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Graduate Visa Migration

Skilled Work Regional (provisional) Subclass 491 Visa

Dreaming of building a future in Australia’s beautiful regional areas? Want to live, work, and stay for up to five years?

Apply now for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 491.
This newly introduced visa by the Australian Government offers skilled professionals a fantastic opportunity to settle in regional Australia and pave the way to permanent residency.

Why Choose the Subclass 491 Visa?

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 491 is a temporary skilled visa designed for qualified professionals and their eligible family members to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years.

After 3 years, eligible visa holders may qualify to apply for Permanent Residency (Subclass 191), provided they meet specific income and residency criteria.

Who Is Eligible for the Subclass 491 Visa?

To qualify, you must be:

✅ Nominated by an Australian state or territory government, or

✅ Sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area

Designated Regional Areas in Australia

The current eligible regional cities and areas include:

🔹Perth 🔹Adelaide 🔹Canberra 🔹Gold Coast🔹Hobart

🛑 Please note: Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are not considered regional for this visa.

How Are Points Calculated for Subclass 491?

The Subclass 491 visa follows a points-tested system, similar to other General Skilled Migration visas. Points are awarded based on factors like:

🔹Age

🔹Educational qualifications

🔹Work experience (in Australia and overseas)

🔹English proficiency

🔹Australian study experience

You can also earn additional points in the following ways:

CategoryPoints
Nomination by a state/territory or family sponsor in regional Australia15
Skilled spouse or de facto partner10
No partner or partner is an Australian PR or citizen10
Partner has competent English (but not a citizen or PR)5
STEM qualification (Science, Tech, Engineering, Mathematics)10
🎟 How to Receive an Invitation to Apply?

Applicants are ranked based on these criteria:

✔️ If you have a skilled partner, or no partner
✔️ If your partner can prove competent English
✔️ If your partner cannot prove skills or English proficiency

Your ranking affects your chances of receiving an invitation to apply.

Can You Apply for Other Visas While Holding Subclass 491?

No. While you hold a Subclass 491 visa, you are not eligible to apply for other General Skilled Migration visas

How to Transition to Permanent Residency (Subclass 191)

You may apply for Permanent Residency (Subclass 191) after:

🔹Living, working, or studying in a designated regional area for 3 years while holding the Subclass 491 visa
🔹Demonstrating a taxable annual income of at least AUD $53,900 for those 3 years

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Visa Class
General Skilled Migration Visa

The General Skilled Migration Visa is ideal for skilled workers who wish to live and work permanently in Australia.

READ MORE

Frequently Asked Questions

The Subclass 491 Visa is a provisional skilled visa that encourages qualified professionals to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. This visa offers a pathway to permanent residency, making it a great option for those who want to build a future in Australia.

To be eligible for the Subclass 491 Visa, you must:

🔹Have an occupation listed on the relevant Skilled Occupation List

🔹Obtain a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation

🔹Meet the minimum points test score

🔹Receive an invitation to apply

🔹Fulfill health and character requirements

The points test is used to evaluate your eligibility based on factors such as:

🔹Age

🔹English language proficiency

🔹Skilled work experience (overseas and Australian)

🔹Educational qualifications

🔹State or family nomination/sponsorship

Applicants with higher scores have a better chance of receiving an invitation to apply.

Yes, the Subclass 491 Visa allows you to include eligible family members in your application, such as your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children. All included family members must meet the health and character requirements.

Yes, this visa offers a direct pathway to permanent residency. After living and working in a designated regional area for at least 3 years, and meeting income and residency criteria, you may be eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa.

Start by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect portal. If you receive an invitation, you can then submit your visa application online, along with the required documentation and evidence.