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Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

Subclass 491

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is designed for skilled professionals who want to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia. It’s a temporary visa that provides a clear pathway to permanent residency, making it ideal for those seeking long-term opportunities in Australia while contributing to the growth of regional communities.

What is Subclass 491 ?

Subclass 491 is a points-tested provisional visa that allows skilled workers (and their families) to live, work, and study in regional Australia for up to five years. The goal is to address skills shortages in regional areas and encourage population growth outside the major cities. Importantly, this visa can set you on the path to permanent residency if you meet certain requirements down the track.

Visa Streams

There are two pathways to apply for the 491 visa:

State or Territory Nominated Stream

You must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government. Each has its own list of in-demand occupations and nomination criteria.

Family Sponsored Stream

If you have an eligible relative living in a designated regional area, they can sponsor you. This allows families to help loved ones join them in regional Australia.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Obtain a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation from the relevant assessing authority.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Demonstrate at least Competent English (e.g. IELTS 6 in each band or equivalent). Higher scores can earn extra points.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Ensure you score at least 65 points to be eligible. Points are awarded for factors like age, qualifications, English, and work experience.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Submit an EOI via SkillSelect, outlining your background, skills, and preferences.

Step-by-Step Application Process

  • State/Territory: Apply for nomination.
  • Family: Your eligible relative must formally agree to sponsor you and provide supporting documents.

Step-by-Step Application Process

If selected, you’ll receive an ITA. You’ll then have 60 days to submit your visa application.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Lodge your application online with supporting documents, including identity, skills assessment, English test, and nomination/sponsorship proof.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Complete health exams and obtain police clearance certificates. All applicants must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.

  • Skills Assessment
  • English Language Proficiency
  • Calculate Your Points
  • Expression of Interest (EOI)
  • Nomination or Sponsorship
  • Invitation to Apply (ITA)
  • Visa Application
  • Health and Character Checks

Subclass 491 – Processing Times

The processing duration for visas depends on the visa stream and applicant profile together with government workload requirements. The official government source provides the most accurate and current information about visa processing times.

🔗 Check current visa processing times

491 Visa Details

  • Stay Duration: Up to 5 years
  • Location: Must live in designated regional areas (excluding Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane)
  • Work and Study Rights: Full rights in regional Australia
  • Travel: Unlimited travel in and out of Australia while visa is valid

Key Requirements

Requirement Details
Age Must be under 45 at the time of invitation
Skills Assessment Required for an occupation on the skilled occupation list
English Proficiency At least Competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
Points Test Minimum of 65 points
Nomination/Sponsor Required from a state/territory or eligible family member
Health & Character Must meet standard requirements

Family Sponsored Visa Requirements

Sponsor’s Requirement Details
Citizenship/Residency Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen
Location Must reside in a designated regional area
Age Must be at least 18 years old
Relationship to You Parent, child, sibling, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, grandparent, cousin (Step, adoptive, and de facto relations are included)

491 Visa Conditions

  • Regional Residency: You must live, work, and study only in a designated regional area.
  • Address Updates: Keep your address and contact details up to date with the Department of Home Affairs.
  • Visa Compliance: Follow all visa conditions and Australian laws.

Pathway to Permanent Residency

One of the key benefits of the 491 visa is its pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa.

To be eligible for the 191 visa, you must:

  • Have held a 491 visa for at least 3 years
  • Have lived, worked, and studied in a designated regional area during that time
  • Have complied with all 491 visa conditions
  • Have provided the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Notices of Assessment for at least 3 income years while holding your 491 visa

Important: There is no specific minimum income threshold required. The focus is on proving your ongoing contribution through regular tax return lodgements.

By meeting these requirements, you can apply for the 191 visa, which grants permanent residency and the freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa - Subclass 491 - FAQ
How many points are needed to apply for a subclass 491 visa?

A prospective 491 applicant needs at least 65 points to be eligible for a 491 visa. These are the minimum points. Candidates will at most times require more points to get an invitation.

How many extra points do I get for a 491 visa state nomination?

A prospective 491 applicant gets 15 extra points for state nomination for a 491 visa.

What is the cut-off age for 491 visas?

A prospective 491 applicant must be under 45 years of age at the time of the invitation. Applicants will still be able to apply for a 491 visa if they turn 45 years of age after the invitation.

Do I need a skill assessment for a subclass 491 visa?

For the 491 visa application to be valid, an applicant must have a suitable skills assessment at the time of the invitation.

What are the PTE requirements for 491 Visa?

At Least 47 (Listening), 48 (Reading), 51 (Writting), 54 (Speaking).

What are the IELTS requirements for 491 Visa?

IELTS score (a minimum of 6 in each of the 4 sections).

What are the TOEFL iBT requirements for Visa 491?

At Least 16 (Listening), 16 (Reading), 19 (Writing), 19 (Speaking).

What are the OET requirements for Subclass 491 Visa?

At Least 290 (Listening), 310 (Reading), 290 (Writing), 330 (Speaking).

What are the Cambridge C1 Advanced Test requirements for subclass 491 Visa?

At Least 163 (Listening), 163 (Reading), 170 (Writing), 179 (Speaking).

What are the CELPIP General Test requirements for subclass 491 Visa?

At Least 163 (Listening), 163 (Reading), 170 (Writing), 179 (Speaking).

What are the MET Test requirements for subclass 491 Visa?

At Least 56 (Listening), 55 (Reading), 57 (Writing), 58 (Speaking).

Does a 491 Visa require state nomination?

Yes, subclass 491 Skilled Nominated Visa does require a state nomination and an EOI and state nomination need to be lodged to get an invitation. For state nomination for a subclass 190 permanent visa, you get extra 5 points.

Which occupations can be nominated for a 491 Visa state-sponsored?

