The Subclass 491 visa, also known as the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa, is an Australian visa designed to encourage skilled workers and their families to live and work in regional areas of Australia. Here is a summary of the requirements for the Subclass 491 visa:

  • Eligibility for Sponsorship: To apply for this visa, you must first be nominated by a state or territory government agency or be sponsored by an eligible family member who resides in a designated regional area.
  • Occupation: You must nominate an occupation from the relevant skilled occupation list, and your skills and qualifications must be assessed as suitable for that occupation.
  • Age: Generally, you must be under the age of 45 when you receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
  • Skills Assessment: You must obtain a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation from a relevant assessing authority.
  • Points Test: You need to score a minimum number of points on the points test. Points are awarded based on factors such as age, English language proficiency, work experience, and education. The minimum score needed to lodge an Expression of interest is 65 points.
  • Expression of Interest (EOI): You must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system, indicating your desire to apply for the Subclass 491 visa. You will be ranked based on your points and other factors.
  • Invitation to Apply: If you receive an invitation to apply for the visa, you will have 60 days to submit a complete visa application.
  • Health and Character Requirements: You and your family members included in the application must meet health and character requirements. This may include medical examinations and police checks.
  • Regional Residency Requirement: After obtaining the visa, you must live and work in a designated regional area of Australia for a specified period. The visa is typically granted for 5 years, with an opportunity to apply for permanent residency (Subclass 191) after meeting the regional residency requirement.

Its important to note that the minimum points required to be eligible for specific skilled visa subclasses may vary and change over time.

Additionally, the criteria for each factor may have specific requirements and conditions that must be met.

Want to know if you are eligible for a subclass 491 visa, reach out to our team.