Victoria’s 2026-27 Subclass 190 Visa Program Opens | Skilled Migration Update

The Victorian State Government has officially opened its Skilled Migration Visa Nomination Program for the 2026–27 program year, commencing selection processes for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). Victorian nomination provides an eligible applicant with a pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 190 visa, subject to meeting the relevant visa requirements

Victorian nomination provides eligible applicants with a pathway to permanent residence through the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). Nomination also attracts five additional points under the Commonwealth points test. However, receiving a nomination does not guarantee a visa grant, as applicants must still meet the relevant visa requirements and have their visa application approved by the Department of Home Affairs.

Applicants who intend to apply for State nomination must familiarise themselves with the new process and procedures that have been established for this round of nominations including how many places are available and what criteria need to be met to ensure they can be considered.

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If you are interested in getting more information about a visa, get in touch with Australian Migration Lawyers for a consultation.

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Victoria 2026-27 Subclass 190 Allocation Details

For the 2026–27 program year, the Commonwealth Government has provided Victoria with an allocation of 900 nomination places for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190).

The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent residence visa designed for eligible high-skilled professionals who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government. Applicants who receive Victorian nomination may apply for the Subclass 190 visa, provided they meet the relevant requirements and their visa application is approved."

Due to the limited allocation of 900 places for the current program year, competitive selection processes are applied to ensure that candidates possessing skills aligned with Victoria’s economic objectives are invited to apply.

Update on Victoria Subclass 491 Nomination Places

Nomination allocations for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) for the 2026–27 program year have not yet been finalised by the Victorian State Government.

Consequently, Registrations of Interest (ROIs) for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) are currently not being accepted. Further operational guidance regarding regional nomination places and opening dates will be published once the state government finalises its program parameters. Candidates seeking regional pathways should ensure their documentation remains up to date while awaiting formal program commencement.

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Expiry of Previous ROIs and Mandatory Re-submission

A critical requirement for all candidates in the 2026–27 program year is the complete reset of the candidate pool. All ROI’s submitted in previous program years have officially expired.

All candidates who had previously applied with an ROI, and wish to apply for Victorian Skilled Nomination (Subclass 190), must create a brand new ROI, using the Live in Melbourne Portal.

To lodge a valid ROI for the current program year, candidates must meet three essential criteria:

• Satisfy all current Victorian state nomination eligibility requirements.
• Maintain an active and up-to-date Expression of Interest (EOI) within the Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect system.
• Successfully submit a new Registration of Interest via the official Live in Melbourne portal.

Failing to submit a new ROI for 2026–27 will mean a candidate remains unconsidered during upcoming selection rounds, regardless of their submission history in former program years.

Selection Methodology and Victorian Points Test

Registrations of Interest are evaluated and ranked using the Victorian Points Test. Unlike general Department of Home Affairs scoring, state nomination assessment incorporates targeted state factors to determine candidate suitability.

Victoria ranks ROIs using the Victorian Points Test and considers priority industries when selecting candidates for invitation. The workforce characteristics such as candidate factors, earning potential and specialist skills will also be taken into account.

Candidates are advised to review the specific criteria under the Victorian Points Test prior to submitting their registration to ensure their profile reflects accurate points claims and workforce attributes.

Associated Government Fees and Charges

Victoria introduced fees for ROIs and nomination applications for the 2026–27 program year.

• Registration of Interest Fee: A service fee of $60 (excluding GST) applies upon submitting an ROI. If the applicant is physically located in Australia at the time payment is processed, Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% applies, bringing the total fee to $66. This ROI fee is charged once per program year.
• Nomination Application Fee: If a candidate receives an official invitation from Victoria, a formal nomination application fee of $180 (excluding GST) is payable. Standard GST rules apply if the applicant is onshore at the time of payment. This fee is payable strictly upon receiving an invitation to apply for state nomination.

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How We Can Support Your Visa Journey

Applying for Victorian nomination requires careful attention to eligibility requirements, selection criteria and the relevant application procedures. Our legal team at Australian Migration Lawyers is committed to ensuring that your EOI and state nomination application accurately represent your skills and increase your competitiveness for an invitation round.

We can assess your points score, review how your skills and employment align with Victoria's priority industries, and advise on your nomination strategy. We can also help prepare your visa application documents in advance so you are better positioned to proceed if your nomination is approved.

If you would like to understand more about Victoria’s skilled nomination program, and whether you meet the eligibility criteria outlined by the Victorian Government for 2026-27, contact our team at Australian Migration Lawyers today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still be selected for a Subclass 190 visa if I submitted an ROI last year?

No. ROIs submitted in previous program years have expired. You must submit a new ROI to be considered for the 2026–27 program.

Are Subclass 491 visa nominations open in Victoria for 2026–27?

No, nomination places for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) have not yet been finalised for the 2026–27 program year, and ROIs for this stream are currently closed. Updates will be provided by state authorities once allocations are confirmed.

Do GST charges apply to the Registration of Interest and nomination application fees?

Yes, a 10% GST applies to both the $60 ROI fee and the $180 state nomination fee if the applicant is physically located in Australia at the time of payment.

What is required before lodging a Victorian ROI?

Before submitting an ROI, you must submit or update your Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and meet Victoria's current nomination requirements.