Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)

What is it?

Visa 491 is a 5-year provisional visa for skilled migrants willing to live and work in regional Australia (anywhere outside the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane metro areas). After 3 years of regional residence with sufficient income, you become eligible for permanent residence via the visa 191. The 491 has the lowest competitive cutoffs of all skilled migration pathways and grants access to a larger pool of nominated occupations than the 190.

Key benefits

• Lowest competitive cutoffs of all points-tested skilled visas
• Path to permanent residence (visa 191) after 3 years of regional living
• Access to occupations not nominated by capital cities
• Family-sponsorship option (Australian relative living regionally)
• 5-year visa with full work rights and family inclusion

Key requirements

Minimum points

65

Maximum age

45 years

Minimum English

competent

Occupation list

State list

Who qualifies? Skilled professionals under 45 with competent English, a positive skills assessment, an occupation nominated by a regional state or sponsoring relative living regionally, and 65+ points.