As people think about moving to Australia, cities like Melbourne always pop into one’s mind—and rightly so. With its lively café culture, thriving employment opportunities, breathtaking landscapes, and enviable standard of living, Victoria (where Melbourne is located) continues to be a drawcard for skilled professionals all over the globe.

But if you’re considering seriously coming to live and work in Victoria, you’ve probably heard of the Victoria Skilled Visa Nomination Program. It’s a real opportunity for skilled workers with the right experience and abilities to make the long-term move to one of the most livable areas of Australia. Here’s this guide, which breaks the program down in simple, down-to-earth terms-notices, nothing but the facts you need set out clearly.

What is the Victoria Skilled Visa Nomination Program?

Short answer: it’s a scheme by which Victoria nominates skilled migrants for visas to Australia. The idea is that Victoria selects suitable candidates for the state’s labor force, especially where there are jobs to fill. When you’re chosen, the state tips the balance in your favor in applying for visas in Australia’s points-based system.

There are two main visas that fall under this program:

 Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa: This is a permanent visa that allows you to live and work anywhere in Victoria.

 Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa: It is a provisional visa, but you can use it as a ticket to permanent residence if you meet certain conditions. You must work and live in a regional Victorian area (excluding Melbourne). If you have the skills, the experience, and the language competence—and your employer needs you—this program may open the doors to a fresh life in Victoria.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

To qualify to apply for Victorian state nomination, you need to meet several of both the Australian government’s immigration needs and Victoria’s individual requirements. Here is the way that breaks down:

Federal (National) Requirements

 These are set out by the Department of Home Affairs:

 You need to be below 45 years old

 You need to have a favourable skills assessment by an accredited body in your field of employment

 You must score at least 65 points on the points test

 You must meet the English language requirement (usually IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)

 You must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and await an invitation

Victoria’s State Requirements

Victoria also has a requirement of its own:

 You must submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) on the Live in Melbourne website

 Your job needs to be in one of Victoria’s target industries

 Usually, onshore applicants already need to be living in Victoria

 You need to have appropriately relevant experience and qualifications

 If seeking the 190 visa, you need to commit to residing in Victoria for at least two years

In short then: comply with national regulations, position your career where Victoria needs you, and demonstrate that you are seriously intending to live and make a contribution there.

What are Victoria’s Target Industries?

Every year, the Victorian government assesses its economic requirements and determines target sectors. These are the sectors where there is strong demand for skills.

Following are the industries that tend to feature on the list:

 Healthcare – Doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, aged care staff

 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) – Software engineers,

cybersecurity specialists, systems analysts

 Engineering – Civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, etc.

 Education – Secondary level teachers in the field of STEM

 Science and Research – Specifically those involved in medical or climate research

 Construction and Infrastructure – All the way from project managers to surveyors

 Agriculture and Environment – Sustainability experts, agronomists, etc.

 Hospitality and Tourism – Particularly for hospitality or tourism jobs in regional Victoria Being employed in one of these sectors increases your chances alot.

But don’t forget—demand varies, so always glance at the most up-to-date info first before you apply.

How the Application Process Works (Step-by-Step)

The process seems scary at first, but if you know what each step does, it becomes simpler to work with. That’s how it normally goes:

1. Skills Assessment

First things first, have your qualifications and work experience evaluated by the proper authority for your occupation (e.g., Engineers Australia, AITSL for teachers, etc.). Without that, you can’t proceed.

2. Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI)

This is completed through SkillSelect, the online system of the Australian government. You will need to enter your points score, occupation, and other details.

3. Register Your Interest with Victoria

This is Victoria-specific. Apply for an ROI on the Live in Melbourne website and make it very clear whether you are applying for subclass 190 or 491.

4. Wait for an Invitation

If Victoria is keen on your profile, they will invite you to lodge a state nomination application. This is competitive, so it might take a while—or not occur at all if your occupation is not in high demand at the time.

5. Lodge Nomination

Now you will upload all your documents: ID, skills assessment, resume, work references, employment contracts, etc. Be precise and be truthful.

6. Get the Nomination

After Victoria has signed off your nomination, then you can lodge your actual visa at the Department of Home Affairs. This is where the formal visa process actually commences.

Benefits of Being Sponsored by Victoria

Besides getting closer to your Australian dream, state nomination offers a ton of advantages:

 Federal priority processing

 Subclass 190 gives you permanent residency immediately

 Subclass 491 provides a pathway to PR as long as you reside outside metropolitan areas for three years

 You can bring your family along—partner and children too.

 Free work, residency, and studying in Victoria

 Access to Medicare and public education for your children (if on PR) For some, this’s not a change of job—it’s an upgrade of life.

Some Challenges to Be Mindful Of

This path is attractive, but with challenges:

 It’s competitive. Thousands of good migrants apply every year, especially in popular professions like IT and healthcare.

 The target list changes. What is required one year may not be the next.

 491 visa holders must live regionally. Geelong, Ballarat, or Bendigo—not Melbourne.

 Onshore applicants must often have proof of employment. Working in your profession of choice in Victoria can be hugely in your favour. Prepared—and well-informed—is the key to coming out ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I apply from overseas?

Yes, you can. Offshore candidates are encouraged—particularly if your vocation is in demand. With that being said, preference usually goes to individuals already living in and working in Victoria.

2. What’s the big difference between 190 and 491?

The 190 is a permanent visa. The 491 is provisional and requires you to remain in regional Victoria for three years prior to applying for PR.

3. How long does the nomination process take?

It takes 8 to 12 weeks, but this varies depending on your application’s complexity and how busy the system is.

4. Do I need a job in Victoria to apply?

Not technically, but having a job offer or current employment in Victoria certainly helps—especially for onshore applicants. It shows commitment and local contribution.

5. Can I submit applications to several states simultaneously?

You can lodge EOI for various states in SkillSelect. You cannot, however, lodge more than one ROI in Victoria, and you can only accept one nomination.

6. What if I relocate to another state after receiving the visa?

That’s risky. If you’re nominated by Victoria, you’re expected to live and work there—especially for the first two years (190) or the full regional period (491). Leaving too soon may impact future visa chances or breach your visa conditions.

7. Is there a fee for the state nomination?

Nope—Victoria doesn’t charge any nomination fee. But the visa itself does have a federal application fee through the Department of Home Affairs.

Last Words: Worth It?

As a qualified professional looking for stability, development, and a new life, Victoria’s Skilled Visa Nomination Program is definitely worth considering very seriously. It’s well thought out, targeted, and designed to bring in the real talent where it’s most required.

Yes, it is a competitive and sometimes protracted process. And yes, policies do change. But for many, this has been the first step toward building a new life in a state famous for opportunity, culture, and community.

If you’re ready, matched to Victoria’s workforce needs, and really committed to making it home—you’re well-placed to succeed.