Victoria’s latest state nomination round for the Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional – Provisional) visas on 03 December 2025 has delivered strong insights into the state’s evolving workforce priorities.
With significant invitations issued to nursing, teaching, aged care, engineering, construction and trade occupations, this round reaffirms Victoria’s focus on job-ready migrants who can immediately contribute to essential services and regional development.
Disclaimer: The insights are drawn from the invitee data collected by Apical Immigration Experts.
What Skills Did Victoria Prioritise in the December 2025 Round?
The occupation trends observed in this round highlight three clear themes:
- Healthcare & Nursing remain the biggest priority
- Teaching occupations continue to receive consistent support
- Trades — especially carpentry — show rising demand
This aligns with Victoria’s roadmap to strengthen healthcare, education, and housing infrastructure across metropolitan and regional areas.
Dominant Occupation Groups Invited – 03 December 2025 Round
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Registered Nurses (All Streams)
Registered Nurses formed the largest share of invitations, reflecting shortages across hospitals, aged care facilities, and community healthcare.
Invited roles included:
- Registered Nurse (NEC)
- Other specialised nursing categories
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Teachers (Primary, Secondary & Early Childhood)
Teaching invitations remained high, covering:
- Primary School Teachers
- Secondary School Teachers
- Early Childhood (Pre-Primary) Educators
Demand was evident across both metro and regional zones.
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Aged Care Support & Community Services
Aged care professionals — including nurses and personal care workers — were strongly represented, indicating continued strain on Victoria’s aged care workforce.
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Carpenters & Construction Roles
Carpenters, Construction Project Managers and Civil Construction professionals received multiple invitations due to strong housing and infrastructure activity.
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Engineering Occupations
While more limited, invitations included roles such as:
- Electrical Engineering Technician
- Construction Project Manager
Top Occupations Invited – Based on Frequency
| Occupation Group | Share of Invitations |
| Registered Nurses | Highest |
| Teachers | High |
| Carpenters | Moderate |
| Aged Care Professionals | Moderate |
| Construction & Engineering | Lower but present |
Points Breakdown for Invitations
| Points | Approx. Share |
| 65 | Some trades (Carpenters) |
| 70–75 | Aged Care, Teachers, some RN categories |
| 80–85 | Majority of RNs and Teachers |
| 90+ | Limited (mainly high-point RNs) |
Most invitations were issued between 80–85 points, underscoring the value of strong profiles with high English scores and Australian experience.
Onshore vs Offshore Invitations
| Category | Share |
| Onshore | ~85–90% |
| Offshore | ~10–15% |
Victoria continues to prioritise onshore applicants already working in high-demand occupations.
Salary Range Among Invited Applicants
| Occupation Group | Salary Range (AUD) |
| Registered Nurses | $70,000 – $95,000 |
| Aged Care | $55,000 – $72,000 |
| Teachers | $65,000 – $92,000 |
| Carpenters | $55,000 – $75,000 |
| Construction/Engineering | $85,000 – $120,000 |
Invitations clearly favoured applicants with stable employment and competitive salary levels, indicating Victoria’s focus on job-ready professionals.
Why These Occupations Were Prioritised – Victoria’s Strategy for 2026
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Ongoing Healthcare Workforce Crisis
Victoria continues to face shortages due to:
- Increasing patient load
- Ageing population
- Pressure on emergency & acute care services
This explains the strong presence of Registered Nurses across all branches.
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Growing Need for Teachers Across All Levels
Reforms and student growth are driving demand for:
- Primary School Teachers
- Secondary School Teachers
- Early Childhood Educators
Expect this trend to remain strong in 2026–2027.
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Construction & Housing Development Priorities
Demand growth is linked to:
- Large-scale housing projects
- Regional infrastructure expansion
- Shortages in carpentry and civil trades
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491 Regional Focus
Regional Victoria continues to prioritize:
- Teaching
- Aged care
- Community services
- Trades (carpentry, construction)
What Profiles Were Most Successful in This Round?
Applicants with the following traits saw higher success:
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Strong English Proficiency
Most invited candidates scored Proficient or Superior English (20 points).
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Australian Work Experience
The majority had:
- At least 1 year local experience, or
- 3+ years of Australian experience for higher points
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Relevant Employment in Nominated Occupation
All invited candidates were working in their ANZSCO-aligned occupation.
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High Points (80–85 range)
Essential for competitive occupations such as nursing and teaching.
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Steady Employment & Salary Proof
Consistent job history and employer need remain critical selection factors.
Key Takeaways for 2026 Applicants (Subclass 190 & 491)
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Nursing, Teaching & Construction Will Dominate Again
These sectors will continue to drive Victoria’s migration intake.
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Offshore Invitations Will Stay Selective
Best-performing offshore occupations include:
- Early Childhood Education
- Carpentry
- Select RN categories
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Points Matter – But Job Relevance Matters More
Even high-point candidates were not invited without relevant ongoing employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is 65 points enough for Victoria 190 or 491 in 2026?
65 points may be sufficient for trades like carpentry, but for healthcare, teaching, or community services, expect 80+ points.
Q2. Which occupations are most likely to get Victoria 190 invitations in 2026?
Based on recent trends:
- Registered Nurses
- Secondary School Teachers
- Early Childhood Educators
- Aged Care roles
Q3. Does Victoria prefer onshore applicants?
Yes. Around 85–90% of nominations are issued to onshore applicants.
Q4. Can offshore applicants receive invitations?
Yes, selectively for occupations such as:
- Early Childhood Educators
- Carpenters
- Some RN categories
Q5. Is the 491 nomination easier for regional applicants?
Yes. Teaching, aged care, community services and trades have stronger potential in regional zones.
Final Thoughts: What This Round Means for 2026 Applicants
The December 2025 nomination round shows Victoria’s clear preference for skilled migrants who are:
- Already contributing to Victoria
- Working in high-demand sectors
- Skilled in healthcare, education or construction
- Strong in English
- Able to address immediate workforce shortages
A strategically aligned profile – with correct ANZSCO coding, verified employment, and competitive points – significantly boosts your chances of receiving a Victorian nomination.
Ready to boost your chances for Victoria nomination? Get your FREE eligibility check now!
- Email: info@immigrationxperts.com
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