Subclass: 491 visa
Stay Duration: 5 years
DoHA Fee: AUD 4,045. There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you.
This point-based provisional visa is for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia for 5 years. S/he must be nominated by a state or territory government agency, or sponsored by an eligible relative. The worker must have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list and have a suitable skills assessment for the concerned occupation. If granted, this visa allows you to stay in Australia for 5 years as well as live and work in a designated regional area of Australia. You can include your family members in this visa application.
Subclass: 491 visa
Stay Duration: 5 years
DoHA Fee: AUD 4,045. There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you.
The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa is designed for skilled workers who want to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia. This visa is valid for 5 years and can lead to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence visa.
Below are the key eligibility requirements for the 491 visa.
To apply for the 491 visa, you must receive either:
The sponsoring family member must usually be:
They must also be living in an eligible regional area.
Your occupation must be listed on the relevant skilled occupation list for the 491 visa.
This ensures your skills are in demand in Australia’s regional labour market.
Applicants must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for their occupation.
The skills assessment confirms that your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards for your profession.
The 491 visa is a points-tested visa, meaning applicants must score at least 65 points in the migration points system.
Points are awarded based on factors such as:
State nomination for the 491 visa typically provides 15 additional points.
Applicants must generally be under 45 years of age at the time they receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
Applicants must demonstrate competent English through an approved English language test such as:
Competent English usually means an IELTS score of at least 6 in each band or equivalent.
Before applying for the visa, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect system.
The EOI includes details about your qualifications, work experience, and points score. If selected, you will receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
Applicants must meet standard Australian visa requirements, including:
491 visa holders must live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia.
This visa is designed to encourage skilled migration to areas outside major metropolitan cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
After holding the 491 visa for at least 3 years and meeting income requirements, visa holders may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.
Applying for the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa involves several steps. First, applicants must ensure they meet the eligibility requirements, including being under 45 years of age, having an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List, achieving at least 65 points on the migration points test, and obtaining a positive skills assessment. Applicants must also demonstrate competent English through an approved language test. Once these requirements are met, the applicant must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system managed by the Department of Home Affairs and seek nomination from an Australian state or territory government or sponsorship from an eligible family member living in a designated regional area.
If the EOI is selected and nomination or sponsorship is approved, the applicant will receive an invitation to apply for the visa. They must then lodge the visa application online through the Department of Home Affairs and provide supporting documents such as identity documents, skills assessment results, English test results, employment evidence, and educational qualifications. Applicants must also complete health examinations and provide police clearance certificates to meet health and character requirements. Once approved, the 491 visa allows individuals to live, work, and study in regional Australia for up to five years and may lead to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence visa.
The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa allows skilled workers and their families to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years. It is a points-tested visa designed to address skill shortages in regional Australia and provides a pathway to permanent residency.
To apply for the 491 visa, applicants must:
Applicants must score at least 65 points on the migration points test. Points are awarded based on factors such as age, English language ability, work experience, education, and partner skills. State nomination or family sponsorship for the 491 visa also provides 15 additional points.
Yes. Applicants must either receive:
Without nomination or sponsorship, you cannot apply for the 491 visa.
Regional Australia includes most areas outside major metropolitan cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Many locations across states like New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania qualify as regional areas.
Yes. Applicants can include eligible family members such as:
A spouse or de facto partner
Dependent children
Family members included in the application will also receive work and study rights in regional Australia.
No. 491 visa holders must live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. This condition helps support economic growth and workforce development in regional communities.
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