You are 31, a civil engineer in Dandenong on $98,000, with Proficient English. Last year Victoria would have ranked you for free and told you nothing about how. This year it costs $66 to register, $198 more if invited, and the ranking is published. The question is no longer whether to register. It is what your score buys, and whether another state buys more.
Short answer: Victoria’s 2026-27 program is not open yet, but the settings are. Age, English and Victorian earnings dominate the Victorian Points Test. Healthcare, social assistance, education and construction get a second invitation lane. Everyone else competes on raw score. NSW is open for the 190 now, South Australia is taking registrations, and the ACT just issued 261 invitations.
The Victorian fees
| Fee | Ex GST | Inc GST |
|---|---|---|
| Registration of Interest | $60 | $66 |
| 190 nomination application | $180 | $198 |
| 491 nomination application | $180 | $198 |
GST applies if you are in Australia when you pay. The registration fee is charged once per program year, so withdrawing and re-registering in the same year costs nothing extra. The nomination fee is only payable if you are invited and then apply. A registration from last year does not carry over.
Where the points are
The Victorian Points Test has seven factors. Three carry most of the weight.
- AgeUp to 300 points, with the maximum for applicants aged 20 to 29.
- EnglishUp to 200 points, with the maximum for Superior English.
- Victorian earningsUp to 150 points for annual earnings from skilled employment in Victoria.
- Experience, qualification, occupation skill levelWeighted less. They separate close candidates rather than deciding rounds.
- Partner skillUp to 50 points, only if you claimed 10 partner points in SkillSelect, your partner is in the nomination application, and their occupation is a priority industry occupation.
There is no pass mark. The highest totals in each round are invited, so the result depends on who else registered. The Victorian test is separate from SkillSelect, where you still need 65 points for the visa itself. Our 190 page and 491 page cover the Commonwealth side.
Two lanes, and who gets both
Healthcare, social assistance, education and construction. Early childhood teachers face extra experience and English requirements. Applicants in these industries are considered in the priority lane, where the highest totals within each industry are invited, and in the most competitive lane across all occupations. Two chances per round.
New energy, advanced manufacturing and hospitality and tourism were priorities in 2025-26 and are not on the current list. Those occupations may still be eligible, but they now compete in the most competitive lane only. For a 44 year old chef with Competent English, the two heaviest factors both count against him, and a Victorian invitation is unlikely on these settings. The engineer in the opening paragraph is in better shape: civil engineering sits inside construction.
The other states this month
| Program | Status at 25 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| NSW 190 | Open. First round planned for the week of 19 October; the MIA had not been told it ran as at 23 October. Skills list updated |
| NSW 491 | Closed for all pathways |
| South Australia | Registrations open for people living and working in SA whose visa ends by 31 January 2027. Offshore candidates invited straight from SkillSelect. Priority: building and construction, defence, education, engineering, health, manufacturing |
| ACT | Round of 12 October: 261 x 190 invitations, no 491. Tentative rounds in the weeks of 25 January, 22 March and 24 May 2027 |
| Subclass 189 | The 30 September round did not occur. Expected by 31 October |
What to do before Victoria opens
Fees and points from the Victorian Government’s published 2026-27 settings as reported in MIA Notice 23 of 16 October 2026. State status from MIA Notices 22 and 24.
Can Victoria tell me my chances if I ask?
No. The Victorian Government has said it cannot advise on an individual’s likelihood of invitation and will not prioritise anyone on personal circumstances such as age or visa expiry.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Victorian nomination cost in 2026-27?
$66 to register interest and $198 to apply for nomination if invited, including GST for applicants in Australia at payment.
Which factors matter most in the Victorian Points Test?
Age, with up to 300 points for ages 20 to 29, English with up to 200 for Superior, and Victorian skilled earnings with up to 150.
Which industries are Victorian priorities this year?
Healthcare, social assistance, education and construction. New energy, advanced manufacturing and hospitality and tourism are not on the current list.
Is NSW nominating for the 491?
No. NSW’s 491 program is closed for all pathways. Its 190 program is open.
Has Victoria’s 2026-27 program opened?
Not as at 25 October 2026. Victoria says it will open soon and publish details then.
General information as at 25 October 2026. Not legal advice. State programs change without notice; check the state’s own page before you pay.