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Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) – subclass 491 is a 5-year Provisional Visa. It allows highly eligible professionals and their family members to live, and work in the designated regional areas of Australia. The validity of the visa is 5 years. Although it is a provisional visa, the visa applicant can apply for permanent residency after 3 years if the requirements for the PR visa subclass 191 are fulfilled by applicant.
This is a state nominated provisional visa for highly skilled migrants that allows visa applicants to live and work in regional areas of Australia for up to five years.
Source: Department of Home Affairs, Australia491 Visa Requirements:
Before applying for the visa it is important to make sure that you meet the requirements for the visa.
This includes:
Confirm your eligibility
This is a point-tested visa program. You must score the minimum points in order to submit your EOI.
You must score at least 65 to apply for Skilled Migration (subclasses 189, 190 , 491)
| Factor | Description | Points | |
| Age at time of invitation |
18–24 (inclusive) | 25 | |
| 25–32 (inclusive) | 30 | ||
| 33–39 (inclusive) | 25 | ||
| 40–44 (inclusive) | 15 | ||
| English language ability at time of invitation |
Competent English—IELTS 6 / OET B / PTE / TOEFL iBT | 0 | |
| Proficient English—IELTS 7 / OET B / PTE / TOEFL iBT | 10 | ||
| Superior English—IELTS 8 / OET A / PTE / TOEFL iBT | 20 | ||
| Skilled employment at time of invitation Only 20 points can be awarded for any combination of overseas and Australian skilled employment Overseas employment in nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation Australian employment in nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation |
Skilled employment outside Australia
At least three but less than five years (of past 10 years) |
5 |
|
| At least five but less than eight years (of past 10 years) | 10 | ||
| At least eight and up to 10 years (of past 10 years) | 15 | ||
| Skilled employment in Australia
At least one but less than three years (of past 10 years) |
5 |
||
| At least three but less than five years (of past 10 years) | 10 | ||
| At least five but less than eight years (of past 10 years) | 15 | ||
| At least eight and up to 10 years (of past 10 years) | 20 | ||
| Educational qualifications at time of invitation |
Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or other Doctorate of a recognized standard | 20 | |
| At least a Bachelor degree, including a Bachelor degree with Honours or Masters, from an Australian educational institution or other degree of a recognized standard | 15 | ||
| Diploma or trade qualification completed in Australia, or qualification or award of recognized standard | 10 | ||
| Australian study requirements at time of invitation (if study in Australia) |
One or more degrees, diplomas or trade qualifications awarded by an Australian educational institution and meet the Australian Study Requirement | 5 | |
| Other factors at time of invitation |
Credentialed community language qualifications | 5 | |
| Study in regional Australia or a low population growth metropolitan area (excluding distance education) (if study in Australia) | 5 | ||
| Having a skilled spouse or de facto partner | 10 | ||
| Having a spouse or de facto partner with competent English | 5 | ||
| Being Single | 10 | ||
| Professional Year in Australia for at least 12 months in the four years before the day you were invited (if study in Australia) | 5 | ||
| Having specific STEM qualifications (if study in Australia) | 10 | ||
| Nomination/Sponsorship at time of invitation |
Nomination by state or territory government (visa subclass 190 only) | 5 | |
| Nomination by state or territory government or sponsorship by an eligible family member, to reside and work in a specified/designated area (visa subclass 491 only) | 15 | ||
Search your ANZCSO
It is very important to search your occupation in the Skilled Occupation List. Everybody cannot be eligible due to unavailability of their occupations in the Skilled Occupation List. So, check and make sure your occupation is available in the demand list.
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Use SkillSelect to make an expression of interest (EOI) if you are a skilled professional or from overseas who wish to settle in Australia. EOIs must be completed online using SkillSelect. Submitting an EOI does not mean submitting a visa application. To apply for a visa, applicant must get invitation in their Skill Select Account.
While submitting an EOI, the applicant must give details of positive assessment outcome, English test result, personal information, educational and employment history.
Wait for your invitation to apply for your Skilled Visa
States like New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland or other will nominate the invite to applicants to apply for state sponsorship. If selected, applicants will be given additional points into their EOI profile. Some states may charge an application fee
Apply for your visa
After getting a successful invitation, applicant can now apply to lodge your visa application through immiAccount within 60 days from the date applicant receives EOI invitation.
Source: Department of Home Affairs, AustraliaFrom AUD $4,045
Source: Department of Home Affairs, AustraliaProcessing Time
75% of applications: 12 months
90% of applications: 18 months
Source: Department of Home Affairs, Australia
