Victoria’s 2026–27 Skilled Visa Nomination Program opened on 26 October 2026 for Registrations of Interest (ROIs) for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). This year, every ROI is ranked using the new Victorian Points Test (VPT), places are far tighter than last year, and for the first time Victoria charges fees to register and to apply for nomination.
Victoria is now open: the key facts
- Subclass 190 is open for Registrations of Interest from 26 October 2026.
- 900 nomination places have been provided so far for the subclass 190 in 2026–27. Victoria’s final subclass 190 allocation in 2025–26 was 2,700 places.
- Subclass 491 is not open yet. Victoria has said its 2026–27 places for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) have not been finalised, and 491 ROIs are not currently being accepted.
Victoria has started 2026–27 with one third of last year’s subclass 190 places. With fewer places and a ranking system with no pass mark, the strength of your ROI now decides whether you are invited.
What is the Victorian Points Test?
The Victorian Points Test is a ranking tool. It does not decide whether you are eligible for a skilled visa. That is still governed by the Australian Government’s points test, which requires at least 65 points. Instead, the VPT decides who Victoria invites first from the pool of eligible ROIs. If you are still weighing up which visa suits you, our Subclass 190 vs 491 strategic audit compares the two.
Every ROI receives a VPT total. Victoria calculates it using information from your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) and your Victorian ROI. Keeping your EOI accurate and up to date therefore matters more than ever.
Victorian Points Test breakdown: how the 950 points are made up
The Victorian Points Test uses seven weighted factors, with a maximum of 950 points:
| Factor | Maximum points |
| Age | 300 |
| English language | 200 |
| Annual earnings from skilled employment in Victoria | 150 |
| Years of experience in the nominated occupation | 100 |
| Educational qualification | 100 |
| Occupation skill level (skill level 1) | 50 |
| Partner’s skill | 50 |
Age carries the most weight
Age alone accounts for almost a third of the available points. Applicants aged 20 to 29 receive the full 300 points, and the points fall each year from age 30:
| Age | Points |
| 18 | 265 |
| 19 | 282 |
| 20 to 29 | 300 |
| 30 | 286 |
| 31 | 270 |
| 32 | 256 |
| 33 | 240 |
| 34 | 226 |
| 35 | 210 |
| 36 | 196 |
| 37 | 180 |
| 38 | 166 |
| 39 | 150 |
| 40 | 136 |
| 41 | 106 |
| 42 | 76 |
| 43 | 46 |
| 44 | 16 |
English language
| English level | Points |
| Competent | 0 |
| Proficient | 100 |
| Superior | 200 |
Years of experience in your nominated occupation
| Experience | Points |
| 0 years | 0 |
| 1 year | 20 |
| 2 to 3 years | 40 |
| 4 to 5 years | 60 |
| 6 to 7 years | 80 |
| More than 8 years | 100 |
Education
| Qualification | Points |
| Other | 25 |
| Bachelor or Honours degree | 50 |
| Masters degree | 75 |
| PhD | 100 |
Occupation skill level
Skill level 1 occupations earn 50 points. Skill level 2 and 3 occupations earn none.
Partner skills
You earn 50 points only if you have claimed the 10 partner skill points in your SkillSelect EOI, your partner is included in your nominated visa application, and your partner’s occupation is a current priority industry occupation. Otherwise, this factor scores 0.
Annual earnings from current skilled employment in Victoria
| Annual earnings (AUD) | Points |
| $80,000 to $84,999 | 8 |
| $85,000 to $89,999 | 16 |
| $90,000 to $94,999 | 24 |
| $95,000 to $99,999 | 32 |
| $100,000 to $104,999 | 39 |
| $105,000 to $109,999 | 47 |
| $110,000 to $114,999 | 55 |
| $115,000 to $119,999 | 63 |
| $120,000 to $124,999 | 71 |
| $125,000 to $129,999 | 79 |
| $130,000 to $134,999 | 87 |
| $135,000 to $139,999 | 95 |
| $140,000 to $144,999 | 103 |
| $145,000 to $149,999 | 111 |
| $150,000 to $154,999 | 118 |
| $155,000 to $159,999 | 126 |
| $160,000 to $164,999 | 134 |
| $165,000 to $169,999 | 142 |
| $170,000 and over | 150 |
Victoria’s earnings table starts at $80,000.
Worked examples
These examples show how totals are calculated. They are illustrations only, not a prediction of who will be invited.
