If you have been waiting for Victoria state nomination to reopen, the wait is over — but the rules are different this year. Victoria reopened its Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) program in late October 2026. For the first time, you now pay a fee to register your interest. Victoria has also published exactly how it scores and ranks every applicant.
The biggest surprise for many people: any Registration of Interest (ROI) you lodged last year no longer counts. You need to lodge a new one.
This guide explains the changes in plain English, what it costs, and the steps to give yourself the best chance of an invitation. Your eligibility always depends on your own circumstances, so treat this as a starting point, not personal advice.
What is Victoria state nomination?
Victoria state nomination is when the Victorian Government nominates you for a skilled visa. A nomination adds 5 points (subclass 190) or 15 points (subclass 491) to your Home Affairs points score, and it is required before you can be invited to apply for those visas.
Victoria does not nominate everyone who applies. You lodge an ROI through the Live in Melbourne portal, Victoria ranks all ROIs, and only the highest-ranked people are invited to apply for nomination.
The two visas involved are:
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) — a permanent visa. You commit to living and working in Victoria.
- Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) — a provisional regional visa with a pathway to permanent residence.
For 2026–27, reports indicate only the subclass 190 program has opened. Victoria’s subclass 491 settings had not been confirmed at the time of writing.
What changed for Victoria state nomination in October 2026?
Four things changed. Here they are side by side.
| Area | 2025–26 | 2026–27 |
| ROI fee | No fee | $66 (incl. GST) / $60 (excl. GST) |
| Nomination application fee | No fee | $198 (incl. GST) / $180 (excl. GST) — only if invited |
| Old ROIs | — | Expired — new ROI required |
| How ROIs are ranked | — | Victorian Points Test (VPT) weightings published, max 950 points |
| Subclass 190 places | — | 900 places (reported) |
| Subclass 491 | — | Not yet open / settings to be confirmed |
| Program opened | — | ROIs reopened 26 October 2026 (reported) |
Sources: Live in Melbourne announcement as reported by Ethos Migration Lawyers (14 October 2026) and other registered practices. https://liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au/
1. Fees are now charged
The ROI fee is charged once per program year. If you withdraw an ROI and lodge again in the same year, you are not charged twice. The nomination fee only applies if Victoria invites you and you go on to apply. GST applies only if you are in Australia when you pay.
2. Old ROIs have expired
If you lodged a Victorian ROI in a previous program year, it will not be considered in 2026–27. Log in to Live in Melbourne and lodge a new one.
3. The Victorian Points Test is now public
This is the most useful change for applicants. You can now work out roughly where you stand before you pay anything.
4. Two ways to be invited
Victoria considers every ROI under two pathways:
- Most competitive — the highest VPT scores across all eligible occupations.
- Priority industry — the highest VPT scores within each priority industry.
For 2026–27, the priority industries are healthcare, social assistance, education (teachers and early childhood) and construction (professionals and trades). If your occupation sits outside these, you compete only in the “most competitive” pathway, so your score matters even more.
How does the Victorian Points Test work?
The Victorian Points Test (VPT) ranks applicants against each other. It does not decide visa eligibility. You still need at least 65 points on the Australian Government’s points test to be eligible for the visa itself.
There is no published pass mark. In each round, the highest VPT scores at that time are invited.
| Factor | Points available |
| Age | Up to 300 (ages 20–29 score highest; reduces each year from 30, down to 16 points at 44) |
| English language | Competent 0 · Proficient 100 · Superior 200 |
| Experience in your nominated occupation | Up to 100 (more than 8 years) |
| Educational qualification | Other 25 · Bachelor/Honours 50 · Masters 75 · PhD 100 |
| Occupation skill level | 50 if your occupation is skill level 1 |
| Partner’s skills | 50 if all conditions are met |
| Annual earnings from skilled work in Victoria | From $80,000; up to 150 points at $170,000+ |
| Maximum | 950 |
Partner points have three conditions. You must have claimed partner skills points in your SkillSelect EOI, your partner must be included in the visa application, and your partner’s occupation must be in a current priority industry.
What this means in practice. Age carries the most weight, and you cannot change it. English is the factor you can most often improve. Moving from Competent to Superior English adds 200 VPT points. If you are already working in Victoria on a good salary, your earnings now count as well.
Who is most affected by the 2026–27 Victoria changes?
- Anyone with an old Victorian ROI — you must lodge again.
- Skilled workers already in Victoria — the new earnings points may lift your ranking.
- Healthcare, social assistance, teaching and construction workers — you get a second pathway to an invitation.
- Applicants in other occupations — you need a strong VPT score, because you compete in one pathway only.
- Older applicants (late 30s and 40s) — age points drop quickly, so English and experience become more important. It may also be worth comparing other states or employer sponsorship.
