Victoria, one of Australia’s states, has opened its doors for the 2024-25 round of invitations. Australia is all set to welcome new skilled migrants, strengthen its economy, and solve skill shortage problems.
This year’s invitation round is particularly significant since it aligns with the federal government’s overarching strategy to fill skill shortage gaps in critical industries, promote innovation, and support regional development.
This article explains what candidates can anticipate from the 2024–25 skilled migration invitation round and gives an overview of the most recent Victorian State Government invitation round. But, before proceeding, let us give you an overview of Victora’a Skilled Migration Program.
Victoria Skilled Migration Program – An Overview
Victoria provides nominations to foreign skilled professionals living in Victoria or Abroad. Victoria invites candidates through the following visa types: A) Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) and Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491).
The state nomination under these visa subclasses provides a pathway to permanent residency for skilled professionals who meet the specific standards set forth by the Victorian government.
Nominated candidates pledge to support the state’s economy and bridge labour shortages in critical industries in exchange for a certain period during which they will reside and work in Victoria.
Available Options for 2024-25 Program
The following are two immigration options available for the Victoria Skilled Migration Program Nomination for 2024-25.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
This visa program allows the candidates to obtain permanent residency status in Australia. This means they can live and work anywhere in Australia for an indefinite period.
- Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
This visa program allows the candidate to live, work and study in a designated regional area in Australia for upto five years. Moreover, after residing in regional Victoria for three years, candidates will become eligible for permanent residency.
Places Allocated to Victoria for the 2024-25 Program
For the 2024-25 program, Victoria has a total of 5,000 places, and Victorian has distributed it through the following ways:
- 3,000 Places for Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
- 2000 Places for Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
Critical Updates for 2024-25 Round of Invitations
The Government of Victoria has made critical updates for the 2024-25 round of invitations to align with the state’s economic needs:
- Regional Development
The government has increased its focus on inviting skilled professionals to the regional Victoria area, particularly for Industries related to Healthcare, Agriculture, and Tourism.
- Update in Occupation List
Victoria’s Skilled Occupation List has been modified. The goal of streamlining the List is to address the state’s pressing labor shortage.
- Collab with Employers
The Victorian authority is working closely with employers to identify skill gaps and modify migration programs according to unique labour market needs.
Crucial Things to Know
The following things candidates should keep in mind.
- The Registration of Interest (ROI) is not a requirement for a Victorian visa nomination application.
- There is no processing timeframe for ROI.
- Submission of ROI without an invitation to apply for Victorian nomination is not possible.
- Eligibility for ROI remains under consideration for subsequent invitation rounds.
- There is no application fee, but the Department of Home Affairs charges for visa application submission.
Steps-by-Step Process to Apply for Victorian Skilled Visa Nomination
If you are planning to Immigrate to Australia through a Victorian Skilled Visa, you must follow the following steps:
- Check your Eligibility
The candidate must ensure that they meet eligibility criteria for either Subclass 190 or Subclass 491. Under this, the candidate should have a valid skill assessment in an in-demand occupation, be under 45 years old, and demonstrate English Language Proficiency.
- Submit an EOI(Expression of Interest)
After checking your eligibility, the candidate must submit an EOI(Expression of Interest) via the Australian Government’s SkillSelect System to get an Invitation to Apply from an Australian Government.
This step is considered very crucial because it demonstrates the candidate’s interest in migrating to Australia.
- Submit an ROI(Registration of Interest)
After submitting the EOI, the candidate must submit a Registration of Interest through the Live in Melbourne Portal. To complete this process, use the EOI number that SkillSelect provided.
It’s crucial to remember that if you are already in Australia, you must be a resident of Victoria. You must also be employed in a regional area of Victoria to be eligible for the subclass 491 visa.
- Wait for an Invitation
After you submit your ROI, you must wait for the Victorian government to assess your application and potentially invite you to apply for nomination. Only candidates who have received an invitation will be able to proceed with the nomination process.
- Send an Application for Nomination
If invited, candidates will need to use the Live in Melbourne portal to apply for nominations. Provide specifics about your training, professional background, and resolve to live and work in Victoria.
- Apply for Visa
The Department of Home Affairs will invite candidates to submit visa applications when Victoria successfully submits their nomination. Candidates have sixty days to submit their visa applications.
Conclusion
Australia is set to welcome skilled migrants for the 2024-25 round of invitations, aiming to strengthen its economy and address skill shortages. The Victoria Skilled Migration Program offers two immigration options: Skilled Nominated Visa and Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa.
The program allows candidates to live, work, and study in a designated regional area for up to five years, with the option to stay for three years in regional Victoria.
For more details about Australian Immigration, contact Province Immigration, the Best Australia Immigration Consultancy, via +91 98961 96762 or [email protected]
