Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)

What is the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)?

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) is a points-tested provisional visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years. You must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government or be sponsored by an eligible relative who lives in a designated regional area. The visa provides a regional pathway to permanent residence (subclass 191) after meeting the eligibility requirements.

Holders of the Subclass 491 visa must live, work, and study only in designated regional areas and earn a minimum taxable income for at least three years to qualify for permanent residency under the Subclass 191 pathway.

Two Nomination Routes (Streams)

State/Territory Nomination (most common)—You apply for nomination/registration of interest (ROI) with a state or territory; each state has its own occupation lists, priority occupations, and selection criteria (e.g., employment in a regional area, recent graduate in a regional institution, or special skilled streams).
Family-Sponsored Stream (Eligible Relative Sponsor) — If you have an eligible relative (Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen) who is usually resident in a designated regional area, they can sponsor you. The sponsor must meet conditions (age 18+, relationship rules), and you still must meet the usual visa requirements (skills assessment, age limit, points, invitation).

Key Eligibility Requirements

Requirement	Description	Proof/ Evidence
Invitation to Apply	You must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and receive an invitation before you can apply.	EOI confirmation and invitation letter.
Age Limit	You must be under 45 years of age at the time of your invitation.	Passport or birth certificate.
Occupation	Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list for your chosen stream (state list or the federal list).	The official occupation code and description are listed.
Skills Assessment	You must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority before applying.	Skills assessment outcome letter.
Points Test	You must achieve at least 65 points on the Skilled Migration Points Test. Points are based on factors such as age, qualifications, English level, skilled work experience, and partner skills.	Points test evidence (qualifications, English results, employment references, etc.).
English Proficiency	You must demonstrate at least competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent in each band). Higher levels may earn more points.	IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or other accepted test results.
Health Requirement	You and all family members must meet Australian health standards.	Health examination results as directed by the Department.
Character Requirement	You and all family members over 16 must provide police certificates and meet good character requirements.	Police clearance certificates.
Nomination/ Sponsorship	You must be nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a regional area.	State nomination approval or sponsorship declaration form.
Financial Capacity	Some states require proof of financial capacity to support your initial settlement in the region.	Bank statements, proof of savings.

The Points Test and what’s measured

The Department’s points table covers multiple categories that determine eligibility and competitiveness:

Points Category	What’s Assessed
Age	Points are awarded for being in the preferred age bracket (25–32 earns the highest points).
English Language Ability	Competent, proficient, and superior levels earn 0, 10, and 20 points, respectively.
Skilled Employment Experience	Points are given for skilled work experience in and outside Australia (1–20 points depending on years).
Educational Qualifications	Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, or trade qualifications earn 10–20 points.
Australian Study Requirement	Completion of an Australian study can earn additional points.
Specialist Education Qualification	STEM graduates can gain an extra 10 points.
Partner Skills	Points are awarded if your partner meets skill and English requirements or if you are single.
State Nomination/ Family Sponsorship	Nomination or sponsorship gives 15 additional points.

Application Process

Check Occupation & Eligibility: Confirm your occupation is on the correct skilled occupation list for your intended stream.
Obtain a Skills Assessment: Apply to the relevant assessing authority for your occupation and receive a positive outcome before applying.
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Complete your EOI in SkillSelect, detailing your points claim and intended stream (state nomination or family sponsorship).
Receive an Invitation to Apply: Invitations are issued periodically based on demand, points, and regional priorities.
Apply for the Visa: Once invited, submit your visa application online via ImmiAccount, pay the applicable visa charge, and attach all required documents.
Undertake Health and Character Checks: Complete the medical and police clearances as instructed.
Decision and Grant: Upon approval, you and your family members receive the visa and must comply with all visa conditions, including living and working in a regional area.

Documents Checklist

Passport biodata pages for all applicants
Identity and civil status documents (birth, marriage, or divorce certificates)
Positive skills assessment report
English test results (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, etc.)
Expression of Interest (EOI) confirmation
Police clearance certificates for every country lived in for 12+ months
Health examination records
Proof of nomination or sponsorship
Educational qualifications and transcripts
Employment reference letters
Financial evidence (if required by the nominating state)

Visa Charge & Additional Expenses

Cost Item	Approximate Amount / Note
Visa Application Charge (Primary Applicant)	From AUD 4,910 (subject to change).
Additional Adult Applicant	From AUD 2,455 (subject to change).
Dependent Child Applicant	From AUD 1,230 (subject to change).
Skills Assessment Fees	Vary by assessing authority; typically AUD 300–2,500.
English Test	Around AUD 300–400, depending on the test provider.
Medical Examinations	Usually AUD 250–400 per person.
Police Clearance Certificates	Vary by country, typically AUD 100–200 each.

Note: Fees may increase; always verify current rates before submitting your application.

Processing Times

Processing times vary depending on several factors:

Whether all supporting documents were provided at the time of application.
The complexity of your case.
The number of applications in the queue for your occupation and region.
Health and character verification delays.

While the Department of Home Affairs updates estimated processing times regularly, the average processing time for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) often ranges from 6 months to over 12 months.

Living and Obligations Under 491

Regional Restriction: You must live, work, and study only in designated regional areas of Australia. Major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are excluded.
Visa Compliance: Breaching visa conditions (e.g., relocating to a non-regional area) can result in cancellation and impact future permanent visa eligibility.
Freedom of Employment: You can change jobs as long as you remain in regional Australia.
Maintain Good Standing: You must continue to meet character and health requirements while holding the visa.

Pathway to Permanent Residence (Subclass 191)

After holding the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) for at least 3 years and having lived and worked in a designated regional area, you can apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).

To be eligible, you must:

Have complied with all visa conditions.
Have lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least 3 years.
Provide Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Notices of Assessment for each relevant year as proof of income.

State Nomination Differences

New South Wales (NSW): Offers multiple 491 nomination streams for onshore skilled workers, recent graduates, and offshore professionals. Priority is given to critical occupations.
Victoria: Targets STEM-qualified professionals and regional graduates; applicants may need to register an ROI (Registration of Interest).
South Australia: Focuses on high-demand and regional-critical occupations with tailored nomination lists.
Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory: Each has its own regional occupation lists, minimum work experience, and residency requirements.

Benefits of the 491 Visa

Live, work, and study in regional Australia: You can stay in Australia for up to 5 years while contributing to regional areas’ workforce needs.
Multiple entry: You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
Pathway to permanent residence: After holding the visa for 3 years and meeting regional living and income requirements, you may apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).
Include family members: You can include your partner and dependent children in your visa application; they’ll have the same rights as you to live, work, and study in regional Australia.
Access to Australian healthcare (Medicare): Some 491 visa holders may be eligible to enroll in Medicare.
Freedom to work: You can work for any employer in a regional area and change jobs freely.
Educational benefits: Children can attend local schools, and you can study at regional universities or institutions.

The Subclass 491 visa lets skilled professionals live and work in regional Australia, leading to permanent residency, and with Go-Global Immigration Services by your side, the entire process becomes seamless and expertly managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I apply from outside Australia?
A: Yes. You can apply whether you are in Australia or overseas.

Q: What is the minimum points requirement?
A: The minimum is 65 points, but competitive occupations may require higher scores.

Q: Does the 491 lead to permanent residence?
A: Yes. After meeting regional residence and income requirements, you can apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).

Q: Can I move to another region after getting the visa?
A: Yes, you can move between designated regional areas, but not to metropolitan cities.

Q: Can I include my family members in the 491 visa application?

A: Yes. You can include eligible family members such as your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children in your Subclass 491 visa application, allowing them to live, work, and study in regional Australia with you.