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Skilled Migration Melbourne & Victoria — Subclass 190 & 491 State Nomination 2026

If Melbourne is your target, Subclass 190 is your pathway — permanent residency with the right to live anywhere in Victoria including metropolitan Melbourne.

️ 🧮 Check My Eligibility

If you are open to regional Victoria, Subclass 491 requires a lower base points score and offers PR after three years. Most applicants miss out not because they lack qualifications, but because they misunderstand how Victoria’s ROI selection system actually works.

Victoria runs a two-step system: a federal EOI in SkillSelect, then a separate Registration of Interest through the Live in Melbourne portal. Submitting an ROI does not guarantee an invitation. Victoria selects ROIs competitively based on earnings, occupation, and profile strength — not queue position.

⚠ Program Status — Victoria 2025–26

(Last verified: May 2026)

Victoria's 2025–26 program is CLOSED to new ROIs as of 28 April 2026. Existing ROIs remain active and will be considered for remaining places.

Do not withdraw your ROI.

The 2026–27 program opening has not been announced — monitor liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au .

Use this time to ensure your skills assessment and English test stay valid.

Quick Visa Facts — Victoria 2025–26

CriteriaSubclass 190Subclass 491
Visa typePermanent residencyProvisional (5 yrs) → PR via Subclass 191
2025–26 places2,700700
Minimum points65 total (60 base + 5 nomination)65 total (50 base + 15 nomination)
AgeUnder 45 at nominationUnder 45 at nomination
EnglishCompetent (IELTS 6.0 each band) — 12 wks validityCompetent (IELTS 6.0 each band) — 12 wks validity
Onshore requirementLiving in VictoriaLiving in regional Victoria + skilled employment
OffshoreEligible — commit to VictoriaEligible — must relocate to regional Victoria
Employment neededNo (but earnings strengthen ROI)Yes — onshore applicants only
Nomination feeNilNil
Invitation roundsRolling — no fixed datesRolling — no fixed dates
ROI status (May 2026)Closed to new ROIsClosed to new ROIs

Melbourne vs Regional Victoria — Which Visa Applies to You?

The pathway you pursue depends on where in Victoria you want to live. Not all of Victoria is treated the same way under skilled migration rules.

CriteriaMetropolitan MelbourneRegional Victoria
Subclass 190✔ Eligible — live anywhere in Victoria✔ Eligible — live anywhere in Victoria
Subclass 491✗ Not eligible for metro Melbourne✔ Eligible — must live and work in regional area
Examples CBD, Fitzroy, St Kilda, Box Hill, Footscray Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Mornington Peninsula, Pakenham

🎯 Targeting Melbourne CBD or metro suburbs?

Subclass 190 is your only state nomination pathway. It grants permanent residency and the right to live anywhere in Victoria, including metropolitan Melbourne.

📍 Open to outer Melbourne or regional areas?

Some outer areas classified as regional for migration include Mornington Peninsula, Pakenham, and Geelong. These unlock the Subclass 491 pathway and its 15 nomination points.

Always verify your postcode at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before applying.

Victoria Skilled Visa Subclasses

Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated Visa

Permanent residency through Victorian nomination. Live and work anywhere in Victoria, including Melbourne, from day of grant.

Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated Visa

  • Onshore: Must be living in Victoria at time of ROI
  • Offshore: Eligible — demonstrate genuine commitment to Victoria
  • Employment: Not required, but claiming Victorian earnings in your ROI significantly strengthens selection
  • Fee: Nil

Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional Visa

Five-year provisional visa for regional Victoria — lower base points threshold, pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 191 after three years.

Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional Visa

  • Onshore: Must be in regional Victoria AND working for an employer physically located in a regional Victoria postcode — virtual offices do not qualify
  • Offshore: Eligible — must relocate to regional Victoria after grant
  • Employment: Mandatory for onshore applicants
  • Fee: Nil

Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent Visa

No state nomination required. Federal invitation only through SkillSelect — Victoria is not involved. Highly competitive. Best for applicants with a strong points score who do not want to rely on nomination.

Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent Visa

Compare Visa Types — 189, 190, 491

SubclassPR OutcomeNominationLocation FitPoints Test
189Direct PRNoneAustralia-wideFederal invitation
190Direct PRVictorian GovernmentMelbourne + all VictoriaYes — incl. 5 nomination pts
491Provisional → PR via 191Victorian regionalDesignated regional VictoriaYes — incl. 15 nomination pts
191PR (transition)Not applicableAfter 491 regional conditions metNo
887PR (legacy)Not applicableLegacy regional holdersNo

Eligibility Requirements — Victoria

You must satisfy both the Department of Home Affairs visa criteria AND Victoria’s nomination criteria. Meeting one without the other is not sufficient.

RequirementDetail
AgeUnder 45 at time of nomination
Points — Subclass 19065 total = 60 base + 5 nomination points
Points — Subclass 49165 total = 50 base + 15 nomination points
Skills assessment Valid, positive, occupation must match EOI — minimum 12 weeks validity at nomination
English language Competent English minimum (IELTS 6.0 each band) — minimum 12 weeks validity at nomination
Onshore location — 190 Must be living in Victoria — ROIs from other states not selected (minor border exceptions)
Onshore location — 491 Must be in regional Victoria AND in skilled employment with a physically-located Victorian employer
Offshore Eligible for both 190 and 491 — must demonstrate genuine commitment to Victoria
EOI + ROI Both required — EOI via SkillSelect, ROI via Live in Melbourne portal. ROI ≠ nomination. Submitting does not guarantee invitation.

