Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
(Subclass 491) 🇦🇺
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) is a points-tested temporary visa that allows skilled workers and their families to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years. This visa provides a pathway to permanent residency (Subclass 191 visa) after meeting specific requirements.
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📌Key Features of the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
✅ Live and Work in Regional Australia
- Stay in Australia for up to 5 years.
- Work in a designated regional area (excluding Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane).
🌍 Pathway to Permanent Residency
- Apply for Subclass 191 (PR visa) after 3 years if income and residency conditions are met.
📜 State or Family Sponsorship
- You must be nominated by a state/territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member.
🏡 Family Inclusion
- Bring your spouse, children, and dependents.
💰 Cost & Processing Time
Visa Fees
- Primary Applicant: AUD 4,640
- Additional Applicant (18+): AUD 2,320
- Additional Applicant (Under 18): AUD 1,160
Processing Time
- 75% of applications: 6 – 12 months
- 90% of applications: 12 – 18 months
🚀 Extra Points & Priority Processing for Regional Visa
- You receive 15 additional points for Subclass 491.
- Faster processing times compared to other skilled migration visas.
📌 Visa Requirements
To apply for the Subclass 491 visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be under 45 years old when invited to apply.
- Your occupation must be on the relevant Skilled Occupation List.
- Obtain a positive skills assessment from a relevant assessing authority.
- You must score at least 65 points, based on:
- Age
- English proficiency
- Work experience
- Education
- State nomination or family sponsorship
- Partner skills
- Meet the Competent English requirement (or higher for additional points).
- Acceptable tests:
- IELTS: Overall 6.0 (minimum 6.0 in each band).
- PTE: Overall 50 (minimum 50 in each section).
- TOEFL iBT: Overall 64 (minimum scores in each section).
- State Nomination: Be nominated by an Australian state or territory government.
- Family Sponsorship: Be sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a regional area.
- Submit an EOI (Expression of Interest) via SkillSelect.
- Wait to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from Home Affairs.
- Undergo a medical examination.
- Provide police clearance certificates from all countries lived in for 12+ months.
📌How to Apply for a Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)?
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✅ Ensure your occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List.
✅ Meet the points test requirement (65+ points).
✅ Get a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
✅ Lodge an EOI via SkillSelect.
✅ Choose state nomination or family sponsorship.
✅ If nominated, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
✅ Submit your visa application within 60 days of receiving the ITA.
✅ Attach all supporting documents and pay the visa fee.
✅ Complete your medical examination.
✅ Provide police clearance certificates
✅ Wait for Department of Home Affairs to process your application.
✅ If approved, you will receive your Visa Grant Notification.
F. A. Q
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
we have covered most common questions from you.
- Subclass 491 is a temporary visa (5 years) for regional work, while Subclass 190 is a permanent visa.
No, a job offer is not required, but state nomination or family sponsorship is needed.
Processing takes 6 – 18 months, depending on the state and demand for your occupation.
Yes, after 3 years of living and working in regional Australia, you can apply for Subclass 191 (PR visa).
Yes, you can include your spouse, children, and dependent relatives.
Each state/territory has specific nomination criteria. Check the state’s migration website.
Yes, you can update your Expression of Interest (EOI) anytime before receiving an ITA.
You must be under 45 at the time of receiving an ITA.
Minimum Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent).
Yes, you can apply from inside or outside Australia.
No, you must live and work in a designated regional area.
Yes, you can study in a regional area.
No, but after getting PR (Subclass 191), you can apply for citizenship.
If you don’t meet PR criteria, you must apply for another visa or leave Australia.
You can appeal the decision or apply for a different visa.
From AUD 4,640 for the primary applicant.
No, you must work in your nominated occupation or a related field.
Yes, applicants with higher points receive invitations first.
You can move within any designated regional area.
Yes, but visa fees are non-refundable.
