Victoria’s November and December Skilled-Migration Invitation Round: Context & Key Occupations

Victoria’s skilled-migration landscape continues to evolve at pace, and the state’s November and December 2025 invitation rounds offer one of the clearest indicators yet of how labour-market pressures, occupational shortages, and program priorities are shaping nomination behaviour.

With two invitation rounds held on 19 November 2025 and 3 December 2025, the state has issued nomination invitations across a strategically narrow but high-impact set of occupations. The data reveals not only the applicants Victoria has invited, but also the direction 2026 is likely to take.

Subclass 190 Dominance Continues, but with highly Targeted Selection

Across both rounds, Subclass 190 invitations were concentrated in occupations where Victoria faces structural workforce shortages. The clearest patterns include:

Healthcare (Unmistakably the Core Priority)

Registered Nurses across multiple specialisations continued to receive consistent invitations, often between 75-85 points.Examples from the rounds include:

• RN (Aged Care): 75 points (onshore, 190)

• RN (Medical): 90 points (offshore, 491 in November)

• RN (Perioperative): 85 points (onshore, 190)

• RN (Community Health): 75 points (onshore, 190)

Healthcare’s dominance mirrors pressure across hospitals, aged care and regional health networks, signalling that this priority will remain unchanged heading into early 2026.

Teaching & Education : High Stability in Nominations

Primary, secondary and early-childhood teachers again appear as one of Victoria’s most reliable invitation groups.

Representative selections:

• Early Childhood Teacher: 85 points (offshore, 190 in November)

• Primary School Teacher: 80 points (onshore, 190 in November)

• Secondary School Teacher: 70-85 points (onshore/offshore, 190)

The consistent invitations issued at moderate-to-high point levels confirm the sector remains a long-term critical occupation group.

Subclass 491: Sharper, Victorian Graduates & Regionally Focused Invitations

Subclass 491 invitations were more selective but still active, primarily targeting occupations where Victorian regional areas continue to experience severe skill shortages.

Key patterns include:

• Carpenter: 70-75 points (491)

• Motor Mechanic (General): 105 points (491, 3 December)

• Hotel/Motel Manager: 80 points (491)

• Social Worker: consistently 80-90 points (190/491)

The 491 trends show that Victoria is using the regional visa to fill operational roles in trades, automotive, hospitality and community services; sectors that remain essential to regional growth. These regional areas include nearby suburbs from city such as South Morang, Pakenham, Mernda, Geelong etc.

Trades & Construction: More Invitations at Moderate Points

Trades received a notable share of invitations in both rounds, often at comparatively accessible point levels:

• Carpenter: 70 points (190 in November)

• Construction Project Manager: 65–70 points (190)

• Electrician: 70 points (190)

• Welder: 85 points (190)

The recurring invitation activity, even at the mid-point range (65–75), reflects the enduring labour demand linked to housing construction, infrastructure delivery, and state-funded capital projects.

Engineering & Technical Roles: Selective but Present

While engineering invitations were fewer than healthcare or trades, Victoria still issued targeted invitations in:

• Electrical Engineering: 95–100 points (190)

• Geotechnical Engineer: 80 points (190)

• Telecommunications Network Engineer / Planner: 90 points (491)

These invitations are consistent with Victoria’s longer-term infrastructure commitments and technology-linked industry expansion. Do note that, you may possibly attain a migration skills assessment as a

Offshore Applicants: A Slow but Noticeable Uptick

Although the program remains heavily weighted toward onshore candidates, there is a measurable increase in offshore invitations, particularly for:

• Early Childhood Teachers

• Secondary School Teachers

• Primary School Teachers

• Registered Nurses (various specialisations)

Offshore selections are still conservative, but their presence across both rounds signals a gradual broadening of Victoria’s sourcing strategy heading into 2026.

Based on the November and December invitation-round patterns, several forward indicators emerge:

1. Healthcare, Teaching, and Community Services will remain the backbone of invitations.

Their consistent presence and broad distribution across 190 and 491 suggests stable long-term shortages.

2. Trades will continue receiving invitations at moderate point levels.

This is tied directly to Victoria’s housing and infrastructure pipelines. Applicants in carpentry, electrical, construction management, and welding should anticipate favourable activity across early 2026.

3. Engineering will remain selective but valued.

High-point candidates in engineering specialisations should maintain strong competitiveness.

4. Offshore applicants should expect gradual but steady opportunities.

Education and healthcare are the most favourable entry points for offshore candidates.

5. Subclass 491 will play a structured, regionally aligned role.

Expect a strong presence for roles linked to automotive, trades, hospitality, community support and care.

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