How Victoria Ranks ROIs — What Actually Affects Selection

This is the section most competitors skip. Victoria does not select by queue. Selection is based on profile ranking across multiple factors.

FactorWhy it matters
Annual earnings in Victoria Claiming your Victorian earnings in the ROI is the strongest selection signal. Higher earnings = higher ranking. Employment does not need to be in your nominated occupation.
Occupation category Healthcare, education, construction, and ICT consistently receive priority. Your occupation affects whether you are selected at a lower points score.
Points score Higher scores rank you higher within your occupation group — but a 90-point applicant in a low-priority occupation may not beat an 80-point applicant in a priority sector.
Onshore vs offshore Applicants already living and working in Victoria demonstrate commitment — generally viewed more favourably.
Partner skills Partner skills assessment adds EOI points and strengthens your overall profile.
English above minimum Superior English (IELTS 8.0+) adds up to 20 EOI points — one of the most accessible profile improvements.
Document validity Skills assessment and English test must have 12+ weeks remaining at nomination. Near-expiry documents create processing risk.

How to Apply — Victoria State Nomination

  1. Check eligibility: Confirm you meet both DHA visa criteria and Victoria’s nomination criteria for your chosen subclass — two separate sets of requirements.
  2. Prepare documentation: Obtain a valid skills assessment and English test result. Ensure both have at least 12 weeks of validity remaining at the time you plan to submit your nomination application.
  3. Submit EOI in SkillSelect: Lodge or update your Expression of Interest. Select Victoria as your preferred state. Keep it current — an outdated EOI leaves points on the table.
  4. Submit Victorian ROI: Create an account on the Live in Melbourne portal and submit your ROI using your SkillSelect EOI number. Note: 2025–26 is closed to new ROIs as of 28 April 2026.
  5. Respond to invitation: If selected, submit your nomination application with supporting evidence through the portal. If nominated, lodge your visa application with the Department of Home Affairs.

Common Mistakes — Victoria Skilled Migration

⚠ Common Mistakes — Victoria Skilled Migration

Most mistakes happen in one of these areas:

Wrong visa pathway. Overestimated points. Weak ROI that undersells Victorian connection. Missing documentation validity requirements.

  • Assuming 65 points guarantees an invitation — it qualifies you for the pool, not a place in it
  • Not claiming Victorian earnings in the ROI — one of the most common and costly omissions for onshore applicants
  • Letting skills assessment or English test expire before nomination — Victoria will not proceed with less than 12 weeks validity
  • Submitting an ROI while living outside Victoria — not selected, with very limited border exceptions
  • Applying for 491 planning to live in metropolitan Melbourne — metro does not qualify for regional visa conditions
  • Not committing to Victoria — state nomination cannot be transferred. You are committing to Victoria, not using it as a stepping stone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Victoria accepts offshore applicants for both 190 and 491. No Victorian residency requirement before applying — you must demonstrate genuine commitment to settling in Victoria (190) or regional Victoria (491) after grant.

Yes. Your SkillSelect EOI enters the national pool. Your Victoria ROI enters Victoria’s selection pool. You need both. The ROI is not a nomination application — submitting does not guarantee selection.

Victoria’s 2025–26 program is closed to new ROIs as of 28 April 2026. Existing ROIs remain active. The 2026–27 program opening date has not been announced. Monitor liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au. Last verified: May 2026.

Not in standard metro Melbourne. The 491 requires living and working in a designated regional area. Some outer areas — Geelong, Mornington Peninsula, Pakenham — are classified as regional. Verify your specific postcode at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.

No. Employment is not required for 190 eligibility. However, if you are working in skilled employment for a physically-located Victorian employer, claiming your earnings in the ROI is a major selection advantage.

3,400 total for 2025–26 — 2,700 for Subclass 190 and 700 for Subclass 491. Second-largest allocation in Australia behind New South Wales.

No. Victoria conducts rolling rounds with no published dates. Selection is based on profile ranking, not when you submitted your ROI.

The minimum is 65 points including nomination points. In recent rounds, scores have ranged from 65 to over 100 depending on occupation. Being in a priority sector matters as much as your raw score. Speak with a registered migration agent before submitting.

Ready to Start Your Victoria Skilled Migration?

Whether you are checking your points, choosing between 189, 190, and 491, preparing your ROI, or waiting for the 2026–27 program — Visa Advisor can help you build a strategy that is realistic for your profile and avoids expensive mistakes.

No obligation. Registered migration agent. 100% confidential.

Disclaimer: Information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute migration advice. Visa requirements and state nomination criteria change regularly. Always verify current requirements at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au before making decisions. For advice specific to your circumstances, consult a registered migration agent. Visa Advisor Pty Ltd — MARA 0852408. Last reviewed: May 2026.