Are you looking to live, work, and thrive in regional Australia? The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – Subclass 491 could be your ideal opportunity. This points-based visa allows skilled workers and their families to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years, with a pathway to permanent residency.
📍 What Is a Designated Regional Area?
Holders of the 491 visa must live, work, and study in a designated regional area. These are divided into two categories:
Category 2: Cities and Major Regional Centres
Includes:
Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong, Hobart
Category 3: Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas
These include smaller towns and communities throughout Australia. The full list is based on designated regional area postcodes.
🛤️ Pathway to Permanent Residency – Subclass 191
After 3 years of holding the 491 visa and meeting income and residency requirements, you can apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.
✅ Eligibility Criteria for the Subclass 491 Visa
To apply for the Skilled Work Regional visa, you must meet the following requirements:
1. Invitation to Apply
You can only apply after receiving an official invitation from the Department of Home Affairs.
2. Nomination or Sponsorship
You must be:
- Nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency OR
- Sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area.
👉 Tip: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect to estimate your points and receive an invitation.
3. Age Limit
You must be under 45 years old at the time of invitation.
4. Skills Assessment
You must have a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation, obtained within 3 years prior to the invitation date.
5. Points Requirement
You need to score at least 65 points under the points-tested system. Points are awarded for: Age, English proficiency, Skilled employment, Educational qualifications, Partner skills, Australian study and more.
6. English Language Requirement
You must have Competent English:
- IELTS: Minimum 6.0 in each of the four components (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).
7. Occupation Eligibility
Your occupation must be on the combined list of eligible skilled occupations for the 491 visa.
8. Health & Character Requirements
You must meet standard health and character requirements to be granted the visa.
💼 Need Help Applying?
Let our expert team at VisaConnect guide you through the entire process of your Skilled Regional 491 visa application. We provide personalized migration advice, manage documentation, and help maximize your points score.
📞 Contact us today to get started! 👉 Visit our website
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