Immigration experts in Australia and NZ
Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.
491 Skilled Work Regional Visa

491 Skilled Work Regional Visa

The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa is a pathway for skilled workers and their families to live and work in regional areas of Australia. This visa aims to address labor shortages and promote economic growth in regional areas by encouraging skilled migrants to settle there.

The 491 visa is part of the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program but is specifically designed to encourage migration to designated regional areas of Australia. It is important to note that this regional focus excludes major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

After holding the 491 visa and satisfying the regional residence requirement, applicants can apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.

491 Skilled Work Regional Visa

491 Skilled Work Regional Visa

The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa is a pathway for skilled workers and their families to live and work in regional areas of Australia. This visa aims to address labor shortages and promote economic growth in regional areas by encouraging skilled migrants to settle there.

The 491 visa is part of the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program but is specifically designed to encourage migration to designated regional areas of Australia. It is important to note that regional areas exclude major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Requirements to apply for a Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

Points-Tested Visa: Applicants for the 491 visa must undergo a points-based assessment, where points are awarded based on factors such as age, English language proficiency, skilled employment, qualifications, and regional nomination.

Conditions:

  • 491 visa holders are required to live, work, and study only in regional areas of Australia.

  • They must reside in a designated regional area for a minimum of three years to be eligible for permanent residency.

  • Visa holders must comply with Australian laws and regulations during their stay.

Duration: The 491 visa is a provisional visa that allows the holder to live and work in a regional area for up to five years.

The 494 visa has the following requirements to apply:ย 

  • Be nominated or invited to apply by a government agency
  • Be sponsored by an eligible relative
  • Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
  • Complete an appropriate skills assessment
  • Satisfy the points test
  • Be aged under 45 years
  • Meet the minimum standards of English language proficiency

Types of 491 visas

There are two pathways to access the 491 skilled work visa:ย 

Group 165

Main applicant stream

As the principal applicant, you must meet all the eligibility criteria and be nominated or sponsored by an eligible relative or sponsor. Once you receive the 491 visa, your family members can apply via the subsequent entrant stream.

Group 165

Subsequent entrant stream

If your family member holds a subclass 491 visa, you can apply for the same visa through the subsequent entrant stream.ย 

Apply for a 491 skilled work regional visa

New Project 8

Step 1

Once you reach out to Absolute Immigration, we set up a discovery call to understand what your needs are and what Visa best suits you.

Group 205
New Project 3

Step 2

From there, we will send you a Strategy proposal outlining the steps we will take to assist you in getting a Visa for you to sign off on.

New Project 5 1

Step 3

Now our team leaps into action, following immigration pathways, taking care of the paperwork and helping you through the entire application process.

Take the first step and schedule a call

Group 93

Call us

You can get in touch with the team on our support lines: 1300 227 658 or +61 (03) 9827 3721. Alternatively, you can book a free 10 minute consultation through our Acuity Portal.

Group 96

Email us

You can get in touch with the team through our support email: aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. You and your family members can study in designated areas of regional Australia on the 491 skilled worker visa for up to five years.ย 

No. The 491 visa is provisional, allowing you and your family to live, work, and study in Australia for up to five years. You can also apply for permanent residency three years after receiving your visa.ย 

The processing time for each application varies. The length of time to receive your visa will depend on individual circumstances. According to the Australian Government, these are the average processing times for the 491 visa:ย 

    • 25% of applications: 5 Months
    • 50% of applications: 12 Months
    • 75% of applications: 15 Months
    • 90% of applications: 20 Months

Subscribe for the latest immigration updates

Subscribe to keep current with the latest immigration changes affecting your situation and industry. Follow us on our social media channels so you donโ€™t miss an update.

Recent articles

Skills in Demand Visa
From 7 December 2024, the Skills in Demand Visa (SID Visa) will address labour shortages with streamlined pathways and improved mobility.
National Innovation Visa (NIV) implementation
Effective 6 December 2024, the National Innovation Visa (NIV) replaces the Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858), introducing new legislative instruments and amendments to streamline the application process and criteria.
Core Skills Occupation List
The Australian Government has updated its Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), removing several occupations. This impacts sponsorship pathways and skilled migration options.
Core Skills Occupation List
The Australian Government has just released the new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), including 456 occupations. Skills in Demand visa is set to start on 7 December 2024.
482 visa
The TSS visa work experience change to one year is delayed, pending legislative updates and alignment with the new SID visa expected this year.
Bridging Visa
Planning to travel overseas while awaiting your visa decision? Learn how to obtain a Bridging Visa B to ensure a lawful return to Australia.
download

About Sleek

Sleek.com is your one-stop shop for everything back office related, from setting up your company to handling day-to-day accounting, taxes, ASIC/ATO compliance, payroll and more โ€“ all on a single platform.

We take a human-first approach, using technology to tackle the boring stuff so you can focus on building your business. Our expert team is always here to give you personalised advice, with in-house tax experts who can handle your big questions.

With a presence in Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Hong Kong, weโ€™ve gained the trust of over 450,000+ modern businesses, and are a team of 500 strong devoted to your success.

Free initial consultation with Sleek experts:

Get your free initial consultation with Sleek experts. Mention โ€˜Absolute Immigrationโ€™ and enjoy a free initial consultation and subsequent discounting.