Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

Build a life in Australia’s designated regional areas with a points-tested, 5-year provisional visa that can lead to permanent residency. Get nomination (or eligible family sponsorship), meet the points, and move sooner.

Build your future in regional Australia

Pathway to permanent residency through regional skilled migration.

Skilled regional careers in Australia, supported by the Subclass 491 visa program.

What is the Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 491)?

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a 5-year temporary visa that provides a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. This points-based visa is designed to attract skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia.

Unlike the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) or Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), the 491 visa requires you to live and work in a regional area. However, it offers significant advantages, including 15 extra points on the points test and a clear pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa after meeting residency requirements.

Key Features of the Subclass 491 Visa

Type: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional), points-tested
Length: Up to 5 years
Where you can live/work/study: Designated regional areas only
Streams: State/Territory nominated OR Family-sponsored (eligible relative in a regional area)
PR Pathway: Eligible for permanent residency (subclass 191) after 3 years in a regional area
Points Bonus: Earn 15 extra points on the points test

491 Visa Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 491), you must meet the following requirements:

General Eligibility Criteria

Độ Tuổi
Must be under 45 years old at the time of invitation
Đánh giá kỹ năng
Must have a suitable, valid skills assessment from the relevant Australian assessing authority for your nominated skilled occupation
Occupation
Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list (MLTSSL, STSOL, or Regional Occupation List)
Points Test
Must score a minimum of 65 points on the Department of Home Affairs points test (though higher scores are typically required for invitation)
English Language
Must have at least Competent English (e.g., IELTS 6.0 in all bands or equivalent)
Health and Character
Must meet Australian health and character requirements

Regional Area Commitment

One of the key requirements of the 491 visa is that you must commit to living and working in a designated regional area of Australia. Regional areas include:

All areas of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane
Major regional cities such as Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, Newcastle, and Wollongong
Smaller regional towns and cities across all states and territories

491 Visa Points Requirements

While the minimum points requirement is 65, the actual points needed to receive an invitation vary depending on:

The number of applicants in the SkillSelect pool
Your nominated occupation’s demand
State or territory nomination requirements

The 491 visa offers a significant advantage with 15 extra points on the points test, which can make a substantial difference in your eligibility. Points are awarded for:

Age (maximum 30 points)
English language proficiency (maximum 20 points)
Skilled employment experience (maximum 20 points)
Educational qualifications (maximum 20 points)
Australian study requirement (5 points)
Regional study (5 points)
Partner skills (10 points)
Professional year in Australia (5 points)
Credentialed community language (5 points)
State or territory nomination (15 points for 491 visa)
Family sponsorship (15 points for 491 visa)

491 Visa Processing Time

The processing time for a 491 visa application varies depending on several factors:

Completeness of your application
Complexity of your case
Current processing volumes at the Department of Home Affairs
Whether you’re applying onshore or offshore

Generally, 491 visa processing times can range from:

75% of applications: Processed within 7–8 months
90% of applications: Processed within 9–10 months

Processing times can be longer if additional information is required or if your application requires more detailed assessment.

How to Apply for the 491 Visa

1
Đánh giá kỹ năng: Obtain a formal skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation (e.g., VETASSESS, ACS, Engineers Australia).
2
English Language Test: Complete an approved English language test (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or Cambridge) and achieve at least Competent English level.
3
Submit Expression of Interest (EOI): Lodge your EOI via SkillSelect, selecting the subclass 491 visa and providing all supporting details including your points score.
4
Apply for State Nomination or Family Sponsorship: Apply for nomination from a state or territory government, or arrange family sponsorship from an eligible relative in a regional area.
5
Receive Invitation to Apply (ITA): If selected, you will receive an official ITA to lodge your visa application.
6
Lodge Visa Application: Within 60 days of receiving the ITA, submit your complete visa application to the Department of Home Affairs with all supporting evidence.
7
Visa Grant: Once approved, you will receive your 491 visa, allowing you to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia.

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Let Us Help You Secure Your 491 Visa

At Hays Migration, we understand that applying for a skilled regional visa can be complex and overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone.

Our experienced team of MARA-registered agents and migration lawyers are here to guide you through every step, from assessing your eligibility and improving your EOI score to managing your skills assessment, state nomination, and visa lodgement with care and precision.

Let us help you turn your skills into opportunity and build your future in regional Australia.

Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 491).