The Victoria Skilled Migration Program is open to eligible applicants living in Victoria and also from overseas (Offshore applicants).

This program is open to all skilled migrants who wish to apply for permanent residence in Victoria. However, the eligibility criteria for the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Regional (subclass 491) visas have changed significantly.

Compared to 2021-2022, What are the main changes to Victoria’s Skilled Migration Program?

• Offshore applicants are eligible to apply.
• No requirements for onshore applicants to be using STEMM skills or working in a target sector.
• Onshore applicants must be employed and working in Victoria.
• All occupations that are on the eligible skilled occupation list are being considered.

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Important highlight

This immigration year, applicants are still required to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI). This immigration year, applicants are still required to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI). You can submit your registration of interest for the 2022-23 program if your application was not selected for the 2021-22 program.

You can apply to 2 Visa Pathways!

As part of Victoria’s Skilled Migration Program, there are two visa pathways:

• Skilled Nominated Visa 190
• Skilled Work Regional Visa 491

The Skilled Nominated visa 190 is a permanent residency visa. Skilled migrants can apply for this visa to work and live in Victoria anywhere they want.

The Skilled Work Regional Visa 491 is a provisional Visa. It is for those skilled migrants who want to live and work in regional Victoria.

Visa 491 also provides a pathway to permanent residency via the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa 191. Just like in previous years, all applicants are required to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI). Later on, they will be selected to apply for visa nominations on the basis of merit.

In order to submit an ROI, applicants must show that they meet the eligibility criteria of subclass 190 and subclass 491.

Priority is currently being given to the following industry sectors:

• Healthcare and social services
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
• Advanced manufacturing, digital and innovation economy
• Chef, cook, accommodation and hospitality managers – for the 491 visa
• Early childhood, secondary and special education teachers.

WHAT’S YOUR PLAN?

Victoria’s new migration changes provide thousands of skilled migrants with a new tool for obtaining permanent residence in Australia. However, many people still don’t know how to take advantage of them.

At Questra Immigration, we are aware that these changes can be confusing. If you need support with any of the migration visas to apply in Victoria, you can book a consultation with our registered migration agent.

Bill Mitroulas

Head of Migration at Questra Immigration. Managing and overseeing the growth and performance of Questra’s team of migration agents, while maintaining a client-centric and quality-driven approach. A registered migration agent since 2015 and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, with over 15 years’ experience in international education and 11 years in Australian Migration law.