Victoria State Nomination 2026–27: VPT Points, Priority Occupations and Fees for Subclass 190 and 491

On 13 October 2026, the Victorian Government published an update on its 2026–27 skilled visa nomination program. The announcement introduced Registration of Interest (ROI) and nomination application fees and provided further details about the Victorian Points Test (VPT), selection weightings and priority industries.

Applicants considering Victorian nomination for a subclass 190 or subclass 491 visa need to assess Australian Government visa eligibility, Victorian nomination requirements and their competitiveness within the ROI pool.

As checked on 15 October 2026, the Victorian Government website still states that the 2026–27 program will open soon. The opening date and complete eligibility criteria are awaiting further publication.

1. How does the VPT differ from the federal points test?

A SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) and a Victorian ROI serve different purposes. An EOI records an applicant’s interest in skilled migration and relevant claims, while an ROI expresses interest in Victorian state nomination.

The Australian Government points test has a minimum requirement of 65 points. Meeting this requirement does not guarantee an invitation from Victoria, and applicants must also meet the applicable visa and nomination requirements. The VPT ranks Victorian ROIs; it does not replace the federal points test.

The seven VPT factors

The 950-point total is the sum of the highest scores available under each factor. It is not an invitation threshold.

The VPT has no fixed pass mark. Invitations depend on the competitiveness of the pool in each round and the nomination places available. Victoria does not prioritise invitations because an applicant is approaching an age limit or the expiry of a visa or supporting document.

2. How are age and English assessed?

Age and English account for up to 500 points combined, more than half the theoretical total. Changes in these factors can therefore have a substantial effect on an applicant’s score.

Age points

Applicants aged 20–29 receive the highest age score of 300 points. Scores progressively decrease from age 30. However, age should be considered alongside the applicant’s complete profile.

English points

With all other factors unchanged, moving from Proficient to Superior English adds 100 VPT points.

For example, considering age and English alone, a 28-year-old applicant with Proficient English scores 400 points. A 35-year-old applicant with Superior English scores 410 points. This illustrates how one factor can offset another; it does not predict an invitation outcome.

The applicable English evidence, test requirements and validity periods should be checked separately.

3. How are work experience, qualifications and occupation skill level scored?

Experience in the nominated occupation

The VPT assesses experience in the nominated occupation, rather than automatically counting every year of employment. Duties, employment periods and supporting evidence should be checked before making a claim.

Published-table clarification: At the review date, the official table uses “More than 8 years” for the highest band and does not separately explain the treatment of exactly eight years. Applicants at this boundary should seek clarification from Victoria rather than assume a score.

Qualifications and occupation skill level

A Skill Level 1 occupation receives 50 points. Skill Level 2 and Skill Level 3 occupations receive zero points under this factor. Occupation skill level is a classification of the occupation; it cannot be determined solely by an applicant’s qualification or job title.

Further study should be considered in the context of career goals, costs and visa arrangements, rather than VPT points alone.

4. What are the earnings and partner skill requirements?

Annual earnings from current skilled employment in Victoria

The earnings factor offers up to 150 points. Published scoring starts at annual earnings of AUD80,000 and reaches the maximum at AUD170,000 or more.

This factor concerns current skilled employment in Victoria, rather than all personal income. Claims should be consistent with employment contracts, pay records and actual employment circumstances. The treatment of superannuation, bonuses, overtime and multiple jobs should be checked against the official earnings guidance.

Receiving no earnings points does not, by itself, establish that an applicant is ineligible. Eligibility must be checked against the complete requirements for the new program year.

Partner’s skill

The 50 partner skill points require all three conditions to be met:

1. The applicant has claimed 10 Partner Skills points in their SkillSelect EOI.
2. The partner will be included in the state nominated visa application.
3. The partner’s occupation is a current Victorian priority industry occupation.

Applicants who are single, have an Australian partner or do not meet all of these conditions receive zero VPT points for this factor. Federal partner-related points and VPT partner skill points must be assessed separately.

5. Which industries receive priority in 2026–27?

Victoria describes two selection approaches:

• Most competitive: ROIs with the highest VPT totals across all eligible occupations are invited.
• Priority industry: ROIs are selected by VPT ranking within designated priority industries or industry subgroups.

An ROI is considered under the applicable approaches after submission. A priority occupation does not guarantee an invitation, and a non-priority occupation is not automatically excluded from applying.

Priority status should be checked against the specific ANZSCO code, rather than the industry in which an employer operates.

Healthcare and social assistance

The healthcare list includes specified Registered Nurses, Midwives, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists, alongside various specialist doctors and other health professionals. Social assistance covers Clinical, Educational, Organisational and other Psychologists, as well as Social Workers and Welfare Workers.

Similar occupation names do not necessarily carry identical assessment requirements. Applicants should check their precise occupation and skills assessment.

Education and construction

The teachers subgroup includes Middle School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Special Needs Teachers and Special Education Teachers nec. Primary School Teacher is not among the currently published priority teacher entries; its application eligibility requires separate assessment.

The construction professionals subgroup includes Construction Project Manager, Surveyor, Geotechnical Engineer, Geophysicist, Hydrogeologist and Other Spatial Scientist. The trades subgroup covers specified occupations such as carpenters, electricians and plumbers, and also includes Motor Mechanic (General) and Automotive Electrician.

This is an overview. The complete occupation list is available on the official VPT page.

6. What should early childhood teachers know?

Victoria has a separate early childhood education subgroup for ANZSCO 241111, Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher.

ROIs will be prioritised where applicants have both:

• At least one year of relevant work experience; and
• Proficient or Superior English.

These are priority selection factors. They should not automatically be interpreted as universal requirements for submitting an early childhood teacher ROI, nor do they guarantee an invitation.

Applicants should separately check their qualification, skills assessment, relevant employment experience and nomination requirements. Those already working can prepare employment references, duty statements, pay records and employment dates to support consistent claims.

7. What are the ROI and nomination application fees?

The following fees apply to the 2026–27 program:

GST of 10% applies if the applicant is in Australia at the time of payment. The nomination application fee is payable only after an invitation, when a nomination application is submitted.

For an applicant in Australia who submits one ROI and later submits one nomination application following an invitation, these two fees total AUD264. Federal visa charges, skills assessments, English tests and other expenses are additional.

The ROI fee is charged once per program year. Withdrawing and submitting another ROI in the same program year does not attract another ROI fee. Applicants with an ROI from a previous year must submit a new ROI after the 2026–27 program opens to be considered for the new year.

8. How can applicants prepare before the program opens?

Applicants can use the following sequence to organise their preparation:

1. Confirm the nominated occupation, ANZSCO code, skill level and priority subgroup.
2. Check the validity of skills assessments, English results and other supporting documents.
3. Calculate federal EOI points and VPT points separately.
4. Organise qualifications, employment records, duties and earnings evidence.
5. Complete a final eligibility and procedural check against the requirements published when the program opens.

A useful assessment distinguishes eligibility from competitiveness. Eligibility determines whether an applicant can participate; competitiveness influences the prospect of being selected from the pool.

Plan your Victorian state nomination application

If you are considering Victorian nomination for a subclass 190 or 491 visa, contact  “Merchants Prosperity”  to discuss your age, nominated occupation, English level, qualifications, relevant experience and current employment. These details provide a starting point for reviewing preparation and potential options under the latest rules.