Profile A: younger applicant, not yet working in Victoria
| Factor | Points |
| Age 28 | 300 |
| Proficient English | 100 |
| 5 years of experience | 60 |
| Bachelor degree | 50 |
| Skill level 1 occupation | 50 |
| Partner skills (single) | 0 |
| Victorian earnings (not working in Victoria) | 0 |
| Total | 560 |
Profile B: older applicant with strong English and earnings
| Factor | Points |
| Age 36 | 196 |
| Superior English | 200 |
| More than 8 years of experience | 100 |
| Masters degree | 75 |
| Skill level 1 occupation | 50 |
| Partner skills (single) | 0 |
| Victorian earnings of $150,000 | 118 |
| Total | 739 |
Profile C: couple, partner in a priority industry
| Factor | Points |
| Age 32 | 256 |
| Proficient English | 100 |
| 6 years of experience | 80 |
| Bachelor degree | 50 |
| Skill level 1 occupation | 50 |
| Partner skills (all conditions met) | 50 |
| Victorian earnings of $120,000 | 71 |
| Total | 657 |
Profile B is eight years older than Profile A but scores 179 points more, mainly through Superior English and skilled earnings in Victoria. Age matters most, but it is not the only factor you can influence.
The practical takeaway: an older applicant can still compete, but usually only with superior English, strong Victorian earnings, or both.
There is no pass mark
Unlike the Australian Government’s points test, the VPT has no fixed pass mark. In each invitation round, Victoria invites the ROIs with the highest totals at that time. Your chances therefore depend on how your total compares with everyone else in the pool on the day of the round.
Victoria has also confirmed that it cannot prioritise invitations based on personal circumstances, such as age or an expiring visa.
Two pathways to an invitation
When you submit an ROI, you are considered through two pathways at the same time:
- Most competitive: the highest VPT totals across all eligible occupations.
- Priority industry: the highest VPT totals within each priority industry.
The 2026–27 priority industries are healthcare, social assistance, education and construction. Applicants in these industries are effectively considered twice. Applicants outside them compete only through the first pathway.
Victoria state nomination fees for the first time
Victoria will now charge fees for the 190 and 491 nomination process:
| Fee | Excluding GST | Including GST |
| Registration of Interest | $60 | $66 |
| Subclass 190 nomination application | $180 | $198 |
| Subclass 491 nomination application | $180 | $198 |
A few points worth noting:
- The ROI fee is charged once per program year. Withdrawing and resubmitting within the same year does not attract a second fee.
- The nomination application fee is payable only if you are invited to apply.
- GST of 10% applies only if you are in Australia at the time of payment.
- These are Victorian Government fees. Department of Home Affairs visa application charges still apply separately.
Already lodged an ROI in a previous year?
You will need to submit a new ROI for the 2026–27 program. ROIs from previous years are not carried over.
What you should do now
Because the VPT ranks applicants against each other and places are limited, the quality of your ROI is the main advantage you can control:
- Check your SkillSelect EOI is accurate and complete, since Victoria draws on it to calculate your total.
- Consider retaking an English test if you are close to the Proficient or Superior threshold. The difference between Competent and Superior is 200 points.
- Document your Victorian earnings carefully if you are working in your skilled occupation in Victoria.
- Assess whether your occupation falls within a priority industry, which gives you a second pathway to an invitation.
- Think beyond the nomination. A 491 is a provisional visa, so plan your transition from the 491 to the permanent 191 from the outset.
How Augustine & Co. can help
Our Melbourne immigration lawyers can calculate your likely Victorian Points Test total, identify where you can realistically improve it, and prepare a strong Registration of Interest now that the program is open.
Book a consultation or call +61 3 7020 6514.
Augustine & Co. Immigration Lawyers — Lighting the way to YOUR Australian dream.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Victorian Points Test replace the Australian Government points test?
No. You must still score at least 65 points on the Australian Government’s points test to be eligible. The VPT is only used to rank Victorian ROIs.
What is the highest possible VPT score?
950 points.
Is there a minimum VPT score to be invited?
No. There is no pass mark. The highest totals in each round are invited.
Is the 2026–27 Victorian program open?
Yes, for the subclass 190. Registrations of Interest opened on 26 October 2026, with 900 places provided so far. The subclass 491 is not open yet.
How many places does Victoria have for 2026–27?
900 places have been provided so far for the subclass 190. Places for the subclass 491 have not yet been finalised.
Do I pay the nomination fee when I register?
No. Only the $60 ROI fee (plus GST if you are in Australia) applies at registration. The $180 nomination fee applies only if you are invited.
This article is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Information is current as at 26 October 2026.
Author
Calvin Augustine is the founding solicitor of Augustine & Co. Immigration Lawyers. He graduated with Honors from the University of London law school, before being admitted to practice in Malaysia and Australia (admitted in SA, appears in all Victorian Courts and Tribunals, at trial and appellate levels).
