Is Victoria 491 Open? 2026–27 Status, Fees and Preparation
At the 13 November 2026 check, Victoria’s subclass 491 nomination program was not open and new 491 Registrations of Interest were not being accepted. The opening of 190 ROIs does not open 491 automatically. A fee-table entry is not permission to apply. Verify the current official status before arranging a submission, payment or move.
What is open in Victoria now?
The official 491 and ROI pages distinguish the two subclasses. Victoria’s 2026–27 491 places had not been finalised at this check. Do not reuse an earlier program year’s quota, employment requirements or offshore arrangements as confirmed conditions for the new year. This status concerns Victoria; other states need their own checks.
Route | Status at the check | Practical next step |
Victoria 190 | 2026–27 ROIs accepted | Assess current eligibility before following the application process |
Victoria 491 | ROIs not currently accepted | Wait for the official places and opening announcement |
What can you prepare while 491 is closed?
Build an accurate personal record so you can assess the rules when they are published. This is a planning checklist, not a newly issued Victorian 491 application checklist. Meeting general visa requirements does not create access to a closed state nomination intake.
Record | Preparation task |
Identity and location | Passport, real residence, current visa and expiry |
Occupation and English | Assessment outcome, occupation, result dates and evidence validity |
Employment and family | Duties, location, relationships and evidence behind proposed claims |
Existing EOI or ROI | Reference, program year, status and submitted version |
Why does the fee page still list 491?
A published charge describes the service fee; it does not confirm that submissions are open. The fees below are in Australian dollars. Ten per cent GST applies if the applicant is in Australia at payment. A nomination charge is payable only when invited and submitting that application. Federal visa charges, assessments, English tests and professional support are additional.
2026–27 Victorian service | Excluding GST | Including GST |
Registration of Interest | AUD60 | AUD66 |
190 nomination application | AUD180 | AUD198 |
491 nomination fee listing; intake not open | AUD180 | AUD198 |
Does an old ROI keep you in the new-year queue?
Victoria requires a new ROI for consideration in the 2026–27 program rather than automatically carrying forward a previous year’s record. Under the current instructions, a submitted ROI cannot be edited: incorrect or changed information requires withdrawal and a new submission where applicable. The ROI fee is charged once per program year. Keep the EOI accurate separately, but do not interpret the update instructions as a way to lodge a 491 ROI while the intake remains closed.
Could you use 190 instead, or move to Victoria first?
190 is a separate route requiring its own state and federal assessment. Its employment rule does not require every applicant to have a job, but that does not guarantee selection or predict the future 491 rules. Review your real residence, occupation, English, assessment and supported points. A tourist visit or borrowed address is not a substitute for the relevant residence facts. Plan employment, housing and family costs around verified permissions rather than an assumed invitation.
How long will the 491 process take?
There is no current intake timetable for a new Victorian 491 ROI at this check. Waiting for selection, assessment of a nomination application and the federal visa process are separate stages. Do not turn an average for one stage into a complete approval deadline. An EOI or hoped-for nomination does not automatically extend an existing visa or permission to work. Address an approaching expiry as its own immigration question.
Discuss a preparation plan with PremierVisa
Provide your actual location, intended route, occupation assessment, English dates, employment situation, family and current visa expiry for an initial enquiry. PremierVisa can help organise the questions and document gaps within an agreed scope. Confirm the responsible professional, work and fees in writing before commissioning support. Use an agreed private channel for detailed records. A closed intake should not be presented as a paid reservation of a guaranteed place.
Comments