Victorian Points Test (VPT) explained: how Victoria ranks 190 and 491 applicants (October 2026)
On 13 October 2026 the Victorian Government published an update on its skilled visa nomination program for 2026–27. It introduces fees for Registrations of Interest and nomination applications, and it says more detailed information is now available on how applicants are selected: the weighting of each factor in the Victorian Points Test (VPT), and the industries and occupations Victoria will prioritise.
If you are hoping for Victorian nomination for a Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) or Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa, the VPT decides where you rank against everyone else. Here is what it is, how the points work, what has changed and what you can do before the program opens.
What is the Victorian Points Test?
The VPT is the scoring system Victoria uses to rank every Registration of Interest (ROI) when it selects people for Victorian nomination for the subclass 190 and subclass 491 visas. Each ROI receives a VPT total, and ROIs are ranked from highest to lowest.
Your total is worked out from the information in your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Australian Government and in your Victorian ROI. Victoria says the VPT prioritises younger, highly qualified applicants with higher levels of English. It is made up of seven weighted factors:
| VPT factor | Points available (lowest to highest) |
|---|---|
| Age | 16 (age 44) to 300 (ages 20 to 29) |
| English language | 0 (Competent) to 200 (Superior) |
| Years of experience in your nominated occupation | 0 (no experience) to 100 (more than 8 years) |
| Educational qualification | 25 (other) to 100 (PhD) |
| Occupation skill level | 0 (skill level 2 or 3) to 50 (skill level 1) |
| Partner’s skill (if applicable) | 0 or 50 |
| Annual earnings from skilled employment in Victoria (if applicable) | 8 ($80,000 to $84,999) to 150 ($170,000 and over) |
The VPT does not replace the Australian Government’s rules. To be considered for Victorian nomination you must meet both the Australian Government’s visa eligibility requirements and Victoria’s nomination requirements for the subclass 190 or 491 visa.
What has changed for 2026–27
- Victoria has published how the ranking works. The weighting of each VPT factor and the 2026–27 priority industries and occupations are now on the Live in Melbourne website, and Victoria encourages applicants to read them before submitting an ROI or a nomination application.
- Fees now apply. From 2026–27 there is a fee to submit an ROI and a fee to submit a nomination application for the 190 and 491. The amounts are in the table below.
- Previous ROIs do not carry over. If you submitted an ROI in a previous program year and want to be considered in 2026–27, you must log in to the Live in Melbourne portal and submit a new ROI when the program opens. In 2025–26, by contrast, active ROIs stayed valid and a new one was only needed if your information had changed.
- The 2026–27 program is not open yet. Live in Melbourne says information about the 2026–27 program will be published when it is available. The 2025–26 program closed to new ROIs at 4pm AEST on 28 April 2026.
Victorian nomination fees for 2026–27
| Fee | Excluding GST | Including GST* |
|---|---|---|
| Registration of Interest | $60 | $66 |
| Subclass 190 nomination application** | $180 | $198 |
| Subclass 491 nomination application** | $180 | $198 |
* GST of 10% applies if you are in Australia when you pay. ** Payable only if you are invited to apply for nomination and then submit a nomination application.
- The ROI fee is charged once per program year. If you withdraw and submit a new ROI in the same program year, you are not charged again.
- A new nomination application fee applies each time you submit a nomination application.
- An ROI is valid only for the program year in which it is submitted. A program year starts on or after 1 July and ends on 30 June, and ROIs and nomination applications may close before the end of the program year.
- Only Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Fees are generally non-refundable, including when an ROI does not lead to an invitation, when a nomination application is refused, and when you withdraw.
The VPT points tables, factor by factor
These are the tables published on the Victorian Points Test page. The ranges are reproduced as published.
Age
| Age | VPT points |
|---|---|
| 18 | 265 |
| 19 | 282 |
| 20 to 29 | 300 |
| 30 | 286 |
| 31 | 270 |
| 32 | 256 |
| 33 | 240 |
| 34 | 226 |
| 35 | 210 |
| 36 | 196 |
| 37 | 180 |
| 38 | 166 |
| 39 | 150 |
| 40 | 136 |
| 41 | 106 |
| 42 | 76 |
| 43 | 46 |
| 44 | 16 |
Points peak at 300 for ages 20 to 29 and fall with each year after that, to 16 at age 44. Separately, Home Affairs requires you to be under 45 when you are invited to apply for a 190 or 491 visa.
English language
| English level | VPT points |
|---|---|
| Competent | 0 |
| Proficient | 100 |
| Superior | 200 |
In the Home Affairs points test, the same three levels are worth 0, 10 and 20 points. Under the VPT, the gap between Competent and Superior English is 200 points.
