an ROI does not receive an invitation. Check the official refund policy for the limited circumstances in which a refund may be available.
Get advice on your Victorian skilled visa options
A competitive Victorian ROI starts with a well-planned visa strategy: the right occupation, a properly supported SkillSelect EOI, accurate VPT information and a clear understanding of the 190 and 491 requirements.
Better Life Migration can assess your skilled migration profile, review your points claims and help you prepare for a Victorian nomination application. Contact us to discuss your circumstances and next steps.
Better Life Migration
📞 0415 419 414
🌐 betterlifemigration.com.au
This article is general information only, based on Victorian Government and Department of Home Affairs information available on 14 October 2026. Program dates, eligibility criteria, occupations and fees may change. Obtain advice about your own circumstances before acting.
