Victoria’s New PR Point System: The 2026–27 Victorian Points Test (VPT) Explained
Victoria has introduced the 2026–27 Victorian Points Test (VPT) for skilled migration. Discover how the new state-ranking system works, how it differs from federal Skill Select points, and what it means for construction and priority trades like carpentry.
Victoria’s New PR Point System: The 2026–27 Victorian Points Test (VPT) Explained
- Category: Immigration Guides
- Author / Desk: Veninfotech Editorial Desk
- Publication Status: Live Feed
Victoria has officially rolled out its skilled visa nomination program using the Victorian Points Test (VPT). This system determines how Registrations of Interest (ROIs) are ranked for state-nominated permanent residency (PR) visas under Subclass 190 and Subclass 491.
The most critical distinction to understand is that you must manage two separate frameworks:
- Australian Government SkillSelect Points: Used to meet federal visa eligibility, requiring a minimum threshold of 65 points.
- The Victorian Points Test (VPT): A separate ranking system used exclusively by Victoria to select candidates for state nomination. There is no fixed VPT pass mark; instead, candidates are ranked competitively from highest to lowest.
1. How Victoria's New Points System Works
The VPT total is calculated using a combination of seven weighted factors pulled from your federal EOI and Victorian ROI. Because there is no fixed pass mark, invitation rounds target candidates with the highest totals through two main pathways: Most Competitive or Priority Industry selections.
Complete VPT Scoring Breakdown
Age
| Age Bracket | Points |
|---|---|
| 18 | 265 |
| 19 | 282 |
| 20–29 | 300 |
| 30 | 286 |
| 31 | 270 |
| 32 | 256 |
| 33 | 240 |
| 34 | 226 |
| 35 | 210 |
| 36 | 196 |
| 37 | 180 |
| 38 | 166 |
| 39 | 150 |
| 40 | 136 |
| 41 | 106 |
| 42 | 76 |
| 43 | 46 |
| 44 | 16 |
English Language Level
| Level | Points |
|---|---|
| Competent | 0 |
| Proficient | 100 |
| Superior | 200 |
Years of Experience in Nominated Occupation
| Duration | Points |
|---|---|
| 0 years | 0 |
| 1 year | 20 |
| 2–3 years | 40 |
| 4–5 years | 60 |
| 6–7 years | 80 |
| More than 8 years | 100 |
Educational Qualification
| Qualification Level | Points |
|---|---|
| Other (e.g., Certificate III / Diploma) | 25 |
| Bachelor's Degree and Honours | 50 |
| Master's Degree | 75 |
| PhD | 100 |
Occupation Skill Level
| Skill Level | Points |
|---|---|
| Skill Level 3 or Level 2 Occupation | 0 |
| Skill Level 1 Occupation | 50 |
Partner's Skill
| Condition | Points |
|---|---|
| Claiming 10 points for Partner Skills in EOI, partner is included on the visa application, and partner's occupation is a current priority industry occupation | 50 |
| Single, Australian partner, or criteria not met | 0 |
Annual Earnings from Skilled Employment in Victoria
| Earnings Range (AUD) | Points |
|---|---|
| $80,000–$84,999 | 8 |
| $85,000–$89,999 | 16 |
| $90,000–$94,999 | 24 |
| $95,000–$99,999 | 32 |
| $100,000–$104,999 | 39 |
| $105,000–$109,999 | 47 |
| $110,000–$114,999 | 55 |
| $115,000–$119,999 | 63 |
| $120,000–$124,999 | 71 |
| $125,000–$129,999 | 79 |
| $130,000–$134,999 | 87 |
| $135,000–$139,999 | 95 |
| $140,000–$144,999 | 103 |
| $145,000–$149,999 | 111 |
| $150,000–$154,999 | 118 |
| $155,000–$159,999 | 126 |
| $160,000–$164,999 | 134 |
| $165,000–$169,999 | 142 |
| $170,000 and over | 150 |
2. Priority Industries: Where Carpenters Stand
Under the 2026–27 program priority industries, Victoria targets critical skill shortages by filtering ROIs within specific industry subgroups.
For construction professionals and trades, the Construction Trades subgroup explicitly includes:
- Carpenter and Joiner (ANZSCO 331211)
- Carpenter (ANZSCO 331212)
- Joiner (ANZSCO 331213)
If your nomination falls under this priority group, you compete within your industry stream during invitation rounds, provided you meet core requirements.
3. Example Calculation: Breaking Down Points for a Carpenter
To see how the VPT works in practice, let’s run through an example profile for a carpenter named Alex.
Alex's Profile:
- Age: 25 years old
- English Level: Superior English (e.g., PTE 79+)
- Work Experience: 3 years of documented experience as a carpenter
- Qualification: Certificate III in Carpentry
- Occupation Skill Level: Trade occupation (Skill Level 3)
- Relationship Status: Single
- Victorian Earnings: Currently earning $92,000/year working in Melbourne
Alex's Victorian Points Test (VPT) Calculation:
| Factor | Detail | Points Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 25 years old (Falls in the 20–29 bracket) | 300 |
| English Language | Superior English | 200 |
| Work Experience | 2–3 years in nominated occupation | 40 |
| Educational Qualification | Certificate III in Carpentry (Classified under "Other") | 25 |
| Occupation Skill Level | Trade occupation (Skill Level 3) | 0 |
| Partner Skill | Single applicant | 0 |
| Victorian Earnings | $92,000 annual salary (falls in $90,000–$94,999 bracket) | 24 |
| Total VPT Score | Sum of all active factors | 589 Points |
Note: This total is strictly Alex's Victorian Points Test (VPT) score used for state ranking. Alex separately had to clear the baseline federal threshold of 65 points in SkillSelect to be eligible to apply.
4. Key Strategy Takeaways for Applicants
- Do Not Carry Over Old ROIs: Previous program registrations do not carry over. If you are applying for the current intake, you must submit a fresh ROI.
- Prioritise English and Experience: Because younger applicants with higher English tiers and consistent work history dominate the upper ranks, securing a Proficient or Superior English test score is one of the fastest ways to elevate your overall VPT score.
- Official Reference: Always verify your specific occupation ceiling and guidelines directly on the official Live in Melbourne Portal.
Editorial Team
Published on Oct 20, 2026