Photo by Arthur Hinton on Unsplash
Victoria has officially closed its 2025–26 Skilled Visa Nomination Program to new Registrations of Interest (ROIs), effective 28 April 2026.
The announcement means that prospective migrants who have not yet lodged an ROI will need to wait until the next program year before they can be considered for Victorian state nomination.
Existing Applications Will Continue to Be Assessed
The Victorian Government has confirmed that all ROIs submitted before the closure will continue to be assessed against the remaining nomination places available during the current program year.
Applicants who have already submitted an ROI do not need to take any further action unless they need to update information contained within their application.
Importantly, the closure only affects new submissions. Existing candidates remain in the assessment pool and may still receive invitations if nomination places become available.
Applicants Should Not Withdraw Existing ROIs
One notable aspect of the announcement is the warning issued to current applicants.
Candidates who choose to withdraw an existing ROI will not be able to submit another ROI until the Victorian Skilled Migration Program reopens for the 2026–27 program year.
For applicants already in the system, maintaining an active ROI may therefore be crucial while the remaining nomination places are allocated.
Victoria’s Allocation for 2025–26
Victoria received a total allocation of 3,400 nomination places for the current migration program year.
| Visa Type | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa | 2,700 |
| Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa | 700 |
| Total | 3,400 |
The closure reflects continued strong demand for Victorian nomination across a wide range of skilled occupations.
What Applicants Should Do
While the program is closed to new submissions, existing applicants can still strengthen their position by ensuring their information remains accurate and up to date.
Applicants should:
- Review and update their Expression of Interest (EOI) if circumstances change.
- Ensure supporting documentation remains valid.
- Keep English language test results and skills assessments current.
- Monitor Victorian Government announcements regarding future invitation activity and the opening of the 2026–27 program year.
Looking Ahead
Victoria remains one of Australia’s most sought-after destinations for skilled migrants, and competition for state nomination continues to be intense.
Although the state has stopped accepting new ROIs for the current program year, applicants already in the system still have opportunities to receive nomination as Victoria allocates its remaining places. Those planning to apply in the future should begin preparing early so they are ready when the next program year opens.
Source: Victoria Skilled Migration Program Update – 28 April 2026.
