Victoria's priority occupations for 2026–27
Settledin Team5 min readVictoria's 2026–27 priority list has 101 occupations in four industries: healthcare, social assistance, education and construction. Victoria published it on 13 October 2026 with its Victorian Points Test. Registrations of Interest in these occupations are ranked within their industry as well as against all other occupations.
Checked on Live in Melbourne on 14 October 2026.
The Victorian points calculator adds up an indicative VPT total for one profile. How Victoria nominates for the 190 and 491 is on Victoria state nomination.
What is Victoria's priority occupation list?
It is the list of occupations Victoria ranks separately within each priority industry when it invites Registrations of Interest (ROIs) for the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visas. The Victorian Points Test page describes two ways to be invited:
| Way in | What Victoria says |
|---|---|
| Most competitive | ROIs with the highest Victorian Points Test (VPT) totals across all "eligible occupations" in the pool at that time are invited |
| Priority industry | ROIs with the highest VPT totals within each priority industry or industry subgroup are invited |
Victoria says every ROI is considered under both. ROIs in a priority occupation are ranked against the whole pool and also within their own industry or subgroup. How the VPT total is worked out is in the Victorian Points Test, explained.
Which industries are priorities in 2026–27?
Four industries, two of them split into subgroups:
| Priority industry | Subgroups | Occupations |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | None | 59 |
| Social assistance | None | 6 |
| Education | Teachers; Early Childhood Education | 5 |
| Construction | Construction Professionals; Construction Trades | 31 |
Each occupation below links to its Settledin page, with its visa lists, skills assessing authority and state information.
Healthcare
59 occupations, from medical imaging and allied health to specialist physicians, surgeons, midwives and registered nurse specialties.
Social assistance
| ANZSCO | Occupation (Victoria's name) |
|---|---|
| 272311 | Clinical Psychologist |
| 272313 | Organisational Psychologist |
| 272312 | Educational Psychologist |
| 272399 | Psychologists nec |
| 272511 | Social Worker |
| 272613 | Welfare Worker |
Education
Education has two subgroups. Victoria ranks ROIs within each subgroup.
Teachers subgroup
| ANZSCO | Occupation (Victoria's name) |
|---|---|
| 241311 | Middle School Teacher |
| 241411 | Secondary School Teacher |
| 241511 | Special Needs Teacher |
| 241599 | Special Education Teachers nec |
Early Childhood Education subgroup
| ANZSCO | Occupation (Victoria's name) |
|---|---|
| 241111 | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher |
Education is the only industry with an extra factor on the VPT page. Victoria says ROIs "with one (1) or more years of relevant work experience and Proficient or Superior English will be prioritised for invitation".
Construction
Construction has two subgroups: six professional occupations and 25 trades.
Construction Professionals subgroup
| ANZSCO | Occupation (Victoria's name) |
|---|---|
| 233212 | Geotechnical Engineer |
| 234412 | Geophysicist |
| 234413 | Hydrogeologist |
| 133111 | Construction Project Manager |
| 232212 | Surveyor |
| 232214 | Other Spatial Scientist |
Construction Trades subgroup
| ANZSCO | Occupation (Victoria's name) |
|---|---|
| 333111 | Glazier |
| 331111 | Bricklayer |
| 331112 | Stonemason |
| 334111 | Plumber (General) |
| 334112 | Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber |
| 334113 | Drainer |
| 334114 | Gasfitter |
| 334115 | Roof Plumber |
| 331211 | Carpenter and Joiner |
| 331212 | Carpenter |
| 331213 | Joiner |
| 312113 | Building Inspector |
| 341111 | Electrician (General) |
| 341112 | Electrician (Special Class) |
| 342111 | Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic |
| 322211 | Sheet Metal Worker |
| 323214 | Metal Machinist |
| 312312 | Electrical Engineering Technician |
| 333212 | Solid Plasterer |
| 333411 | Wall and Floor Tiler |
| 333311 | Roof Tiler |
| 323412 | Toolmaker |
| 322311 | Metal Fabricator |
| 321211 | Motor Mechanic (General) |
| 321111 | Automotive Electrician |
What changed from 2025–26?
The list is shorter. Victoria's 2025–26 ROI page, as archived on 10 August 2026, named seven priority sectors. Three of them are not on the 2026–27 list.
| Sector | 2025–26 | 2026–27 |
|---|---|---|
| Health / Healthcare | Prioritised | Prioritised |
| Social services / Social assistance | Prioritised | Prioritised |
| Education, including early childhood | Prioritised | Prioritised |
| Construction | Prioritised | Prioritised |
| New Energy | Prioritised | Not listed |
| Advanced manufacturing | Prioritised | Not listed |
| Hospitality and tourism (491 only) | Prioritised | Not listed |
In 2025–26, Victoria also named a shorter set of sectors for 491 applicants living overseas: health, social services and education. The 2026–27 VPT page publishes one list and does not set out a separate list for 491 applicants overseas.
Does the priority list affect partner points?
Yes. The VPT's 50 partner points need the partner's occupation to be on this priority list.
It is one of three conditions. Victoria's wording is "your partner's occupation is a current priority industry occupation". The other two are that 10 points for Partner Skills were claimed in the SkillSelect Expression of Interest, and that the partner is included in the state nominated visa application. The full partner rule is in the Victorian Points Test, explained.
What if an occupation is not on the list?
They are still ranked in the "most competitive" way, across the whole pool. Victoria says "Applicants in all eligible occupations can submit an ROI. All ROIs are ranked using the VPT."
Victoria has not yet published which occupations it will accept for 2026–27, or its other criteria. Its site says these "will be published when the program opens". Separately, the 190 and 491 need an occupation on the relevant Home Affairs list, set out on Settledin's skilled occupation lists page, and a suitable skills assessment for the occupation, covered in skills assessment in Australia, explained.
Frequently asked questions
How many occupations are on Victoria's 2026–27 priority list?
101, in four industries: healthcare (59), social assistance (6), education (5) and construction (31).
Is registered nurse on Victoria's priority list?
Yes. The healthcare list includes 13 registered nurse codes, from 254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care) to 254499 Registered Nurses nec, plus nurse practitioner, nurse educator, nurse researcher, nurse manager and midwife. Our registered nurse PR pathway guide sets out the visa steps.
Is software engineer on Victoria's priority list?
No. 261313 Software Engineer is not on the 2026–27 priority list. ROIs in occupations off the list are still ranked in the "most competitive" way, across the whole pool. Our software engineer PR pathway guide covers the visa options.
Is the priority list the same for the 190 and the 491?
The 2026–27 VPT page publishes one list and does not give separate lists for the two visas.
Is Victoria's 2026–27 program open?
Yes, for the subclass 190. Victoria opened 190 Registrations of Interest on 26 October 2026, with 900 places for 2026–27. Its 491 places have not yet been finalised, so 491 ROIs are not being accepted (Live in Melbourne, checked 26 October 2026).
Settledin's Victorian points calculator adds up an indicative VPT total from the tables Victoria published, factor by factor.
Calculate your indicative VPT total
This article describes published Victorian Government information, checked on 14 October 2026. It is general information, not migration advice. For advice on your situation, speak to a registered migration agent. Check the register.