Victoria Received Only 900 Subclass 190 Visa Places for 2026-27 Year Program
Updated on 26 October 2026 Key takeaways
Victoria's 2026-27 skilled visa nomination program is now open for Registrations of Interest (ROI) for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190).
Victoria received only 900 nomination places for the subclass 190 in 2026-27, down from 2,700 in 2025-26.
Victoria's 2026-27 nomination places for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) have not yet been finalised.
ROIs for subclass 491 nomination are not currently being accepted. Further information will be published once the places are confirmed.
The 2026-27 subclass 190 allocation is one third of the 2025-26 figure of 2,700 places.
Pathway At A Glance
Victoria's 2026-27 Allocation Announcement
On 26 October 2026, the Victorian Government published an update confirming that the 2026-27 skilled visa nomination program is open for Registrations of Interest for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190).
Each year, the Australian Government provides nomination allocations to state and territory governments for the subclass 190 and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). Victoria's 2026-27 figures are being released in two stages, with the subclass 190 confirmed first.
Victoria Subclass 190 Allocation Since 2020-21 Year
Allocation Trend
Victoria's subclass 190 allocation rose from 2,500 places in 2020-21 to 3,500 in 2021-22 and peaked at 9,000 in 2022-23. From 2023-24 to 2025-26, it held between 2,700 and 3,000 places a year.
The 2026-27 allocation of 900 places is a sharp departure from that range. It is the lowest figure in the series, 1,800 places below 2025-26 and 10 percent of the 2022-23 peak. At one-third of the previous year's allocation, the reduction is concerning for applicants seeking Victorian state nomination under subclass 190.
Fewer invitations.
The 900 places must cover the entire 2026-27 program year, which limits the number of ROIs that can progress to a nomination application.
Higher competition.
Victoria's 2025-26 program update confirmed that ROIs exceeded available places, and that was with 2,700 subclass 190 places. A smaller allocation intensifies that pressure.
Greater weight on VPT score.
ROIs are ranked on the Victorian Points Test with no fixed pass mark, and invitations go to the highest totals in each round. With fewer places, the score is likely to be more decisive.
Cost of lodging.
The AUD $60 ROI fee, introduced for 2026-27 and excluding GST, is payable when the ROI is submitted.
Recommended Approach
Applicants should keep the SkillSelect EOI current, confirm English test validity and review their Victorian Points Test score before lodging. Applicants with a lower VPT total should assess other state programs and visa pathways in parallel, rather than relying on a single nomination outcome.
Before You Lodge
A current Expression of Interest (EOI) must be lodged in SkillSelect. The ROI is then submitted through the Live in Melbourne portal.
ROIs from previous program years do not carry over. A new 2026-27 ROI is required.
Victoria's 2026-27 program charges AUD $60 for a ROI and AUD $180 for a nomination application if invited, both excluding GST.
ROIs are ranked using the Victorian Points Test (VPT). There is no fixed pass mark, and invitations go to the highest totals in each round.
Comments