The Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia. It was introduced on November 16, 2019, replacing the previous 489 visa. The 491 visa is part of Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program and is aimed at addressing the need for skilled workers in regional areas.
✅ Temporary Visa – The Subclass 491 visa is a temporary visa that grants 5 years of stay in regional Australia.
✅ Pathway to Permanent Residency (PR) – After holding the 491 visa for at least 3 years, you may be eligible to apply for a Permanent Residency visa (such as Subclass 191).
✅ Regional Areas – You are required to live and work in a designated regional area.
✅ Non-employer Sponsored – Unlike some other skilled visas, this visa is not employer-sponsored.
✅ Health Care Access – You can access Medicare (Australia’s public health system) once you’re granted the visa.
✅ Family Members – You can include family members in your visa application (spouse, children, etc.).
✔ Age: Applicants must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
✔ Occupation: Your occupation must be on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) or the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
✔ Skills Assessment: You must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation.
✔ State or Territory Nomination or Family Sponsorship:
You can apply for this visa through state or territory nomination (Subclass 491 is a state/territory-sponsored visa).
Alternatively, you may apply through family sponsorship if your family member lives in a regional area.
✔ Points System: You must score at least 65 points (for factors like age, English proficiency, work experience, and education).
✔ English Proficiency: You must meet the minimum English language requirements, typically IELTS 6.0+ (or equivalent).
✔ Commitment to Regional Australia: You must agree to live and work in a designated regional area.
1️⃣ Check Occupation Lists: Ensure your occupation is on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) or the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
2️⃣ Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit an EOI via SkillSelect to express your interest in applying for the Subclass 491 visa.
3️⃣ State/Territory Nomination or Family Sponsorship:
Apply for state or territory nomination (most common), or
Apply for family sponsorship if a relative lives in a regional area. 4️⃣ Receive Invitation: If nominated or sponsored, you will receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
5️⃣ Submit Visa Application: Complete and submit your visa application, providing documents like skills assessments, English test results, and nominating documentation.
6️⃣ Health and Police Checks: Complete any required health checks and police checks.
7️⃣ Wait for Visa Approval: Once the visa is granted, you can begin living and working in a regional area.
💼 Work and Live in Regional Australia: Live and work in designated regional areas of Australia.
💪 Pathway to PR: After living in Australia for 3 years on this visa, you can apply for permanent residency under the Subclass 191 visa.
🧑🏫 Study and Work: You can work and study in Australia during your visa period.
🌏 Family and Community: You can include family members in your visa application, and you’re allowed to move around the regional areas within Australia.
🏥 Access to Healthcare: Once you are granted the visa, you and your family will be eligible to access Medicare.
| Visa Type | PR Status | State/Territory Nomination Required? | Employer Sponsorship Required? | Living Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa) | ✅ Permanent | ❌ No | ❌ No | No geographic restrictions |
| Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa) | ✅ Permanent | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | No geographic restrictions |
| Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa) | 🚫 Temporary (Leads to PR) | ✅ Yes (or Family Sponsorship) | ❌ No | Must live and work in a regional area |
The Subclass 491 visa is an excellent opportunity for skilled workers who are willing to live and work in regional areas of Australia. It offers a temporary visa with a pathway to permanent residency after 3 years, while benefiting from Australia’s healthcare system and access to work and study opportunities.
This visa is ideal for those who want to contribute to regional Australia’s growth and development while building a permanent future in the country.
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