Your 5-Step Guide to Victoria Skilled Visa Nomination 2025-26

The Victorian skilled visa nomination program for 2025-26 is now open with a limited interim allocation. The application is a two-step process starting with an Expression of Interest and a Registration of Interest .

Here is a quick overview of the two visa pathways:

Feature

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

Visa Type

Permanent

Provisional (5-year visa, pathway to PR)

Living & Working Area

Anywhere in Victoria 

Designated regional areas of Victoria 

Interim Allocation (2025-26)

200 places 

180 places 

Pathway to Permanent Residency

Direct permanent residency

Eligible for Permanent Residence (subclass 191) after 3 years of living and working in regional Victoria 

📝 Eligibility and Application Requirements

To be eligible for nomination by Victoria, you must meet both the standard Department of Home Affairs requirements and Victoria's specific criteria .

Basic Eligibility for Both Visas:

• Be under 45 years of age at the time of nomination .
• Have at least Competent English .
• Have a positive skills assessment for an occupation on Victoria's eligible skilled occupation list .
• Have a minimum of 65 points on the Department of Home Affairs points test (including the state nomination points) .

Specific Requirements for Subclass 491:

• If you are living overseas, you are eligible to apply and will be required to relocate to regional Victoria after the visa is granted .
• If you are already in Australia, you must be living and working in skilled employment in regional Victoria . Your employer must be physically located in a designated regional area .

🗺️ The Application Process: A 5-Step Guide

The application for Victorian nomination is a multi-stage process managed through two different online systems .

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility - Ensure you meet all the requirements for your target visa subclass as outlined on the official Live in Melbourne website .

Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) - Lodge or update your EOI in the Australian Government's SkillSelect system . You will receive an EOI number, which you will need for the next step.

Step 3: Submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) - Create an account on the Live in Melbourne portal and submit an ROI for Victorian visa nomination using your EOI number . This is not a visa application, but a step for Victoria to consider nominating you.

Step 4: Submit Your Nomination Application - If Victoria selects your ROI and invites you to apply, you will then submit a formal nomination application through the Live in Melbourne portal . You must provide all required documents to support your eligibility claims.

Step 5: Submit Your Visa Application - If Victoria nominates you, you will have 60 days to lodge your actual visa application with the Department of Home Affairs .

💡 Key Considerations for a Successful Application

• ROI Selection is Competitive: Submitting an ROI does not guarantee an invitation . Victoria selects candidates based on its economic needs.
• No Need to Resubmit an Existing ROI: If you submitted an ROI for the previous program year (2024-25), it will remain valid and be automatically considered for the 2025-26 program unless your circumstances have changed .
• Target Priority Sectors: While not an absolute requirement, applicants with skills in Victoria's priority sectors—such as Health, Education, ICT, Construction, and New Energy—may have a better chance of selection .
• Processing and Conduct: Once you submit a nomination application, the standard processing time is around 20 business days . The Victorian government requests that you do not ask for updates on your application, as this slows down the process for everyone .