- Home
- Working & Employment
- Finding a Job Information, tips and links to help you find a job in Melbourne or regional Victoria.
- Occupations Career information for skilled migrants. Our job guide has industry overviews, what you'll earn, how to find a job, licensing and registration info and industry contacts.
- Starting a Job Before you start to work in Victoria learn about your rights and responsibilities as an Australian employee.
- Get Connected, Get a Job A wide range of industry associations and professional associations are available to help you find a job and meet other professionals in Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Industries Information on Victoria's industries, including the work industry in Melbourne. Profiles on industry size, job guides and industry contacts for finding work in Victoria.
- Visas & Immigrating
- Skilled Visas An overview of the migration visas available to skilled professionals and tradespeople interested in migrating to Australia.
- Business Visas An overview of the migration visas available to business professionals and owners interested in migrating to Australia.
- State Sponsorship The Victorian Government sponsors visas for skilled and business migrants interested in living in Victoria, Australia.
- Occupation Lists See the Victorian State Sponsorship list to find out if your occupation is in demand and eligible for state sponsorship by the Victorian Government.
- How to Migrate Find out about the process of how to migrate to Victoria, Australia. Victoria's Skilled and Business Migration Program offers assistance in a number of ways.
- FAQs About Skilled Sponsorship & Visas Answers to migrant questions about skilled sponsored visas offered by the Victorian Government in Australia.
- Living in Victoria
- Melbourne & Regional Victoria Information and interactive maps of Melbourne and the different regions of Victoria, Australia.
- Cost of Living Information on the cost of living in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Useful for people looking to live and work in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
- Housing & Property Information on accommodation, housing and property in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
- Transport & Driving Information on transportation in Victoria, including public transport, driving, car hire and car purchase.
- Education & Childcare Information on education in Victoria, including kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, universities and training.
- Health & Medical Information on the healthcare system in Victoria, Australia, including information on finding a doctor and paying for healthcare.
- About Victoria General information and facts about Victoria and Australia including the government, entertainment, sports, banking, media and communications.
- Relocation Checklist Relocation checklists to use for migrants who move to Victoria. Checklists for preparing for departure and arriving in Victoria.
- Running a Business
- Why Victoria? Reasons for starting and running a business in Victoria, Australia.
- Going into Business in Victoria Information about starting up a business in Victoria.
- Banking, Tax & Legal Requirements Information about banking and taxes for businesses in Victoria.
- Business Support & Networks Information about the support available to businesses in Victoria.
- About Us
- Our Department Information about the Victorian Government's Skilled and Business Migration Program, which manages the Live in Victoria website.
- News & Events The latest news and events from the Skilled and Business Migration Program covering topics for skilled migrants, business migrants and migration agents.
- Services We Offer About the Skilled and Business Migration Program's services for prospective skilled and business migrants, Victorian employers and migration agents.
- Publications Links to downloadable publications and forms about immigrating to Melbourne or regional Victoria.
- Contact Us Contact details for the Skilled and Business Migration Program including address, phone numbers and email addresses, and a general enquiry form.
- Glossary of Acronyms & Abbreviations A list of acronyms and terms that relate to migrating to Victoria, with definitions and relevant links.
State Sponsorship for Victoria
State sponsorship from the Victorian Government can help you meet the requirements for an Australian visa.
On this page:
What is state sponsorship?
Some visas require you to have sponsorship from a state or territory government, or eligible relative. The Victorian Government offers state sponsorship to selected overseas skilled workers and business people with skill-sets and business acumen required in Victoria.
State sponsorship provides support for your application for some General Skilled Migration or Business Skills visas. There is no charge for Victorian state sponsorship.
Victorian Government sponsorship is NOT a visa application; it can only assist you in meeting the requirements for Australian visas. To apply for a visa you must contact DIAC which manages the Australian visa application and approval process. State sponsorship does not guarantee you will be granted a visa.
Skilled visa sponsorship
The Victorian Government sponsors highly skilled and employable professionals and tradespeople with occupations, skills and experience that are hard to come by in Victoria’s labour market. Victoria participates in the following visa sponsorship programs:
- Skilled - Sponsored (176) visa
- Skilled - Sponsored (886) visa
- Skilled - Regional Sponsored (475 and 487) visas
Victoria’s Occupation Lists identify eligible occupations and minimum requirements to apply for state sponsorship including English language and work experience requirements, and specialisations.
- View the State Sponsorship Occupation List for Victoria
- View the State Sponsorship Occupation List for Graduates.
Limited sponsorship places are available and Victorian visa sponsorship is only offered to the most highly skilled and employable applicants. Refer to Victoria’s Assessment Criteria for detailed information about how sponsorship applications are assessed for Victoria.
Business visa sponsorship
The Victorian Government can sponsor business visa applicants to encourage a particular business or business person to Australia.
Some visa types require you to have state government sponsorship, and for some other visa types it is optional.
See the list of government sponsored visa types on the Business visas page.
Other sponsorship
You can also be sponsored by an employer or a family member. For more information on these visas visit the DIAC website.
There are a range of sponsored and non-sponsored visas that may suit your circumstances. The DIAC visa wizard can also help you to identify the most appropriate visa for your circumstances.
Is there an application fee for state sponsorship?
There is NO charge for Victorian Government sponsorship.
How do I know if qualify for Victorian state sponsorship?
To be eligible for Victorian Government state sponsorship, you must:
- meet DIAC's basic requirements
- meet Victorian Government minimum eligibility requirements for a sponsored business visa, or one of the following visa sponsorship programs:
- be able to address all assessment criteria in your application if you are applying for visa sponsorship for a skilled visa.
If you are eligible to apply for sponsorship, you can lodge an application on-line at Apply for visa sponsorship.
More information
Skilled visas
- Read frequently asked questions
- Occupation lists
- Assessment criteria for Victorian skilled sponsorship
