Victoria Migration

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Victoria Migration

Victoria Migration

Why Migrate to Victoria?

Victoria—home to Melbourne, Australia’s innovation and lifestyle capital—remains a leading destination for skilled migrants, students, professionals, and families.

Victoria migration advantages:
  • Diverse economy: health, ICT, construction, education, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, and creative industries
  • Generous skilled migration quotas: 2024-25 allocation—3,400 (190) and 1,400 (491) places
  • Points-tested, fair, and transparent nomination
  • Regional PR boost: All of Victoria (outside Melbourne metro) is “regional” for GSM and post-study work
  • Melbourne: World’s most liveable city for 2025 (Economist Intelligence Unit, June 2025)
  • Clear graduate-to-PR pathways for Victorian university students
1. Victoria State-Nominated Skilled Migration

Visa

Key facts

PR outcome

190 Skilled Nominated

Permanent PR, +5 points for state nomination

Immediate PR grant

491 Skilled Work Regional

5-year provisional; live/work in regional VIC, +15 points

PR via subclass 191 after 3 yrs

2024–25 Victoria Skilled Visa Nomination Allocation

The Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs has allocated 5,000 skilled visa nomination places to Victoria for the 2024–25 program year:

Visa

Number of places (2024–25)

Skilled Nominated (190)

3,000

Skilled Work Regional (491)

2,000

Source: Live in Melbourne – Victoria’s 2024–25 Skilled Visa Nomination Allocation

What does this mean for applicants?

  • More seats for both onshore and offshore professionals and graduates
  • 190 is immediate PR; 491 is a 5-year regional visa with a PR pathway via subclass 191

2. Nomination Streams

Stream

Who is eligible?

Minimum VIC residence & work

Points / age

Skilled Employment Pathway

On-shore temps, international grads, employer-sponsored

6–12 months VIC residence + skilled work

65 pts+, under 45

Graduate Pathway

Recent grads from VIC universities

VIC study + employment in nominated occupation

65 pts+, under 45

Regional Pathway

Live/work outside metro Melbourne

6 months regional residence + work

65 pts+, under 45

Offshore

Applicants overseas with EOI

3 years skilled employment, 65 pts+, under 45

427 eligible occupations (as of 2024-25)

All require positive skills assessment, Competent English (higher for registration-bound roles), occupation on the VIC Skilled List, and a commitment to live and work in VIC for at least 2 years.

Melbourne & Regional Victoria

  • Melbourne metro: Australia’s largest and most multicultural city, global hub for tech, health, design, and research.
  • Regional VIC: Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Mildura, Shepparton, Warrnambool—major study/work & migration incentives, lower living costs, and extra PR points.

3. Employer-Sponsored & DAMA Pathways

  • Employer nomination (186/482/494): For high-demand occupations and employer sponsorship in VIC. Age, salary, English, and skills concessions available.
  • Goulburn Valley DAMA & Great South Coast DAMA: Regional agreements allowing skilled and semi-skilled migrants access to a wider occupation list, lower English/salary/age requirements, and a pathway to PR. DAMA VIC details ➜

4. Study-to-PR Pathways in Victoria

  • International graduates from Victorian universities (outside Sydney/Brisbane) get 3–4 years post-study work visa
  • Extra migration points for regional study and employment
  • Graduate stream: Fast nomination for students who work in their skilled occupation after graduation

5. Application Steps

  1. Check if your occupation is on the VIC Skilled Migration List
  2. Submit EOI in SkillSelect (Victoria as first preference)
  3. Register your details on the Live in Melbourne portal
  4. Wait for state invitation (issued by email)
  5. Submit nomination application with evidence
  6. After approval, apply for the 190 or 491 visa with Home Affairs

Need help with VIC nomination?

Our migration lawyers guide you through VIC skilled visas, DAMA, labour agreements and PR strategies—from skills assessment to final grant.

🚀 Call us: 0485 907 989
📧 Email: jade@jadeimmigrationlawyers.com.au
📝 Submit an online enquiry or
📅 Book a consultation We assist clients across Australia and internationally.

Related Pages

FAQ

Find answers to common questions about our Migration services and processes. If you need further assistance, please contact us. 

How competitive is Victoria skilled migration?

Popular occupations (health, IT, engineering) can require high points, but regional and graduate streams have lower cut-offs.

Can offshore applicants be nominated?

Yes, VIC invites selected offshore EOIs for eligible occupations.

Do regional and DAMA pathways offer PR?

Yes, all DAMA and regional streams provide clear PR routes (191/186).