Victoria 190 & 491 State Nomination Round – Key Insights & Trends from 03 December 2025

Victoria’s latest state nomination round for the Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional – Provisional) visas on 03 December 2025 delivered strong signals about the state’s evolving workforce priorities.

With frontline sectors such as nursing, teaching, aged care, engineering, construction and trade occupations receiving invitations, this round reinforces Victoria’s consistent focus on job-ready migrants who can immediately contribute to essential services and regional growth.

Disclaimer: The insights are drawn from the data of the invitees from Aussizz Group.

Victoria’s December 2025 Nomination Round: What Skills Were Prioritised?

The occupation distribution in this round reveals three dominant themes:

• Healthcare & Nursing remain Victoria’s top priority
• Teaching occupations continue to receive strong support
• Trade roles – especially carpentry – show increasing demand

Dominant Occupation Groups Invited in the 03 December Round

Based on our data, Victoria targeted the following skill clusters:

1. Registered Nurses (All streams)

Roles included:

• Registered Nurse (NEC)

Registered Nurses made up the largest share of all invitations, reinforcing Victoria’s ongoing demand across hospitals, aged care facilities, and community health settings.

2. Teachers (Primary, Secondary, Early Childhood)

Teaching roles invited included:

• Primary School Teacher
• Secondary School Teacher
• Early Childhood (Pre-Primary) Educator

Demand was spread across metropolitan and regional zones, highlighting long-term shortages.

3. Aged Care Support & Community Services

Aged care was strongly represented, both skilled nurses and personal care roles, reflecting the growing workforce gaps in residential and community-based care.

4. Carpenters & Construction

Carpenters, Construction Project Managers and Civil Construction roles received multiple invitations, showing strong alignment with regional housing development.

5. Engineering Roles

A limited number of engineering applicants (e.g., Electrical Engineering Technician, Construction Project Manager) were also invited.

Top Occupations Invited – Based on Frequency

Points Breakdown

Most invitations were issued at 80-85 points, consistent with Victoria’s preference for high-calibre applicants with strong English and Australian experience.

Onshore vs Offshore Invitations

Victoria continues to prioritise onshore applicants, particularly those already working in sectors with critical shortages such as teaching and nursing.

This is useful for offshore applicants planning 2026 submissions.

Salary Range Among Invited Applicants

Victoria continues inviting applicants with stable job roles and competitive salaries, reinforcing the priority for professionals already contributing to the local job market.

Why These Occupations Were Prioritised: Victoria’s Skill Strategy for 2026

The December 2025 round reveals how Victoria is shaping its migration strategy ahead of 2026:

1. Healthcare Workforce Crisis Continues

Victoria’s healthcare sector faces:

• Workforce shortages
• Rising demand for aged care support
• Pressure on emergency and acute care

This explains the consistent invitations for Registered Nurses across all branches.

2. Teachers Needed Across Metro & Regional Areas

Victoria’s education system requires:

• More primary teachers
• More secondary teachers
• Higher early childhood educator intake due to reforms

These trends will continue into 2026 and 2027.

3. Housing & Infrastructure Demand Boosting Construction

Trades have become critical due to:

• Ongoing housing projects
• Infrastructure expansion in regional Victoria
• Labour shortages in carpentry and civil trades

4. Regional Prioritisation Through 491

The 491 nominations were aligned to:

• Teaching
• Aged care
• Community services
• Construction trades

This supports regional development goals.

What Points, Skills & Profiles Get Invited in Victoria? (Based on Round Insights)

Applicants With These 5 Traits Saw Higher Success:

1. Strong English (Proficient or Superior)

Most invitations had 20 English points, indicating the advantage of strong communication skills.

2. Australian Experience

Many invited applicants held:

• 1 year local experience
• 3+ years Australia experience (for higher points)

This aligns with Victoria’s preference for “job-ready” candidates.

3. Relevant Employment

100% of invited candidates were working in their nominated occupation, showing the importance of:

• Job alignment
• Proper ANZSCO coding
• Employer-supported documentation

4. High Points (80–85 Typical)

While some trades were invited at 65 points, most competitive occupations (teachers, nurses) required higher points.

5. Stable Employment & Salary Evidence

Victorian nominations often correlate with:

• Stable job history
• Employer need
• Genuine job market contribution

Key 2026 Takeaways for Skilled Applicants Planning Subclass 190 or 491

1. Nursing, Teaching & Construction Will Dominate Again

These sectors have ongoing demand, and future rounds will continue to prioritize them.

2. Offshore Invitations Will Be Selective

Offshore applicants in:

• Early Childhood
• Secondary Teaching
• Carpentry
• have higher chances in 2026.

3. Points Still Matter – But Job Relevance Matters More

Even with:

• 80–85 points
• Strong English
• Australian qualifications

Applicants NOT employed in their nominated field were not invited.

FAQs

Q1. Is 65 points enough for Victoria 190 or 491 in 2026?

Based on the December 2025 round, 65 points is only competitive for select trade occupations like carpentry.

For nurses, teachers, or community services, expect 80+ points to remain the norm.

Q2. Which occupations are most likely to receive Victoria 190 nominations in 2026?

From the latest round, the strongest occupations were:

• Registered Nurse (All categories)
• Secondary School Teacher
• Early Childhood Educator
• Aged Care roles

Q3. Does Victoria prefer onshore applicants for 190 and 491?

Yes, about 85–90% of all nominations were for onshore applicants, especially those already working in their occupation.

Q4. Can offshore applicants get invited by Victoria?

Yes, but selectively. The occupations with clear offshore invitations were:

• Early Childhood Educators
• Carpentry
• Some Registered Nurse categories

Q5. Is Victorian nomination easier for regional areas under 491?

Yes. Teachers, aged care, community services and construction roles have better chances in regional zones.

Final Thoughts: What This Round Means for 2026 Applicants

Victoria’s December 2025 nomination round clearly signals the state’s ongoing preference for applicants who are:

• Already contributing to Victoria
• Employed in high-demand sectors
• Skilled in healthcare, education or construction
• Strong English users
• Ready to meet workforce shortages immediately

If you align your profile strategically, with accurate ANZSCO coding, verified employment, and competitive points, your chances of nomination rise significantly.

With 180,000+ visa success stories, Aussizz Group can guide you through every step of your Victorian state nomination journey – from skill assessment to EOI to state nomination and visa lodgement.