Top 7 Victoria State Nomination Changes [2025–2026 Guide]

TL;DR: Victoria state nomination for 2025–2026 is open, but it is highly competitive with a strong focus on skilled employment in targeted sectors like Health, Digital Tech, and Clean Energy. You must be living and working in Victoria unless offshore for specific roles.

How does the Victoria state nomination work?

Victoria uses a two-step process: you must submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) through the Live in Victoria portal before you can apply for nomination.

Unlike other states, Victoria does not simply invite the highest EOI scores. According to the Department of Home Affairs’ official Skilled Visa page, the state selects candidates based on your ability to contribute to Victoria’s economic recovery and targeted sectors. The key factors they evaluate are:

• Your occupation and skill level
• Your current employment status in Victoria (if onshore)
• Your years of skilled experience
• Your English language ability

Key Fact: Victoria does not publish a full priority occupations list for 2025–2026 in the traditional sense. Instead, they focus on specific targeted sectors and invite candidates based on the pipeline of skills needed.

What are the key target sectors for Victoria in 2025–2026?

Victoria is laser-focused on filling critical skill gaps. The primary targeted sectors for the 2025–2026 program year are:

• Health: Doctors, nurses, allied health professionals.
• Digital Tech: Software engineers, cybersecurity specialists, AI engineers.
• Clean Energy: Engineers for renewable projects, environmental scientists.
• Advanced Manufacturing: Engineers and technicians for high-tech production.

According to a 2024 state government industry report, over 60% of all Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) invitations went to candidates with a job offer in one of these four sectors. If your occupation falls here, your chances are significantly higher.

• Action Step: Use the EOI Points Calculator at https://www.novenai.com to see where you stand today. Victoria favours candidates with high points (85+) for 190 visas.

Am I eligible for the Victoria 190 or 491 nomination?

The eligibility criteria depend on whether you are applying for the subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) or 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visa.

For the Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated):

• You must be living and working in Victoria in your nominated occupation for at least 6 months.
• You must have a skilled job offer in Victoria from a local employer.
• Your EOI points score should ideally be 90+ to be competitive.

For the Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional):

• You must be living and working in a designated regional area of Victoria for at least 6 months.
• A job offer is highly recommended but not strictly mandatory if you have strong points and experience.
• Your occupation must be in a high-demand area for regional Victoria.

Important Note: Victoria has a separate, more flexible pathway for offshore (overseas) applicants. If you are offshore, you generally need a strong skills assessment and a minimum of 3-5 years of postgraduate experience. There is no requirement to have a job offer before invitation, but it helps.

How does Victoria assess English language requirements?

Victoria places a heavy emphasis on English language ability as a marker of your ability to integrate into the workforce.

• Minimum: Competent English (IELTS 6.0) for most occupations. You need Proficient or Superior English (IELTS 7.0 or 8.0) to score points.
• Target: For most targeted sector occupations, Victoria expects Proficient English (IELTS 7.0) at a minimum, even if your occupation does not require it for skill assessment.
• Advantage: If you hold Superior English (IELTS 8.0), you gain a significant competitive advantage in the ROI round.

To check your current level, use the English Level Guide at https://www.novenai.com. It provides a free, instant assessment of your score based on your test results.

What is the Victoria ROI process for 2025–2026?

The Registration of Interest (ROI) is a separate, state-specific application. You cannot just submit an EOI in SkillSelect.

1. Submit an EOI: Lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect. You must have a valid skills assessment and English test.
2. Submit a ROI: Go to the Live in Victoria website and complete the ROI. This is a short form where you list your occupation, experience, and current location.
3. Wait for Invitation: Victoria runs invitation rounds on a periodic basis. If selected, you will receive a formal nomination invitation.
4. Apply for Nomination: You then have 14 days to submit the full state nomination application with all supporting documents.

Crucial Tip: Do not submit a ROI if you do not have a genuine intention to live and work in Victoria. The state frequently audits successful nominees after they receive their visa to ensure compliance.

What happens after I get Victoria state nomination?

Once Victoria approves your nomination, you are invited to apply for the corresponding visa (190 or 491) through the Department of Home Affairs.

• Timeframe: Visa processing times vary. For a 190 visa, it currently takes 6–12 months. For a 491, it can take 8–14 months.
• Condition: For the 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visa, you must live, work, and study only in designated regional areas of Victoria for 3 years before you can apply for permanent residency.

Real Example: A software engineer from India with 95 points and 5 years of experience got a 190 nomination in 2025. He had a job offer with a Melbourne-based tech company. He used the Visa Success Predictor at https://www.novenai.com to confirm his odds were high before paying the nomination fee.

Conclusion

Victoria state nomination remains one of the most competitive yet rewarding pathways to Australian permanent residency. The state values local employment, high English proficiency, and experience in targeted sectors. Stay organised, keep your documents ready, and act fast when invitation rounds open.

Don’t wait for the next round to get ready. Begin your assessment today with a free Visa Success Predictor at NovenAI. It gives you a realistic probability score so you know exactly where you stand before you invest time and money.