Victoria Skilled Migration 2026–27: New Points Test Explained for Australia PR Applicants

Victoria Skilled Migration News | 19 October 2026

Victoria is preparing to open its 2026–27 skilled visa nomination program, giving skilled professionals another opportunity to explore Australian permanent residency pathways through state nomination. The Victorian Government has published details of its Victorian Points Test (VPT), which will be used to rank applicants seeking nomination for the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas.

The new ranking framework highlights the importance of English proficiency, age, educational qualifications and relevant work experience. Applicants will also be assessed on other factors, including occupation skill level, eligible partner skills and earnings from skilled employment in Victoria.

According to the official Live in Melbourne website, the 2026–27 program will open soon for Registrations of Interest (ROIs). Applicants should prepare their profiles and review the selection criteria before submitting a new ROI.

What Is the Victorian Points Test?

The Victorian Points Test is a ranking system used by the Victorian Government to compare applicants who have submitted an ROI for state nomination.

It applies to two skilled migration pathways:

• Subclass 190 visa: A permanent skilled visa that allows successful applicants to live and work in Victoria, including Melbourne.

• Subclass 491 visa: A provisional skilled visa for eligible applicants intending to live and work in designated regional areas, with a potential pathway to permanent residence.

The VPT is different from the Australian Government’s SkillSelect points test. While the federal points test helps determine eligibility for a points-tested skilled visa, Victoria uses the VPT to rank candidates competing for state nomination.

Applicants must satisfy the relevant federal visa requirements and Victorian nomination criteria. A competitive VPT score alone does not guarantee an invitation.

How Does Victoria Rank Skilled Migration Applicants?

Victoria considers seven factors when calculating an applicant’s VPT score.

Selection factor	What Victoria considers
Age	The applicant’s age
English proficiency	Competent, Proficient or Superior English
Work experience	Years of experience in the nominated occupation
Education	Highest relevant educational qualification
Occupation skill level	Skill level associated with the nominated occupation
Partner skills	Whether the applicant meets the specified partner-skill requirements
Victorian earnings	Annual earnings from eligible skilled employment in Victoria, where applicable

The points awarded under each factor contribute to the overall VPT score. ROIs are ranked from highest to lowest, and invitations depend on the competitiveness of the applicant pool and the number of available nomination places.

English Language Skills Could Improve Your Ranking

English proficiency is one of the most significant factors in the published Victorian Points Test.

The published scoring table allocates:

• Competent English: 0 VPT points

• Proficient English: 100 VPT points

• Superior English: 200 VPT points

Applicants who improve their English test results may strengthen their VPT ranking, provided they meet the relevant testing requirements.

Candidates should review their current IELTS, PTE or other accepted English test results and determine whether further preparation could improve their profile.

Age and Work Experience Remain Important

The VPT also gives substantial weight to age and relevant work experience.

Applicants aged 20–29 receive the highest published age score of 300 points. The score decreases as age increases under the published framework.

Work experience in the nominated occupation can contribute up to 100 points, with the highest score awarded to applicants with more than eight years of qualifying experience.

Educational qualifications are also considered. Under the published table, a bachelor’s degree or honours qualification attracts 50 points, a master’s degree attracts 75 points, and a PhD attracts 100 points.

These figures relate to Victoria’s ranking system and should not be confused with points under the federal SkillSelect test.

Which Applicants May Receive Priority for Victorian Nomination?

Victoria has outlined two selection approaches for its skilled visa nomination program.

1. Most competitive applicants

Candidates with the highest VPT totals across all eligible occupations may be invited to apply for nomination during an invitation round.

2. Applicants in priority industries

Victoria also considers highly ranked applicants within designated priority industries to help meet the state’s workforce needs.

For 2026–27, applicants should review the official priority-industry and occupation information to check whether their nominated occupation is included.

Priority consideration does not guarantee an invitation. Applicants must still meet the relevant eligibility requirements and compete with other candidates in the selection pool.

Is There a Minimum Victorian Points Test Score?

No. The Victorian Points Test does not have a fixed pass mark.

Unlike the federal SkillSelect points test, which generally requires at least 65 points for points-tested skilled visa eligibility, the VPT is used to rank ROIs against other applicants.

This means there is no single VPT score that guarantees an invitation. A candidate’s chances depend on their relative ranking, the available nomination places and the applicants in the pool at the time of selection.

Victoria has also stated that it cannot predict an individual applicant’s likelihood of receiving an invitation.

What Are the Victoria Skilled Visa Nomination Fees for 2026–27?

The Victorian Government has published the following fees for the 2026–27 program:

Application type	Excluding GST	Including GST, where applicable
Registration of Interest (ROI)	AUD 60	AUD 66
Subclass 190 nomination application	AUD 180	AUD 198
Subclass 491 nomination application	AUD 180	AUD 198

The ROI fee is payable when submitting an ROI. The separate nomination application fee is payable only if the applicant is invited to apply for nomination and proceeds with that application.

GST applies where specified by the Victorian Government, including when the applicant is in Australia at the time of payment. These fees do not include the Australian Government’s separate visa application charges.

Paying the applicable fee does not guarantee selection or successful nomination.

What Should Applicants Do Before the 2026–27 Program Opens?

Skilled professionals planning to apply for Victorian nomination should use this time to review their eligibility and prepare their documentation.

Recommended steps include:

1. Check eligibility for the Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 visa.

2. Review the occupation requirements and confirm that the nominated occupation is eligible.

3. Check the validity of the skills assessment, where required.

4. Review the SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) and ensure that the information is accurate.

5. Assess whether improved English results could strengthen the VPT score.

6. Review the applicable priority industries and occupation lists.

7. Prepare to submit a new ROI in accordance with the 2026–27 program instructions.

Important: Applicants who submitted an ROI during the previous program year must submit a new ROI through the Live in Melbourne portal when the 2026–27 program opens if they wish to be considered for nomination in the new program year.

How Will the New Ranking System Affect Australia PR Applicants?

The Victorian Points Test makes it important for applicants to look beyond their federal points score when planning their Australian skilled migration strategy.

A candidate may meet the federal eligibility requirements but still face competition for a limited number of Victorian nomination places. English proficiency, age, qualifications and work experience can therefore play an important role in determining how competitive an application may be.

Applicants should assess their complete profile before deciding whether Victorian nomination is the most suitable pathway. Depending on their occupation, skills assessment, points score and circumstances, other state nomination or skilled migration options may also be worth exploring.

How Visas Avenue Can Help with Australian Skilled Migration

Visas Avenue assists eligible applicants with Australian skilled migration profile assessments, skills assessment guidance, points-test reviews and state nomination planning.

Our team can help you understand the requirements for Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 pathways, review your profile and identify potential options based on your qualifications, occupation, work experience and English proficiency.

If you are planning to apply for Australian permanent residency, contact Visas Avenue to discuss your eligibility and migration strategy.