Subclass 491
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
A visa for skilled people nominated by a state or territory government to live and work in regional Australia
List of Australia visas > Work and skilled visas > Visa 491
Registered migration agents – MARN 2318162
What is Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – subclass 491
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a visa that allows skilled workers to live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for a period of 5 years. The visa is designed to address skills shortages in regional Australia and to attract skilled migrants to these areas.
Visa 491 Benefits
- stay in Australia for 5 years from the date we grant you the visa
- live, work and study in a designated region of Australia
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid
- apply for permanent residence, if eligible, through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) – which starts on 16 November 2022. You can’t apply for other permanent visas until you have held your subclass 491 visa for 3 years.
General Requirements
To meet the eligibility requirements for applying for nomination under the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) , you must:
- Demonstrate a genuine commitment to residing in regional.
- Have had your Registration of Interest (ROI) chosen for consideration.
- Be below 45 years of age.
- Possess Competent English proficiency (IELTS 6.0 at least).
- Hold a valid skills assessment for an occupation listed on the eligible skilled occupation list designated for this visa.
- If you are currently in Australia, you should be residing in a state or territory that will nominate you at the time of nomination. It’s important to note that if you aren’t located in regional, you might be required to relocate to a designated regional area within regional after receiving the nomination.
- Express a firm commitment to living in regional.
- Attain a minimum of 65 points on the Australian Government’s points test for your Expression of Interest (EOI) submission in SkillSelect.
Visa 186 streams
Pathways to Permanent Residency
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residence through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191), which becomes available from 16 November 2022.
However, it’s important to note that holders of the subclass 491 visa cannot:
- Lodge a valid application for a subclass 820 (Partner) visa until they have held their subclass 491 visa for a minimum of 3 years.
- Be granted any of the following visa subclasses:
- Subclass 132 (Business Talent)
- Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme)
- Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment – Provisional)
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent)
- Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated)
- Subclass 858 (Distinguished Talent)
Please be aware of these restrictions based on your visa type.
Processing times
- 25% of applications: 6 Months
- 50% of applications: 10 Months
- 75% of applications: 14 Months
- 90% of applications: 18 Months
Overview
This visa is for a member of the family unit of someone who holds a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). The visa holder can stay in Australia until the visa that their family member holds ends.
Processing Time
- 25% of applications: 4 Months
- 50% of applications: 7 Months
- 75% of applications: 16 Months
- 90% of applications: 30 Months
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