Skilled Work Regional (provisional) SUBCLASS 491 VISA
Do you want to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia? Apply for a 5-year provisional visa with an extra 15 bonus points and a clear pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 191!
Why Choose Subclass 491 Visa?
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) - Subclass 491 is a 5-year provisional visa that enables eligible skilled professionals and their family members to live, study, and work in designated regional areas of Australia. Holders can apply for a Permanent Residence visa (Subclass 191) after 3 years provided they meet income and regional residency requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Subclass 491 visa, applicants must:
- Be nominated by a State or Territory government OR sponsored by an eligible family member residing in regional Australia.
- Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
- Have a positive Skills Assessment for an occupation on the relevant regional skilled list.
- Have at least Competent English proficiency.
- Score a minimum of 65 points on the Skilled Migration Points Test (including 15 points awarded for regional nomination or family sponsorship).
- Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Meet health and character requirements.
Designated Regional Areas of Australia
| State / Territory | Designated Regional Areas |
|---|---|
| New South Wales (NSW) | All of NSW except Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong |
| Victoria (VIC) | All of Victoria except Melbourne metropolitan area |
| Queensland (QLD) | All of Queensland except Brisbane and Gold Coast |
| Western Australia (WA) | Entire State (including Perth) |
| South Australia (SA) | Entire State (including Adelaide) |
| Tasmania (TAS) | Entire State (including Hobart) |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | Entire Territory (Canberra) |
| Northern Territory (NT) | Entire Territory (Darwin) |
How Points Are Allocated for Subclass 491
| Category | Criteria Summary | Max Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 18–24 (25 pts), 25–32 (30 pts), 33–39 (25 pts), 40–44 (15 pts) | +30 |
| English Language Ability | Competent (0 pts), Proficient (10 pts), Superior (20 pts) | +20 |
| Skilled Work Experience – Overseas | 3–4 yrs (5 pts), 5–7 yrs (10 pts), 8–10 yrs (15 pts) | +15 |
| Skilled Work Experience – Australian | 1–2 yrs (5 pts), 3–4 yrs (10 pts), 5–7 yrs (15 pts), 8–10 yrs (20 pts) | +20 |
| Educational Qualifications | Doctorate (20 pts), Bachelor/Master (15 pts), Diploma/Trade (10 pts) | +20 |
| Specialist Education Qualification (STEM) | Master’s by research or PhD in STEM fields in Australia | +10 |
| Australian Study Requirement | Degree/Diploma completed in Australia (min 2 academic years) | +5 |
| Study in Regional Australia | Lived and studied in designated regional area for min 2 years | +5 |
| Professional Year in Australia | Completed 12-month PY in Accounting, ICT, or Engineering | +5 |
| Community Language (NAATI CCL) | Credentialed Community Language accreditation | +5 |
| Partner Skills | Skilled partner (10 pts), Single / Australian citizen partner (10 pts) | +10 |
| Regional Nomination / Sponsorship | State/Territory nomination OR sponsorship by eligible family member | +15 |
How To Seek 491 Visa Invitation?
Invitations for the Subclass 491 visa are issued based on points score, state or territory nomination criteria, occupation demand, and EOI ranking. Partner points contribute to the overall score but do not create a fixed ranking order.
Whether 491 Holders Can Apply For Other Visas?
Subclass 491 visa holders have restrictions on applying for certain skilled permanent visas (such as Subclass 189, 190, or 820 Partner) for a period of 3 years from visa grant date to ensure commitment to regional settlement.
How You Are Entitled To Permanent Residency?
Subclass 491 holders may apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after holding the 491 visa for at least 3 years, meeting the minimum taxable income threshold specified by the department, and living and working in designated regional areas of Australia.
FAQs About Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) 491 Visa Australia
Visa Class
GSM Visa
General Skilled Migration (GSM) points-tested visa options for skilled workers who wish to live and work in Australia permanently or provisionally.
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For any Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa query and assessment. We are more than happy to guide your regional Australia migration pathway.