Skilled Work Regional Visa Subclass 491
What is the Subclass 491 Visa?
The 491 Visa (Skilled Work Regional Visa) is a provisional visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. This visa allows you to stay in regional Australia for up to 5 years, with the opportunity to apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Visa after meeting the necessary criteria.
At Kris Ahn Lawyers, we assist you in every step of the process, from assessing your eligibility to submitting a strong application, helping you achieve your goal of Australian residency.
Key Features of the Subclass 491 Visa
Live and Work in Regional Australia
The visa allows you to live, work, and study in a designated regional area for up to 5 years.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
After meeting certain conditions, you may apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Visa.
Obligations
You must live, work, and study only in designated regional areas as per the visa conditions.
State Nomination
You must be nominated by a state or territory government, which has its own set of nomination criteria and obligations.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the 491 Visa, you must meet the following criteria:
Age
You must be under 45 years old at the time of receiving the invitation to apply.
Points Test
You must score a minimum of 65 points, although higher points may be needed depending on your occupation and the state’s requirements.
Occupation
Your occupation must be on the relevant regional skilled occupation list.
State Nomination
You must be nominated by a state or territory government after submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect.
Health and Character Requirements
You must meet the health and character requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs.
Points Test
The Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) operates on a points-based system. You need a minimum of 65 points to be eligible.
You can use the points calculator to get an idea of how many points you might score.
Age
| At least 18 but less than 25 years | 25 points |
| At least 25 but less than 33 years | 30 points |
| At least 33 but less than 40 years | 25 points |
| At least 40 but less than 45 years | 15 points |
English Language Skills
| Competent English | 0 points |
| Proficient English | 10 points |
| Superior English | 20 points |
Experience
Skilled employment experience (outside Australia)
| Less than 3 years | 0 points |
| At least 3 but less than 5 years | 5 points |
| At least 5 but less than 8 years | 10 points |
| At least 8 years | 15 points |
Australian Skilled Employment (in Australia)
| Less than 1 year | 0 points |
| At least 1 but less than 3 years | 5 points |
| At least 3 but less than 5 years | 10 points |
| At least 5 but less than 8 years | 15 points |
| At least 8 years | 20 points |
Educational Qualifications
| A Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or a Doctorate from another educational institution, that is of a recognised standard. | 20 points |
| At least a Bachelor degree from an Australian educational institution or at least a Bachelor qualification, from another educational institution, that is of a recognised standard. | 15 points |
| A diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution. | 10 points |
| Attained a qualification or award recognised by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated skilled occupation as being suitable for that occupation | 10 points |
For points-based migration, you only receive points for your highest qualification.
Your qualifications must be assessed as comparable to Australian standards by the relevant skills assessing authority.
If you hold an overseas bachelor’s degree or higher that wasn’t assessed, you can seek advice from VETASSESS to compare your qualifications with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
For doctoral (PhD) points, only a completed PhD counts; other doctor titles (like general practitioner or dentist) don’t qualify. Contact VETASSESS for further assessment guidance.
Specialist Education Qualification
| A Masters degree by research or a Doctorate degree from an Australian educational institution that included at least 2 academic years study in a relevant field. | 10 points |
Australian Study Requirement
| Meet the Australian study requirement | 5 points |
You must have at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that meets the Australian study requirement.
Professional Year in Australia
| Completion of a Professional Year in Australia | 5 points |
To be awarded points for completing a Professional Year, it must meet specific requirements:
- Your Professional Year should be in Accounting, ICT/Computing, or Engineering.
- It must be completed in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation.
- The program should have lasted at least 12 months and completed in Australia within the past four years.
- The program should be provided by recognised bodies like CPA Australia, Engineers Australia, or the Australian Computer Society.
Credentialled Community Language
| Hold a recognised qualification in a credentialled community language | 5 points |
To be eligible for points under the community language credential category, you must have:
- Been accredited at the paraprofessional level or above,
- Been certified at the Certified Provisional level or above, or
- Held a community language credential for interpreting or translating from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
Study in Regional Australia
| You must have at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that satisfies the Australian study requirement obtained while living and studying in an eligible area of regional Australia | 5 points |
To be eligible for the award of points your educational qualification must:
- Meet the Australian study requirement.
- Have been obtained while you lived in, and studied at a campus in, a designated regional area.
