Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

Overview

The Subclass 491 is a points-tested provisional visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. It is designed to attract talent to regional locations and reduce pressure on major cities. You can be nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a regional area.

This visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to 5 years and provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa if eligibility conditions are met after 3 years.

Key Features

Stay up to 5 years
Live, work, and study in designated regional areas
Pathway to PR via Subclass 191 (after 3 years of residence and income compliance)
15 extra points for nomination or family sponsorship
Can travel in and out of Australia freely
Include eligible family members

Visa Streams

1. State or Territory Nomination

Must apply to a state/territory migration program
Each state has different rules, occupation lists, and priorities

2. Family Sponsorship

Must be sponsored by an eligible relative living in regional Australia
The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, PR holder, or eligible NZ citizen
Must pass the points test with a minimum of 65 points (including the 15 from sponsorship)

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, you must:

Be under 45 years of age
Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
Obtain a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
Achieve at least 65 points, including the 15 from nomination or sponsorship
Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect
Be nominated by a state/territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member
Meet English language requirements (Competent English minimum)
Meet health and character requirements
Not have had a visa cancelled or a prior application refused

Points Boost

The 491 visa provides:

+15 points for state nomination or family sponsorship (compared to +5 for Subclass 190)

Use the Points Calculator to estimate your score.

Regional Areas Defined

Almost all of Australia outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane is considered regional. This includes large cities like Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Gold Coast, and Hobart.

Check the full list of regional postcodes:
Designated Regional Areas

Application Process

Check Occupation & State Requirements
Get Skills Assessment from relevant authority
Sit English Test (if required)
Lodge EOI via SkillSelect
Apply for Nomination or obtain Family Sponsorship
Receive Invitation to Apply
Lodge Visa Application within 60 days
Wait for Visa Grant

Cost

Main Applicant: AUD 4,640
Dependent (18+): AUD 2,320
Dependent (<18): AUD 1,160
State Nomination Fees: Varies (AUD 0 to AUD 800+)

Processing Time

Stage	Typical Time
State Nomination	1 to 12 weeks
Family Sponsorship Check	1 to 2 months
Visa Grant (post-invite)	6 to 10 months

State-by-State Nomination Overview

Each state sets its own nomination rules, occupation lists, and preferences for the 491 visa. Many states offer Graduate, Working, and Offshore streams.

New South Wales (NSW)

Regional development authorities manage nomination
Separate region-based requirements
Typically requires residing or working in the region
NSW Regional Nomination

Victoria (VIC)

Open to onshore applicants only (most streams)
Focused on Health, Teaching, STEM and ICT
Must be living and working in regional Victoria
Live in Melbourne - 491 Visa

Queensland (QLD)

Offers both graduate and small business owner pathways
Occupation lists vary by stream
Prior work in regional QLD is often required
Migration Queensland

South Australia (SA)

Extensive occupation list
Open to offshore applicants
Multiple nomination streams: International Graduate, Talent & Innovators, and more
SA Migration

Western Australia (WA)

Graduate stream available
Requires a job offer for most applicants
Check WA’s regional occupation lists
WA Migration Services

Tasmania (TAS)

Very transparent nomination system
Offers pathways for graduates, long-term residents, and offshore applicants
Low barriers to entry compared to other states
Migration Tasmania

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Must apply through Canberra Matrix
Points-based invitation system
Strong emphasis on contribution to ACT economy
ACT Nomination - 491

Northern Territory (NT)

Must commit to living in NT
Job offer or study in NT strongly preferred
Offshore applicants considered if occupation is in demand
The Territory Migration

Family Sponsorship Criteria

Eligible relatives must:

Be 18 or older
Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Reside in a designated regional area
Be your eligible parent, sibling, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, first cousin, or grandparent

You must submit documents proving your relationship and their residence.

Obligations and Pathway to PR

Regional Residence Requirement:

You must live, work, and study only in designated regional areas

PR Pathway:

After 3 years, you may be eligible for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence visa if you:
- Have held the 491 visa for at least 3 years
- Have earned a taxable income of at least AUD 53,900 per year for those 3 years
- Complied with all visa conditions

More on the 191 visa: Subclass 191 Information

Conditions and Restrictions

Condition 8579
You must live, work, or study only in designated regional areas.

Condition 8580/8581
You may be required to provide evidence of your residence, work, or study locations.

No Access to PR Until Minimum 3 Years
You cannot apply for most other permanent visas (such as 189 or 190) until the 3-year requirement has been met.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move between regional states?
Yes, but you must remain in a designated regional area. For example, moving from Hobart to Adelaide is allowed. Moving to Melbourne is not.

Is this a permanent visa?
No. It is a provisional visa that leads to permanent residency after 3 years.

Can I include family members?
Yes, you can include eligible family members when applying or add them later.

What if I lose my job?
You are still expected to live in regional Australia but not legally required to remain employed. Try to find work to remain compliant and to meet PR income requirements.

Useful Links

Summary

The Subclass 491 is a compelling pathway for skilled workers who want to migrate to regional Australia. With 15 bonus points and many nomination opportunities across states, it increases your chance of permanent residency while supporting Australia's regional development strategy.

Tags: `491 visa`, `skilled work regional`, `regional nomination`, `EOI`, `family sponsorship`, `GSM`, `provisional visa`, `points test`, `state migration`, `PR pathway`