Years of experience in your nominated occupation
| Experience | VPT points |
|---|---|
| 0 years | 0 |
| 1 year | 20 |
| 1–3 years | 40 |
| 3–5 years | 60 |
| 6–8 years | 80 |
| More than 8 years | 100 |
The page does not explain how experience between two bands (for example, between 5 and 6 years) is scored, or how it is counted. If your score depends on it, check with Live in Melbourne or get advice before you submit your ROI.
Educational qualification
| Highest qualification | VPT points |
|---|---|
| Other | 25 |
| Bachelors and Honours | 50 |
| Masters | 75 |
| PhD | 100 |
Occupation skill level
| Skill level of your nominated occupation | VPT points |
|---|---|
| Skill level 3 | 0 |
| Skill level 2 | 0 |
| Skill level 1 | 50 |
For the skill level of your occupation, Live in Melbourne refers you to the skilled occupation list on the Home Affairs website.
Partner’s skill
| Requirement | VPT points |
|---|---|
All three of these apply:
|
50 |
| You are single, have an Australian partner, or do not meet the requirements above | 0 |
This works differently from the Home Affairs points test. Home Affairs gives 10 points for a skilled partner, and also gives 10 points if you are single or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Under the VPT, single applicants and those with an Australian partner score 0 for this factor. To claim the 10 Home Affairs points for a skilled partner, your partner must be applying for the same visa and, when you were invited, must have been under 45, had Competent English, nominated an occupation on the same skilled occupation list as yours and held a suitable skills assessment for it (not one obtained for a subclass 485 visa).
Annual earnings from current skilled employment in Victoria
| Annual earnings (AUD) | VPT points |
|---|---|
| $80,000–$84,999 | 8 |
| $85,000–$89,999 | 16 |
| $90,000–$94,999 | 24 |
| $95,000–$99,999 | 32 |
| $100,000–$104,999 | 39 |
| $105,000–$109,999 | 47 |
| $110,000–$114,999 | 55 |
| $115,000–$119,999 | 63 |
| $120,000–$124,999 | 71 |
| $125,000–$129,999 | 79 |
| $130,000–$134,999 | 87 |
| $135,000–$139,999 | 95 |
| $140,000–$144,999 | 103 |
| $145,000–$149,999 | 111 |
| $150,000–$154,999 | 118 |
| $155,000–$159,999 | 126 |
| $160,000–$164,999 | 134 |
| $165,000–$169,999 | 142 |
| $170,000 and over | 150 |
The table starts at $80,000. Earnings are not one of the factors in the Home Affairs points test. Live in Melbourne refers applicants to its Annual Earnings Estimation guide for more information on annual earnings from skilled employment, so check the Victorian Points Test page for that guide before you rely on this factor.
How Victoria chooses who to invite
Applicants in all eligible occupations can submit an ROI, and every ROI is ranked using the VPT. When you submit an ROI, you are considered in two ways:
| Pathway | Who you are ranked against | Who is invited in each round |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Most competitive | All ROIs in the pool at the time, across all eligible occupations | The ROIs with the highest VPT totals |
| 2. Priority industry | ROIs in the same priority industry or industry subgroup | The ROIs with the highest VPT totals within each priority industry or subgroup |
- There is no fixed pass mark. Victoria issues invitations through regular invitation rounds, and in each round it invites the ROIs with the highest VPT totals at that time. What it takes to be invited depends on how competitive the pool is.
- The 65-point minimum still applies. The Australian Government requires every applicant to score at least 65 points on its own points test. The VPT is a separate ranking used only for Victorian nomination.
- Personal circumstances are not prioritised. Victoria says it cannot prioritise an invitation because of personal circumstances, such as your age or a visa or supporting document that is about to expire.
- No predictions and no guarantees. Victoria will not tell you how likely you are to be invited or how your points compare with other applicants. An invitation to apply for nomination, or a successful nomination, is not guaranteed.
2026–27 priority industries and occupations
Victoria has listed four priority industries for 2026–27: healthcare, social assistance, education and construction. Education and construction are split into subgroups. ROIs in each priority industry or subgroup are ranked by VPT total, and those with the highest totals are invited to apply for nomination.
Being on these lists is not the only way to be invited, because every eligible ROI is also considered in the most competitive pathway. The lists also matter for the partner factor: the 50 partner points require your partner’s occupation to be a current priority industry occupation. The occupations below are as published, with their ANZSCO codes.
