491
Overview
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a points-tested provisional visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia. To apply, you must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government, or be sponsored by an eligible relative who usually lives in a designated regional area.
Important: Each state/territory sets its own nomination requirements (such as occupation lists, work/graduate pathways, residency requirements, and evidence standards). These can change.
Who this visa suits
- Skilled applicants who can meet a state/territory nomination pathway, or who have an eligible relative sponsor in a designated regional area
- Applicants who are willing to live, work and study in a designated regional area
- Applicants who want a regional pathway to permanent residence
Key benefits
- Live, work and study in a designated regional area in Australia for up to 5 years
- Include eligible family members (partner and dependent children)
- Travel to and from Australia while the visa is valid
- Pathway to permanent residence (subclass 191) if eligible
- Travel to and from Australia for five years from the date of grant (travel facility)
Eligibility:
- Nominate an eligible skilled occupation (as required by the visa program and the nominating state/territory)
- Obtain a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
- Meet the points test (minimum 65 points, but invitations are competitive)
- Be under 45 years old
- Have at least Competent English
- Be nominated by a state/territory government, or be sponsored by an eligible relative
Regional requirement (Condition 8579)
Subclass 491 visa holders must live, work and study only in a designated regional area while they are in Australia. You can move between designated regional areas, but you must remain in a designated regional area to comply with your visa conditions.
Points test (overview)
Your points score is based on factors such as age, English, skilled employment, qualifications, Australian study, partner points and other factors. You must be able to prove every points claim with documents when you apply.
The Process (Step-By-Step)
Choose the right state/territory pathway
Check the state/territory nomination requirements for your occupation and pathway, or confirm your eligible relative sponsorship options.
Lodge your Expression of Interest (EOI)
Some states require an ROI (especially for onshore applicants).
Nomination (or sponsorship) and invitation
If nominated/sponsored, you can receive an invitation to apply for the subclass 491 visa.
Lodge the visa application
If invited, you typically have 60 calendar days to lodge the visa application and upload supporting documents.
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You can include eligible family members in your application, such as your partner and dependent children. Family members granted the visa have the same visa conditions (including the regional requirement).
FAQs
Subclass 491 visa holders must live, work and study only in a designated regional area while they are in Australia. You can move between designated regional areas, but you must remain in a designated regional area to comply with your visa conditions.
There are many reasons:
- If your occupation is only on a regional list, you may not be able to apply for the 189 or 190. In that case, your only option under General Skilled Migration may be to apply for the 491.
- If your own points are 50, you cannot lodge an EOI for the 189 or 190, because you need at least 65 points for 189 and 60 points for the 190. However, you will receive 15 points automatically through state/territory nomination, which means you can reach the 65-point minimum and become eligible for the 491.
- If you are not receiving invitations for the 189 or 190 and your 485 visa is expiring soon, it may be worth considering the 491, as it can be easier to obtain.
- The 491 pathways can take longer, but it can still lead to PR. It may also be a better option than an employer-sponsored visa. In addition, you and your family will have access to Medicare, and you can enroll your children in public schools.
No, there is no minimum income threshold you need to meet when applying for the 191 visa. Under the current rules, you only need to provide three years of tax assessment notices after you have been granted the 491 visa.
After you lodge your visa, you do not need to work in your nominated occupation. You can work in any field, but the job must be in a designated regional area.
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