General Documents
Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
Discover the benefits of the Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491). Get expert guidance for regional employment, state nomination, and a clear pathway to permanent residence.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
Secure your permanent residency independently with no need of a sponsor.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
Secure your permanent residency in Australia with state nomination
Permanent Residence Visa (Skilled Regional) (Subclass 191)
Claim your permanent residency in Australia if you have lived and worked in a designated regional area in Australia under an eligible visa.
Skilled Work Regional Visa (Provisional) (Subclass 491)
Start with temporary residency with state sponsorship and unlock pathway to permanent residency.
Skilled Work Regional Visa(Subclass 491)
Benefits of the Visa
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visa is a temporary visa that lets you live, study and work in Australia for up to 5 years. There is no need for sponsorship from any employer, but you will need to be nominated by an Australian state or territory or sponsored by an eligible family member.
Direct pathway to permanent residency after holding this visa for 3 years (see Subclass 191)
Work full-time and gain industry-leading skills from Australia’s multicultural work environment
Be able to include your family members (e.g., spouse, child, etc.) and maintain familial bonds
Travel in and out of the country as many times as you want while your visa is valid for up to 5 years
Requirements for the Visa
Be nominated or sponsored
- State/Territory Nomination: You must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government, which involves meeting their specific criteria and demonstrating your commitment to living and working in their region.
- Family Sponsorship: Alternatively, you can be sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area, who must meet specific residency and relationship requirements.
- Commitment to Regional Areas: In both cases, you must have a commitment to live, work, and study in regional Australia to support the development of these communities
Age Requirement: Be under 45 years of age
You must be under 45 years of age when you are invited to apply for the visa. This means that you can still apply for the visa if you turn 45 after you are invited. Please note: If you turn 45 after you submit your EOI, you will not be invited to apply.
Have skills assessment for an occupation selected from the relevant skilled occupation list
You must have a positive Skills Assessment for the selected occupation from the relevant skills assessing body
Have Competent English language skills
You will need to provide evidence that you have Competent English language skills for living in Australia. This can include test result of an English language proficiency test that you recently undertook. Acceptable tests include IELTS, PTE, etc.
Score 65 points in your Expression of Interest (EOI) and get invited to apply for the visa
You must score a minimum of 65 points on your EOI before being invited to apply for the visa. The number of points you get is based on various factors such as your age, academic qualifications, employment history, English language skills, marital status, etc. You must be able to submit documents to support any claim that you make on your EOI. Relevant information and documents include:
- Skills Assessment: Please note that this is a minimum requirement for being invited after submitting an EOI
- Education Documents: This may include academic transcripts, certificates, completion letters, etc.
- Employment Documents: This may include employment references, curriculum vitae, resume, etc. Your work experience can count towards your overall points in your EOI.
- English language skill: Although a minimum of Competent English language skills is required for the visa, having Proficient or Superior English skills can grant you extra points for your EOI (10 additional points for Proficient, 20 additional points for Superior)
Other documents: You can get additional points in your EOI by:
(a) passing a NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) Credentialed Community Language (CCL) test
(b) completing a Professional Year in Australia
Be of good character and meet the health requirements
You must show you are of good character. This can be in the form of a police certificate from every country where you have spent at least 12 months total. Additionally, you may need to undergo a health examination to meet the health requirements.
Sponsor Documents
Documents for Secondary Applicants
If your relationship with your partner is de facto, then you can either:
- Provide proof that your relationship has been ongoing for at least 12 months before you apply.
- Provide proof that your relationship is registered by an Australian State or Territory
To prove that you two are in a genuine and continuing relationship, you must provide documents such as joint bank account statements, billing accounts in joint names, joint leases or mortgages, documents indicating that your partner has lived at the same address as you
- Dependants over 18 but under 23 who are dependent on you may also be able to apply. You will need to show that they have Functional English language skills.
- If they are over 23, then you must be able to provide proof that they cannot live on their own due to physical or cognitive limitations.
A visa to reside and work in regional Australia for qualified individuals nominated by a state or territory government
