Skilled Migrants
Victoria has a long history of welcoming professionals and tradespeople as skilled migrants. Skill shortages in many industries and sectors in Victoria allow skilled migrants to take advantage of a range of employment opportunities.
There is a range of pathways to permanent residence for people who want to live and work in Melbourne and regional Victoria including independent visas, state and territory nominated visas, family sponsored visas, and employer sponsored visas.
The Victorian Government supports skilled migrants through free state visa sponsorship. State sponsorship gives eligible applicants additional points towards the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)’s General Skilled Migration points test, making it easier to obtain provisional and permanent visas.
There are several state-sponsored skilled visa options for people who want to live and work in Victoria
- the Skilled – Sponsored (176) visa
- the Skilled – Sponsored (886) visa
- the Skilled – Regional Sponsored (475 or 487) visas
Each of these visas provides a pathway to Australian citizenship.
Explore Visas
Find out how to apply for a General Skilled Migration visa and compare all the visa options available to you.
Visa Options
Access detailed information about each visa you can apply for.
Apply for Visa Sponsorship
Apply for skilled visa sponsorship from the Victorian Government.
Track your Application
Complete your saved visa sponsorship application and track your submitted visa application.
Skills in Demand
Find out where in Victoria your skills are in demand in Victoria.
Migrant Stories
Find out what people who have already migrated to Victoria have to say about living there.
Publications and Forms
Links to downloadable publications about living and working in Victoria.
Find Settlement Help
Find out about support services that are available to help you settle in to life in Victoria, Australia.
Victoria
Ahsan Ullah's Story
Chef
Immigrated from Bangladesh
"People are very friendly and this is the important thing. When my wife goes out with my son..."
Read MoreMigration tools
Last updated: 22 July 2009
State Government of Victoria