Victorian Points Test: How Victoria Ranks 190 & 491 Nominations
Victorian Points Test: How Victoria Ranks 190 & 491 Nominations
Victoria’s VPT ranks every ROI for 190 and 491 nomination — the seven weighted factors, the two invitation pathways, and the new 2026–27 fees.
The VPT ranks ROIs on seven weighted factors — and there is no fixed pass mark. Check the factors, prepare your evidence, and keep your SkillSelect EOI current before the program opens.
Victorian state nomination has a new update: in October 2026, Victoria published how it will rank Registrations of Interest (ROIs) for the 190 and 491 visas — the Victorian Points Test, and new 2026–27 fees.
Here is the plain-English version: what the VPT scores, how invitations are issued, and what to prepare before the program opens.
Two scores, two jobs
Your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) score is used by the Australian Government to determine eligibility for a skilled visa (a minimum of 65 points is required). The Victorian Points Test (VPT) is separate: Victoria uses it to rank ROIs when selecting who to invite to apply for Victorian nomination. You must meet both the federal visa requirements and Victoria’s nomination requirements — and a high score in either system does not assure an invitation or a visa grant.
There is no fixed pass mark: in each invitation round, the highest VPT totals are invited — across all eligible occupations, and separately within each priority industry.
The seven weighted factors
Victoria’s published tables weight seven factors: age (the 20–29 band scores highest); English language level (Competent, Proficient, Superior); years of experience in your nominated occupation; educational qualification (from ‘Other’ up to PhD); occupation skill level; your partner’s skill (where the partner is included in the application and works in a current priority industry occupation); and annual earnings from skilled employment in Victoria (weightings start at $80,000 per year).
No fixed pass mark — two invitation pathways
Unlike the federal points test, the VPT has no fixed pass mark. Invitations are issued two ways: ROIs with the highest VPT totals across all eligible occupations are invited — and, separately, the highest totals within each priority industry, where Victoria addresses critical skills needs (2026–27 priority industries include healthcare, social assistance, education and construction).
In practice, raw totals are not the whole story — where your occupation sits and Victoria’s priority needs also shape who is invited, and outcomes depend on the competitiveness of the pool at the time.
| SkillSelect EOI (federal) | Victorian Points Test | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Eligibility for a skilled visa | Ranks ROIs for Victorian nomination |
| Minimum | 65 points required | No fixed pass mark |
| What drives it | Points-test criteria | Seven weighted factors + priority industry |
| Guarantee | Not a guarantee alone | An invitation is not assured |
New fees — and the program isn’t open yet
From 2026–27, fees for service apply: $60 (excluding GST) to submit a Registration of Interest, and $180 (excluding GST) for a nomination application — the nomination fee is payable only if you are invited to apply for nomination.
The 2026–27 program is not open yet; Victoria says program information will be published when available, and any previous-year ROI must be resubmitted when the program opens.
Prepare before the program opens
Check your occupation against Victoria’s priority industries, organise your evidence for every factor you can influence (English testing, skills assessment, earnings records), and make sure your SkillSelect EOI is accurate and current. For the wider landscape, see our guide to work visas in Australia.
Check your occupation against Victoria's priority industries (healthcare, social assistance, education, construction)
Book English testing early — Proficient and Superior carry material weight
Have your skills assessment and employment records ready as evidence
Keep your SkillSelect EOI accurate — and expect to resubmit your ROI
Common questions, answered
What is the Victorian Points Test?
The VPT is Victoria’s ranking tool for Registrations of Interest. It scores seven weighted factors — age, English, experience, qualifications, occupation skill level, partner’s skill and Victorian earnings — and ROIs are ranked from highest to lowest.
Is Victoria’s 2026–27 program open yet?
Not yet. Victoria says the program will open soon, and that eligibility criteria and further details will be published when it opens. Any previous-year ROI must be resubmitted when the program opens.
Do I need 65 points to be nominated?
65 points is the minimum for the Australian Government’s points test — a federal eligibility requirement. The VPT is separate and has no fixed pass mark: it ranks ROIs. You must meet both the federal and Victorian requirements, and a high score in either does not assure an invitation or a visa grant.
What are the new fees for 2026–27?
$60 (excluding GST) to submit a Registration of Interest, and $180 (excluding GST) for a nomination application — payable only if you are invited to apply for nomination.
How can I improve my ranking?
Focus on the factors you can influence: English testing (Proficient and Superior carry material weight), documented experience, qualifications evidence and Victorian earnings records — and keep your SkillSelect EOI accurate and current.
Planning Victorian state nomination?
A discovery call can help you line up your evidence and EOI before Victoria’s 2026–27 program opens.
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