Victoria VPT System 2026–27: ROI Guide for Students

Victoria VPT System 2026–27: What International Students in Melbourne Need to Know

If you're studying in Melbourne, you've probably quietly asked yourself:"Could I actually stay here long term?" You’re definitely not alone - almost every international student has that exact thought, usually somewhere between a stressful assignment and sipping a very good flat white.

Every year, Victoria publishes how it ranks people for state nomination. The good news is we have clarity on the rules. The catch? Victoria has brought in some massive changes to the Victorian Points Test (VPT) system for this financial year, including new fees and a rule that old applications don't carry over.

It can all feel like alphabet soup (ROI, VPT, EOI, SkillSelect) so let's slow down and break it down together in plain English. By the end of this guide, you'll know how the VPT system works, what changed for 2026–27, and your next steps to get ready.

What Is the VPT System? (And What Is an ROI?)

Let's decode the two acronyms you'll see everywhere.

What is a Registration of Interest (ROI)?

An ROI is how you tell Victoria, "I'd like to be considered for state nomination." You submit it through the official Live in Melbourne portal.

Important: an ROI is not a visa application, and it isn't a nomination. Think of it as putting your hand up. Victoria then looks at all the hands and chooses who to invite to apply.

What is the Victorian Points Test (VPT)?

The Victorian Points Test (VPT) is the scoring system Victoria uses to rank every ROI for state nomination for the:

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): a permanent residency visa
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491): a regional provisional visa that can lead to PR

Your VPT score is worked out from two things: your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) and your Victorian ROI. Victoria then ranks everyone from highest to lowest and invites the top-ranked applicants in each round.

Is the VPT the same as the federal points test?

No, and this is where many students get tangled up.

• The federal points test (run by the Department of Home Affairs through SkillSelect) decides whether you're eligible for a skilled visa. You generally need at least 65 points, and state nomination adds 5 of them for a subclass 190.
• The VPT (run by Victoria) decides how competitive you are against other people wanting a Victorian nomination.

You need both: enough federal points to be eligible, and a strong enough VPT score to be invited. Also, there's no fixed pass mark for the VPT. It's a ranking, so what counts is how you compare with others in each round.

The 7 Key Scoring Factors in the Victorian Points Test

The VPT has seven factors and a maximum of 950 points. Here's the simple version.

Let's go through them one by one.

1. Age (up to 300 points)

Age carries the biggest weight in the whole test. Applicants aged 20 to 29 get the full 300 points. From around 30, points reduce year by year. Published worked examples show roughly 210 points at age 35.

It's the one factor you can't improve, but it's useful for planning your timeline. If you're approaching 30, it's worth thinking about when you submit your ROI.

2. English language (up to 200 points)

This is one of the most improvable factors, so it's great news for students.

• Competent English: 0 points
• Proficient English: 100 points
• Superior English: 200 points

So scoring Proficient or Superior in your English test can make a big difference. Superior English also adds extra points on your federal EOI, so it works double duty.

3. Work experience (up to 100 points)

These are points for years of experience in your nominated occupation (the job on your skills assessment). More years means more points, with the maximum available at around 8 or more years.

4. Education (up to 100 points)

Higher qualifications score more. As a guide from published examples:

• Doctorate: 100
• Master's degree: 75
• Bachelor's degree: 50
• Other qualifications (e.g. trade): 25

5. Occupation skill level (50 points)

Occupations classified as Skill Level 1 (broadly, professional and managerial roles) get 50 points. Skill Level 2 or 3 occupations get 0 here. Your occupation's skill level is shown in the ANZSCO listing.

6. Partner's skills (up to 50 points)

This one has strict conditions. You get the 50 points only if all three apply:

• You're claiming 10 partner-skills points on your SkillSelect EOI
• Your partner will be included in the state-nominated visa application
• Your partner's occupation is a current Victorian priority industry occupation

If you're single, or your partner doesn't meet all three, this factor is simply 0. That's completely normal.

7. Victorian earnings (up to 150 points)

Victoria rewards annual earnings from current skilled employment in Victoria. Points start at $80,000 (about 8 points) and climb to 150 points at $170,000 and over. Below $80,000, or earnings not from current skilled work in Victoria, score 0.

What's New in the 2026–27 Program?

Victoria made some important changes this year. Here's what matters for you.

1. Fees now apply

For the first time, Victoria charges fees for service:

These are small compared with the full cost of a skilled visa, but they're worth budgeting for. Money tight? Our student budgeting tips for Melbourne can help you plan.

