Victoria’s Skilled Visa Nomination Program 2026-27: New Fees, ROI Changes and What to Do Next

Published 13 October 2026

Victoria has announced a significant change to its skilled visa nomination program. From 2026-27, applicants must pay fees to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) and a visa nomination application. If you are planning to apply for Victorian nomination, here is what the update means and how to prepare.

What Is Changing in 2026-27?

Fees for service will now apply to the Victorian nomination process for two visa pathways:

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

Until now, applicants could lodge an ROI with the Victorian Government without a fee. From 2026-27, that changes. Every applicant should factor these costs into their migration budget from the start.

Victoria Skilled Visa Nomination Fees 2026-27

*GST of 10% applies if the applicant is in Australia at the time of payment. It is calculated and applied when the application form is completed.

**This fee is payable only if you are invited to apply for nomination and submit a nomination application.

Understanding the Fee Structure

1. The ROI fee is charged once per program year

Submitting an ROI costs $60 (or $66 including GST). The fee applies once per program year. If you withdraw your ROI and submit a new one within the same program year, you will not be charged again. This gives you flexibility to update your details, such as a new skills assessment, higher English test scores or additional work experience, without paying twice.

2. The nomination fee applies only if you are invited

The $180 nomination application fee (or $198 including GST) is payable only if you receive an invitation to apply and then submit a nomination application. If you are never invited, you pay only the ROI fee. The nomination fee is the same for the 190 and 491 pathways.

3. GST depends on where you are

GST of 10% applies if you are in Australia when you pay. Applicants overseas pay the amounts excluding GST. The system applies GST when the application form is completed, so your location at the time of payment determines the final amount.

Total cost at a glance

Existing Registrations of Interest Will 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. An earlier ROI will not be considered for 2026-27 nominations. Anyone with an ROI from a previous year should plan to resubmit and budget for the new fee.

How Victoria Selects Applicants for Invitation

The Victorian Government has published more detailed information on the Live in Melbourne website about how ROIs are selected for invitation to apply for nomination. It covers:

• The weighting of selection factors in the Victorian Points Test.
• Priority industries and any additional industry factors considered when selecting applicants.

Applicants are encouraged to read this before submitting an ROI or nomination application. Because an ROI now carries a fee, it makes sense to understand how selection works before you lodge. The Victorian Points Test is not the same as the Home Affairs points test used for general skilled migration, so check Victoria’s own criteria carefully.

When Will the 2026-27 Program Open?

The opening date has not been confirmed yet. Information about the 2026-27 program will be published on the Live in Melbourne website when it becomes available. Applicants can also subscribe to the Live in Melbourne newsletter for updates.

How to Prepare Before the Program Opens

The opening date is still to be announced, so you can use this time to get ready.

Review your eligibility. Check that your occupation, skills assessment, English test results and work experience meet the requirements for subclass 190 or 491 nomination.

Read the Victorian Points Test guidance. Understand how each factor is weighted and whether your occupation falls under a priority industry.

Strengthen your profile. If you can improve your English score, complete a skills assessment or add relevant work experience before the program opens, you may improve your chances of being invited.

Budget for the fees. Include the ROI fee and, if invited, the nomination fee in your overall migration costs.

Prepare your documents. Have your passport, assessment outcomes, employment evidence, qualifications and test results ready to upload.

Get your ROI right the first time. The fee is charged once per program year, but accurate information from the start avoids delays and complications later.

What This Means for Applicants

Fees for service bring Victoria in line with the cost-recovery approach used in other parts of the skilled migration system. For most applicants, the amounts are modest compared with the total cost of a skilled visa application. They do add a financial step to a process that was previously free at the ROI stage, so lodging an ROI is no longer something to do casually. Make sure your profile is complete, eligible and competitive before you pay.

Remember also that submitting an ROI does not guarantee an invitation, and an invitation does not guarantee nomination approval. Nomination is only one step in the skilled visa pathway, and Victoria’s program settings can change from year to year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

The introduction of ROI and nomination fees is one of the most notable changes to Victoria’s skilled nomination program for 2026-27. Applicants should plan early, read the Victorian Points Test guidance, resubmit any previous ROI and monitor the Live in Melbourne website for the program opening date.

Choosing the right visa pathway, and presenting your profile well, matters more than ever when each registration carries a cost. If you are unsure whether the subclass 190 or 491 is right for you, speak with a registered migration professional before you submit.