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The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) is a points-tested visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. Offering a pathway to permanent residency, this visa is part of Australia’s regional migration strategy to encourage skilled migration to regions needing workforce support. Here, we cover eligibility, pathways, and benefits of the 491 Visa, along with key information on sponsorship, state invitations, and application processes.
The 491 Visa allows skilled workers and their families to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years. After three years, visa holders may be eligible to apply for the Skilled Regional (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 191), provided they meet income requirements and residency conditions. This visa is designed to bolster the population and economic development in Australia’s regional areas.
Key Details:
✔️ Duration: Up to 5 years
✔️ Pathway to Permanent Residency: Eligible to apply for the 191 Visa after 3 years
✔️ Points-Based: Requires a points score to be eligible
✔️ Designated Areas: Must live and work in specified regional areas
✔️ Pathway to Permanent Residency: The 491 Visa provides a direct route to permanent residency via the 191 Visa after meeting eligibility criteria.
✔️ Family Inclusion: Allows applicants to bring eligible family members.
✔️ Long-Term Residency: Valid for up to five years, offering flexibility for work and lifestyle.
✔️ Work and Study Rights: Provides full work and study rights in designated regional areas.
✔️ Priority Processing: Skilled regional visas receive priority processing, often faster than other visa types.
The 489 Visa, previously issued to skilled regional workers, was replaced by the 491 Visa in 2019. Current holders of the 489 Visa can still apply for permanent residency through the 887 Visa pathway, but future applicants will use the 491 to 191 Visa pathway. Both pathways share similar requirements but prioritize migration to regional Australia.
Invitations to apply for a 491 Visa are issued based on a ranking system through SkillSelect, where candidates are awarded points for factors like age, English proficiency, work experience, and educational qualifications. The highest-ranking applicants are invited to apply. Priority may also be given to those in occupations of high demand in regional areas.
Factors influencing ranking include:
✔️ Points score
✔️ State or territory nomination
✔️ Occupation demand
There are two pathways to secure a 491 Visa:
✔️ State or Territory Government Nomination: Applicants can be nominated by an Australian state or territory agency, which generally involves meeting specific regional requirements or skill shortages in that region.
✔️ Sponsorship by an Eligible Relative (Family Stream): Alternatively, applicants can be sponsored by an eligible family member who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen residing in a regional area.
Yes, if applying through family sponsorship, both the applicant and the sponsor must live in the same designated regional area of Australia. This requirement ensures alignment with Australia’s regional migration goals, as it helps fill skill shortages in specified regions.
Applicants for the 491 Visa must have a suitable skills assessment in their nominated occupation. The skills assessment must be issued by the relevant assessing authority for that occupation and must be valid at the time of application.
Eligibility Checklist for a 491 Visa:
✔️ Age: Generally under 45 years
✔️ English Language Proficiency: Meet minimum English language requirements
✔️ Nominated Occupation: Must have an occupation listed on the relevant skills list
✔️ Points Test: Must achieve a points score that meets the invitation requirement
State and territory governments hold invitation rounds periodically to invite eligible candidates to apply for the 491 Visa. The rounds are held as per state discretion and may prioritize certain occupations in shortage or sectors of high demand.
Application Process:
✔️ Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Candidates must submit an EOI through SkillSelect, indicating their interest in the 491 Visa.
✔️ State Nomination or Family Sponsorship: After submitting the EOI, eligible candidates may be nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by a family member in a regional area.
✔️ Invitation to Apply: High-ranking candidates receive an invitation to apply for the visa based on the state/territory or family sponsorship.
✔️ Lodge the Visa Application: Upon receiving the invitation, applicants submit a visa application with required documents.
Visa holders must adhere to the following conditions:
✔️ Residency Requirement: Live and work in designated regional areas for the duration of the visa.
✔️ Income Requirement for Permanent Residency: Meet the minimum taxable income threshold (subject to future regulation) to qualify for the 191 Visa.
✔️ Stay in Regional Areas: Relocating to non-regional areas may affect eligibility for the permanent 191 Visa.
