| Who runs it | The Victorian Government, through Live in Melbourne. |
|---|---|
| Visas | Skilled Nominated (190) and Skilled Work Regional (491). |
| First step | A SkillSelect EOI, then a Registration of Interest (ROI) with Victoria. |
| Selection | Victoria chooses ROIs based on its priorities. Lodging an ROI does not guarantee an invitation. |
| When | Victoria opens and closes the program based on its allocation for each program year. |
| Living requirement | Victoria sets its own requirements, which change. We check them for your situation before you apply. |
How the process works
- Get your foundations ready: a positive skills assessment, English test results and your points calculated.
- Lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect, selecting Victoria and the 190 or 491 visa.
- Lodge a Registration of Interest with Live in Melbourne while the program is open.
- If Victoria selects your ROI, you are invited to apply for nomination, usually with a deadline.
- Apply for nomination with your documents. Victoria assesses your application against its criteria.
- If you are nominated, you receive an invitation in SkillSelect and lodge your visa application with Home Affairs.
What Victoria looks at
Victoria does not publish a points cut-off. It selects candidates based on its economic and workforce priorities, which can change during the year. Priority areas have included health, social services, education, engineering, construction and technology. We check the current priorities for your occupation before you lodge an ROI.
Your points, your English, your experience in your occupation, whether you already live and work in Victoria and how closely your job matches your nominated occupation are all relevant.
The 190 and 491 in Victoria
A Victorian 190 is permanent and you can live anywhere in Victoria, including Melbourne. A Victorian 491 requires you to live, work and study in regional Victoria. Melbourne is not a regional area for migration purposes, but Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and other regional centres are.
How to prepare while you wait
- Keep your EOI up to date. Your points change when you have a birthday, gain experience or improve your English.
- Keep your documents current. Skills assessments and English tests have validity periods.
- Prepare a CV that matches your nominated occupation and shows any Victorian work.
- Watch for program updates. The window to apply after an invitation can be short.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live in Victoria to be nominated?
It depends on the visa and the current criteria, which change from year to year. Book a consultation and we will check your situation against the current criteria.
How long does it take to hear back after an ROI?
There is no set timeframe. Victoria selects ROIs throughout the program year, and many ROIs are never selected. An ROI is not an application, so it cannot be refused.
Is there a fee for Victorian nomination?
Victoria sets its own fees, which can change. We confirm any nomination fee when we prepare your ROI. You pay the Home Affairs visa application charge when you lodge your visa.
Can I lodge ROIs with more than one state?
Yes, if you meet each state's requirements. Make sure your commitment to each state is genuine.
Official sources
Updated October 2026. Visa rules, fees and processing times change often, so always check the official sources before you act.