Does Victoria nominate for the 858 visa?
Yes, as its page read on 10 April 2026, Victoria nominates for the 858 visa, but only candidates referred by a Victorian Government department or agency they already work with on a project.
Live in Melbourne announced nomination on 17 July 2025, in an item captured on 23 November 2025. Its 6 January 2025 update, captured on 18 February 2026, had promised state information during 2025.
Among the application routes and referral routes for 858 state nomination, Victoria's route was referral-only as its page read on 10 April 2026. The 16 May 2026 news-index capture showed no closure; status at 3 October 2026 remains unverified.
Who Victoria refers for 858 nomination
Victoria's Live in Melbourne page set four tests for referral, as its page read on 10 April 2026:
- Already engage a Victorian Government department or agency on a project in your field.
- Obtain referral from that department or agency, with expertise in your field.
- Be under 55, or make a compelling case if under 18 or over 55.
- Show a genuine commitment to live in and contribute to Victoria.
The captured page said nomination was regardless of migration status. You still need the internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement required by reg 858.212(2)(a) of the Migration Regulations 1994.
Victoria's under-55 rule and the 858 age limit
Victoria's under-55 rule is its own nomination test, not the 858 visa age limit. Live in Melbourne's 10 April 2026 capture sets the compelling-case test; reg 858.212(2)(f) allows any age, with exceptional benefit required under 18 and from age 55.
Home Affairs' National Innovation visa page describes that benefit as ongoing, sustained and realised shortly after migration. A candidate aged over 55 seeking Victorian nomination must address both tests.
How Victorian 858 nomination works without an ROI
Victorian 858 nomination works without an ROI: Live in Melbourne's page, captured on 10 April 2026, says the agency identifies, refers and prepares; you collect and attach the nomination to your EOI.
- Engage the agency on your project.
- The expert agency identifies and refers you.
- It prepares the nomination.
- Collect it from the agency.
- Attach its completed Part A of Form 1000 and supporting statement, as Home Affairs' EOI submission page requires.
The National Innovation visa Expression of Interest uses Home Affairs' online form, with no published payment step. Its EOI submission page says documents cannot be added afterwards; its after-submission page gives invited candidates 60 days to apply. Item 1113(3)(d) of the Migration Regulations 1994 also requires Form 1000 with the visa application.
Victoria's 858 indicators
Victoria's 858 indicators on Live in Melbourne's page, as captured on 10 April 2026, were:
- Prestigious international awards.
- Research funding or advanced qualifications.
- Keynotes or global leadership roles.
- Intellectual property or commercialisation.
- Innovation or entrepreneurship.
- Sporting or creative achievements.
Ministerial Direction 120's indicators include national research grants, influential PhDs, keynotes, patents and high-income-threshold earnings, alongside additional indicators for agency-nominated candidates.
Victorian 858 nomination: fee, timing and status
Live in Melbourne's Victorian 858 nomination page, captured on 10 April 2026, mentioned no fee and stated no processing time; status since mid-May 2026 is unverified.
- Fee: none mentioned—not confirmation of a free service.
- Timing: no processing time stated.
- After grant: the captured page published a pre-nomination residence commitment, but no reporting rule.
- Status: referral-only as its page read on 10 April 2026; no closure appeared in the 16 May news-index capture. Later status is unverified.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply directly to Victoria for 858 nomination?
No. Live in Melbourne's page, as its page read on 10 April 2026, described agency referral, not a candidate ROI or application.
Is Victoria's age limit the 858 age limit?
No. The captured Victorian page sets its own age test; reg 858.212(2)(f) sets exceptional benefit under 18 and from 55, not an upper age limit.
Does Victoria charge a fee for 858 nomination?
No fee was mentioned on Live in Melbourne's page captured on 10 April 2026.
Can Victoria nominate me if I am already in Australia?
The captured Victorian page said regardless of migration status. Item 1113(3)(ba) of the Migration Regulations 1994 requires onshore applicants to hold a substantive visa or Bridging A, B or C.
Is Victoria still nominating for the 858?
It was referral-only as its page read on 10 April 2026. Live in Melbourne's 16 May news-index capture showed no closure; later status could not be checked.
Engaging a Victorian agency for the 858
Engaging a Victorian agency for the 858 starts with real work in your field: Live in Melbourne's page, captured on 10 April 2026, allowed a general enquiry but said projects should not be proposed only to secure nomination.
The rules for government agencies as 858 nominators still require a national reputation in your field under reg 858.212 of the Migration Regulations 1994; agency referral does not replace the 858 visa criteria.
Before approaching a Victorian agency, ask an Australian migration lawyer to check that the project is genuine work in your field and that Form 1000 aligns with the uneditable EOI.