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Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

Subclass 491

The Skilled Work Regional (provisional) 491 enables you to live and work anywhere in Australia.

Overview

To be eligible for this visa, you must have an occupation on the Regional Occupation List and be nominated by an employer in a designated regional area.

Once a 491 visa is granted the visa holder can remain in Australia for up to 5 years provided they maintain employment within the designated regional area. A permanent visa pathway is available after 3 years. 

About this Visa

Applying for a Subclass 491 is a 4 step process:

  1. Expression of Interest
    Once you have had your points calculated and your skills assessed, you can lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect

    The lodgement of your EOI is not a visa application. Once you submit your EOI, you will need to wait for an invitation to be sent.

    When submitting your EOI you must indicate if an eligible relative is going to sponsor you or if you want a state or territory government agency to nominate you.

  2. Be nominated or sponsored
    You must be either nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or indicate that you will be sponsored by an eligible relative.

    If you indicate in your EOI that you will be sponsored by an eligible relative the Department may invite you to apply for a visa in an invitation round.

    If you indicated you wish for a State or territory government agency nomination: If you score enough points, state and territory government agencies can see your EOI and might nominate you for the visa.

    States and territory government agencies all have their own criteria for deciding who they will nominate. We Are One will work with you to understand the different nomination requirements for each state and territory and guide you on what they want from you.

  3. Invitation to apply
    Once you are nominated by a State or Territory government agency, the department will issue you an invitation to apply. If you are being sponsored by an eligible family member, you may also receive an invitation during an invitation round.

    We make sure you have realistic expectations on the likelihood of being invited to apply for this visa when we lodge your EOI. If you are applying from onshore, it is important to have realistic expectations regarding your prospects. You may need to consider alternative temporary options to remain onshore while you wait for an invitation.

  4. Visa application
    You must lodge your application within 60 days of receiving an invitation. It is important to have all required documentation prepared so you can lodge your application as soon as possible after receiving an invitation.

    You must demonstrate you have the points set out in the expression of interest, show evidence of your skills assessment, meet the eligibility requirements for the visa and undergo health and character checks.

You may be eligible for this visa if:

General visa eligibility:

  • Is there an age limit?

    Yes. You must be under 45 when you receive an invitation. You can still apply for the visa if you turn 45 after an invitation has been issued. 

  • What family relations are eligible to sponsor me?
    • a parent or grandparent
    • a child or step-child
    • a brother, sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, step-brother or step-sister
    • an aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle
    • a nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step-nephew or step-niece
    • a first cousin

  • Does the Subclass 494 have a permanent visa pathway?

    Yes. The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) is available to applicants who have held a Subclass 494 or Subclass 491 and lived and worked in Australia for at least 3 years.


    You must also have a taxable income at or above a specific income threshold for those 3 years. 


    The Subclass 191 visa becomes available for new applications from 16 November 2022.


We Are Here To Help

We can assist you by accurately assessing your points score. Applicants must have a minimum score of 65. Generally, to be invited to apply for a visa, applicants need significantly higher points.

Once we confirm you meet the points test, we will then help you obtain a skills assessment in your chosen occupation and lodge your visa application if you receive an invitation to apply.

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