Australia PR – Subclass 491 Visa Requirements

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 491 is designed for skilled professionals and their families who wish to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia. This visa offers a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Visa. This is a permanent visa and allows visa-holders to remain in Australia indefinitely with full work rights.

Pathway to Permanent Residency – Subclass 191

After holding the 491 visa for at least 3 years and meeting the minimum taxable income threshold, visa holders become eligible to apply for the Skilled Regional Permanent Residence (Subclass 191). This permanent visa allows you to live in Australia indefinitely with full rights and benefits.

Applicant must show an Expression of Interest (EOI) in Skill select, and be nominated for this visa by:

• An Australian state/territory government agency or
• Sponsored by an eligible family members residing in a designated regional area

Your Pathway to Permanent Residency in Regional Australia:

The Subclass 491 Visa is a points-tested provisional visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. This visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to 5 years, with a clear pathway to apply for permanent residency (Subclass 191) after meeting specific eligibility requirements.

• 15 points for nomination by a State or Territory government agency or sponsorship by a family member residing in regional Australia.
• 10 Points for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) qualifications.

Partners Points:

10 Points, if one of the following apply:

• Skilled spouse or de facto partner (Skill Assessment and Competent English)
• Applicants without a spouse or de facto partner (Single)

5 points for applicants with a spouse or de facto partner who has competent English. Your partner can be over 45 years of age and does not need a Skills Assessment.

Designated Regional Areas:

Cities and Regional Areas	Locations
Major Cities	– Brisbane – Melbourne – Sydney
Cities and major regional centres	– Adelaide – Perth – Gold Coast – Sunshine Coast – Canberra – Newcastle/Lake Macquarie – Wollongong/Illawarra – Geelong – Hobart.
Regional centres and other regional areas	All other locations

 

Subclass 491 Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 491, you must meet the following conditions:

Occupation on Skilled Occupation List

Your nominated occupation must appear on a Relevant Skilled Occupation List approved for the 491 visa stream.

English Language Proficiency

You must demonstrate at least Competent English (IELTS score of 6.0 in each band or equivalent in other approved tests).

Skills Assessment

You must have a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation from the relevant assessing authority.

Points Test Requirement

You must score a minimum of 65 points on the Department of Home Affairs points test, which evaluates age, education, experience, language skills, and more.

Health & Character Requirements

You and your family members must meet Australian health and character requirements as part of the visa application.

With this Visa, You Can:

• Live in Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted
• Work and study in a designated regional area of Australia
• Travel in and out of Australia as many times as you like, while your visa is valid
• Apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (if eligible), after 3 years of holding the Subclass 491 visa
• Include family members in your application
• Holders of the Subclass 491 visa may apply for Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional), starting from 16 November 2022

Eligible Family Members to Sponsor your Application:

Sponsorship must be approved before you can be granted a visa. An eligible relative can be:

• A parent
• A child or step-child
• A brother, sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, step-brother or step-sister
• An aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle
• A nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step-nephew or step-niece
• A grandparent, or
• A first cousin

Subclass 491 Visa Cost:

• Base application fee: From AUD 4,770.00 for the main applicant
• Additional applicant charges:
  • Partner or spouse: From AUD 2,385.00
  • Child (under 18): From AUD 1,195.00 per child

Note: Fees are subject to change and may vary based on the number of applicants and current exchange rates. Additional costs may apply for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.

Health & Character Requirements:

• You must show medical examinations of undergoing within past 12 months of time period
• You must Police certificates from each country you lived in for 12 consecutive months

Why Choose PassX Global?

At PassX Immigration Consultants, we help you navigate the complex 491 visa process with confidence — from skills assessment to EOI submission, state nomination, and visa lodgment. Our experts ensure your profile is optimized for the best possible outcome. Contact us for a free eligibility check and personalized consultation.

FAQ :

1. How many years I can stay in Australia Subclass 491 visa?
You can stay permanently up to 5 years.

2. How long does it take to get subclass 491 visa?
The processing time will vary time to time, but 75% of applications will be processed in 5 months and 90% of applications will be processed in 10 months

3. What is subclass 491 visa Australia?
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) allows skilled migrants to live, study and work in designated regional areas for a period of 5 years. You must receive nomination from any regional area before you can apply for the visa.

4. Do we need job offer for 491 visa?
No, you do not require an employer to sponsor you in order to be granted a 491 visa.