Key Highlights of Victoria's 2026–27 Migration Program
Victoria's 2026–27 program introduces significant operational updates, including the first-ever application fees and the full implementation of the Victorian Points Test (VPT). Note that previous program ROIs are not carried over; a fresh 2026–27 ROI is mandatory.
| Category | Latest Update |
|---|---|
| Subclass 190 Nomination | Open |
| Available Nomination Places | 900 places |
| Subclass 491 Nomination | Not Yet Open (Allocation pending confirmation) |
| Registration of Interest Fee | AUD 60 (excluding GST) — charged once per program year |
| Nomination Application Fee | AUD 180 (excluding GST) — payable only if invited |
| Selection Method | Victorian Points Test (VPT) |
| Previous Program ROIs | Not carried over — fresh 2026–27 ROI required |
New Nomination Fees & GST Note
This is the first year Victoria has charged nomination fees; previous program years were free. A 10% GST applies when the applicant is in Australia at the time of payment (AUD 66 for the ROI and AUD 198 for the nomination application). Offshore applicants paying from India pay GST-free (AUD 60 and AUD 180).
What Is the Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa?
The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a points-tested permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government.
- Live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.
- Include eligible family members (spouse and dependent children) in the application.
- Access Medicare (Australia's national healthcare scheme) and social security benefits.
- Apply for Australian citizenship once standard residency criteria are met.
- Applicants nominated by Victoria must demonstrate a genuine commitment to living and working in Victoria.
New Selection System: Victorian Points Test (VPT)
For 2026–27, Victoria ranks every Registration of Interest using the Victorian Points Test (VPT), which is separate from the Australian Government's federal SkillSelect points test. The VPT evaluates candidates across seven key scoring dimensions:
| Selection Factor | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 18 / 19 | 265 / 282 |
| Age | 20–29 | 300 |
| Age | 30 / 32 / 35 | 286 / 256 / 210 |
| Age | 37 / 40 / 42 / 44 | 180 / 136 / 76 / 16 |
| English language proficiency | Competent | 0 |
| English language proficiency | Proficient | 100 |
| English language proficiency | Superior | 200 |
| Experience in nominated occupation | 1 year | 20 |
| Experience in nominated occupation | 2–3 years | 40 |
| Experience in nominated occupation | 4–5 years | 60 |
| Experience in nominated occupation | 6–7 years | 80 |
| Experience in nominated occupation | More than 8 years | 100 |
| Education | Other qualification | 25 |
| Education | Bachelor's / Honours | 50 |
| Education | Master's degree | 75 |
| Education | PhD / Doctorate | 100 |
| Occupation skill level | Skill Level 1 (Managerial / Professional) | 50 |
| Occupation skill level | Skill Level 2 or 3 | 0 |
| Partner's skills | Partner points claimed in EOI, partner included & in priority occupation | 50 |
| Victorian earnings (onshore only) | AUD 80,000 to AUD 170,000+ | 8 to 150 |
Why English Matters Most for Applicants from India
The earnings factor applies only to applicants living and working in skilled jobs inside Victoria. For offshore applicants applying from India, ranking depends entirely on age, English, experience, education, occupation skill level, and partner skills. English carries the single most controllable weight. Moving from Competent (0) to Superior (200) English is worth 200 points — double a PhD (100) and far wider than the age gap between 29 (300) and 37 (180). Securing Superior English (PTE 79+ or IELTS 8.0) is the fastest way to maximise your VPT ranking.
How Invitations Are Issued
The VPT has no fixed minimum pass mark. Victoria issues invitations in regular rounds through two distinct ranking routes:
- Most competitive route: Highest overall VPT totals across all eligible ANZSCO occupations.
- Priority industry route: Highest VPT totals within each targeted priority industry sector.
- Federal requirement: Candidates must still achieve at least 65 points on the Australian Government's SkillSelect points test (including the 5 points automatically awarded for state nomination).
