Victoria Skilled Migration 2026–27: What to know before you submit your ROI

Victoria's 2026–27 Skilled Visa Nomination Program is about to open, and it will not work the way it did last year. For the first time, applicants will pay to register their interest. Every ROI will be ranked on a published 950-point scale, and ROIs from previous years will not carry over.

If you plan to seek Victorian nomination for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) or the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), the rules of the race have changed. Success now depends less on being first in line. It depends more on submitting a profile that is accurate, well-evidenced and competitive from day one.

The 2026–27 changes briefly

• New ROI and nomination fees Applicants will pay $60 to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) and a separate $180 to apply for subclass 190 or subclass 491 nomination if invited. All fees exclude GST.
• Previous ROIs will not carry over Applicants must submit a new ROI for the 2026–27 program, even if they registered in an earlier program year.
• A new Victorian Points Test Each ROI will receive a Victorian Points Test (VPT) score out of 950 and be ranked against other applicants in the pool.
• No fixed pass mark There is no minimum VPT score that guarantees an invitation. Selection depends on an applicant’s ranking relative to others in the relevant invitation round.
• Two invitation pathways Victoria will select the highest-ranking applicants across the overall pool, alongside the highest-ranking applicants within each priority industry.
• Four priority industries The priority industries for 2026–27 are healthcare, social assistance, education and construction.
• No priority for personal deadlines An approaching visa expiry, expiring documents or an upcoming age milestone will not give an applicant priority for selection.

Victorian nomination is no longer free

Until now, Victoria was one of the few states that charged no fees to register an ROI or apply for nomination. From 2026–27, the following fees will apply:

• Registration of Interest (ROI): AUD $60
• Subclass 190 nomination application: AUD $180
• Subclass 491 nomination application: AUD $180

Three details are worth knowing:

• GST depends on where you are. The 10% GST applies only if you are in Australia when you pay.
• You pay the nomination fee only if invited. It is charged when you lodge a nomination application after receiving an invitation.
• The ROI fee is once per program year. If you withdraw and resubmit an ROI within the same year, you will not be charged again. A new program year starts a new fee cycle.

Victoria expects every ROI to be a considered, serious application.

Your old ROI will not carry over

This is the change most likely to catch people out. If you lodged an ROI in a previous program year, it will not be transferred into 2026–27. To be considered this year, you must log in to the Live in Melbourne portal and submit a new ROI once the program opens.

People who have been waiting in last year's pool should not assume they are still in the queue. Everyone starts again, and everyone is ranked under the new system.

The Victorian Points Test: a second scorecard

Many applicants focus only on reaching 65 points. In Victoria, that is just the entry ticket. Two separate points systems now apply:

Put simply, SkillSelect points get you into the race. VPT points decide where you finish.

Seven factors, weighted very differently

Your VPT total combines information from your SkillSelect EOI and your Victorian ROI. Victoria states that the test favours younger, highly qualified applicants with stronger English.

The weighting matters. Moving from Competent to Superior English is worth 200 points, more than most applicants can gain from any other single change. For a full breakdown of every scoring band, see our detailed guide to the Victorian Points Test.

There is no magic number

Unlike SkillSelect, the VPT has no fixed pass mark. Invitations go to the highest-ranked ROIs in each round, so the score you need depends on who else is in the pool at that moment. Victoria has also confirmed it cannot tell applicants how their score compares with others. An invitation, or a successful nomination, is never guaranteed.

Two ways to be invited

Applicants in all eligible occupations can submit an ROI, and every ROI is considered for both pathways automatically.

1. Most competitive. In each invitation round, Victoria invites the ROIs with the highest VPT totals across all eligible occupations in the pool.
2. Priority industry. Victoria also invites the highest-scoring ROIs within each priority industry or subgroup. Here, you compete mainly with others in your own field rather than with the whole pool.

The 2026–27 priority industries

For early childhood teachers, Victoria will prioritise ROIs with at least one year of relevant experience and Proficient or Superior English.

A priority occupation improves your chances, but it is not a shortcut. Your ROI must still rank well against others in the same industry.

Time pressure will not move you up the list

Victoria has stated that it cannot prioritise invitations based on personal circumstances. An approaching birthday, an expiring visa, or a skills assessment or English test about to lapse will not earn special treatment.

In fact, the VPT works against delay. Age points begin falling from 30, and drop by 30 points a year from age 41. Every month of waiting can cost you ranking. If your visa or documents expire soon, start preparing now rather than when the program opens.

Your pre-ROI checklist

Work through these questions before the program opens:

• Is my SkillSelect EOI accurate, current and consistent with my ROI?
• Do I meet the visa requirements for subclass 190, 491, or both?
• Is my nominated occupation eligible, and is it a priority occupation?
• Is my skills assessment valid, with enough time remaining?
• Could I lift my English result to Proficient or Superior?
• Is my work experience claimed correctly and backed by evidence?
• Can I prove any Victorian employment and earnings I claim?
• Does my partner qualify for partner skill points?
• Overall, is my profile competitive enough to rank well?

Three ways to strengthen your position

Get your claims right the first time. Your VPT score is calculated from your EOI and ROI together. Every claim about qualifications, employment, partner skills, English or earnings must be accurate and supported by documents. If you are invited and cannot prove a claim, your nomination may be refused.

Focus on the factors you can still change. You cannot change your age, but you may be able to improve your English score, complete more experience or increase your Victorian earnings. English offers the biggest single gain.

Choose your visa pathway strategically. Subclass 190 offers permanent residence, while 491 requires living and working in regional Victoria. Depending on your circumstances, one or both may suit you.

The bottom line

Victoria remains one of Australia's most attractive destinations for skilled migrants, and 2026–27 is shaping up to be highly competitive. With new fees, a fresh pool and a transparent 950-point ranking system, the applicants who succeed will not simply be the fastest. They will be the ones who submit accurate, complete and genuinely competitive ROIs.

Plan your Victorian nomination with SCA Connect

At SCA Connect, we help skilled migrants understand their options, assess their eligibility and estimate their Victorian Points Test score. We then build a clear strategy to give your ROI the strongest possible start.

Talk to our team before the program opens.

This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Program settings may change; always check the latest details on the Live in Melbourne website.