Great news for all skilled migrants looking to call Melbourne home. The State of Victoria has opened its Skilled Migration Program for the 2022~2023 program year.
One of the big changes announced is that both onshore and offshore applications are now able to apply for Victorian nomination. As some of you would have been aware, due to Covid-19 and the border controls that were previously in place, Victoria’s skilled migration program had been limited to only migrants residing in Victoria. While restrictions on applying for nominations still remain on applicants living in other Australian states, overseas migrants are now welcome to apply. Victoria is sponsoring both the subclass 491 visa and the subclass 190 visa.
For more information on these Australian skilled visa options, please see the links below:
- What is the subclass 190 visa?
- What is the subclass 491 visa?
Why Migrate to Victoria
Victoria is famous for offering a wonderful combination of exquisite food, world-class entertainment, beautiful scenery and great career opportunities due to its highly diversified economy making it a popular choice for skilled migrants particularly those looking to work in areas such as finance, IT, health and hospitality. It is an ideal place to work and live providing:
- equal opportunity in the workplace,
- safe working conditions,
- the world’s highest minimum wage (OECD 2019)
- a range of entitlements – including public holidays and paid leave
- home to Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city and is routinely ranked in the top 10 most livable cities in the world. It is also considered by many to be the cultural and sporting capital of Australia home to events such as the Melbourne Open Tennis, the AFL Grand Final, Boxing Day Ashes Test Match and Formula Australian Grand Prix
- strong and diverse economy with a GDP larger than the economies of New Zealand, Singapore or the Philippines
- world-class universities such as the University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT, Victoria University and La Trobe University
- the choice between a cosmopolitan lifestyle in Melbourne or a more relaxed lifestyle in Victoria’s many regional centres
- well-educated workforce
Who is eligible for Victorian nomination?
How do I apply for the Victorian Nomination?
Step 1. Make sure you meet the English requirements
Step 2. If you haven’t undertaken a skills assessment, get started on it immediately
Step 3. Check that your passport is still valid for at least 6 months
Step 4. Submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect to Victoria
Step 5. Submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) to Victoria
Step 6. Wait for an invitation from Victoria to submit your nomination application
Step 7. Apply for and gain Victorian Nomination (applying for Victorian nomination is free this year!)
Step 8. Apply for your subclass 190 or 491 visa within 60 days of the invitation
Not Eligible for Victorian Nomination?
If you are living in another state and are thus ineligible for Victorian nomination, you might qualify for nomination in the State in which you reside. Currently, all other States and Territories in Australia have also started to open their programs. Contact us for more information.
How we can help
As registered MARA migration agents with a combined experience of over 30 years in the field, we have an abundance of experience helping skilled migrants call Australia home. We can assist you in all parts of your Australian visa journey by providing you with:
- A comprehensive review of your eligibility
- Permanent residency strategy planning
- Preparation and submission of your skills assessment
- Assessment of your eligibility for state nomination
- Preparation of flaw-free EOI and state nomination applications
- Seamless processing of your visa application reduces the stress of the process
- Acting as your liaison to the Department of Home Affairs
- General advice throughout
