VIC Skilled Migration Report (June 2025): Top Jobs & Visa Trends

Victoria continues to be a top destination for skilled migrants, attracting talented professionals with its robust and diverse economy. The state and territory nomination program is an essential tool for the Australian Government to fill critical labour shortages and support economic growth. According to the Temporary Resident (Skilled) Report up to 30 June 2025, Victoria granted 15,890 primary skilled visa applications. This signifies a strong 31.8% increase compared to the previous year, demonstrating the state's continued reliance on skilled migrants.

The Victorian Government is strategically focused on attracting individuals who can contribute to key sectors, bolstering the state's new energy digital economy, healthcare systems, and infrastructure projects. This targeted approach creates substantial opportunities for skilled workers. However, the process is highly competitive, however, and a successful visa nomination application often requires an in-depth understanding of the specific eligibility requirements and ranking factors.

In-Demand Industry Sectors and Occupations

The June 2025 report provides a clear breakdown of visa grants by sponsor industry, highlighting the following industry sectors with the highest demand. These key industries collectively represent over 70% of all skilled nominations in Victoria, offering a clear guide for prospective applicants.

• Accommodation and Food Services: This sector saw a significant surge with 2,790 grants, a massive 147.4% increase.
• Other Services: This broad category accounted for 2,370 grants, up by 60.7%.
• Health Care and Social Assistance: Continuing to be a pillar of the Victorian economy, this sector had 2,240 grants, an increase of 3.0%.
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services: With 2,080 grants, this sector saw a 12.9% increase.
• Manufacturing: The manufacturing industry continues its steady growth, with 1,310 grants, an increase of 27.0%.
• Construction: The construction industry is experiencing an infrastructure boom in Victoria, reflected by 900 grants, an increase of 41.7%.

The Temporary Resident (Skilled) Report specifically identifies the occupations that received the highest number of visa grants. This list is invaluable for understanding where your skills are most sought after.

• Chef: With an impressive 1,950 grants, up 202.6%, chefs remain in extremely high demand, reflecting the boom in Victoria's hospitality sector.
• Motor Mechanic (General): A total of 670 grants, a 49.1% increase, showcases the continued need for skilled trades workers.
• Software Engineer: This occupation saw 480 grants, though this was a 10.6% decrease from the previous year, highlighting the competitive nature of the tech industry.
• Resident Medical Officer: With 390 grants, this role remains critical, despite a 15.7% decrease in grants compared to the last period.
• ICT Business Analyst: This occupation received 380 grants, an increase of 8.5%.
• Cafe or Restaurant Manager: There were 360 grants, a significant rise of 77.3%, underscoring the strength of the food services industry.

This breakdown confirms Victoria's high demand for skilled professionals across hospitality, healthcare, ICT, education, and various trades.

The Role of Designated Regional Areas in Victorian Migration

Many factors influence the success of a visa application, and for those seeking a skilled work regional provisional visa, location is a key consideration. All of Victoria is considered regional for migration purposes except for the Melbourne metropolitan area. This is a crucial distinction for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) visa and can significantly impact your eligibility. The Victorian Government aims to distribute skilled labour across the state to support border communities and drive economic growth in all areas.

Diversity in Victoria’s Skilled Migration Intake

Victoria's skilled migration program draws talent from all over the world. The Temporary Resident (Skilled) Report highlights the top citizenship countries for visa grants.

• India: Leading with 3,960 grants, a 59.7% increase.
• Philippines: A strong 1,790 grants, representing a 4.1% decrease.
• United Kingdom: With 1,330 grants, a 6.6% decrease.
• Ireland: 840 grants, an increase of 8.4%.
• Nepal: A remarkable 830 grants, demonstrating a 232.8% increase.

This global diversity is a testament to Victoria's appeal as a professional and cultural hub, enriching the local economy and community.

Key Skilled Visa Pathways in Victoria

Choosing the right skilled visa stream is a crucial step for prospective applicants. The primary pathways for skilled migrants seeking to live and work in Victoria are:

Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa

This is a permanent visa that requires a nomination from the Victorian Government. To be eligible, your nominated occupation must be on the relevant list, and you must meet all other criteria, including a valid skills assessment and competent English language proficiency. The Australian Government's points test then assesses your overall profile based on factors like age, education, and work experience to determine your eligibility.

Australian Migration Lawyers can provide expert guidance on your eligibility and help you navigate the points test and nomination process. We can also assist you with preparing and submitting a robust Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Home Affairs.

Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

This provisional visa, valid for five years, is for skilled workers who are willing to live and work in designated regional areas of Victoria. It offers a clear pathway to permanent residence or permanent residency after meeting specific requirements. This is an excellent option for those seeking opportunities outside of Melbourne. It is also important to note that you can receive additional points on the Australian Government’s points test for being nominated for a Subclass 491 visa.

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Understanding the Skills Assessment and EOI Process

A valid skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority is a core requirement for both visa subclasses. It verifies that your skills and qualifications meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation. After securing a positive skills assessment, you must submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) to the Victorian Government and an EOI via the Australian Government's SkillSelect system.

