The state government of Victoria has opened a new opportunity for skilled migrants to be considered for state nomination under the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491). The program invites interested candidates to lodge a Registration of Interest (ROI) while final allocations from the federal government are still being confirmed.
What you need to know
The nomination program is open for both Subclass 190 (permanent) and Subclass 491 (provisional, regional) streams.
- Victoria has been given full allocation of 3,400 nomination places, including 2,700 for Subclass 190 and 700 for Subclass 491.
To be considered for nomination by Victoria, you must first lodge or update an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the SkillSelect system and then submit an ROI through the Live in Melbourne portal using your EOI number.
Victoria conducted the latest invitation round on 18 November 2025.
Although Victoria does not publish a specific priority occupation list for this round, each ROI is ranked and assessed based on key criteria including:
age
English language proficiency
years of work experience in the nominated occupation
educational level
the skill level of the occupation
partner’s skills (if applicable)
for onshore applicants, salary in Victoria.
If any information in your ROI changes (such as the visa subclass you’re targeting, your claimed earnings, partner’s skills or your EOI number), you must withdraw your ROI and re-submit a new one. Doing so does not negatively impact your ranking or selection chances.
For onshore applicants currently working remotely: if you claim earnings, the employer must be physically located in Victoria. Remote work for an employer based in another Australian state or territory will not be accepted.
Why this matters
Being nominated by Victoria increases your chance of receiving an invitation to apply for the visa, and potentially obtaining a permanent residency pathway (in the case of Subclass 190) or a provisional visa with regional residence commitment (in the case of Subclass 491).
The fact that Victoria is already accepting ROIs means you can begin the submission process now—giving you a head start ahead of full quota allocations and potential competition later in the year.
Tips for maximising your chances
Ensure your SkillSelect EOI is accurate and up-to-date before submitting the ROI. Any discrepancy between your EOI and ROI data may impact your eligibility or invite.
Prepare evidence for your claims: especially if you are claiming onshore salary, make sure you can document employment contract, payslips and superannuation statements (if required).
Make sure your occupation is correctly assessed and at the relevant skill level, and ensure your points-claim (age, English, experience, etc) is as strong as possible.
If you are working remotely, double-check that your employer is physically in Victoria before claiming you are working in Victoria.
Monitor the Live in Melbourne portal and your email regularly—if you are selected you will be invited to submit a nomination application through the portal.
Even though the full quota for the year may not yet be confirmed, act early because the number of places is limited and the competition tends to rise once the full allocations are publicised.
Final summary
If you’re considering migrating to Australia as a skilled worker and are open to settling in Victoria, now is a good time to begin. By submitting an ROI for state nomination, you position yourself for selection by Victoria, which can significantly strengthen your visa application under subclasses 190 or 491. Make sure your documentation, EOI and ROI are aligned, accurate, and reflect your best profile.
Source: https://liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au/migrate/skilled-migration-visas