Victoria 190 & 491 Invitation Round April 2026: What You Need to Know

What's Happening Right Now

On 21 April 2026, Victoria ran a Skilled and Business Migration Program invitation round for both the subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visas. This is the latest in a series of rounds for the 2025-26 program year, following earlier rounds in mid-January 2026 and March 2026.

If you submitted a Registration of Interest (ROI) and didn't get an invitation this time, your ROI stays in the pool. Victoria assesses candidates in waves, not all at once. So being passed over today doesn't mean you're out.

There's a lot of confusion floating around Facebook groups and forums right now. People aren't sure if the round actually happened, whether emails went out yet, or what it means for their chances. Let's break it all down.

2025-26 Allocation Numbers

Victoria's allocation this year is significantly smaller than last year. The federal government gave Victoria just 3,400 places for 2025-26, broken down as:

That's a 32% reduction overall. The 491 category got hit hardest, losing 65% of its spots. This explains why competition has been fierce. Migration agents report that ROI numbers have exceeded available places by a ratio of at least three to one.

ROI Deadline: 28 April 2026

This is the critical date. Victoria will stop accepting new Registrations of Interest at 4:00pm AEST on Tuesday 28 April 2026.

The program originally reopened in October 2025 and has been running for less than seven months. It's closing early because demand has far outstripped available places.

If you haven't lodged your EOI (Expression of Interest) with SkillSelect and your ROI with Victoria yet, you have exactly one week from today. After 28 April, no new ROIs will be accepted for the remainder of 2025-26.

What if I've already lodged?

If your ROI is already in, you're fine. The deadline only applies to new registrations. Existing ROIs continue to be assessed for remaining places through the rest of the program year (ending 30 June 2026).

That said, double-check your details. Make sure your EOI and ROI information is accurate and up to date. Victoria has flagged that candidates should keep their records current to avoid delays.

How Victoria Ranks Candidates

Here's something a lot of people get wrong: Victoria does not simply pick candidates with the highest points score. Unlike the federal 189 visa, where higher points basically guarantees earlier selection, Victoria uses its own ranking system.

The ROI ranking factors are:

• Age - younger candidates generally score better
• English language level - superior English gives you an edge
• Years of experience in your nominated occupation
• Education level - higher qualifications help
• Occupation skill level - some occupations are prioritised
• Partner's skills (if applicable)
• Salary - for onshore candidates only

The minimum points requirement is 65 (which includes the 5 bonus points for a 190 nomination or 15 for a 491 nomination). But meeting 65 points just gets your foot in the door. It doesn't guarantee selection.

190 vs 491: Which One Should You Apply For?

If you're deciding between the two, here's the quick comparison:

The 190 is the obvious first choice for most people. It's permanent from day one and you can live in Melbourne or anywhere else in the country. But with 2,700 places and massive demand, competition is brutal.

The 491 has fewer places (700) but also fewer applicants. The catch is the regional requirement. For Victoria, that means living and working outside Melbourne. If you're already in regional Victoria, the 491 could actually be your faster path to PR. You'd apply for the subclass 191 after three years.

Not Selected? Here's What Happens Next

If your ROI wasn't picked in the April 21 round, don't panic. Your ROI stays active and will be considered in any remaining rounds before 30 June 2026.

Victoria issues invitations in waves throughout the program year. The April round is not the last. There could be additional rounds in May or June as the state works to fill its remaining allocation before the financial year ends.

A few things you can do while you wait:

• Check your EOI and ROI details are accurate and current
• If your English score has improved, update it
• If you've gained more work experience or a higher salary, update your ROI
• Consider whether you're eligible for other states - NSW, Queensland, and South Australia all run their own programs
• Keep an eye on the federal Budget in May, which will reveal 2026-27 state allocations

2025-26 Victorian Invitation Timeline

Here's a look at when Victoria has run rounds this program year:

What to Do Right Now

Whether you got an invitation or not, here's your checklist:

Step-by-Step: How to Apply Before the Deadline

If you received an invitation

• Check the deadline in your invitation email. You'll typically have 14 days to respond
• Gather all supporting documents: skills assessment, English results, employment references, police checks
• Lodge your visa application through ImmiAccount as soon as possible
• If you're on a temporary visa, a bridging visa will be granted automatically when you lodge

If you haven't lodged a ROI yet

• Submit your SkillSelect EOI immediately
• Lodge your Victorian ROI through the Live in Melbourne portal before 28 April
• Make sure your skills assessment is valid and not expired
• Have a current English test result (PTE, IELTS, or TOEFL)

If you're waiting

• Keep your EOI and ROI details updated
• Don't rely on Victoria alone. Consider submitting EOIs for other states
• Look into the employer sponsorship pathway as a backup. The subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa is another route if you have an employer willing to sponsor

Looking Ahead to 2026-27

Victoria has confirmed it will reopen its state nomination program for 2026-27 sometime after 1 July 2026. The exact date hasn't been announced.

The big unknown is how many places Victoria will get next year. That depends on the federal Budget, expected in May 2026. If the permanent migration cap stays at 185,000 but more places are directed toward regional states, Victoria could face another tight year.

For employers who were planning to transition staff from temporary visas (like the subclass 482) to permanent residency through the 190 pathway, the shrinking allocation is a real problem. The subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) might be a more reliable option going forward.

For international students, the tighter state nomination numbers mean that relying on a 190 as your post-study PR plan is riskier than it used to be. Having a backup pathway is no longer optional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Victoria run a 190/491 invitation round in April 2026?

Yes. On 21 April 2026, Victoria conducted an invitation round for both the subclass 190 and subclass 491 visas as part of its Skilled and Business Migration Program. This followed earlier rounds in March and mid-January 2026.

When is the deadline to lodge a new ROI?

4:00pm AEST on Tuesday 28 April 2026. After this date, Victoria will not accept any new Registrations of Interest for the 2025-26 program year.

How many places does Victoria have this year?

3,400 total. That's 2,700 for the 190 visa and 700 for the 491 visa. Down from 5,000 last year.

What happens if my ROI was not selected?

It stays in the pool. Victoria may run additional rounds before 30 June 2026 to fill remaining places. Your ROI is not discarded just because it wasn't picked in one round.

How many points do I need?

The minimum is 65 points (including the state nomination bonus of 5 for 190 or 15 for 491). But 65 points alone won't guarantee selection. Victoria ranks candidates on multiple factors beyond just points.

When will Victoria reopen for 2026-27?

Sometime after 1 July 2026. The exact date and allocation numbers depend on the federal Budget and migration planning levels for the new financial year.

Can I apply for both the 190 and 491 in Victoria?

Yes. If you're eligible for both, submit separate ROIs. Victoria assesses them independently and there's no penalty for applying to each. If you're in regional Victoria and qualify for both, it doubles your chances of getting picked.

Does Victoria prioritise candidates with the highest points?

No. This is one of the biggest misconceptions. Unlike the federal 189 visa where more points basically equals faster selection, Victoria uses its own ranking criteria: age, English, work experience, education, occupation skill level, partner skills, and salary (onshore only). Points get you in the door. The ranking factors decide who gets invited.

Can offshore applicants apply for the 491?

No. Victoria's 491 nomination requires onshore candidates who are already living and working in a designated regional area within Victoria. If you're offshore, your only option through Victoria is the 190.

What is the processing time after getting nominated?

Once Victoria nominates you, you have 60 days to lodge your visa application with the Department of Home Affairs. After lodgement, processing times vary. The 190 typically takes 3 to 9 months. The 491 can take 6 to 12 months. These times depend on caseload, your individual circumstances, and whether Home Affairs sends you a request for further information (s56).