Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
Subclass 491
What is it?
The 491 Skilled Work Regional visa is a provisional General Skilled Migration (points tested) visa which requires sponsorship by a designated regional area of an Australian state or territory, or sponsorship by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area of Australia.
The Application Process
1. Check Your Eligibility
Prior to submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI), applicants must meet the pass mark in the Skilled Migration Points Test.
3. Wait for Nomination
States must approve your Nomination for you to receive an invitation to apply for the visa. Each State has a different nomination process.
2. Submit an EOI
In order to apply for Skilled Independent or Skilled Nominated visa, you are required to submit an EOI through SkillSelect.
4. Apply for Visa
After receiving an invitation to apply for the visa from the DOHA, you will have 60 days to lodge a visa application. Without an invitation you are not eligible to apply.
State/Territory Sponsored Stream
Stay
Up to 5 years
Occupation
For State/Territory nominated applicants, this is the MLTSSL, the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and the Regional Occupation List (ROL) and respective State/Territory Occupations List
Sponsor Requirements
Sponsor must be a State/Territory Government
Family Member Sponsored Stream
Stay
Up to 5 years
Occupation
Must feature on the Medium-Long Term Skills Shortage List (MLTSSL)
Sponsor Requirements
- Sponsor must be a family member who is over 18 and is an Australian Citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Sponsor must be usually resident in a designated regional area
Common Requirements
- Be aged between 18 and 44 inclusive
- Have Competent English or higher, and your dependent family members over 18 years of age have at least Functional English
- have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- meet the points test pass mark of 65 points (as of 1 July 2018)
- Lodge an EOI and be invited to apply
- Meet health and character requirements
What you can I do with a 491 visa?
The 491 is a provisional visa that allows you to live and work in Australia for up to 5 years in a regional area. You will have access to Medicare, include family members and may eventually lead to permanent residency.
Common Questions
What are the designated Regional Areas?
Is this visa points tested?
- You must be able to meet the points score on your invitation letter. This score must be 65 points (as of 16 November 2019) or more.
- The score on your invitation letter is based on the information in your EOI.
- You must be able to meet the points score eligibility at the time you are invited to apply for the visa.
Do I need a skills assessment?
We have compiled a list of all the Skills Assessing Authorities.
What is an Expressions of Interest (EOI)?
If you are invited, you have 60 calendar days to apply for the visa.
What Is State or Territory Government Nomination?
Please note each state and region has different requirements for nomination. There may be specific requirements in terms of work experience, English language ability, or specialised skills which differ to the requirements for the Department of Immigration. It is very important to check the State/Territory requirements before commencing with an application.
States and Regions also have different application process with some requiring you to lodge a separate application after submitting an expression of interest. Alternatively, other states and regions only contact you with an invitation to apply and do not accept separate applications. If you do not receive an invitation to apply for state nomination, you cannot apply for the visa.
What is a Eligible Family Member?
- At least 18 years of age
- An Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen
- An eligible relative; including parents, children, siblings, aunt/uncle, nephew/niece, grandparent, or first cousin
Can I apply in Australia or Overseas?
You can either be in Australia or overseas when you apply for a Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa.
To be able to lodge from within Australia, you would need to hold a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa. Once you apply from within Australia, you will receive a Bridging Visa allowing you to remain in Australia during processing of your visa application. If your current visa is refused or cancelled, you might not be eligible to apply for the 189 Visa while you are in Australia.
If you are outside Australia when the visa is granted, you and your family members will need to enter Australia for the first time prior to expiry of your health and police clearances.
How long will the 491 Visa be valid for?
Can I include my family?
- Spouses, de facto partners and same-sex partners
- Dependent children
What are the visa conditions?
This requirement to reside and work in a designated regional area is underpinned by the need to support economic development and population growth in regional areas.
You can move between regions- Regional areas include Perth, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Lake Macquarie, Illawarra, Geelong, Newcastle, Wollongong, Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra.
Potential Pathway
How do I transition to Permanent Residency?
To transition to permanent residency, you must meet the requirements of the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) available from November 2022.
You must have worked in the designated regional area for at least three years, whilst holding a 491 Visa, have complied with the conditions on that visa and have met minimum taxable income requirements. You must show earnings of at least $53,900 per annum for three years. Your partner can also be the main applicant for the 191 Visa if they can demonstrate this criteria. If you meet the criteria, you can apply for permanent residence without a second nomination stage.
Key takeaway
Regional Migration is the new way to migrate to Australia and this is underpinned by the Governments determination to support economic development and population growth in designated regional areas of Australia. With 15,000 places allocated each year and over 500 different occupations available, Questra Immigration can help you get there.
Superior migration expertise at your side.
Visa Application Charges
- AUD $4,095 Main Applicant $4,095
- AUD $2,025 Additional applicant Charge + 18
- AUD $1,015 Additional applicant Charge -18
Excluded costs
- Health Insurance
- Australian police check
- Medical Exam (if required)
*The fee listed above is current as of 1st of July, 2019 and is subject to change.
**Plus credit card surcharge if paying by credit card.
Discover and understand all your options in your quest for permanent residency in one single consultation.
Migration Plan
For a FULL assessment of your PR options including a roadmap identifying the best pathway forward, so you can reach your goals. Understand your options including the 189 visa, Regional 491 and State Nominated 190. An extensive overview of the Skills Occupation lists, Skills Assessment and State or Territory Government requirements, links to all key websites and review of any employer sponsorship & DAMA visa options.
Immigration Points Test
To apply for general skilled migration visas, you must first pass a skills assessment and points test. The points test measures how desirable you are to the Australian Government by measuring such things as your age, education, work experience and English ability.
Are you a skilled worker?
We have years of experience helping skilled workers apply to live and work in Australia permanently. Speak to one of our migration specialists for how we can help.