How much does Victoria state nomination cost?
Here is a realistic breakdown of the costs involved. Government fees change, usually on 1 July, so check the current amounts before you pay.
| Cost item | Amount | Notes |
| Victorian ROI fee | $66 incl. GST ($60 excl.) | Once per program year |
| Victorian nomination application fee | $198 incl. GST ($180 excl.) | Only if invited and you apply |
| Skills assessment | Varies by skills assessment body | Must be valid when you apply |
| English test | Varies by test provider | Higher scores can add both Home Affairs and VPT points |
| Home Affairs visa application charge (subclass 190) | [CONFIRM — check current amount on the Home Affairs visa pricing estimator] | Indexed each 1 July; extra charges apply for family members |
| Health checks and police certificates | Varies by country | Requested during visa processing |
| AustraliaMigrate professional fees | https://www.australiamigrate.com/migration-agent-fees/ | Fixed-fee quote after a consultation |
From 1 October 2026, Home Affairs no longer adds a card surcharge when you pay a visa application charge by card (reported by registered practices; https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/).
How to apply for Victoria state nomination: step by step
- Check your occupation. Confirm it is on Victoria’s 2026–27 eligible occupation list on Live in Melbourne.
- Confirm you meet the basics. You need a valid skills assessment, competent English or better, and at least 65 points on the Home Affairs points test.
- Work out your VPT score. Use the table above to estimate your ranking. Look for points you can still gain.
- Lift your score where you can. Retaking an English test is often the fastest way to gain points.
- Update your SkillSelect EOI. Make sure every claim — age, experience, English, partner details — is accurate and can be proven.
- Lodge a new ROI on Live in Melbourne and pay the $66 fee.
- Wait for a round. Reports suggest Victoria plans regular rounds from November 2026. Victoria does not publish cut-off scores.
- If invited, apply for nomination within the time given and pay the $198 fee.
- If nominated, lodge your 190 visa application with Home Affairs when you receive your SkillSelect invitation.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming your old ROI still counts. It does not. Lodge a new one.
- Claiming points you cannot prove. Wrong claims in your EOI or ROI can lead to a refused nomination or visa. Every claim must be backed by documents.
- Letting your skills assessment or English test expire. Check the dates before you lodge.
- Claiming partner points without meeting all three conditions. Your partner’s occupation must be in a priority industry.
- Paying the fee before checking your occupation. The ROI fee is not a guarantee of an invitation.
- Relying on cut-off scores from social media. Victoria does not publish a cut-off. Rankings change every round.
- Ignoring other options. If your VPT score is low, compare other states, the subclass 189, or employer-sponsored pathways.
Not sure where you stand? Ian Singer (MARN 0001947) and the AustraliaMigrate team can review your points, your occupation and your best state options before you spend money on an ROI. Book a consultation.
Should you wait for Victoria or look at other states?
It depends on your score and occupation. Victoria has 900 subclass 190 places for 2026–27 (reported), and demand is high. Other states opened their programs at different times this year:
- Queensland published its 2026–27 program on 30 October 2026, with ROIs opening on 6 November 2026.
- South Australia reopened ROIs on 22 October 2026 for people living and working in South Australia whose visas expire by 31 January 2027 (reported).
- Tasmania opened on 17 August 2026 with 2,050 places.
Frequently asked questions
Is Victoria state nomination open for 2026–27?
Yes, for the subclass 190. Victoria reopened ROIs for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) on 26 October 2026, according to Registered Migration Agents. The subclass 491 program had not opened at the time of writing.
How many places does Victoria have for the 190 visa in 2026–27?
Victoria has been reported as having 900 subclass 190 nomination places for 2026–27. Check Live in Melbourne for any updates.
How much does a Victoria ROI cost?
A Victorian ROI costs $66 including GST ($60 if you pay from outside Australia). The nomination application fee is $198 including GST and is only paid if you are invited.
Do I need to lodge a new ROI for Victoria?
Yes. ROIs from earlier program years do not carry over. You must lodge a new ROI through Live in Melbourne to be considered in 2026–27.
What is a good Victorian Points Test score?
Victoria does not publish a pass mark or cut-off. The highest scores in each round are invited, and the maximum possible score is 950. A higher English score is often the quickest way to improve your ranking.
Which occupations are prioritised by Victoria in 2026–27?
Victoria’s priority industries for 2026–27 are healthcare, social assistance, education (teachers and early childhood) and construction (professionals and trades).
Does a Victorian ROI guarantee an invitation?
No. Lodging an ROI and paying the fee does not guarantee an invitation, nomination or visa. Outcomes depend on your individual circumstances and the number of places available.
Do I still need 65 points if Victoria nominates me?
Yes. You need at least 65 points on the Home Affairs points test, including the 5 nomination points for the subclass 190.
