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Home » Skilled Migration Visas » Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

Work and Live in Regional Australia with a 491 Visa

A points-tested, state-nominated visa giving you 5 years of regional access and a PR pathway via the 491 visa

️ 🧮 Check My Eligibility

🧾 Visa Snapshot

Type: Provisional (5 years)

Pathway to PR: Yes (via Subclass 191)

State or Family Nomination Required Yes

Points Test Required: Yes (Minimum 65)

Typical Processing: 3–9 months

Family Inclusion: Partner + Children

Common Use: Regional migration for skilled professionals

Visa Fees: AUD 4910 (Primary Applicant)

Visa Overview

The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa allows skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas for 5 years. After 3 years of work and income compliance, you may transition to PR via the Subclass 191 Visa. 

5-year visa for regional living 

Eligible for Medicare once visa is granted 

Can apply for PR after 3 years (Subclass 191)

Higher invitation chances for regional applicants 

Why Apply for Subclass 491?

Subclass 491 is designed for skilled workers who:

Want to live and work in regional Australia

Need nomination from a state/territory or eligible relative

Are seeking a PR pathway through Subclass 191

Bonus: 491 gives you +15 points in the points test.

Eligibility and Point Test

Be under 45 years old

Have an occupation on the Core Skill Occupation List (CSOL)

Be nominated by a state/territory or sponsored by an eligible family member

Pass skills assessment for your occupation

Have competent English

Achieve 65. points or more (with +15 added if nominated).

Meet health and character requirements

🧮 Calculate My Points
đź“Ą Download 491 Eligibillity Checklsit

Application Process – Step by Step

1
Check occupation and points
2
Complete skills assessment
3
Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect
4
Apply for state nomination or family sponsorship
5
Receive invitation to apply for visa
6
Lodge Subclass 491 visa within 60 day
7
Undergo health + character checks

Common Mistakes & Tips

Common Mistakes to Avoid ​​

Choosing ineligible regional postcode

Submitting expired skill assessment or English test

Failing to meet nomination criteria for chosen state

Applying without evidence of ongoing employment or ties

Tips for Strong Application

Target states with open nomination (e.g. SA, TAS, NT)

Prepare employment letters and residency proofs early

Maximise points through English, partner skills, or Professional Year

Monitor EOI ranking and update if details change

Family Members You Can Include

Family Members

Live and work in regional Australia

Travel to and from Australia freely

Enrol in Medicare

Transition to PR via Subclass 191 after 3 years (income + residence required)

After Visa Grant​

Once visa granted, you and your family can : 

Access Medicare & public healthcare

Live and work anywhere in Australia

Pathway to citizenship (after 4 years)

Sponsor eligible family in future

Required Documents

Primary Applicant

Valid Passport

Skills Assessment

English Test Results

EOI Summary

State Nomination or Family Sponsor Evidence

Police Checks

Health Exams

Partner/Dependents

Identity documents

Relationship proofs

Health & character documents

đź“Ą Download 491 Checklist

Visa Fees & Processing Time

TypeDetails & Fee (AUD)
🧾 Government Visa FeeApprox. AUD 4,910
đź‘Ą Addtional Applicant 18+AUD 2,455
đź‘Ą Addtional Applicant below 18AUD 1,230
⏳ Processing TimeTypically 3–7 months (post-invitation)

🧰 Tools & Downloads

Discover free tools to help you plan, prepare, and lodge your visa with confidence
Download Subclass 491 Migration Pack
Download Subclass 491 Migration Pack
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Check Your Eligibility
Check Your Eligibility
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Download EOI Guide
Download EOI Guide
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❓Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) – FAQ's

The Subclass 491 visa is a 5-year provisional skilled migration visa for applicants who are nominated by a state/territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member living in a designated regional area. It provides a direct pathway to permanent residency through the 191 visa after meeting work, income, and residence requirements.

You must have an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), hold a valid Skills Assessment, meet the points test, be under 45 at invitation, and receive a nomination from a state/territory or sponsorship from an eligible family member in a regional area.
Not immediately. The Subclass 491 is a provisional visa, but it leads to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 once you meet all the eligibility requirements (regional residence, taxable income thresholds, and visa conditions).
You must live, work, and study only in designated regional areas of Australia. To qualify for PR under Subclass 191, you must show 3 years of residency in a regional area plus 3 years of eligible taxable income.
There is no fixed public figure listed by DHA. You must show that your taxable income meets or exceeds the annual threshold set by the Minister for 3 consecutive income years. Historically, the benchmark has aligned with TSMIT, but the exact requirement is confirmed each year by policy.
You must comply with visa condition 8579, which requires living, working, and studying in designated regional areas only. Moving between regional areas is possible, but you must also respect the state nomination obligations you agreed to. Some states require a 2-year commitment before moving.
Yes. A valid Skills Assessment in your nominated occupation is mandatory. It must be valid at the time of invitation and must match the occupation you select in your EOI.
Yes. The 491 allows you to include your partner and dependent children as secondary applicants. They must meet health and character requirements, and your partner may contribute partner points if they have a skills assessment or Competent English.

Each state/territory has its own eligibility requirements, which may include:

Onshore residency rule
Job offers or skilled employment
Minimum points
English requirements

Occupations in demand
You must meet both Home Affairs requirements and state nomination criteria to apply successfully.

What are the processing times for the 491 visa?

Processing times vary depending on caseloads and state nomination volumes. Most complete applications take approximately 6–10 months. Applications with incomplete documents or further checks may take longer.

You can work full-time for any employer in designated regional areas. You may also start a business, provided it operates only within a regional area. Your location must always comply with visa condition 8579.
No. The 491 visa does not tie you to a single employer. You can change jobs as long as you continue to live and work in a regional area and meet any state-specific commitments.

Yes. Onshore applicants can apply if they hold an eligible substantive visa. You will typically receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA) allowing you to remain in Australia while your application is processed.

Yes. Once you obtain PR through the Subclass 191, your time as a 491 holder may count towards your citizenship residency requirements, depending on how long you lived lawfully in Australia.

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Disclaimer
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not guarantee visa approval. All visa applications are subject to the discretion of the Australian Department of Home Affairs. For personalized guidance, please contact a registered migration agent at Visa Advisor.