Victoria State Nomination — 190 (Melbourne) & 491 (Regional)

Victoria's skilled migration program runs two main streams: Live in Melbourne (Subclass 190 permanent nominated) and Live in Regional Victoria (Subclass 491 provisional regional). Both use a Target Sectors approach — focusing on occupations that match Victoria's priority industries.

MARN 1576536

WIDEN does not issue Victorian nominations. Victoria does, on its own published criteria. Outcomes cannot be guaranteed (s 15). WIDEN's role is the migration pathway — visa subclass, points strategy, EOI lodgement, and integration with the broader visa application.

Live in Melbourne — Subclass 190

Permanent residence pathway requiring genuine commitment to settle and work in Melbourne. Eligibility is shaped by Victoria's current Target Sectors and your occupation's match to those priority industries. Provides 5 nomination points on top of your base points score.

Live in Regional Victoria — Subclass 491

Five-year provisional regional visa requiring commitment to settle and work in regional Victoria (areas outside Melbourne, per the Department's regional postcode definition). After three years of regional living and working with the required income, holders may be eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 permanent regional visa. Provides 15 points on top of your base points score.

Target Sectors approach

Victoria nominates within its current Target Sectors — priority industries that have historically included health, digital, education, advanced manufacturing, agri-food, and clean economy / energy. The exact current Target Sectors and priority occupations within each are published by Victoria and updated periodically. Verify your occupation matches a current Target Sector before lodging an EOI selecting Victoria.

Typical criteria framework

EOI lodged in SkillSelect, ticking Victoria (Melbourne or Regional) as nominating state
Positive skills assessment in an occupation aligned with Victoria's current Target Sectors
Demonstrated genuine commitment to settle and work in Victoria (Melbourne for 190, regional VIC for 491)
Minimum points appropriate to your occupation and stream
English at the level required by the visa subclass
Employment, study, or family connection to Victoria often strengthens the application

Frequently asked questions

Who runs the Victorian state nomination program?

The Victorian Skilled & Business Migration Program (part of the Victorian Government) runs Victoria's skilled migration nomination for the Subclass 190 (Live in Melbourne) and Subclass 491 (Live in Regional Victoria). Victoria publishes current Target Sectors, eligible occupations, and assessment criteria on its skilled migration website.

What are Target Sectors?

Victoria uses a Target Sectors approach — focusing nomination on occupations that align with the state's priority industries. Sectors have historically included health, digital, education, advanced manufacturing, agri-food, and clean economy / energy, among others. The exact current Target Sectors and the priority occupations within each sector are published by Victoria and revised periodically.

What's the difference between Live in Melbourne and Live in Regional Victoria?

Live in Melbourne supports the Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated — permanent), requiring a genuine commitment to settle and work in Melbourne. Live in Regional Victoria supports the Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional — five-year provisional), requiring a commitment to settle and work in regional Victoria (areas outside Melbourne, per the Department's regional postcode definition). Each has different criteria and target occupations.

Do I need to be in Victoria to be nominated?

Victoria's streams vary — some pathways favour applicants already living and working in Victoria; others are open to offshore applicants in priority sectors. Family connections, prior Victorian study, and current Victorian employment in a priority occupation often strengthen the application. Confirm current eligibility for your situation directly with Victoria's published criteria.

What does Victorian nomination cost?

Victoria's nomination fee is published on its skilled migration website. Historically Victorian nomination has not charged a nomination fee (verify current position — this may have changed). The Department of Home Affairs visa application charge for the 190 / 491 is separate and substantial. Verify both current costs before lodging.

What about the Innovation Fund Stream / other named streams?

Victoria has from time to time operated named streams (such as priority-occupation streams, scholarship streams, or innovation-focused streams) in addition to its core program. Stream availability changes — check Victoria's current published streams before lodging.

Discuss your Victorian pathway

Discuss VIC nomination with WIDEN

Fields marked * are required. WIDEN does not issue state nominations — Victoria's skilled migration program does. WIDEN's role is migration advice: confirming your visa pathway, points strategy, EOI lodgement, and how a VIC nomination fits the picture.

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Phone (with country code)

Country of citizenship

Your nominated occupation

Target visa subclass

Current situation

Your situation / question

I consent to WIDEN — Migration Experts storing my information to respond to this enquiry. I understand that submission of this form does not create a client-agent relationship, that state nomination is decided independently by Victoria, and that no outcome can be guaranteed. Privacy Policy. *

General information only. Victoria's skilled migration program — including occupation lists, points cut-offs, fees, criteria, and processing times — changes regularly. Verify current rules directly at liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au/migrate before relying on this page.

This page does not constitute migration advice (s 23, Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2022). WIDEN does not issue state nominations — Victoria does, on its own published criteria, and outcomes cannot be guaranteed by any registered migration agent (s 15). Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid initial consultation under section 43 of the Code, with a written service agreement issued before further work commences (section 42). The OMARA Consumer Guide is provided to all clients before the consultation begins. PI insurance held under the Migration Agents Regulations 1998. Complaints via our Complaints Policy or directly to OMARA.