2. Old ROIs don't roll over

This is the big one. If you submitted an ROI in a previous program year, it does not carry over. To be considered for 2026–27, you must log in to the Live in Melbourne portal and submit a brand new ROI.

3. The points test is now published

There's good news here too. Victoria now shares exactly how it ranks ROIs, so you can estimate your own score and plan, instead of guessing.

4. Program status and limited places

At the time of writing, the 2026–27 program has opened for subclass 190 ROIs, with 900 nomination places for the year. Places for the subclass 491 hadn't been finalised yet, so 491 ROIs weren't being accepted. Because this can change quickly, check the Live in Melbourne website for the latest status before you do anything.

With limited places, ranking matters more than ever. That's exactly why understanding the VPT is worth your time.

Priority Industries: A Second Pathway to Nomination

Victoria invites people through two routes:

1. Most competitive applicants across all ROIs, ranked by VPT score
2. Priority industries, where ROIs are ranked by VPT score within each priority industry or subgroup

For 2026–27, the four priority industries are:

• Healthcare
• Social assistance
• Education
• Construction

If your nominated occupation is on the priority list, you're competing mainly against others in that same group rather than the entire pool. Priority occupations are listed by specific ANZSCO codes on the official Live in Melbourne Victorian Points Test page, so check that your exact occupation appears. Being "in the education sector" isn't the same as your occupation being listed.

Some priority subgroups may also come with extra conditions (for example, around English or experience), so read the fine print for your occupation.

Basic Eligibility: The Non-Negotiables

Before thinking about points, make sure you tick the basics. Generally you need:

• A current EOI in SkillSelect and a submitted Victorian ROI
• A valid, positive skills assessment for an eligible occupation
• At least Competent English
• At least 65 points on the federal points test
• To be under 45 when invited

If any of these aren't sorted yet, start there.

Your Step-by-Step Action Checklist

Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Take it one tick at a time.

1. Check your occupation. Is it on an eligible skilled occupation list for Victoria? Is it a 2026–27 priority occupation?
2. Get (or confirm) your skills assessment. You need a positive outcome from the right assessing authority for your occupation.
3. Update your SkillSelect EOI. Log in to SkillSelect and make sure your EOI is current and accurate. Victoria uses it to calculate your VPT score.
4. Check your English test is valid, and consider retaking it. Aiming for Proficient or Superior can add 100 to 200 VPT points.
5. Estimate your VPT score. Use the points tables on the official Live in Melbourne page and add up your seven factors honestly.
6. Gather your documents. Passport, qualifications, transcripts, skills assessment, English results, employment evidence and (if relevant) partner documents. Keep digital copies in one folder.
7. Budget for the fees. $66 for the ROI, and $198 if you're invited.
8. Submit a new ROI through the Live in Melbourne portal when the relevant program is open for your visa type.
9. Keep your details up to date. If your English score, experience or circumstances change, update your records so your profile reflects them.
10. Consider professional advice. A registered migration agent can look at your situation, your visa expiry dates and your options.

Tips to Strengthen Your Profile Over Time

Not happy with your estimated score? That's okay, because many factors can improve:

• Boost your English. It's often the quickest win.
• Build relevant experience in your nominated occupation and keep clear evidence.
• Think about further study if it genuinely supports your career (but don't enrol only for points).
• Plan around age. Age points reduce each year from 30, so timing matters.
• Look at your long-term plan with the full picture of your visa expiry, work rights and finances.

Note that Victoria doesn't publish cut-off scores and can't tell you your chances, so treat your estimated score as a planning tool rather than a promise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a minimum VPT score I need to be invited?

No. There is no fixed pass mark. Victoria ranks all ROIs and invites the highest-ranked applicants in each round.

I submitted an ROI last year. Do I need to submit another?

Yes. ROIs from previous program years don't carry over. Submit a new one through the Live in Melbourne portal.

Can I submit an ROI for the subclass 491 right now?

That depends on current program status. At the time of writing, 491 places hadn't been finalised. Check Live in Melbourne for updates.

Does a high SkillSelect score guarantee an invitation?

No. SkillSelect points show visa eligibility, while the VPT ranks you against other Victorian applicants.

Do my part-time student jobs count for VPT earnings?

Generally no. Earnings points need current skilled employment in Victoria at $80,000 a year or more.

You've Got This

The Victoria VPT system can look intimidating at first, but it's really just seven factors added together. Once you understand where your points come from, you can make a calm, practical plan: improve your English, collect your evidence, track the official updates and submit your ROI at the right time.

You've already done something brave by moving countries to study. Planning your next step is just the next chapter. Take it one tick at a time, and don't hesitate to ask for help along the way.