Why Apply for Subclass 491 Visa Australia?
The Australia Subclass 491 Visa is a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa that allows qualified foreign professionals to live, work, and study in regional Australia for up to 5 years. This visa offers a pathway to Australian Permanent Residency (PR) and is ideal for those who want to build a long-term future in Australia.
Subclass 491 Visa Benefits – 2025 Key Highlights
• The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 491 is meant for skilled international professionals.
• Valid for up to 5 years, allowing you to live, work, and study in regional Australia.
• Offers a pathway to apply for Australia PR (Permanent Residency).
• You can include eligible family members as dependents in your application.
• Allows multiple entries and exits during the visa validity.
• As of 2025, the visa remains one of the top choices for professionals aiming to settle in regional Australia.
Requirements for Subclass 491 Visa
The requirements for visa subclass 491 are given below:
• The candidates applying for subclass visa 491 are required to fulfill requirements for the English language.
• The candidate should fulfill the health and character eligibility criteria to obtain a 491 visa.
• The Australian value statement needs to be signed by the candidate.
Steps to Apply for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 491
Check if the job is listed in the Skilled Occupation List.
Qualify for the Australian Skills Assessment.
Score the required points in the points system.
Submit an EOI or Expression of Interest.
Who Is Eligible for Subclass 491 Visa?
Detailed information on the eligibility criteria for the two streams of visa subclass 491 is given below.
Eligibility Criteria for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa – Main Applicant Stream
The eligibility criteria for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa- Main Applicant Stream are listed below:
• The candidates should be invited to apply for the visa.
• The candidate should be nominated by a state or territory authority in Australia, or they must be sponsored by a relative living in Australia to apply for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa.
• The candidate should be from 18 – 45 years for Subclass 491.
• The candidate should have 65 points or more in the skills assessment.
• The applicant should meet the required proficiency in the English language.
• The applicant should meet the eligibility criteria for health and character.
• There should be no unpaid debts for the Subclass 491 visa.
• No visa or visa applications should have been refused or canceled.
• The candidates should have signed the values statement of Australia.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subsequent Entrant Stream
The eligibility criteria for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa-Subsequent Entrant Stream are listed below:
• The candidate should be related to a 491 visa subclass holder in Australia.
• There are no age specifications to apply for the visa subclass 491 subsequent entrant stream.
• The applicant should be 18 years or older for Subclass 491.
• They should have the required language skills in English for Subclass 491.
• The candidate should fulfill the eligibility criteria for health and character.
• There should be no unpaid debts for Subclass 491.
• The candidate should not have any visa or visa application refused or canceled.
Subclass 489 applicant FAQ
Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 491
This program is primarily aimed at people who require an extra 15 points under the general skilled migration points test in order to have enough points to migrate to Australia. It is a two-stage process where first you apply for a provisional subclass 491 visa and then after 3 years of living and working in the area you have agreed to live in, and meeting the minimum income requirements, you may apply for a permanent subclass 191 visa. For this visa you can be nominated by a family member living in regional Australia as well as a state or territory.
Application process for subclass 491 visa – state nomination
- Identify an occupation on the ANZSCO
- Identify a state or territory which lists that occupation on their migration plan
- Apply for and receive a positive skills assessment for your skilled occupation
- If necessary, sit an English test
- Lodge an application with the relevant state or territory for nomination (some states do not require this)
- Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) with SkillSelect
- Receive invitation to apply
- Make application within 60 days
Application process for subclass 491 visa – family sponsorship
- Identify an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
- Apply for and receive a positive skills assessment for your skilled occupation
- If necessary, sit an English test
- Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) with SkillSelect which identifies a family member who can sponsor you
- Receive invitation to apply
- Make application within 60 days
Visa eligibility criteria
The major criteria for a subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisiona) visa are:
- Nomination by a state or territory of Australia
- A positive skills assessment for your occupation
- Achieving an English standard of at least IELTS 6 or equivalent
- Being aged between 18 and 45 inclusive. In other words, you cannot have turned 45.
- Standard health and character criteria
- Having at least 65 points on the General Skilled Migration points test
Family sponsorship criteria
To sponsor a family member to migrate to Australia you must satisfy the following criteria:
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen
- You must be “usually resident” in a regional area of Australia (i.e. outside the major cities)
- You must be directly related to either the primary applicant or the primary applicant’s partner/spouse as a:
- Parent
- Child or stepchild
- Sibling
- