Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491)

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa allows you to temporarily live and work in regional or low-population growth metropolitan area of Australia for up to four years. It is based on a points-based system and requires you to be sponsored by either a relative living in a designated area or a State / Territory government.

What is considered a regional or low-population growth metropolitan area of Australia?

Category 2 regional areas – Cities and Major Regional Centres’ of Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart.

Category 3 regional areas – Only certain locations are considered regional or low-population growth metropolitan area in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania. The entirety of ACT, NT and Norfolk Island are deemed ‘regional or low-population growth metropolitan area.

Pathway to qualify for 491 Visa

In order to qualify for this visa, you will need to meet a number of key requirements in the following:

• Be under 45 years
• Must be either nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or indicate that you will be sponsored by an eligible relative.
• Your occupation must be on the relevant 491 visa skilled occupation list
• Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be invited to apply
• Have positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation
• Meet the points test pass mark of 65 points or more
• Meet competent English Requirement (i.e. IELTS score of 6 or more OR PTE score of 50 or more in each of the four components of the test – Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening OR an equivalent score in any other official English tests such as Cambridge Advanced English, Occupational English Test and TOEFL)
• Meet health and character requirements
• Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous visa application refused since your last substantive visa you held, if you are in Australia

You can either be onshore or offshore while lodging the application. However, if you are in Australia, you must hold a valid visa at that time.

Advantages of 491 Visa

• Stay in Australia for 5 years
• Right to work and study in a specified region of Australia
• Bring dependent family members to Australia
• Enrol in Medicare
• Travel to and from Australia
• Apply for permanent residence when eligible