What is the Subclass 491 Visa?

The Subclass 491 visa, also known as Skilled Work Regional (Provisional), is a points-tested visa for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible relative living in regional Australia. This visa permits you to reside, gainful occupation, and study in a specified regional area for 5 years, with a direct pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 191 visa (Permanent Residence - Skilled Regional). 

To be eligible for a Subclass 491 visa, you must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Elected by an Australian state or territory government, or

  • sponsored by an eligible family member living in a designated regional area.

Requirements for Subclass 491 Visa

Subclass 491 visa holds various requirements -

  • Residency Requirement: Must reside and be employed in a designated regional area of Australia.

  • Pathway to PR: Can apply for Subclass 191 Permanent Residence after completing 3 years.

  • Occupation Requirement: Must be on the skilled occupation list

  • Points-Tested: Minimum of 65 points required

  • Nomination/Sponsorship: It must either come from the state/territory or one of its qualified immediate family members

Who can apply for a Subclass 491 visa?

To apply for the 491 visa, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria -


  • When you receive the invitation to apply, you must be under 45 years old.


  • Applicant must have a positive skills assessment for an occupation on the relevant Skilled Occupation List

  • To be eligible for this visa, you must achieve at least 65 points in Australia’s points-based system.

  • Meet the English language requirement

  • You must either be sponsored by a family member living in a regional area or receive a nomination from an Australian state or territory to qualify.


  • Health and Character requirements - you must pass the health and character requirements by an assigned authority for the same.


  • As part of the process, you’ll need to have a Registration of Interest (ROI) submitted.

What Is Considered a Regional Area?

Under Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491 visa) classification, practically the whole territory of Australia that lies outside of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane is classified as regional, which includes the cities mentioned below -

  • Adelaide

  • Perth

  • Canberra

  • Hobart

  • Gold Coast

  • Darwin

  • Newcastle and more

How to apply for the 491 Visa?

Applicants should follow a clear step-by-step process when applying for the 491 visa to keep things smooth and avoid any issues along the way:

Here is the process - 

  1. Check and make sure your work occupation/ job is included on the relevant Skilled Occupation List.

  1.  Your skills need to be assessed by the appropriate assessing body for the occupation you’re applying for.

  1. You need to give an English test to get selected for this visa  (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, etc)

  1. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Skill Select.

  1. Apply for nomination from a state/ territory or get sponsorship from an eligible relative

  1. Receive an invitation to apply

  1. After receiving your invitation, you’ll have 60 days to complete and submit your visa application.

What Are the Benefits of the 491 Visa?

This visa comes with tons of advantages:

  • For as long as 5 years, the applicant will have the freedom to live and work in regional Australia, with no limitations.

  • Include family members in your application

  • Pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa after 3 years (if income and residence conditions are met)

  • Access to regional incentives, such as priority processing and additional points in the points test.

Processing Time for  Subclass 491 Visa

Processing times can vary for various reasons, such as document completion, verification, and more. The subclass 491 visa typically gets processed between 10 and 19 months.

Processing cost of Subclass 491 visa

Subclass 491 visa fees start at around AUD 4,045 for the primary applicant, and additional charges apply for including family members in the application.

Does the Australia Subclass 491 Visa grant Permanent Residency?

Australia Subclass 491 visa is not a permanent visa but a temporary (provisional) visa for skilled workers for up to 5 years of living, working, and studying in the regional areas of Australia. Although it does not give a permanent residency straight away, it is a pathway to PR.


Living in a designated regional area for at least 3 years and having satisfied the income requirements can allow applicants to apply for permanent residency through the Australia Subclass 191 visa.