Updated on 17 August 2022
General skilled visa nomination questions
How much does it cost to apply for Victorian visa nomination?
There’s no charge to apply for Victorian visa nomination. But the Department of Home Affairs will charge a fee when you lodge your visa. Visit the Department of Home Affairs website external link for more information about visa charges.
I have to submit my visa application from overseas but am unable to leave Australia. Can you re-nominate me?
The Victorian Government will not re-nominate applicants who are subject to a section 48 bar where their nomination has expired and they are unable to leave Australia.
The section 48 bar applies to applicants who have had a visa refused or cancelled since their last entry into Australia. If you are subject to a section 48 bar you need to leave Australia before you can reapply for a visa.
Once offshore, you may consider all visa options, including Victorian nominated visas.
Should you wish to return to Australia while travel restrictions remain in place – you may request an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
You will need to contact the Department of Home Affairs directly for enquiries relating to entry conditions and visa obligations:
- Telephone: 131 881
- Website: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au
What is a State Migration Agreement?
The Victorian Government has a formal agreement with the Australian Department of Home Affairs to provide visa nomination to global talent, business and investor migrants. This is called the State Migration Agreement.
What are the conditions of visa nomination?
The conditions of Victorian visa nomination are set out on the Skilled Nominated subclass 190 and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) subclass 491 visa pages.
When does the two-year visa nomination commitment to live and work in Victoria begin?
The commitment begins on the date you arrive in Victoria. If you already live within Australia, the commitment begins at the time your visa is granted.
Where in Victoria does a nominated visa allow me to live?
The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent visa allowing you to live and work anywhere in the state of Victoria, including Melbourne.
The Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) is a provisional four-year visa where you must live and work in regional Victoria (this does not include Melbourne). This requirement supports the criteria to meet the second stage permanent residency visa.
There is a list of eligible postcodes for the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
How long is visa nomination valid for?
If you are nominated by the Victorian Government, you will automatically receive an invitation to apply for your visa from the Department of Home Affairs. You will have 60 days to lodge your visa application.
You should inform the Victorian Government via email to smp.applications@liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au when you make your visa application to the Department of Home Affairs.
What are Victoria’s visa nomination processing times?
The current processing time is approximately 12 weeks after a completed application is received. If information is missing from your application, it could take longer. Processing times vary between occupations and depend on assessment procedures.
How much money do I need to migrate to Melbourne?
If you are onshore, you are not required to provide evidence of financial resources when you apply for visa nomination.
What is the English language requirement?
At minimum, applicants are required to evidence a Competent level of English for their nomination application for both the Skilled Nominated subclass 190 and Skilled Work Regional subclass 491.
Passport holders and citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, the United States of America, or the Republic of Ireland don’t need to provide English language test results. If this exemption applies to you, you must provide a copy of the bio page of your passport.
Please note: the Victorian Government does not participate in the English language concession.
Is an English language test required as part of the visa nomination application?
Yes, you must provide a copy of your English language test when you apply.
We accept all English language tests which are deemed eligible by the Department of Home Affairs
Passport holders and citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, the United States of America, or the Republic of Ireland don’t need to provide English language test results. If this exemption applies to you, you must provide a copy of the bio page of your passport.
Please note: the Victorian Government does not participate in the English language concession.
Does the Victorian Government accept English language tests other than IELTS?
Yes, we accept all English language tests which are deemed eligible by the Department of Home Affairs
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test (also known as Certificate in Advanced English).
I am a health practitioner, can I provide an Occupational English Test (OET) assessment?
Yes, health practitioners can provide an OET assessment.
You can provide results from multiple OETs, recognising that an OET is a module-based test that allows you to sit components separately.
The OET assessment certificate must be attached to your visa nomination application form.
What documents are required as part of a visa nomination application?
Information about documents required can be found on the specific visa page:
What skills assessment is required?
You can find information about the skills assessment required for each occupation on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Is a full skills assessment required?
Yes, everyone who applies must provide a full skills assessment. Please note: a skills assessment relevant for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) will not be sufficient.
Can an application for visa nomination be lodged without a skill assessment?
No, a matching skills assessment for your occupation is a required document at the time of lodging an application for visa nomination under the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489).
Does a skill assessment mean I will be granted visa nomination?
No, a complete skills assessment is only one of the criteria assessed for visa nomination.
Is a job offer required for visa nomination?
The requirement of a job offer depends on the occupation for which you are seeking visa nomination. Refer to the Visa Nomination Occupation Lists page to find out if a job offer is required with your nominated occupation.
If you are currently living in another Australian state or applying for the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489), you must provide a current Victorian job offer to support your application for visa nomination.
What information must be provided as evidence of job offer?
A job offer means permanent employment in your nominated occupation (not casual work) for at least 20 hours per week and for at least six continuous months.
Required evidence of a job offer includes:
A copy of the offer letter or contract displaying the company details, including the Australian Business Number (ABN); and
A Confirmation of Employment Statement – available from the Supporting documents for skilled visas page.
