Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491)

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This is a provisional visa. It is for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia.
Most locations of Australia outside major cities (Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane) are classed as designated regional areas for migration purposes.

Basic Requirements

To be eligible to apply for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) you must have lodged an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Department of Home Affairs Skillselect system and received an invitation to apply for the visa from the relevant State or Territory or via sponsorship by an eligible relative.

At the time of invitation to be eligible for granting of the visa you must:

  • Under the age of 45
  • Score at least 65 points in the Department of Home Affairs points test
  • Nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
  • Meet English Language requirements
  • Received a positive skill assessment on your nominated occupation from the relevant skill assessment body
  • Meet relevant health and character requirements

Sponsorship by an eligible relative

To be sponsored by a relative, an applicant’s relative must live in a Specified Regional Area of Australia and be either:

  • An Australian citizen.
  • An Australian permanent resident; or
  • An eligible New Zealand citizen.

An eligible relative can be:

  • a parent
  • a child or stepchild
  • a brother, sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, stepbrother, or stepsister
  • an aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step-aunt, or step-uncle
  • a nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step-nephew, or step-niece
  • a grandparent, or
  • a first cousin

Visa Entitlements

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) which entitles the holder and their accompanying family to live and work or study in a Specified Regional Area of Australia for up to 5 years. This visa also provides a pathway to permanent residence after living and working in a regional area for 3 years.

Our Services

Visa Globe migration agents will provide a full service right through to the application decision including eligibility assessment, skills assessment, state nomination application and visa application. We will act on your behalf with Department of Home Affairs and keep you informed of any progress.