2024-2025 Financial Year Victoria State Sponsorship Latest Updates: Invitation Data and Trend Analysis

In the 2024-2025 financial year, Victoria’s skilled migration state sponsorship policy has garnered significant attention. This financial year, Victoria has been allocated 5,000 state sponsorship places, with 3,000 places for the 190 category (skilled nominated visa) and 2,000 places for the 491 category (skilled work regional visa). Compared to the previous financial year, the total allocation has significantly increased, especially with a large rise in the 491 visa places, reflecting Victoria’s emphasis on attracting migrants to regional areas.

As of 28 February 2025, there were only 260 places left for the 190 category, and 465 places remaining for the 491 category, with the allocation nearly exhausted. On 5 March, Victoria issued what may be the final large-scale invitation round for this financial year, and from this round, we can observe several key trends.

1. Distribution of Invited Occupations and Points Situation

(1) Early Childhood Education Occupations Stand Out

In this round of invitations, applicants in the early childhood education field received a significant number of invitations, with a high proportion of them invited. Some applicants with local work experience in early childhood education were successfully invited with just 65 + 5 points. This highlights the urgent demand for talent in the early childhood education sector in Victoria. Early childhood education has been one of the key development areas in Victoria, and as local emphasis on the quality of early childhood education continues to grow, the demand for professional early childhood education workers also keeps rising, presenting a great opportunity for immigration applicants in this field.

(2) Other Popular Occupations

In addition to early childhood education, other key occupations in this round of invitations included secondary school teachers, registered nurses, social workers, and occupations in the construction field. The points required for these occupations were generally in the 70-80 point range. Secondary school teachers, as a vital component of the education system, are also facing a shortage of talent. Registered nurses are essential in the healthcare sector, and the demand for professional nursing staff in Victoria’s healthcare system has long been present. Social workers play a critical role in social services, and with growing attention to vulnerable groups in society, the demand for social workers continues to rise. Construction-related occupations are closely tied to Victoria’s infrastructure development and real estate expansion, and as the city continues to grow, professionals in the construction field are highly sought after.

2. Invitation Trends and Policy Adjustments

(1) Emphasis on Local Work Experience

This financial year, Victoria has clearly shown a preference for applicants with local work experience in its invitation strategy. Compared to previous years, there has been more flexibility in the salary and partner points requirements, with greater focus now placed on applicants’ actual work experience. This shift indicates that Victoria aims to attract migrants who can quickly integrate into the local labour market and make tangible contributions to economic development. Local work experience means applicants are more familiar with the local work environment and industry standards, enabling them to adapt faster and add value. For example, in construction projects, workers or engineers with local experience can better collaborate with local teams, improving project efficiency.

(2) Clearer Focus on Occupation Demand

The concentration of invited occupations in early childhood education, nursing, social work, and construction indicates that Victoria’s state sponsorship policy is closely aligned with local occupation needs. These are sectors that Victoria urgently needs talent in, and attracting overseas professionals via state sponsorship will help fill talent gaps and promote the sustainable development of these industries. This also provides a clear direction for applicants considering migration to Victoria: when selecting occupations and planning careers, applicants should carefully consider Victoria’s occupation demand trends to enhance their competitiveness in the immigration process.

3. Recommendations for Future Applicants

(1) Focus on Occupation Demand

For those planning to apply for Victoria state sponsorship, it is crucial to stay updated on Victoria’s occupation demand trends. Choosing popular and in-demand occupations, such as early childhood education, nursing, social work, and construction, will greatly increase the chances of receiving an invitation. Once an occupation is chosen, applicants should begin preparations for the relevant occupation assessments to ensure their qualifications meet the requirements. For example, early childhood education applicants may need to have relevant educational qualifications and internship experience, while nursing professionals must pass specific nursing occupation assessments.

(2) Accumulate Work Experience

Especially for onshore applicants, actively seeking work opportunities related to the nominated occupation and accumulating local work experience is essential. Work experience not only increases migration points but also helps applicants stand out in the competitive invitation process. This can be achieved through internships, part-time work, or full-time employment, which will enhance professional skills and knowledge in the industry. Offshore applicants can also try to accumulate relevant work experience in their home country while improving their language proficiency to strengthen their overall competitiveness.

(3) Stay Informed About Policy Changes

Victoria’s state sponsorship policies may adjust over time based on local needs. Applicants should stay alert to policy changes and keep track of any updates. Regularly checking Victoria’s official immigration website, following updates from migration agencies, or seeking advice from professional migration consultants will ensure that applications comply with the latest policy requirements. For example, certain occupation requirements may change, or there may be adjustments to work experience or language proficiency standards. Keeping up to date with this information will help applicants prepare in advance, avoiding setbacks due to policy changes.

Conclusion

The invitation trends for Victoria state sponsorship in the 2024-2025 financial year have shown the direction and trends of local immigration policies. By analysing and understanding this information, future applicants can make targeted migration plans and preparations, increasing their chances of successfully migrating to Victoria.

If you have any questions or need professional assistance with your Australian state sponsorship visa application, please feel free to contact us at Riverwood Migration. We specialise in providing transparent and professional migration services, helping you successfully secure an employer-sponsored visa and achieve your goal of migrating to Australia.