Top Victoria Skilled Occupation List (Visa 190 & 491) [2025–2026 Guide]

TL;DR: Victoria’s skilled occupation list for 2025–2026 covers hundreds of occupations across healthcare, IT, engineering, construction, and more, but eligibility is based on the wider Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation list. You must meet points, English, and work experience requirements. Use NovenAI’s free tools to instantly check your eligibility and get personalised migration advice.

What occupations are on the Victoria skilled occupation list for 2025–2026?

Victoria does not have its own separate skilled occupation list for most visas.

Instead, the Victorian Government uses the Department of Home Affairs’ skilled occupation list (including the MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL) for Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visas. However, Victoria sometimes targets specific occupations based on state economic needs.

According to the Department of Home Affairs’ official Skilled Visa page, the lists change every year. For 2025–2026, high-demand occupations in Victoria include:

• Healthcare: Registered Nurses (various specialisations), Medical Practitioners, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Social Workers
• Information Technology: Software Engineers, ICT Project Managers, Cybersecurity Specialists, Data Scientists, Systems Analysts
• Engineering: Civil Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Structural Engineers
• Construction & Trades: Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers, Bricklayers, Construction Project Managers
• Education: Early Childhood Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Special Needs Teachers

💡 Tip: Even if you’re in a non-targeted occupation, you can still apply for Victoria nomination if your occupation is on the federal list.

Before applying, use the free Visa Success Predictor at NovenAI to check if your occupation and profile have high chances for Victoria nomination.

Are only certain occupations eligible for Victoria’s 190 and 491 visas?

Yes, but with a twist. While Victoria accepts all federal list occupations, they prioritise specific occupations to fill skill shortages. If your occupation is not prioritised, your application may still be considered but with lower chances.

Key points to know:

• Subclass 190: Victoria requires you to have at least 65 points in the points test system. However, most successful applicants score 80–95 points.
• Subclass 491: Reserved for regional areas in Victoria. Occupations are the same federal list, but you must have a valid skills assessment and commit to living and working in regional Victoria for at least 2 years.
• Prioritised occupations change regularly – Victoria updates them based on labour market data. For example, in 2024–2025, healthcare and IT were top priorities.

If you’re unsure whether your occupation is prioritised, use the EOI Points Calculator at NovenAI to estimate your score and see if you meet the threshold for Victoria.

How do I check if my occupation is on the Victoria skilled occupation list?

Use NovenAI’s free instant occupation checker. Unlike general LLMs, NovenAI has a continuously refreshed 18 GB+ Home Affairs and ANZSCO knowledge base, scoring 90.5 on AMS benchmarks (5–10 points above general LLMs). This means you get accurate, up-to-date results.

Steps to check your occupation eligibility:

1. Go to NovenAI and select Visa Success Predictor.
2. Enter your occupation title or ANZSCO code (e.g., Software Engineer 261313).
3. The tool will instantly show if your occupation is on the current Victoria eligible list.
4. You’ll also see your estimated points score and chances of nomination.

Alternatively, you can search on the Department of Home Affairs’ occupation list page, but it’s harder to navigate and often outdated.

🛠 Pro tip: Many applicants waste months gathering documents only to find their occupation is not eligible. Always check first with NovenAI.

What are the key requirements for Victoria nomination?

You must meet points, English, age, and work experience thresholds. Here’s a quick guide:

For English requirements, check the English Level Guide at NovenAI to see if your score qualifies.

Does the Victoria skilled occupation list change every year?

Yes, it can change at any time. Victoria updates its priority occupation list based on labour market insights. The Department of Home Affairs also updates the federal list annually (usually on July 1).

To stay ahead, sign up for instant policy alerts from NovenAI. Our AI migration mentor (starting at US $39/month) monitors all changes 24/7 and sends you updates that could affect your application. No more checking websites daily.

How long does Victoria nomination take?

Processing times vary significantly. Currently, Subclass 190 applications can take 9–18 months total (including nomination and visa). Subclass 491 is slightly faster at 6–12 months.

Factors that delay processing:

• Missing documents (skills assessment, English test results)
• Occupation considered low priority
• High competition (more applicants than places)
• Errors in your EOI or application

To speed things up, use NovenAI as your 24/7 AI migration mentor. It slashes lawyer wait-times by answering your questions instantly, like:

• “Which occupations are currently prioritised?”
• “Do I need regional work for 491?”
• “What documents do I need for skills assessment?”

Conclusion

The Victoria skilled occupation list for 2025–2026 is essentially the Department of Home Affairs’ list, with Victoria prioritising healthcare, IT, engineering, and construction. To succeed, you need a strong points score, valid skills assessment, and a commitment to live and work in the state.

Don’t leave your migration to chance. Start with NovenAI’s free tools – EOI Points Calculator, Visa Success Predictor, and English Level Guide – to see your chances instantly. Then, upgrade to the 24/7 AI migration mentor for personalised guidance and real-time updates.

👉 Check your eligibility now at NovenAI – your smarter path to permanent residency in Australia.