For a state nomination 491 Visa an occupation can be from the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List also known as MLTSSL, Short-term Skilled Occupation List also known as STSOL, and Regional Occupation List also known as ROL.

Do you get extra points for NAATI for 491 visa?

Yes, you can get extra 5 points if you clear NAATI exam. Your NAATI exam is valid for 5 years.

Do I get extra points for studying in a regional area for 491 visa?

Yes, if you study in an institution in a prescribed regional area, you get extra points.

Do, you get extra points for 189 visa, if you study in Australia?

Yes, you get 5 points for full time 2 years Australian study. On top of it you can get 5 more points for studying in a regional area.

Do I get extra points for scoring more in IELTS, PTE and other English tests?

Yes, for proficient English, you get 10 extra points. For superior English you get 20 extra points.

What is Proficient English for extra 10 points for Visa 491?

The following scores represent proficient English.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) At least 7 for each of the 4 test components​
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) At least 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) At least 65 for each of the 4 test components​
Occupational English Test (OET) At least B for each of the 4 test components​
Cambridge C1 Advanced test At least 185 in each of the 4 test components​
CELPIP General At Least 9 (Listening), 8 (Reading), 10 (Writing), 8 (Speaking).
LANGUAGECERT Academic At Least 67 (Listening), 71 (Reading), 78 (Writing), 82 (Speaking).
MET At Least 61 (Listening), 63 (Reading), 74 (Writing), 59 (Speaking).
What is Superior English for extra 20 points for subclass 491 visa?

The following scores represent superior English.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) At least 8 for each of the 4 test components
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) At least 28 for listening, 29 for reading, 30 for writing and 26 for speaking
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) At least 79 for each of the 4 test components
Occupational English Test (OET) At least A for each of the 4 test components
Cambridge C1 Advanced test ​At least 200 in each of the 4 test components
CELPIP General At Least 10 (Listening), 10 (Reading), 12 (Writing), 10 (Speaking).
LANGUAGECERT Academic At Least 80 (Listening), 83 (Reading), 89 (Writing), 89 (Speaking).
Do I get extra points for Australian employment experience for Visa 491?

Yes, you get extra points if you have at least 1 year relevant experience in your nominated occupation. The following table explains the points you will get for number of years of experience.

Number of years Points
Less than 1 year 0
At least 1 but less than 3 years 5
At least 3 but less than 5 years 10
At least 5 but less than 8 years 15
At least 8 years 20
Do I get extra points for overseas employment experience for Visa 491?

Yes, you can get extra points if you have at least 3 years of relevant experience in your nominated occupation. The following table explains the points you will get for number of years of overseas experience.

Number of years Points
Less than 3 years 0
At least 3 but less than 5 years 5
At least 5 but less than 8 years 10
At least 8 years 15
Do you get points for your age for subclass 491 visa?

Yes, you get points for your age. Applicants n the bracket of 25 to 33 years old get maximum 30 points. The following table shows the points you will get for your age for subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa.

Age Points
At least 18 but less than 25 years 25
At least 25 but less than 33 years 30
At least 33 but less than 40 years 25
At least 40 but less than 45 years 15
How many points do you get for your qualification for Visa 491?

The following table depicts the qualifications and associated points for 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa.

Requirement Points
A Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or a Doctorate from another educational institution, that is of a recognised standard. 20
At least a Bachelor degree from an Australian educational institution or at least a Bachelor qualification, from another educational institution, that is of a recognised standard. 15
A diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution. 10
Attained a qualification or award recognised by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated skilled occupation as being suitable for that occupation 10
Can I get extra points depending on the discipline of my studies studied a postgraduate degree by research (doctorate or masters)?

You can score 10 extra points for studying the postgraduate degree by research (doctorate or masters) which must be awarded from an Australian education institution after at least 2 academic years of study in the following science, technology, engineering, mathematics or specified information and communication technology (ICT) fields.

Can I get extra points for my partner skills for 491 Skilled Independent Visa?
  • You can get 5 extra points if your partner has competent English which has been discussed above.
  • You can score 5 more points if your partner has a skill assessment in an occupation from the Medium and Long Term Skilled Occupation List.
I am single. Do I get extra points for subclass 491 visa?

For applicants who are single, they get 10 extra points.

Do you get extra points for completing Professional Year for 491 visa?

Yes, you get extra 5 points for completing an approved professional year in your nominated occupation or closely related occupation. This must have been completed in at least 12 months and must have been completed in the 4 years before receiving invitation to apply for 189 visa. The professional year can be completed from one of the following organisations.

  • Australian Computer Society
  • CPA Australia
  • Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
  • Institute of Public Accountants
  • Engineers Australia
What is a designated regional area for a 491 visa?

Please refer to our full list of designated regional area post codes.

Can I apply for a 491 visa if I get married?

If an applicant of a 491 visa gets married after they have been granted a 491 visa, they can lodge a subclass 491 subsequent entrant visa for their wife.

What are Conditions applicable to the 491 Visa?
  • Condition 8578: Applicant must notify the following changes within 14 days.
    • the residential address
    • email address
    • phone number
    • passport details including your name
    • employer’s address
    • address where you work
  • Condition 8515: Must not marry or enter a de facto relationship before entry.
  • Condition 8579: The holder must only Live, study, and work in a regional area.
  • Condition 8580: Provide evidence of live, work, or study address if requested by the department.
  • Condition 8581: The holder of the 491 visa can be asked by the department to attend a phone, internet, or physical interview.

Ready to Apply?

Ready to take the next step toward building your future in regional Australia? Let Questra’s migration specialists guide you through each stage of the 491 visa process — from your skills assessment to submitting a strong visa application.

Get started today and unlock your future in Australia’s thriving regional communities.

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