Victoria opened its skilled migration program for the financial year 2021 – 2022 and started allowing applications for nominations. The Victorian state government allocated 3,500 places for 190 nomination, and 500 for 491 nominations.
Based on this, you can conclude that Victoria is focusing on 190 nominations, and can continue to expect high competition.
Other important changes to Victoria'a skilled migration program in 2021-2022 include continued focus on helping the state to respond to Covid19 situation and recover post-pandemic.
Program continues to be generally still focused on skilled workers/professionals working in the target sectors. Significant changes to the 2021-22 program include:
The removal of the minimum experience and hours worked requirement.
An increase in the number of target sectors.
Applicants must have STEMM skills and have a Skill Level 1 or 2 occupation. Applicants for subclass 491 nomination may also have a Skill Level 3 occupation using their STEMM skills.
If you are not working in the above sectors, your chance of getting an invitation quickly from Victoria is slim.
Criteria to be selected by Victoria
To be considered for selection to apply for Victorian skilled visa nomination you must be:
living in Victoria (subclass 491 applicants must live and work in regional Victoria)
working in Victoria using STEMM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine), and
orking in a target sector.
Target Sectors
Health: The health sector in Victoria consists of professionals providing medical services to Victorians as well as those involved in related education and research and development.
You do not necessarily need to be working in a health occupation (e.g. Nurse) to be considered working in the health sector. For example, a software developer working on software for hospitals is considered to be working in the health sector.
Nursing applicants: please note that we only nominate applicants with specific specialisations, such as:
Midwife – 254111
Registered Nurse (Aged Care) – 254412
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) – 254415
Registered Nurse (Mental Health) – 254422
Registered Nurse (Perioperative) – 254423
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) – 254425
Medical research: In addition to medical research conducted in universities and research institutes, Victoria’s medical research includes activities such as drug development, clinical trials, health product manufacturing, medical devices and digital health.
If you are using your STEMM skills to support medical research in Victoria, you are considered to be working in the medical research sector.
Life sciences: Victoria’s life sciences sector is composed of many industries such as the medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Companies involved in food processing, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals may also be considered to form part of the life sciences sector.
If you are using your STEMM skills to support Victoria’s life sciences sector, you are considered to be working in the life sciences sector. For example, a lecturer in biotechnology working in a university is considered to be working in life sciences.
Digital: The digital sector makes use of technology and innovation to drive economic growth, productivity and competitiveness in Victoria.
Currently they are only selecting applicants with cyber security skills to apply for subclass 190 visa nomination. Applicants without cyber security skills who are seeking subclass 190 visa nomination may still be selected if they are using their digital skills in another target sector. For example, a software engineer working in medical research.
Applicants working in any segment of the digital sector will be considered for selection for subclass 491 visa nomination.
Agri-food: The agri-food sector in Victoria includes highly skilled people working to develop food growth and production as well as the modernisation of Victoria’s agri-food sector. To be considered for selection to apply for nomination, applicants must be using their STEMM skills to innovate within the sector, which could include research and development or advanced manufacturing.
Advanced manufacturing: Victoria’s advanced manufacturing sector includes industries such as defence and aerospace. To be considered to be working in advanced manufacturing, you must be using your STEMM skills to enhance innovation. This could include activities such as research and development, design, supply chain management increasing global competitiveness through the use of technology.
New energy, emissions reduction and circular economy: This sector includes industries such as clean energy, renewables, bioenergy, carbon capture and energy storage. Applicants could be using their STEMM skills to support efforts to reduce waste, cut pollution and protect the environment.
Employment requirements for the 190 visa
You must be currently working in Victoria in a target sector.
Victoria will accept casual employment.
Victoria will accept employment in a role that is closely related to your nominated occupation.
Victoria will NOT accept employment that is NOT related to your nominated occupation.
For example, Victoria will not accept situations where you are working as a Personal Care Assistant and your nominated occupation is Software Developer.
You must support all your claims of employment with documents in your application.
You will be required to provide a current contract, most recent payslip and an extract from your superannuation account showing the most recent payments from your employer.
In some instances, Victoria may also require additional payslips or reference letter from your employer. If so, Victoria will ask for this during assessment.
Occupation – 190 visa
Any occupation on the skilled occupation lists is eligible to submit a Registration of Interest, provided you are using your STEMM skills in one of the target sectors listed above.
Victoria are currently selecting the following occupations with advanced skills:
ANZSCO skill levels 1 and 2, and
STEMM skills or qualifications.
Skills assessment- 190 visa
Your nominated occupation in your skills assessment must match the ROI, nomination application and EOI.
When you submit your nomination application your Skills Assessment must have at least 12 weeks validity remaining.
PhD candidates and graduates from Australian universities- 190 visa
You must meet the eligibility requirements to be considered for selection. This includes living and working in Victoria.
Victoria will not consider you as employed if you are receiving a scholarship or undertaking a professional placement as part of completing your qualification.
Employment requirements for the 491 visa
You must be currently working in regional Victoria in a target sector.
Victoria will accept casual employment.
Victoria will accept employment in a role that is closely related to your nominated occupation.
Victoria will NOT accept employment that is NOT related to your nominated occupation.
For example, Victoria will not accept situations where you are working as a Personal Care Assistant and your nominated occupation is Software Developer.
You must support all your claims of employment with documents in your application.
You will be required to provide a current contract, most recent payslip and an extract from your superannuation account showing the most recent payments from your employer.
In some instances, Victoria may also require additional payslips or reference letter from your employer. If so, Victoria will ask for this during assessment.
Victorian target sectors- 491 visa
You must be working in one of the target sectors.
Living in Victoria- 491 visa
You must be currently living in regional Victoria.
You may be required to show evidence of a lease, bond receipt, utilities or other documents that prove you are currently living in Victoria.
If this is required, we will ask for it during assessment.
If you live in a border community, you may be eligible if you can clearly demonstrate that you either live or work in Victoria. You must also be able to demonstrate how your skills benefit Victoria.