Victoria Introduces Fees for Skilled Visa Nomination in 2026-27
Updated: 2 minutes ago
MELBOURNE, October 18, 2026 — Victoria has ended its long-standing practice of free skilled visa nomination, introducing fees for both Registrations of Interest (ROIs) and nomination applications under the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) programs.
The official announcement, published on 13 October 2026, confirms that "fees for service will apply" from the 2026-27 program year. Victoria had previously charged nothing for nomination — a point its own website had long advertised as a key benefit.
The New Fee Schedule
Stage | Excluding GST | Including GST |
Registration of Interest (ROI) | AUD 60 | AUD 66 |
Subclass 190 nomination application | AUD 180 | AUD 198 |
Subclass 491 nomination application | AUD 180 | AUD 198 |
For an applicant who submits one ROI and subsequently receives an invitation to apply for nomination, the combined Victorian state fee is AUD 240 excluding GST, or AUD 264 where GST applies to both payments.
These figures cover state nomination only. They sit alongside the Department of Home Affairs visa application charge, which rose to AUD 6,140 for the subclass 190 primary applicant on 1 July 2026.
How the Fees Work in Practice
Three rules govern when and how the charges apply.
The ROI fee is charged once per program year. If an applicant withdraws an ROI and submits a new one within the same program year, no additional ROI fee is payable. The charge attaches to the program year, not to the individual submission.
The nomination application fee is contingent. It becomes payable only if the applicant is invited to apply for nomination and proceeds to submit that application. Submitting an ROI does not commit an applicant to the nomination fee.
GST is location-dependent. The 10% Goods and Services Tax applies if the applicant is physically in Australia at the time of payment. The applicable amount is calculated when the application form is completed, so the same applicant could pay AUD 60 or AUD 66 depending on where they are on the day.
Previous ROIs Do Not Carry Forward
A point that warrants emphasis: anyone who submitted an ROI in an earlier program year and wishes to be considered for 2026-27 must submit a new ROI through the Live in Melbourne portal once the program opens.
The 2025-26 program has concluded, and all spots have been taken. The fee announcement is merely a preparatory update and does not indicate that the 2026-27 program is open for submissions. As of 13 October 2026, Victoria's website mentions that the program will open "soon," with eligibility criteria and additional details to be released at the time of launch.
Selection Now Runs Through the Victorian Points Test
Alongside the fee changes, Victoria has published expanded information on how ROIs are ranked for invitation.
Selection uses the Victorian Points Test (VPT), a state-specific scoring model distinct from the federal points system. The VPT weights seven factors:
Age
English proficiency
Experience in the nominated occupation
Education
Occupation skill level
Eligible partner skills
Victorian skilled-employment earnings
Victoria has also released priority industry information and other industry factors taken into account during the selection process. Applicants are encouraged to examine the VPT weightings and priority sectors prior to submitting an ROI, as the state's ranking may differ significantly from the results of a federal points calculation.
What This Means for Applicants
Victoria's shift from free nomination to a paid, two-stage process changes the calculus for prospective applicants.
Budget for AUD 240–264 in state fees. Combined with the federal visa charge of AUD 6,140, skills assessment costs, and English testing, the total pathway to a subclass 190 visa now runs well above AUD 7,000 for a single applicant.
Do not assume an old ROI remains valid. Applicants who lodged an ROI before July 2026 will need to file a fresh one and pay the associated fee.
Pay attention to the GST trigger. Applicants already in Australia pay the higher amount. Those offshore at the time of payment pay the GST-exclusive figure — a detail worth timing deliberately where the applicant is moving between jurisdictions.
Treat the fee as non-refundable in practice. Paying does not guarantee an invitation. Victoria's own guidance is explicit that not everyone who submits an ROI will be nominated.
Quick Reference Summary
Item | Detail |
Announced | 13 October 2026 |
Program Year | 2026-27 |
ROI Fee | AUD 60 (excl. GST) / AUD 66 (incl. GST) |
Subclass 190 Nomination Fee | AUD 180 / AUD 198 |
Subclass 491 Nomination Fee | AUD 180 / AUD 198 |
Combined State Fee | AUD 240 / AUD 264 |
GST Trigger | Applicant physically in Australia at payment |
Nomination Fee Payable | Only on invitation to apply |
ROI Fee Frequency | Once per program year |
Previous ROIs | Do not carry forward; new ROI required |
Program Status | Not yet open as of 13 October 2026 |
Selection Method | Victorian Points Test (VPT) plus priority industries |
For the latest immigration updates, visa policy changes, and 2026 developments worldwide, visit: visasupdate.com/blog/category/australia
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