General skilled visa nomination questions
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
How much does it cost to apply for Victorian visa nomination?
There is no charge to apply for Victorian visa nomination. The Department of Home Affairs will charge a fee when you lodge your visa. Visit the Department of Home Affairs for more information on visa charges.
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.
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:
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.
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?
Where can I find information on de-facto visas?
Where can I find information on sponsoring a family member to come and live in Australia?
Where can I find information on visiting Australia on a working holiday visa?
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). The interim skilled migration program has been designed to help Victoria respond to the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic by targeting skills that will support economic recovery and the health response to the pandemic.
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 working in health or medical research.
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 eligibility requirements to apply for visa nomination for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)?
Eligibility requirements can be viewed on the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) page.
What are the work requirements to apply for visa nomination for the Skilled nominated visa?
Applicants must demonstrate that they have been continuously employed (for at least 6 months) in their nominated occupation in Victoria in health or medical research that is contributing to Victoria's economic recovery and health response.
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).
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.
I have worked for more than 6 months with different employers; can I combine work experience?
You can combine work experience with different employers but you must currently be employed. All work experience must be highly relevant to the nominated occupation.
This is because Victoria is focused on retaining skilled migrants who are currently employed in their occupations in health or medical research and contributing to Victoria's economic recovery and health response. To do this we must assess that the applicant is employable, their skills are in need in Victoria and they will not displace Victorian jobseekers.
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.