Healthcare
| ANZSCO code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 251211 | Medical Diagnostic Radiographer |
| 251212 | Medical Radiation Therapist |
| 251213 | Nuclear Medicine Technologist |
| 251214 | Sonographer |
| 251411 | Optometrist |
| 251511 | Hospital Pharmacist |
| 251912 | Orthotist or Prosthetist |
| 252411 | Occupational Therapist |
| 252511 | Physiotherapist |
| 252611 | Podiatrist |
| 252711 | Audiologist |
| 252712 | Speech Pathologist |
| 253311 | Specialist Physician (General Medicine) |
| 253314 | Medical Oncologist |
| 253317 | Intensive Care Specialist |
| 253318 | Neurologist |
| 253321 | Paediatrician |
| 253399 | Specialist Physicians nec |
| 253312 | Cardiologist |
| 253313 | Clinical Haematologist |
| 253315 | Endocrinologist |
| 253316 | Gastroenterologist |
| 253322 | Renal Medicine Specialist |
| 253323 | Rheumatologist |
| 253324 | Thoracic Medicine Specialist |
| 253411 | Psychiatrist |
| 253512 | Cardiothoracic Surgeon |
| 253511 | Surgeon |
| 253513 | Neurosurgeon |
| 253514 | Orthopaedic Surgeon |
| 253515 | Otorhinolaryngologist |
| 253516 | Paediatric Surgeon |
| 253517 | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon |
| 253518 | Urologist |
| 253521 | Vascular Surgeon |
| 253912 | Emergency Medicine Specialist |
| 253913 | Obstetrician and Gynaecologist |
| 253917 | Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist |
| 253914 | Ophthalmologist |
| 253915 | Pathologist |
| 254111 | Midwife |
| 254211 | Nurse Educator |
| 254212 | Nurse Researcher |
| 254311 | Nurse Manager |
| 254411 | Nurse Practitioner |
| 254412 | Registered Nurse (Aged Care) |
| 254413 | Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) |
| 254414 | Registered Nurse (Community Health) |
| 254415 | Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) |
| 254416 | Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) |
| 254417 | Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) |
| 254418 | Registered Nurse (Medical) |
| 254421 | Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) |
| 254422 | Registered Nurse (Mental Health) |
| 254423 | Registered Nurse (Perioperative) |
| 254424 | Registered Nurse (Surgical) |
| 254425 | Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) |
| 254499 | Registered Nurses nec |
| 411213 | Dental Technician |
Social assistance
| ANZSCO code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 272311 | Clinical Psychologist |
| 272313 | Organisational Psychologist |
| 272312 | Educational Psychologist |
| 272399 | Psychologists nec |
| 272511 | Social Worker |
| 272613 | Welfare Worker |
Education
Teachers subgroup
| ANZSCO code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 241311 | Middle School Teacher |
| 241411 | Secondary School Teacher |
| 241511 | Special Needs Teacher |
| 241599 | Special Education Teachers nec |
Early Childhood Education subgroup
| ANZSCO code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 241111 | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher |
Note: Registrations of Interest with one or more years of relevant work experience and Proficient or Superior English will be prioritised for invitation.
Construction
Construction Professionals subgroup
| ANZSCO code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 233212 | Geotechnical Engineer |
| 234412 | Geophysicist |
| 234413 | Hydrogeologist |
| 133111 | Construction Project Manager |
| 232212 | Surveyor |
| 232214 | Other Spatial Scientist |
Construction Trades subgroup
| ANZSCO code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 333111 | Glazier |
| 331111 | Bricklayer |
| 331112 | Stonemason |
| 334111 | Plumber (General) |
| 334112 | Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber |
| 334113 | Drainer |
| 334114 | Gasfitter |
| 334115 | Roof Plumber |
| 331211 | Carpenter and Joiner |
| 331212 | Carpenter |
| 331213 | Joiner |
| 312113 | Building Inspector |
| 341111 | Electrician (General) |
| 341112 | Electrician (Special Class) |
| 342111 | Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic |
| 322211 | Sheet Metal Worker |
| 323214 | Metal Machinist |
| 312312 | Electrical Engineering Technician |
| 333212 | Solid Plasterer |
| 333411 | Wall and Floor Tiler |
| 333311 | Roof Tiler |
| 323412 | Toolmaker |
| 322311 | Metal Fabricator |
| 321211 | Motor Mechanic (General) |
| 321111 | Automotive Electrician |
190 and 491 at a glance
The VPT only decides who Victoria invites to apply for nomination. The visas themselves are granted by the Department of Home Affairs under its own rules:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa type | 190: permanent. 491: provisional, for 5 years. |
| Nomination | 190: must be nominated by a state or territory government agency. 491: nominated by a state or territory government agency, or sponsored by an eligible relative. |
| Nomination points in the Home Affairs points test | 190: 5 points. 491: 15 points. |
| Where you live and work | 190: Victoria describes it as a permanent visa to live and work anywhere in Victoria. 491: you, and family members who hold the visa, must live, work and study in a designated regional area. |
| Permanent residence | 190: from the day the visa is granted. 491: if eligible, through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) subclass 191 visa after holding the 491 for 3 years. |
| Requirements for both | Be invited to apply; be under 45 when invited; score at least 65 points; have at least Competent English when invited; have a suitable skills assessment; have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list. |
| Visa application charge (main applicant) | 190: from AUD 6,140. 491: use the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator. |
For background on the wider program: the 2026–27 Migration Program has 35,500 places in the State/Territory Nominated category, which includes the 190 (up from 33,000 in 2025–26), and 14,110 places in the Regional category, which includes the 491 (down from 33,000). Home Affairs had not published the 2026–27 nomination allocation for each state when we checked. For comparison, Victoria’s 2025–26 allocation was 3,400 places: 2,700 for the 190 and 700 for the 491. Our earlier guide to Victoria and NSW state nomination for 2026–27 and our 189 vs 190 vs 491 comparison have more background.