You might be wondering about the difference between a Registration of Interest and an Expression of Interest. An ROI is an initial step specific to the Victorian program, whereas an EOI is the official Australian Government mechanism used to gather information about potential skilled migrants. The Victorian Government will review your ROI and, if successful, will invite you to apply for their state nomination. You must submit your nomination application within a specific timeframe.

Navigating Victoria's Highly Competitive Skilled Visa Nomination Programme

The Victorian skilled visa nomination program is highly competitive, and securing a spot requires careful preparation. The Victorian Government considers various ranking factors when selecting candidates for a visa invitation. These include your nominated occupation, your skilled employment experience, and your annual earnings. Providing an accurate estimate of your annual earnings in your ROI is a crucial step.

From our experience, we have seen that applicants with employment in health, social services, education, and the new energy digital economy are often prioritised. The Department of Home Affairs also considers your English language level and your education level. The entire nomination process is a strategic one, and you must submit a strong application for a Victorian visa.

A successful nomination for a skilled visa is about more than just points. It requires a detailed, well-documented application that highlights your specific contributions to Victoria's key sectors. The Victorian skilled visa nomination process is dynamic, with the criteria and in-demand occupations changing based on the economic needs of the state.

The Temporary Graduate Visa and Skilled Work Regional Pathways

The Temporary Graduate visa is often a crucial first step for many onshore applicants who wish to transition to a skilled visa. This visa subclass allows international students to live, study, and work in Australia for a temporary period. During this time, they can gain the minimum work experience or skilled employment required to be eligible for a skilled nominated visa or a skilled work regional provisional visa. For those who complete their studies in regional Victoria, this pathway is particularly effective.

The Subclass 491 visa is specifically designed for skilled workers who are willing to live and work in regional Victoria. This regional provisional visa subclass offers an incentive for individuals to settle outside of major cities, supporting balanced population growth. To be eligible for this skilled work regional pathway, your employer must be physically located in a regional area. It is important to note that working remotely for a company in a non-regional area, or working from a virtual office or proxy office, does not meet the Home Affairs requirement for this visa stream. Skilled employment includes work that is full-time or part-time, as long as it aligns with your nominated occupation.

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Another avenue for skilled migrants is the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. This subclass 491 visa is a significant step towards permanent residency. You gain 15 points on the Australian Government's points test for securing a skilled work regional provisional nomination, which can be a game-changer for many applicants. The provisional visa subclass 491 allows you to stay in Australia for up to five years. After holding the regional provisional visa subclass for three years, you may be eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191). This pathway to permanent residency is an attractive option for skilled workers who want to establish a life in a regional part of Australia.

To be eligible for the provisional visa subclass 491, you must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements. You must also have a valid and positive skills assessment, be under 45 years of age, and have at least competent English language skills. Your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect must meet the minimum points threshold, which is currently 65 points. The Victorian Government will consider your EOI and ROI along with other onshore candidates and those who are living overseas. They may also select ROIs from a wider range of occupations than the priority list on a case-by-case basis. The nomination places are limited, so it is crucial to make sure you have all your documents ready before submitting your application.

The Role of Skilled Employment in Your Application

Your skilled employment is a critical component of your application. While some nominations for skilled visa streams do not require prior work experience in Victoria, demonstrating that you have worked in your nominated occupation or a related field can significantly improve your chances. When you submit your Registration of Interest to the Victorian Government, you will be asked to provide an estimated annual earnings figure. This is one of the key ROI ranking factors used to assess your application. Skilled employment can include any role that is at a skill level of 1, 2, or 3 according to the ANZSCO classification.

It is vital to provide accurate information when you submit or update your EOI and ROI. Any discrepancies between the information provided and the evidence you later submit could result in a refusal. The Department of Home Affairs and the Victorian Government work together to ensure the integrity of the visa application process. For this reason, it is always best to be truthful and provide detailed, verifiable documentation to support your claims.

For those who are in Australia, it is important to remember that there are no case-by-case exceptions to the rule about living and working in regional Victoria for the subclass 491 visa. You must meet the requirements as they are set out by the Department of Home Affairs and the Victorian Government.

Further Information and Professional Guidance

Navigating the complexities of Australia's skilled migration framework can be challenging. The Victorian skilled visa nomination process involves multiple steps, including submitting an EOI, a ROI, a nomination application, and finally, a visa application with the Department of Home Affairs. There are other requirements you must meet, such as health and character checks, as well as providing certified documents.

If you are a student on a temporary graduate visa, you may have different requirements than an experienced professional living overseas. The Victorian nomination process is designed to select the most suitable candidates who can contribute to the state's economic and social development.

For personalised assistance with confirming your eligibility, preparing a robust EOI, or maximising your points for a Victorian state nomination, it is highly recommended to consult with an experienced migration professional. At Australian Migration Lawyers, our team is dedicated to providing clear, legally accurate advice, helping you navigate every step of your visa application journey with confidence.

Contact Australian Migration Lawyers today for tailored support on your Victorian skilled visa nomination and take the next crucial step towards building your future in Australia.