There is no charge to apply for state sponsorship. There is a fee to lodge your visa application to DIAC though.  For more information regarding DIAC visa charges, visit the DIAC website.

The Victorian Government has a formal agreement with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), concerning the state sponsorship of skilled migrants to Victoria under the Skilled - Sponsored (176 and 886) and Skilled - Regional Sponsored (475 and 487) visas. This agreement is called the State Migration Plan.

The number of skilled migrants that the Victorian Government can sponsor against each occupation listed on the State Sponsorship Occupation Lists is limited by quotas for each occupation. There is also an overall cap on the total number of applications that can be sponsored by the Victorian Government each year. This limit is set by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

To inform you when the quotas have been reached for an occupation, advice will be placed against the relevant occupation/s on the State Sponsorship Occupation Lists stating that applications are not currently being accepted for that occupation.

Applicants sponsored by the Victorian Government agree to live and work in the State of Victoria for a period of two years and must advise the Skilled and Business Migration Program of their contact details prior to arriving in Victoria as well as after arriving for the period of two years.  Applicants are required to complete an email survey upon arrival and at six monthly intervals for the two years after arrival. 

The commitment commences on the date that you arrive iin Victoria to live permanently on your permanent residence (PR) visa.  For Skilled - Sponsored 886 visa (graduate) applicants the commitment begins at the time of visa grant.

The Skilled - Sponsored (176 and 886) visas are permanent visas allowing you to live and work anywhere in the State of Victoria, including Melbourne. 

The Skilled - Regional Sponsored (475 or 487) visa is a temporary three year visa during which you must live and work in regional Victoria (this does not include Melbourne) to meet the criteria for the second stage permanent residency visa.

The current processing time is approximately 12 weeks upon receipt of a completed application.  Periods where applicant information is outstanding is not included in this estimation. Processing times vary between occupations, dependent upon assessment procedures. 

If your sponsorship application is successful you will have four months in which to provide us with your DIAC visa application reference number and confirm you wish to accept state sponsorship.

The amount of money you will need to bring with you to migrate to Victoria will depend on your individual circumstances and the type of visa you apply for. As part of the application for Victorian Government sponsorship you will be required to provide a real estimate of the total funds you have available for migration purposes. 

We do not require evidence of the resources at the time of application however this may be requested from you at any time during the sponsorship commitment.  We expect that applicants will answer the question completely and accurately and failure to do so may result in an unsuccessful application.  Failure to completely and accurately answer this question is a common reason for refusal of state sponsorship applications.  Applications completed incorrectly will not be given consideration.

We strongly encourage you to research the cost of living in Victoria to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your settlement. Find out more about the cost of living in Victoria.

To be eligible for Victorian Government state sponsorship, applicants are required to have at least 'competent' English, a score of at least six in each band level.  Eligibility requirements for some occupations may include a higher standard of English.  This will be indicated on the State Sponsorship Occupation list.  The Victorian Government does not participate in the English language concession.  

Refer to DIAC's website for information regarding the English language levels.

Passport holders and citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, United States of America, or the Republic of Ireland are exempt from providing an IELTS test score for the purpose of Victorian Government sponsorship.  All other applicants must provide a copy of their IELTS assessment at the time of application.  The General or Academic result will be accepted however the score required is the same for each. 

Note that certain occupations require a higher standard of English for the purpose of state sponsorship; check the Victorian Sponsorship Occupation List for details.  The Victorian Government does not participate in the English language concession.

No, Victoria does not participate in the English language concession for state sponsorship.

Note: Concessional English is when an overall level of English is accepted instead of the applicant having to obtain a specified standard in each band.

No.  The Victorian Government has already incorporated any extra nominations allocated from DIAC into our occupation lists.  Therefore to be eligible for state sponsorship under the Skilled - Sponsored (176 or 886) visas you must have an occupation on that occupation list.

Unfortunately, we are unable to advise you if and when your occupation may be added to the Occupation Lists.  Refer to the Occupation Lists page for any updates.

As part of your online application you must attach:

• a detailed resume
• a Sponsorship Declaration – available to download in the initial stages of the application
• an IELTS assessment (unless you are exempt)
• an offer of employment – this is only mandatory if you are applying for Skilled - Regional Sponsorship or it is a requirement for your occupation.