Where the VPT fits in the process
| Step | What happens | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check you meet the Home Affairs requirements for the 190 or 491 (see the table above). | You might have to pay for your skills assessment |
| 2 | Submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect. You can update it at any time before you are invited. | No fee |
| 3 | When the 2026–27 program opens, submit an ROI through the Live in Melbourne portal. | $60 ($66 incl. GST) |
| 4 | Victoria ranks your ROI using the VPT. If you are selected in an invitation round, you are invited to apply for nomination. | None |
| 5 | Submit your nomination application with the required supporting documents. | $180 ($198 incl. GST) |
| 6 | If Victoria nominates you, Home Affairs invites you through SkillSelect. You then have 60 calendar days to apply, and this cannot be extended. | None |
| 7 | Lodge your visa application and prove the claims made in your EOI. | See the visa table above |
What you can do now
- Get your EOI right. Your VPT total uses the information in your SkillSelect EOI as well as your ROI, and any claim you make must be one you can prove. Our points calculator and our guide to the Home Affairs points test are a quick first check.
- Know where your VPT points come from. Age (up to 300 points) and English (up to 200) carry the most weight, followed by earnings in Victoria (up to 150).
- If you are claiming partner points, check your partner’s occupation against the priority lists above and make sure they will be included in your visa application.
- If you had an ROI last year, plan to submit a new one when the 2026–27 program opens.
- Keep your visa status lawful. Home Affairs warns that an EOI is not a visa application and does not give you a bridging visa. If your current visa is about to expire, you need to apply for another visa to stay in Australia lawfully, and Victoria will not prioritise your ROI because of it.
- Get advice on your own facts. Book a consultation and we will check your eligibility, your Home Affairs points and your VPT total, and help you get your EOI and ROI ready before the program opens.
We will update this article when Victoria publishes the 2026–27 opening date and requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is the VPT the same as the Home Affairs points test?
No. The Home Affairs points test is about eligibility: you need at least 65 points to be invited to apply for a 190 or 491 visa. The VPT is Victoria’s own system for ranking ROIs when it decides who to invite for nomination. The factors and their weightings are different.
What VPT score do I need?
There is no fixed pass mark. In each invitation round Victoria invites the ROIs with the highest VPT totals in the pool at that time, so the score needed depends on who else has applied. Victoria says it cannot tell you your chances or how your points compare with other applicants.
I submitted an ROI last year. Is it still valid?
Not for 2026–27. You must log in to the Live in Melbourne portal and submit a new ROI when the 2026–27 program opens.
When does the 2026–27 program open?
No date had been announced as at 13 October 2026. Live in Melbourne says information about the 2026–27 program will be published on its website when it is available.
Do I get the ROI fee back if I am not invited?
Generally no. Victoria’s fees are generally non-refundable, including where an ROI does not result in an invitation. Refunds may be made where there has been an administrative or technical error, or where the service cannot be provided.
I am single. Do I get partner points under the VPT?
No. Single applicants, applicants with an Australian partner and anyone who does not meet all three partner requirements score 0 for this factor. You may still get 10 points for being single in the Home Affairs points test.
Can I apply if my occupation is not on a priority list?
Applicants in all eligible occupations can submit an ROI, and every ROI is considered in the most competitive pathway. Check the Live in Melbourne website for the occupations that are eligible for 2026–27 once the program details are published.
Sources
- Live in Melbourne (Victorian Government), Victorian Points Test, including the 2026–27 priority industries and occupations, checked 13 October 2026.
- Live in Melbourne, Update - Victoria’s skilled visa nomination program 2026‑27, 13 October 2026.
- Live in Melbourne, Fees, checked 13 October 2026.
- Live in Melbourne, Update - Victoria’s skilled visa nomination program 2025‑26, 28 April 2026, and the 13 April 2026 update.
- Live in Melbourne, Update: Victoria’s 2025‑26 skilled visa nomination allocation, 19 November 2025.
- Department of Home Affairs, Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and its points table.
- Department of Home Affairs, Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) and its points table.
- Department of Home Affairs, Permanent Migration Program planning levels and State and territory nomination allocations.
- Department of Home Affairs, Skilled occupation list.