Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 491

The Subclass 491 Visa, officially known as the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa, is a temporary visa that enables skilled professionals and their families to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years.

This visa is a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Visa, provided that specific requirements are met after 3 years.

Key Features of the 491 Visa

• Live in a designated regional area of Australia for up to 5 years

• Work and study freely in those regions

• Travel to and from Australia multiple times during the visa validity

• Apply for permanent residency (Subclass 191) after 3 years of meeting eligibility criteria

Visa Eligibility Criteria

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

• Be nominated by a state or territory government,
  or
  Be sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area

• Have an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list

• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Skill Select

• Meet the points test threshold (minimum 65 points)

• Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation

• Demonstrate competent English proficiency

• Undergo health and character assessments

Recognised Regional Areas in Australia

Eligible regional locations include:

• Perth

• Adelaide

• Canberra

• Gold Coast

• Hobart

Note: Major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are not considered regional for this visa.

Points System for Subclass 491

Subclass 491 is part of the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program and uses a points-based system to assess eligibility. Points are awarded based on:

• Age

• English language proficiency

• Education qualifications

• Skilled work experience (Australia and overseas)

• Partner skills and qualifications

• Australian study and STEM qualifications

Recent Points Allocation Updates Include:

• 15 points for nomination by a state/territory or family sponsorship in a regional area

• 10 points for a skilled spouse or de facto partner

• 10 points if the applicant is single, or if their partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident

• 5 points if the partner has competent English but isn’t an Australian citizen or PR

• 10 points for having a qualification in a STEM field

Getting an Invitation to Apply

Applicants are ranked in the SkillSelect system and may be invited based on:

• Having a skilled partner

• Being single or having an Australian citizen/permanent resident partner

• A partner who can show Competent English

The higher the total points, the stronger your chance of receiving an invitation.

Restrictions While on a Subclass 491 Visa

Visa holders are subject to certain limitations:

• You must live and work only in designated regional areas

• You are not eligible to apply for certain permanent visas (e.g., Subclass 189 or 190) while holding a 491 visa

• You are required to comply with visa conditions, including reporting and residency requirements

Pathway to Permanent Residency: Subclass 191 Visa

The Subclass 491 visa provides a clear path to the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa – Subclass 191. To qualify, you must:

• Have lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least 3 years on the 491 visa

• Demonstrate a taxable income of at least AUD $53,900 per year for each of those 3 years

• Meet ongoing health and character requirements

Why Choose Rozario Enterprises Group?

Navigating regional visa pathways can be complex — but you don’t have to do it alone. At Rozario Enterprises , our team of MARA-registered migration experts offers end-to-end assistance with your Subclass 491 application, from eligibility assessment to final visa submission.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. For the most current and accurate visa policies, always refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website.