Victoria's 190 and 491 Visa Occupation Lists: Understanding State Nomination Requirements

Victoria's approach to skilled migration stands out among Australian states and territories for its unique focus on candidate quality rather than occupation-specific restrictions. This comprehensive guide examines Victoria's occupation requirements for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).

Victoria's Alignment with Federal Occupation Lists

Unlike some other states that maintain separate occupation lists with additional restrictions, Victoria generally follows the federal occupation lists established by the Department of Home Affairs. This creates a more straightforward pathway for skilled migrants whose occupations appear on these national lists.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, eligible skilled occupations for various visa programs are specified in legislative instruments. For the 190 and 491 visas, the relevant list is primarily the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), though occupations from other federal lists may also qualify.

No Victoria-Specific Occupation Restrictions

The Victorian state nomination program focuses on the overall quality of candidates rather than limiting nominations to specific occupations beyond federal requirements. As outlined on the Live in Melbourne website, the primary occupation-related requirement is:

"Have a valid Skills Assessment in an occupation on the eligible skilled occupation list for this visa."

This requirement simply references the federal lists without adding state-specific restrictions. This approach offers several advantages:

• Broader opportunity range for skilled migrants across various occupations

• Simplified eligibility assessment process

• Greater flexibility in responding to evolving workforce needs

• Focus on candidate quality rather than narrow occupation categories

Victoria's Selection Criteria Emphasis

Instead of restrictive occupation lists, Victoria emphasizes other factors in its selection process:

Candidate Quality Factors

Victoria's nomination process considers a candidate's overall profile, including:

• English language proficiency

• Work experience quality and relevance

• Educational qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to Victoria

• Potential contribution to the Victorian economy

Living and Working Requirements

While Victoria doesn't impose additional occupation restrictions, it does maintain location-specific requirements:

• Onshore applicants must be currently living in Victoria

• Offshore applicants must demonstrate commitment to settling in Victoria

• All applicants must intend to live and work in Victoria (or designated regional areas for 491 visa holders)

As detailed on the Victoria State Nomination page, these requirements ensure that nominees are genuinely committed to contributing to Victoria's economy and community.

Occupation Assessment Requirements

Though Victoria doesn't maintain separate occupation lists, all candidates must still meet the Department of Home Affairs' occupation requirements:

1. Your nominated occupation must appear on the appropriate federal list for your visa subclass

2. You must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority

3. Your skills assessment must be current at the time of application

4. Your nominated occupation must match your skills assessment and Expression of Interest

Victoria's Registration of Interest (ROI) Process

Victoria's unique approach to selecting candidates involves a Registration of Interest (ROI) system that evaluates various factors beyond just occupation:

Selection Factors

When selecting ROIs for invitation, Victoria considers:

• Current residence (Victoria prioritizes applicants already living in the state)

• Occupation demand in Victoria (though without published restriction lists)

• Overall points score

• Work experience quality and relevance to Victoria's economy

• English language ability

No Published Occupation Priority List

Unlike some states that publish priority occupation lists with regular updates, Victoria does not publish specific occupation priorities. This allows for:

• Flexibility in responding to changing labor market needs

• Consideration of each application on its individual merits

• Adaptation to emerging skill shortages without formal list updates

Case Study: Victoria's Approach in Practice

Sarah, a registered nurse with seven years of experience, initially considered several states for her 190 visa application. She found that:

• Some states strictly limited nursing nominations to specific specializations

• Other states imposed additional requirements like job offers or regional commitments

• Victoria considered her application based on her overall profile and skills assessment

For Sarah, Victoria's approach meant that her strong English scores, relevant experience, and commitment to the state were key factors in her successful nomination, rather than fitting into a narrowly defined occupation category.

Pros and Cons of Victoria's Approach

Advantages

• Wider range of eligible occupations compared to states with restrictive lists

• Focus on candidate quality rather than occupation category alone

• Flexibility to respond to labor market changes without formal list updates

• Consideration of the "whole candidate" including soft factors

Considerations

• Less predictability for applicants compared to states with published priority lists

• Stronger emphasis on other selection factors (location, experience quality)

• More competitive selection process across a broader applicant pool

• Importance of demonstrating genuine commitment to Victoria

Strategic Recommendations for Applicants

For candidates considering Victorian state nomination:

• Focus on building a strong overall profile rather than relying on occupation priority

• Demonstrate genuine commitment to living and working in Victoria

• Develop a compelling narrative about your potential contribution to Victoria

• Consider both 190 and 491 pathways based on your circumstances

• Prepare a high-quality ROI that highlights your relevant skills and experience

Conclusion

Victoria's approach to occupation requirements for 190 and 491 visas offers both simplicity and flexibility by aligning with federal occupation lists without adding state-specific restrictions. This focus on candidate quality rather than narrow occupation categories creates opportunities for skilled migrants across a wide range of professions.

For detailed information about the federal occupation lists, visit the Department of Home Affairs website. To understand Victoria's specific nomination requirements, explore the Skilled Nominated visa and Registration of Interest pages on the Live in Melbourne website.

NovenAI provides comprehensive analysis of state nomination pathways, helping you understand varying state requirements and optimize your application strategy.