- Not include study undertaken by distance education.
Partner skills
| Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and meet age, English, and skill criteria. Partner must: be under 45 years old, have competent English, nominate a skilled occupation from the same list as yours, and have a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority. |
10 points |
| Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and has competent English. For you to be eligible for the award of these points your partner must be an applicant for the same visa subclass and must not be an Australian permanent resident or an Australian citizen. |
5 points |
| You are single or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident* | 10 points |
Nomination
| You were invited to apply for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) because you were nominated by a state or territory government, and the nominating agency has not withdrawn that nomination., OR, You are being sponsored for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) by an eligible family member, and the Minister has accepted that sponsorship. |
15 points |
- State or Territory Nomination: If you were nominated by a state or territory government and the nomination remains in effect, you are eligible to receive 15 points.
- Family Sponsorship: If you are sponsored by an eligible family member, and the sponsorship is approved by the Minister, you are eligible to receive 15 points.
For both nominated and sponsored applicants, the nomination or sponsorship must remain valid for you to claim the 15 points.
More detailed information on sponsorship and nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) is available on the official Department of Home Affairs website.
Checking Your Occupations
Only certain skilled occupations are eligible for the 491 Visa, and these vary by state or territory. Here’s how to check if your occupation qualifies:
- Skilled Occupation List: Visit the official skilled occupation list for your relevant state or territory.
- Verify Eligibility: Confirm that your occupation is on the list and that you meet any additional criteria.
- Nomination: You must be nominated by a state or territory government based on your occupation.
Our team at Kris Ahn Lawyers can assist you in navigating the skilled occupation lists and verifying your eligibility for the 491 visa.
The States
Each state or territory in Australia has different nomination criteria for the 491 Visa. You must meet both the Department of Home Affairs requirements and the specific requirements of the nominating state or territory. States may require additional factors such as work experience, residence in a regional area, or the submission of a Registration of Interest (ROI).
State and Territory Occupation Lists
Key Points for State-Specific Nomination
State Requirements
Work Experience & Stay Period
Certain states require applicants to have specific work experience or have resided in that state for a designated period before applying.
State and Territory Nomination
You must receive a nomination from a state or territory government to apply for this visa. Be sure to check the relevant state or territory’s skilled occupation list and additional requirements before submitting your EOI.
The Process
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the visa application process:
1
Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Submit an EOI: Indicate your interest in the Subclass 491 Visa via SkillSelect.
- State Selection: Wait for a state or territory to nominate you based on your occupation and points score.
2
State Nomination
- Receive Nomination: States will nominate applicants who meet their specific criteria. This may require the submission of a Registration of Interest (ROI) (e.g., in Victoria) or participation in the ACT Matrix.
- Provide Documents: You must submit relevant documents, including proof of skills, qualifications, and work experience.
3
Visa Application
- Invitation to Apply: Upon receiving a nomination, you will be invited to apply for the Subclass 491 visa.
- Submit the Visa Application: You have 60 days to submit your visa application after receiving the invitation. Ensure all documents are prepared, including health and character checks.
5
Visa Decision
- Application Review: The Department of Home Affairs will review your application.
- Visa Approval: If successful, you will receive a visa allowing you to live and work in regional Australia for up to 5 years.
Application Fees
When applying for the 491 Visa, the following fees may apply:
Primary Applicant Fee
AUD 4,770
Additional Applicants (18+)
AUD 2,385
Additional Applicants (Under 18)
AUD 1,190
English Test (IELTS/PTE/TOEFL)
Fees for tests like IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL typically range from AUD 300 to AUD 460
Skills Assessment Fees:
Fees vary by occupation and assessing authority.
State Nomination:
Some states charge a nomination fee.
How Can We Help?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include family members in my 491 visa application?
Yes, you can include your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children in your application.
What if I don’t get nominated by a state or territory?
If you are not nominated, you will not be able to apply for the 491 visa. You may explore other visa options or continue submitting EOIs.
How long does state nomination processing take?
Processing times vary by state, but it generally takes between 6 to 12 weeks.
What is the pathway to permanent residency from the 491 Visa?
After holding the 491 visa for at least 3 years and meeting income and residency requirements, you can apply for the 191 Visa for permanent residency.
How long is the 491 Visa valid for?
The 491 Visa is valid for 5 years, and you must live and work in a designated regional area during this period.
