Free visa nomination program aims to boost Victoria’s ECEC workforce numbers

Early childhood services and early childhood teachers (ECTs) who require visas to live and work in Australia are being encouraged to apply for the free 2023–24 Skilled Migration Visa Nomination Program which offers pathways to living and teaching in Victoria, including possible permanent residency.

Services can promote the program to ECTs who are currently on temporary visas. Eligible ECTs who are already living in Victoria needing visa support, or ECTs who are living overseas are encouraged to submit a registration of interest on the Live in Melbourne website.

Skilled visa nomination program

By enabling free visa nominations, the Victorian Government’s 2023–24 Skilled Migration Visa Nomination Program supports skilled migrants who are keen to live and work in Victoria.

ECTs are on the skilled occupation list and are eligible to apply for a skilled migration visa nomination. The visa nomination program applies to:

• Skilled nominated visa (subclass 190) – a permanent visa that allows skilled migrants to reside and work anywhere within Victoria, including Melbourne
• Skilled regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) – a 5-year provisional visa for living and working in regional Victoria, with a pathway to permanent residency.

Visa program benefits

Victoria’s visa nomination program offers cost-free opportunities right now, including:

• adding 5 points to someone’s overall Australian visa application points test
• no need for a job or employer sponsorship
• unrestricted work rights in accordance with visa conditions
• a pathway to permanent residency.

For more information, including eligibility criteria, refer to the Live in Melbourne website.