The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) is a points-tested visa designed for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia. This visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to 5 years and provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.
Key Features
- Duration: Up to 5 years.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: Eligible for the Subclass 191 visa after 3 years.
- Conditions: Must live, work, and study in a designated regional area.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Subclass 491 visa, you must:
- Occupation: Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list.
- Skills Assessment: Obtain a suitable skills assessment for your occupation.
- Nomination or Sponsorship: Be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or be sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area.
- Points Test: Score at least 65 points on the points test.
- Age: Be under 45 years of age.
- English Proficiency: Have competent English proficiency.
- Health and Character: Meet health and character requirements.
- Invitation to Apply: Receive an invitation to apply.
Required Documents
- Passport: A valid passport for each applicant.
- Birth Certificate: Showing both parents’ names.
- National ID Card: If applicable.
Skills Assessment Report: A positive skills assessment from a relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation.
English Test Results: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or other accepted English language test results, showing you meet the required proficiency level.
- Academic Transcripts: Certified copies of your academic transcripts and certificates (degrees, diplomas, trade qualifications).
- Recognition of Prior Learning (if applicable): Documents proving recognition of your prior learning.
- Employment Reference Letters: Detailed reference letters from employers, outlining your role, responsibilities, and employment duration.
- Payslips: Payslips or tax records as proof of employment.
- Employment Contracts: Copies of employment contracts.
- Taxation Records: Relevant taxation records or social insurance documents.
- Statutory Declarations: If applicable, statutory declarations from colleagues or supervisors verifying your employment.
- Age Proof: Passport, birth certificate, or any official document proving your age.
- Partner’s Skills: If claiming partner points, provide your partner’s skills assessment and English test results.
- Credentialed Community Language: Certification or credential proving proficiency in a community language, if applicable.
- Study in Australia: Proof of study in Australia, such as academic transcripts and certificates from Australian institutions.
- Specialist Education Qualification: Documents proving completion of a Master’s by research or Doctorate in a STEM field from an Australian institution.
- Medical Examination: Undergo a medical examination by a panel-approved doctor and provide the results.
- Police Clearance Certificates: Police certificates from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
- State or Territory Nomination: Proof of nomination from an Australian state or territory government.
- Family Sponsorship: If sponsored by a relative, provide evidence of the relationship and their eligibility (proof of residency in a designated area, financial capability, etc.).
- Form 80 (Personal Particulars for Character Assessment): Completed and signed form.
- Form 1221 (Additional Personal Particulars Information): Completed and signed form, if requested.
- Photographs: Recent passport-sized photographs for each applicant.
- Marriage Certificate: If applicable, to prove your marital status.
- Divorce or Death Certificate: If applicable, to prove the end of a previous marriage.
- Change of Name Certificate: If applicable, documents proving any name change.
Application Process
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI):
- Create an EOI in SkillSelect.
- Indicate your interest in the Subclass 491 visa and provide required details.
- Wait to receive an invitation to apply.
Receive Invitation to Apply:
- If selected, you will receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
Lodge Visa Application:
- Submit your visa application online through ImmiAccount.
- Provide all required documents.
- Pay the application fee.
Visa Decision:
- Await the decision on your visa application.
- You may be asked to provide additional information or attend an interview.
Costs
| Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Main Applicant | $4,640 |
| Additional Applicant (18 and over) | $2,320 |
| Additional Applicant (under 18) | $1,160 |
| Subsequent Temporary Application Charge (if applicable) | $700 |
Visa Processing Time
- 75% of applications: Processed within 8 months.
- 90% of applications: Processed within 14 months.
Designated Regional Areas
Designated regional areas include all of Australia except for Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Specific regional areas are listed on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Points Test Factors
Points are awarded based on factors such as:
- Age: Up to 30 points.
- English Language Proficiency: Up to 20 points.
- Skilled Employment Experience: Up to 20 points.
- Educational Qualifications: Up to 20 points.
- Australian Study Requirement: 5 points.
- Specialist Education Qualification: 10 points.
- Professional Year in Australia: 5 points.
- State/Territory Nomination or Family Sponsorship: 15 points.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
After holding the Subclass 491 visa for at least 3 years and meeting specific income requirements, you may be eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Subclass 191 visa.
The Subclass 491 visa offers skilled workers the opportunity to live and work in regional Australia, contributing to the development of these areas and providing a pathway to permanent residency.
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Related FAQs
The Subclass 489 visa (Skilled Regional (Provisional)) was replaced by the Subclass 491 visa (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) on November 16, 2019. Therefore, the Subclass 489 visa is no longer available for new applications.
Here are the main differences between the two visas:
Subclass 489 Visa:
- Purpose: Allowed skilled workers to live and work in regional or low-population growth areas of Australia for up to four years.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: Holders could apply for the Subclass 887 visa (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) after meeting certain requirements, such as living for at least two years and working full-time for at least one year in a specified regional area.
- Application Process: Required nomination by a state or territory government or sponsorship by an eligible relative living in a designated area.
Subclass 491 Visa:
- Purpose: Allows skilled workers and their families to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for five years.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: Holders can apply for the Subclass 191 visa (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) after meeting the income threshold for three years and complying with the visa conditions.
- Application Process: Requires nomination by a state or territory government or sponsorship by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area.
- Incentives: The 491 visa provides additional points for regional nomination/sponsorship, making it easier to qualify under the points-based system.
- Designated Regional Areas: The list of designated regional areas is broader for the 491 visa, encompassing all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
These changes aim to encourage migration to regional areas to address skills shortages and support regional development.
To transition to the Subclass 887 Visa (Permanent Residency), you must have lived in a designated regional area for at least two years and worked full-time for at least one year in a designated regional area.
Designated regional areas are specific areas defined by the Australian government where visa holders must live and work. These areas were specified by postcodes.
The Subclass 189 Visa (Skilled Independent Visa) is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers. It offers a range of facilities and benefits:
Permanent Residency:
- Live and work in Australia indefinitely.
Work and Study:
- Full rights to work and study anywhere in Australia.
Healthcare:
- Access to Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.
Social Security:
- Access certain social security payments and benefits (after waiting periods).
Family Sponsorship:
- Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residency.
Travel Rights:
- Travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted. After that, you need a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter Australia.
Pathway to Citizenship:
- Apply for Australian citizenship if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Educational Benefits:
- Children can attend public schools at local rates.
- Access to student loans and educational grants for higher education (for Australian citizens and permanent residents).
No Sponsorship Requirement:
- Unlike some other visas, the 189 Visa does not require sponsorship by an employer, family member, or state/territory government.
Full Access to Labour Market:
- No restrictions on employment; you can work in any job, for any employer, and in any location within Australia.