Victoria reopens skilled visa nomination program
Update: 5 January 2021
Victoria reopened its Skilled visa nomination program subclasses 190 and 491 on Tuesday 5 January 2021. In addition to the places provided in the interim program, the Department of Home Affairs has allocated 1,900 places for Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) Visa and 843 places to Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa.
Visa type |
Interim program Sep/2020 |
Additional for remainder of 2020-21 (full program) |
Total Skilled Nomination places |
Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa |
600 |
1,900 |
2,500 |
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa |
200 |
843 |
1,043 |
3,543 |
Changes on the eligibility requirements
To support the Victoria’s health response and economic recovery, the state has changed the eligibility requirement for both 190 and 491 visas.
To be eligible for subclass 491, candidates must:
- Age: be below 45
- English language: have a Competent level of English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
- Residency: have lived and worked in Regional Vitoria for at least the past 3 months
- Employment ad occupation: must be currently employed in regional Victoria in a highly skilled occupation in the health, medical research, life sciences, agri-food or digital sectors, and your role must either have been supporting Victoria’s economic recovery and/or health response for at least the past 3 months. Your occupation must also be on one of the Department of Home Affairs’ eligible lists for nomination applications.
- Skills assessment: must provide a skills assessment that matches the occupation you have nominated on your visa nomination application and EOI.
- demonstrate that you are committed to living, working and/or studying in a designated regional area for the length of the visa period.
To be eligible for subclass 190, candidates must:
- Age: be below 45
- English language: have a Competent level of English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
- Residency: have lived and worked in Regional Vitoria for at least the past 6 months
- Employment ad occupation: must be currently employed in Victoria and working in a highly skilled occupation in health or medical research which supports Victoria’s economic recovery or health response for at least the past 6 months. Your occupation must also be on one of the Department of Home Affairs’ eligible lists for nomination applications.
- Skills assessment: must provide a skills assessment that matches the occupation you have nominated on your visa nomination application and EOI.
- demonstrate that you are committed to living, working and/or studying in a designated regional area for the length of the visa period.
- commit to continue living and working in Victoria for at least 2 years.
Submission windows
Victoria will only accept Registrations of Interest lodged within the submission windows below, and Registrations of Interest submitted during the interim program (September 2020). Invitations to apply for Victorian skilled visa nomination are made on each selection day. If you are not selected immediately after your submission window, your ROI will still be considered on future selection days.
Submission window |
Selection day |
10am, 5 January 2021 to 5pm, 11 January 2021 |
22 January 2021 |
9am, 2 February 2021 to 5pm, 8 February 2021 |
19 February 2021 |
9am, 2 March 2021 to 5pm, 8 March 2021 |
19 March 2021 |
9am, 6 April 2021 to 5pm, 12 April 2021 |
23 April 2021 |
9am, 4 May 2021 to 5pm, 10 May 2021 |
21 May 2021 |
To learn more about Victoria 2020-21 Skilled Visa Nomination Program visit Live in Melbourne website.
Contact us
If you would like to obtain migration advice about your visa options, you can call us on 1300 98 70 71 or email us on Skilled.Migration.Service@ames.net.au and speak with a Registered Migration Agent.