Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 491 provides a five-year provisional visa to live, work, and study in regional Australia. With a massive 15-point nomination bonus and access to the widest range of occupations, the 491 offers the most accessible entry point to Australian permanent residency. After three years, you’re eligible for the Subclass 191 permanent residence pathway.
Key Facts
Status
Temporary Regional Visa (5 years)
Requirement
Regional or family sponsorship
Visa Cost
AUD $4,910 (Main Application)
PR Pathway
Subclass 191 after 3 years
What is 491 Visa in Australia?
The Skilled Work Regional Visa allows skilled workers and families to live, work, and study in regional Australia for five years. Regional Australia includes everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, meaning cities like Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, and Newcastle all qualify. The subclass 491 is part of the broader General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, and the 15-point nomination bonus makes the 491 achievable for applicants.
Two Sponsorship Pathways
State/Territory Nominated: States nominate skilled workers for regional workforce needs (approximately 90% of 491 visas).
Family Sponsored: Eligible family members (parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews) living in designated regional areas can sponsor you.
Benefits of Skilled Work Regional Visa 491 Visa
15-Point Bonus Transforms Eligibility
If you have 60 base points (insufficient for 189 or borderline for 190), regional nomination brings you to 75 points, highly competitive in many occupations. This bonus dramatically expands who can access Australian permanent residency.
Widest Occupation Coverage
The 491 accepts MLTSSL (212 occupations), STSOL (215 occupations), and ROL (77 regional-specific occupations), including agricultural workers, specialized trades, and hospitality roles unavailable on other visa pathways.
Regional Australia Includes Major Cities
Perth (2.1 million), Adelaide (1.4 million), Gold Coast (680,000), Canberra (460,000), and Hobart (250,000) all qualify as regional, offering metropolitan lifestyles while meeting visa requirements.
Clear Pathway to Permanent Residency
After three years on the 491, you become eligible for the Subclass 191 permanent residence visa requiring no new skills assessment, no points test, no state nomination, and minimal fees ($490 to $505).
Work, Study, and Business Freedom
491 holders can work in any occupation, study any course, and operate businesses in regional Australia, providing career flexibility during the provisional period.
Lower Competition, Faster Invitations
With dedicated regional allocation places (10,800 combined state and family for 2025-26), regional invitations occur more regularly at lower points thresholds than metropolitan pathways.
Eligibility and Nomination Criteria For Skilled Work Regional Visa
To qualify for the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa, you must be under 45 years old, achieve 65 total points including the 15-point regional nomination bonus, have your occupation on the regional skilled list, obtain a positive skills assessment, demonstrate competent English proficiency, and pass health and character assessments.
You must be under 45 at invitation.
The minimum is 65 points total, requiring 50 base points before regional nomination. Competitive scores vary: regional trades often invited at 65, healthcare at 65 to 75, IT and engineering at 70 to 85, accounting at 80+.
Obtain positive skills assessment from relevant authority (ACS, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, TRA, ANMAC) before lodging Expression of Interest.
Your occupation must appear on your target state's regional skilled occupation list, which typically includes more occupations than metropolitan lists.
Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band) is minimum. Higher proficiency earns points: Proficient (IELTS 7.0) adds 10 points, Superior (IELTS 8.0) adds 20 points.
States may require employment offers, professional registration, state residence history, financial capacity, or minimum work experience.
Your Skilled Work Regional Visa Success Depends on Your Points Score!
Skilled Work Regional Provisional Visa Subclass 491 Application Process
Cost Breakdown and Visa Process Time Of Subclass 491
Visa fees and processing times are based on official Department of Home Affairs data, accurate as of January 2025. Fees are subject to change annually.
Cost Of Subclass 491 Visa
- Base application charge
- AUD $4,910
- Additional applicant charge 18+
- AUD $2,455
- Additional applicant charge under 18
- AUD $1,230
- Other Charges may be applicable
491 visa processing times
- State nomination
- A few several weeks
- Visa processing
- 21 to 28 months (50% to 90%)
- Combined timeline
- Experience 13 to 31 months
- Complete applications move quicker than those requiring additional information.
🎯 99% Success Rate
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How The Migration Help Your 491 Visa Success
Our expert guidance and proven strategies significantly improve your chances of visa approval.
Regional Strategy Intelligence
We monitor all state and territory regional nomination programs daily, tracking which regional areas actively invite your occupation and at what point thresholds. We identify strategic opportunities in regional cities like Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, and Canberra where your occupation has lower competition and faster processing times.
Begin Your Regional Journey to Australian PR
The 491 visa opens doors that metropolitan pathways keep closed. With 15 bonus points, extensive occupation coverage, and major regional cities offering metropolitan lifestyles, your Australian dream is closer than you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of 190 vs 491 visa?
Subclass190 visa provides immediate permanent residency but only 5 bonus points. 491 offers 15 bonus points and more occupations, making it more accessible, but requires 3 years regional living before converting to PR. Choose 190 for immediate permanence with 60+ base points; choose 491 for the 15-point boost.
Which regional areas qualify?
All of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane metropolitan areas, including Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong, Hobart, and Darwin
Can I change employers?
Yes. Unlike employer-sponsored visas, the 491 allows working for any employer in any occupation in regional Australia.
What is 491 visa in Australia?
A 5-year provisional visa for skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia with 15 bonus points, leading to permanent residency through Subclass 191 after 3 years.
What is the 491 visa processing time?
State-nominated: 21 to 528 months. Family-sponsored: 7 to 14 months. Family pathway typically processes 2 to 4 months faster.
Can 491 Holders Apply for 189?
Technically yes, but rarely strategic. You lose the 15-point bonus, face longer processing (24 to 35 months), and incur higher costs. The 191 pathway is faster, cheaper, and more straightforward for most applicants.
Is 491 a Permanent Visa?
No. The 491 is provisional for 5 years but provides a proven pathway to permanent residency through the 191 after 3 years. Think of it as a “3 plus 2” structure: 3 years building toward 191 eligibility, plus 2 additional years if needed.