Victoria State Nomination for Subclass 190 and 491: Complete Guide (2026)

The Subclass 190 visa is a permanent residency visa that lets you live and work anywhere in Victoria, including Melbourne. Securing a nomination from Victoria gives you an extra 5 points towards your federal SkillSelect score.

How the process works: Victoria uses a Registration of Interest (ROI) system rather than inviting people straight from SkillSelect. Here is the typical workflow:

1. Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the federal SkillSelect portal and explicitly select Victoria.
2. Submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) on the Live in Melbourne portal.
3. Wait for an invitation. Victoria regularly reviews ROIs and selects candidates who best meet their economic needs.
4. If you're selected, you'll need to submit your formal state nomination application within the required timeframe (usually 14 days).
5. Once Victoria approves your nomination, DHA will automatically issue an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the 190 visa.

Commitment to Victoria: When you apply for a 190 visa through Victoria, you are typically expected to sign a declaration confirming you intend to live and work in the state for at least two years after your visa is granted.

The Subclass 491 visa is a five-year provisional visa designed for skilled workers who are happy to settle in regional areas. Getting a 491 nomination from Victoria adds a massive 15 points to your ITA score.

Regional requirement: You must live, work, and study in a designated regional area of Victoria. This means the Melbourne metropolitan area is off-limits. However, vibrant regional cities like Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo are fully eligible, offering brilliant lifestyle and career prospects without the big-city crowds.

The path to PR: After living and working in regional Victoria for three years (and meeting the relevant criteria), you can apply for the Subclass 191 permanent residency visa. If you're weighing up your options, you might find our 189 vs 190 vs 491 comparison guide helpful.

The application process for the 491 visa mirrors the 190 visa, requiring both an EOI through SkillSelect and an ROI through the Live in Melbourne portal.

Unlike some other states, Victoria does not publish a restrictive occupation list. If your occupation is eligible on the relevant Department of Home Affairs list, you can submit an ROI. However, because the programme is so competitive, Victoria heavily prioritises candidates working in sectors that address the state's critical skill shortages.

For both the 190 and 491 visas, Victoria prioritises applicants in:

• ✓Health: Highly sought after, including Registered Nurses, GPs, midwives, and allied health professionals.
• ✓Social Services: Strong demand for Social Workers and community support professionals.
• ✓Education: Essential for the growing population, particularly Secondary Teachers and Early Childhood Educators.
• ✓Construction: Including Civil Engineers, structural engineers, and skilled trades essential for Victoria's infrastructure boom.
• ✓New Energy: Professionals driving the transition to renewable and sustainable energy solutions.

For the 491 visa specifically, Victoria also prioritises applicants in:

• ✓Digital Economy: Software Engineers, cyber security experts, and data analysts.
• ✓Advanced Manufacturing: Specialists in modern manufacturing processes and technologies.
• ✓Hospitality and Tourism: Key roles supporting the thriving regional visitor economy.

Melbourne consistently ranks as one of the world's most liveable cities, celebrated for its arts scene, major sporting events, and incredibly diverse culinary culture. The state's robust economy provides exceptional opportunities across healthcare, education, tech, and manufacturing.

Beyond the capital, Victoria's regional areas deliver superb affordability while keeping you well-connected to Melbourne. Whether you're settling in a bustling regional hub like Geelong or enjoying the heritage charm of Ballarat, Victoria is a fantastic, progressive place for skilled migrants to call home. If you want to maximise your chances, be sure to use our points calculator to accurately track your score.