If you’ve been dreaming about trading cold winters for sun-soaked Melbourne laneways or a career upgrade Down Under, Victoria’s 2025 Skilled Visa Nomination Program might just be your golden ticket. With 5,000 nomination spots up for grabs — and the clock already ticking — this could be your chance to work, live, and thrive in one of Australia’s most vibrant states. But before you pack your bags, there’s a lot to unpack about how this program works, who’s eligible, and whether it’s the right fit for you. Let’s dive in.
Overview of Victoria’s 2025 Skilled Visa Program
Victoria’s 2025 Skilled Visa Nomination Program is all about helping Australia fill critical skill shortages while giving talented professionals a pathway to permanent residency. The program offers two main visa pathways: the permanent Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the provisional Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491).
Out of the 5,000 total spots, 3,000 are allocated to the 190 visa, perfect for those wanting to live anywhere in Victoria, while 2,000 places are reserved for the 491 visa, aimed at people willing to live and work in regional Victoria. The best part? Once you get nominated by Victoria, your actual visa application with the Department of Home Affairs becomes a lot stronger.
But don’t get too comfortable — the application window closes at 4:00 PM AEST on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, or even earlier if all spots are snapped up.
Key Eligibility Criteria You Must Meet
Before you daydream about brunching in Fitzroy or surfing along the Great Ocean Road, you need to make sure you tick all the eligibility boxes. Here’s the quick lowdown:
Age: You must be under 45 years old at the time of nomination. Sorry, no extensions!
English Skills: You need at least ‘Competent English’ — think IELTS scores of 6.0 in each band or equivalent. If you’re scoring higher, even better for your points tally.
Skills Assessment: A valid, positive skills assessment for an occupation on Australia’s relevant skilled occupation lists is a must.
Points Test: You need a minimum of 65 points on the Department of Home Affairs points test. That includes factors like age, English proficiency, work experience, qualifications, and more.
Commitment to Victoria: You have to show a genuine desire to live and work in Victoria long term. This isn’t just a checkbox — it’s something Victoria takes seriously.
How to Apply for Victoria’s Skilled Visa Nomination
Feeling confident, do you meet the criteria? Great. Here’s how the actual application journey looks:
First, submit or update your Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Australian Government’s SkillSelect platform. Without a fresh and accurate EOI, you’re dead in the water.
Next, using your EOI number, create an account on the Live in Melbourne portal and submit your Registration of Interest (ROI). This step tells Victoria specifically that you want them to nominate you.
Also Read: What Are the Latest Changes to Skilled Occupation Lists in Australia and NZ?
If you’re lucky enough to get invited, you’ll then need to submit a nomination application through the same portal.
Finally, after nomination, you can apply for your selected visa directly with the Department of Home Affairs. And then… It’s time to start planning that farewell party.
Priority Occupations Victoria Is Focusing On in 2025
Not all jobs are created equal — at least not when it comes to getting nominated by Victoria. For 2025, Victoria is laser-focused on candidates in industries that are growing and in desperate need of talent.
Here’s where the magic is happening:
- Health (think doctors, nurses, allied health professionals)
- Social Services (community workers, psychologists)
- Education (especially early childhood, primary, and secondary teachers)
Construction (engineers, surveyors, project managers) - New Energy (renewable energy experts)
- Digital Economy (cybersecurity specialists, software engineers, AI professionals)
- Advanced Manufacturing (high-tech production roles)
- Hospitality and Tourism (chefs, restaurant managers)
If you’re skilled in one of these areas, your chances of getting noticed just shot way up.
Important Deadlines and What Happens After You Apply
Mark your calendar: 4:00 PM AEST on Tuesday, 29 April 2025 is the deadline to get your Registration of Interest in. But given the flood of applicants, Victoria may close nominations even earlier if they fill all their spots.
After you submit, the waiting game begins. Not every ROI will result in an invitation, because Victoria’s received way more registrations than they have spots. This makes it crucial to submit a well-prepared, accurate, and competitive application. If you do get an invitation, you’ll move forward with the nomination application, and if that’s successful, you’ll be able to lodge your visa application with Home Affairs.
Pro tip: Keep your documents ready and your details accurate in SkillSelect and Live in Melbourne — even small mistakes can cost you precious time and opportunities.
Final Thoughts: Is Victoria Your Best Option for Migration in 2025?
With strong demand for skilled professionals and an eye firmly on future growth sectors, Victoria is offering some of the best opportunities for migrants in 2025. But competition is fierce, and meeting the basic requirements isn’t always enough — you need to stand out.
If your skills match Victoria’s priority areas and you’re serious about living in a dynamic, multicultural state with world-class education, healthcare, and lifestyle perks, Victoria could be your perfect match. Just be sure to act fast, submit a bulletproof EOI and ROI, and stay proactive throughout the process.
Victoria’s 2025 Skilled Visa Program could very well be your ticket to a fresh start. The only question is: Are you ready to grab it?
For more detailed information and to begin your application, visit the Live in Melbourne website