Do I have to use a migration agent?
No, you do not have to use a migration agent to apply for visa nomination. You can find out more about using an agent on the Using a Migration Agent page.
Does the Victorian Government assist with finding an employer to provide sponsorship?
No, the Victorian Government does not provide a recruitment service and cannot help you find employment. Refer to the Department of Home Affairs for information on employer-sponsored visas.
Where can I find information on de-facto visas?
Please refer to the Department of Home Affairs for information on relevant visa pathways.
Where can I find information on sponsoring a family member to come and live in Australia?
Please refer to the Department of Home Affairs for information on relevant visa pathways.
Where can I find information on visiting Australia on a working holiday visa?
Please refer to the Department of Home Affairs for information on relevant visa pathways.
Why do I need to complete a Registration of Interest for Victorian State Visa Nomination?
You need to be selected by Victoria to apply for skilled visa nomination (subclasses 190 and 491). We are seeking applicants working in our target sectors with STEMM skills.
The information you provide in your Registration of Interest helps us decide who to select to apply for skilled visa nomination.
What’s the difference between an Expression of Interest and a Registration of Interest?
An Expression of Interest is made on the Department of Home Affairs’ SkillSelect system and is a requirement for skilled visa nomination.
A Registration of Interest for Victorian State Visa Nomination in submitted on the Live in Melbourne website and helps us decide who will be selected to apply for skilled visa nomination.
What does selected to apply for nomination mean?
As part of the 2020-21 Skilled Migration program, you must be selected to apply for Victorian skilled visa nomination before you can apply.
To be considered for selection, you must first make an EOI on SkillSelect and then submit a Registration of Interest for Victorian State Visa Nomination on Live in Melbourne. This helps us to select candidates who are best contributing to economic recovery and the health response.
Are you still using an occupation list?
No, we will only be selecting candidates to apply for Victorian skilled visa nomination if they are using their STEMM skills in our target sectors.
The nominated occupation is still required to be listed on the Department of Home Affairs’ eligible lists for nomination applications.
How do I apply for Victorian skilled visa nomination? What are the steps?
To apply for Victorian skilled visa nomination, you must first be selected to apply. You must now first make an EOI in SkillSelect and then submit a Registration of Interest for Victorian State Visa Nomination to be considered for selection.
For further information, please see:
Skilled Nominated (190) visa questions
What are the work requirements to apply for visa nomination for the Skilled nominated (subclass 190) visa?
There are no employment or work requirements for Victorian nomination for a subclass 190 visa. If you made annual earnings claims in your Registration of Interest, if selected you will be required to provide evidence of your annual earnings in the nomination application
If I am living in Australia, can I apply for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)?
You must be currently living and working in Victoria to be eligible for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190).
If I am offshore, can I apply for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)?
Offshore applicants are eligible to apply for Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa nomination.
Can Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) holders live in Melbourne?
Yes, Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) holders can live and work anywhere in Victoria including Melbourne.
I'm a graduate of a Victorian university. Am I eligible for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)?
Graduates can apply for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) if they meet the eligibility requirements.
How many points do I need in order to be selected to apply for Victorian visa nomination?
You must have 65 points at minimum (including points awarded for state nomination) to be nominated by Victoria for the State Nominated visa (subclass 190).
Do I need to keep my EOI updated?
Yes, please ensure your EOI always contains the correct information.
Skilled Work Regional (491) visa questions
What are the eligibility requirements to apply for visa nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)?
Eligibility requirements can be viewed on the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) page.
What sectors and skills are being targeted for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)?
If you are living offshore, you can submit a Registration of Interest if you have a Skills Assessment for any eligible occupation. Health occupations will initially be prioritised and we encourage applicants in all other occupations to submit a Registration of Interest as you may be considered.
Applicants living and working in regional Victoria can have any occupation on the Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation listexternal link. You must be working in skilled employment and have a skills assessment.
Does the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa offer a pathway to permanent residency?
Yes, subclass 491 visa holders may be eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191). For more information, please see the Department of Home Affairs’ website.
What are the work requirements to apply for visa nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa?
If you are living overseas, you must have a Skills Assessment for an eligible occupation. .
If you are living in Australia, you must be currently living and working in regional Victoria at the time of nomination in skilled employment.
If I am living in Australia, can I apply for Victorian Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa nomination?
You must be currently living and working in regional Victoria to be eligible for Victorian visa nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa.
Are graduates and PhD students eligible for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa nomination?
Yes, graduates and PhD students are eligible for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.
How many points do I need in order to be selected to apply for Victorian Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa nomination?
You must have a minimum of 65 points (including points awarded for state nomination) to be selected to apply for Victorian Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa nomination. You must also meet the eligibility requirements.
Where can holders for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa live?
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa holders must live and work in regional Victoria. The Mornington Peninsula and Geelong are considered regional for migration purposes. For a complete list of postcodes considered to be in regional Victoria, please see the Department of Home Affairs’.
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