The Skilled Work Regional Provisional Visa subclass 491 is for skilled migrants who want work, live and study in a designated regional area of Australia. You can apply for this visa when already in Australia as a temporary resident or from overseas. If you apply for this from within Australia, you must have a Bridging A, B or C or substantive visa.

You can stay in Australia for up to five years and this visa gives you a pathway for permanent residence in Australia. Also, you must have an occupation listed on the subclass 491 skills list.

Do you qualify for a visa?

Do you qualify?

To apply for this visa, you must lodge an expression of interest to SkillSelect and meet a minimum of 65 points in a point test, and be invited to make a visa application. Points are awarded based on:

  • You must be under 45 years old.
  • Proficiency in the English language.
  • Overseas and Australian work experience.
  • Australian and/or regional study.
  • Qualifications and specialist skills.
  • Worked in Australia for a year.
  • Your partner’s skills.
  • Having a sponsor or nominator.
  • Have an occupation listed in a designated regional area on the relevant skilled occupation list.
  • Passed a suitable skills assessment in your nominated occupation in the three years prior to receiving an invitation.
  • Meet the health and character requirements of the Department of Home Affairs.
  • Be sponsored by an eligible family member or receive a Territory or State nomination from the government.

Once you receive an invitation, you must lodge your visa application within 60 days or it will lapse. It is important to have all the documentation for you and your family members ready so you can lodge your nomination application quickly after receiving an invitation.

Regional areas

The Skilled Work Regional Visa is for you when you want to work in regional areas of Australia. This includes most of Australia outside of major cities such as Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

State or Territory Government Nomination

All states and territories publish a list of the occupations required in their area. Each one may have their own requirements for skilled migration such as specialised skills, English proficiency and work experience, so make sure you check the state and territory requirements before starting your application.

Eligible Family Member Sponsorship

Applicants using the family sponsored path can only nominate an occupation on the medium-long term skills shortage list. Your sponsor should live in a designated regional area and be:

  • Aged 18 or older.
  • An Australian citizen or permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
  • A relative that is eligible to be a sponsor, including grandparents, parents, children, aunt or uncle, nephew or niece, or a sibling.

Visa Conditions

This is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia for up to five years. Visa holders have the right to live, work and study in Australian regional areas and you will have access to Medicare.

When you apply through the state or territory nominated application stream you must reside in the state or territory that nominates you.

When you apply from outside of Australia, you must enter Australia before your police and health clearances expire.

Visa Costs and Processing Time

This visa costs from $AU4,115 with additional costs for family members, health and police clearances.

Depending on whether you supply all your documentation at the time of lodgement, the processing time is between 11 and 14 months.

Subclass 491 Visa Skills List

The following is a snapshot of the regional occupations on the 491 visa skills list.

Item Number Occupation ANZSCO Codes
1. Cotton Grower 121211
2. Horse Breeder 121316
3. Sales and Marketing Manager 131112
4. Corporate Services Manager 132111
5. Policy and Planning Manager 132411
6. Wholesaler 133312
7. Production Manager (Manufacturing) 133512
8. Procurement Manager 133612
9. Regional Education Manager 134412
10. ICT Project Manager 135112
11. Quality Assurance Manager 139914
12. Caravan Park and Camping Ground Manager 141211
13. Retirement Village Manager 141912
14. Hair or Beauty Salon Manager 142114
15. Technical Writer 212415
16. Finance Broker 222112
17. Financial Investment Adviser 222311
18. Flying Instructor 231113
19. Graphic Designer 232411
20. Dentist 252312
21. Resident Medical Officer 253112
22. Nurse Manager 254311
23. Database Administrator 262111
24. Intellectual Property Lawyer 271214
25. Rehabilitation Counsellor 272114
26. Psychotherapist 272314
27. Interpreter 272412
28. Building Inspector 312113
29 Web Administrator 313113
30. Pet Groomer 361113

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