What changed in Victoria’s 2026–27 nomination program?
On 13 October 2026, Victoria shared an update for the 190 and 491 visa nomination programs. It announced new fees and published more detail about how it ranks applicants.
The ranking system is called the Victorian Points Test. Victoria uses it to compare Registrations of Interest. A Registration of Interest, or ROI, tells Victoria that you want state nomination.
If you sent an ROI in an earlier program year, you will need a new one for 2026–27. Submit it when the new program opens.
Victoria 190 points calculator
Choose your details. Your score updates below.
Official bands overlap. At a boundary, confirm your band with Victoria.
- 10 partner-skills points in your EOI
- Partner included in your visa
- Partner occupation on Victoria’s priority list
How the Victorian Points Test score works
The table below gives examples from the published VPT bands. It is not the full table. Check all bands on the official Victorian Points Test page.
| Factor | Published VPT points |
|---|---|
| Age | Age 20–29: 300. Age 33: 240. Age 44: 16. |
| English | Competent: 0. Proficient: 100. Superior: 200. |
| Work in your nominated occupation | 0 years: 0. More than 8 years: 100. |
| Education | Other: 25. Bachelor or Honours: 50. Master: 75. PhD: 100. |
| Occupation skill level | Level 1: 50. Level 2 or 3: 0. |
| Partner skills | 50 if all partner rules are met. Otherwise: 0. |
| Current skilled earnings in Victoria | $80,000–$84,999: 8. $100,000–$104,999: 39. $170,000 or more: 150. |
The partner bonus needs all three conditions: 10 partner-skills points in your EOI, a partner included in your visa application, and that partner’s occupation on Victoria’s current priority list.
The official work-experience bands have overlapping labels, such as “1 year” and “1–3 years”. Check with Victoria if a boundary affects your score. Do not guess a band.
A simple VPT example
Take a 28-year-old with Superior English, a Master’s degree, a skill-level-1 occupation, no work experience, no partner bonus and no Victorian earnings points.
300 + 200 + 75 + 50 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 625 VPT points.
This is an example of adding points. It does not show that this person meets the visa rules or will get an invitation.
How Victoria selects an ROI for nomination
Victoria can select the highest-scoring ROIs across eligible occupations. It can also select the highest-scoring ROIs within priority industries. A high score does not promise an invitation.
There is no published VPT score that guarantees selection. Victoria does not give applicants a personal invitation forecast. Read the official ROI selection answers.
To check a priority occupation, use its exact occupation code. Do not rely on a job title alone. See the current priority occupation list.
Victoria 190 and 491 nomination fees for 2026–27
These amounts are in Australian dollars. The state fees are separate from the Home Affairs visa application charge.
| Step | Without GST | With GST |
|---|---|---|
| Submit an ROI | $60 | $66 |
| Apply for 190 nomination | $180 | $198 |
| Apply for 491 nomination | $180 | $198 |
GST applies if you are in Australia when you pay. You pay the nomination application fee only if you are invited and submit that application.
The ROI fee is charged once per program year. Withdrawing and sending a new ROI in the same year does not mean a second ROI fee. A new nomination application has a new fee.
Fees are usually not refunded. Paying does not guarantee selection. Read the official fee rules and refund terms before you pay.
What should a Victoria 190 visa applicant do next?
- Check the opening notice. The new program has not opened as at the date above. Check the official website for its current status.
- Check your eligibility. Read the state and federal rules. The current Victoria 190 page lists age under 45, at least Competent English and a valid skills assessment among its requirements.
- Check your SkillSelect EOI. Keep your Expression of Interest accurate. Your EOI and ROI are different forms.
- Prepare a new ROI. Use your EOI number when the new program opens. Follow the published rules for that year.
- Wait for selection. Apply for state nomination only after an invitation.
- Follow the visa steps. If nomination succeeds, follow the Home Affairs invitation and application process.
The state’s older visa pages may still show earlier program information. For 2026–27 fees, use the newer announcement and fee page linked above. For eligibility, check the updated program rules when it opens.
Sources: Victoria’s 190 visa requirements and steps and the 2026–27 update.
Want to review your federal EOI points? Open points analysis. This is separate from the VPT guide.
Common questions about Victoria 190 points
Is this a new points test for every 190 visa applicant?
No. This is Victoria’s ranking system for state nomination. The federal SkillSelect points test is separate. Other states have their own nomination rules.
Is 65 points enough for Victoria 190 nomination?
65 is the federal points threshold. It is not a Victorian Points Test pass mark. You must also meet the other rules. An invitation is not guaranteed.
Does the Victorian Points Test also apply to the 491 visa?
Yes. Victoria uses it to rank Registrations of Interest for both the 190 and 491 nomination programs. The two visas have different eligibility rules.
Does paying the ROI fee guarantee an invitation?
No. The fee pays for the service. It does not promise an invitation, nomination or visa.
Can I use my old ROI for the 2026–27 program?
You need to submit a new ROI when the program opens. The October announcement says an ROI from an earlier program year does not carry over.
Answers are based on the Victorian FAQs and October update.
Official sources and last update
This guide was checked on 14 October 2026. It is a plain-English summary, not an official government page. Check the linked government pages before you submit a form or pay a fee.