Priority Industries and Occupations for Victoria 2026–27
Victoria has identified four key industry sectors to address acute workforce shortages across the state:
1. Healthcare
- Registered Nurses (all specialisations), Midwives and Nurse Practitioners
- Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists
- Medical Diagnostic Radiographers and Sonographers
- Optometrists, Hospital Pharmacists and Audiologists
- Medical Specialists, Surgeons, Psychiatrists and Pathologists
- Dental Technicians
2. Education
- Teachers subgroup: Middle School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Special Needs Teachers and Special Education Teachers
- Early Childhood subgroup: Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers — ROIs with at least one year of relevant experience and Proficient or Superior English will be prioritised
3. Social Assistance
- Social Workers and Welfare Workers
- Clinical, Educational and Organisational Psychologists
4. Construction (Professionals and Trades)
- Construction Professionals subgroup: Construction Project Managers, Surveyors, Geotechnical Engineers and Hydrogeologists
- Construction Trades subgroup: Carpenters and Joiners, Electricians, Plumbers, Bricklayers, Motor Mechanics, Metal Fabricators, Wall and Floor Tilers and Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics
Important Note on Priority Occupations
Priority occupation status improves consideration in targeted industry rounds, but it does not guarantee an invitation. Eligible occupations outside these industries remain eligible and are actively considered under Victoria's most-competitive selection rounds.
Can Offshore Applicants Apply from India?
Yes. Skilled professionals living outside Australia can be nominated for Victoria's subclass 190 visa, provided they satisfy all core eligibility conditions:
- Under 45 years of age at the time of nomination.
- Hold a valid positive skills assessment in an eligible nominated ANZSCO occupation.
- Demonstrate at least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band or PTE 50+).
- Score a minimum of 65 SkillSelect points (including 5 points for Victorian nomination).
- Submit a valid SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) selecting Victoria.
- Submit a fresh 2026–27 Victorian Registration of Interest (ROI).
- Demonstrate a genuine commitment to living and working in Victoria.
- Offshore applicants do not need to claim Victorian earnings in their ROI.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Victoria 190 Nomination
Follow this 6-step roadmap to submit a compliant ROI and secure Victorian state nomination:
- 1. Check eligibility: Verify that your occupation, skills assessment, English score and SkillSelect points meet all statutory criteria.
- 2. Submit or update your SkillSelect EOI: Lodge or refresh your EOI on the Department of Home Affairs' SkillSelect portal.
- 3. Submit your Victorian ROI: Register on the Live in Melbourne portal using your EOI number and pay the AUD 60 ROI fee.
- 4. Wait for selection: Victoria ranks ROIs using the VPT and issues invitations in regular rounds.
- 5. Apply for state nomination: If invited, lodge your formal nomination application with complete documentation and the AUD 180 fee within the designated timeframe.
- 6. Lodge your visa application: Upon nomination approval, Home Affairs issues an official invitation. You then have 60 days to lodge your subclass 190 visa application.
What About Victoria Subclass 491?
Victoria's Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) program is not yet open for new Registrations of Interest. The Victorian Government has confirmed that its 2026–27 subclass 491 nomination allocation has not been finalised by the federal government. Candidates targeting regional Victoria should prepare their skills assessment and English results now and monitor official announcements.
Get Your Australia PR Eligibility Assessed
With an allocation of only 900 places for subclass 190, competition will be rigorous. At MovesEdu Immigration, we guide skilled professionals through comprehensive preliminary evaluations:
- ANZSCO occupation code selection and skills assessment authority mapping
- Comprehensive Australian PR points and Victorian Points Test (VPT) calculation
- Strategic English retake benchmarks (targeting +200 VPT points)
- Subclass 189, 190, and 491 pathway alignment
- Document readiness check before paying non-refundable ROI fees
MovesEdu Immigration Pvt. Ltd.
SCO 445–446, Level 2, Sector 35-C, Chandigarh Email: vb@movesco.in | WhatsApp: +91 98151-67726 | Web: movesco.in Official Government Sources: Victoria 2026–27 Skilled Visa Nomination Program · Victorian Points Test (Live in Melbourne) · Registration of Interest · Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) requirements · Victorian Nomination Fees. Disclaimer: State nomination is competitive and subject to eligibility, available allocations and government selection decisions. Submitting an ROI does not guarantee an invitation, nomination or visa grant. Information is current as of 26 October 2026. MovesEdu Immigration is an independent consultancy and is not affiliated with the Australian Government.
This article is general information about publicly announced policy, not personal migration advice. Requirements change — confirm current criteria with the Department of Home Affairs or IRCC, or speak with us about your specific profile.
