Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) 491 Visa

This a points-tested, temporary visa that provides for skilled workers to live and work in a certain regional area of Australia for up to five years. It came into effect on 16 November 2022, replacing the subclass 489 visa.

Sponsorship is required either by a state or territory Government, or by an eligible Australian relative living in a designated area of Australia.

The first application step is to check whether the nominated occupation is the list for this visa. The 491 visa has two streams - family sponsorship and state/territory nomination and the lists for each are not entirely identical.

The process the requires applicants to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) into the Skillselect system. If the applicant has enough points and the EOI indicates they have skills that are currently in demand, there is a good chance that an invitation will be issued to the applicant to apply for the 491 visa.

Even if all the criteria is met there is no guarantee of securing an invitation but, if successful, applicants will have 60 days to lodge visa application.

A successful 491 visa can provide a pathway to permanent residence providing the visa holder has been living and working in a certain regional area for at least three years, has been compliant with the conditions of their 491 visa during that time and all other relevant criteria is met.

491 Visa General Requirements

The general requirements for 491 visa applicants include:

  • Be 18 to 44 years of age

  • Score at least 65 points

  • Demonstrate Competent English

  • Have a positive skill assessment in an occupation on the relevant list:

    • Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) for family sponsored applicants,

    • MLTSSL, Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) or Regional Occupation List (ROL) for state and territory nominated applicants. In addition to the occupation being on one of these lists, it must also be in on the list provided by the preferred state and territory. Their lists vary from region to region

  • Be nominated by an eligible family member living in a designated regional area, or by a state or territory government of the nominated designated regional area

  • Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Skillselect system, and be invited to apply for the visa

  • Meet health and character requirements

Skilled Regional Provisional Subclass 489

This visa is now closed and replaced by the Skilled Work Regional Provisional Subclass 491 Visa as of 16 November 2019. Very limited options may be available to apply for this visa.

Skilled Regional Subclass 887

This a a permanent residence visa for eligible Skilled Regional Provisional 489, Skilled Regional Sponsored 475 and 487, Skilled Designated Area Sponsored 496 and Skilled Independent Regional 495 visa holders. Although the 489 visa no longer exists, the Skilled Regional 887 is still available beyond 16 November 2019.

To qualify for the 887 visa, applicants must have lived in a certain regional area for at least two years and worked full-time there for at least twelve months.