The following documents are not required at the initial time of application; however they may be requested during the assessment process:

• skill(s) assessment (this will only be requested prior to approval)
• trade qualification/certificates.

Information about the skill assessment required for each occupation is available on the Occupations page.

We do not require a skill assessment at the time of lodgement and will advise you if and when it is required. If you have already obtained a skill assessment then you may attach this to your application.

In most cases a skill assessment will be required before state sponsorship can be finalised and we will advise you if and when we require it.

Not necessarily, as it is only one stage in the sponsorship application process.

Having a job offer is not always a mandatory requirement of Victorian sponsorship – it depends on your occupation, the visa sponsorship you are applying for and your personal circumstances. To find out if you need a job offer, check the minimum eligibility requirements of your sponsorship type and the relevant Occupation List.

If you are required to provide an offer of employment, it must be for a minimum of six months and can be part time or full time work in your nominated occupation. Casual work is not accepted. You should provide a copy of your offer letter or contract and this must display the company details, including the Australian Business Number (ABN).  You must also provide evidence that you have accepted this offer of employment.

It is not necessary to use a migration agent but if you choose to we would advise you to use only a registered agent.  You can find further information about using an agent on the Using a Mgration Agent page.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a recruitment service and cannot assist you in finding employment.  If you have an employer who is willing to sponsor you under an employer sponsored visa, you should contact DIAC about the most appropriate pathway.

We are unable to assist in this matter please refer to the DIAC website for information on relevant visa pathways.

We are unable to assist in this matter please refer to the DIAC website for information on relevant visa pathways.

We are unable to assist in this matter please refer to the DIAC website for information on relevant visa pathways.

ANZCO stands for Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. You will notice that all the occupations on the Occupation Lists have an ANZCO code. ASCO, or Australian Standard Classification of Occupations, was the previous system.

If you have an ASCO assessment, you must have a correlating ANZCO occupation on the current Occupation Lists.  Refer to DIAC's website for the ASCO to ANZSCO correlations. The ASCO assessment will be accepted for sponsorship as long as it remains valid.

To be eligible for state sponsorship you must have an occupation on the Victorian Government Sponsorship Occupation List and meet the occupation specific requirements stated on the list.  You must also have a minimum of two years work experience (unless otherwise specified) and an IELTS score of a six in each band (unless otherwise specified).

To be eligible for state sponsorship you must have a minimum of two years paid work experience in your nominated occupation, after obtaining your qualifications, unless otherwise stated.  You must also have been in paid employment in your nominated occupation within the past 12 months. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) requires you to have worked for 12 months in the past 24 months in an occupation on the DIAC Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

We only count paid work experience 'post-qualification' toward the minimum work experience requirement. You should still include any 'pre-qualification' work experience on your resume for industry assessment purposes.

Yes. You are eligible to apply onshore or offshore. If you apply for the off-shore visa you will be required to exit and re-enter the country to activate the visa however.

The Skilled - Sponsored (176) visa allows you to live and work anywhere in Victoria including Melbourne.    

In order to apply for Victorian Government sponsorship under the Skilled - Sponsored (886) visa you must have completed your Australian studies.  Check the International Graduates page for information on the eligibility requirements for recent graduates.  If you require further information we would be happy to assist once you have finished your studies. 

To be eligible for state sponsorship under the Skilled – Sponsored (886) visa you must have an occupation on the Occupation List for Graduates and meet any of the relevant criteria. Further information can be found on the International Graduates page. 

Unfortunately as a recent graduate you do not meet the work requirements to apply for state sponsorship under the Skilled – Sponsored (176) visa.  You must have at least two years experience post qualification and have been working for 12 months in the past 24 months in your nominated occupation.    

To be eligible for Victorian Government state sponsorship under the Skilled – Regional Sponsored (475 or 487) visa you must have an offer of employment in an occupation on the Skilled - Regional Sponsored (475 or 487) Eligibility List, and meet any other criteria relevant to the nominated occupation.

These are areas in Victoria outside of metropolitan Melbourne. You may check by viewing the eligible postcodes on DIAC’s website.

No, you must live and work in regional Victoria, which does not include Melbourne.

A location such as Albury Wodonga is accepted as it is on both sides of the border.  For all other queries contact the Skilled and Business Migration Program.

No, if they have a dependent regional visa they must also live and work in regional Victoria. 

No, if they have a dependent regional visa they must go to school in regional Victoria.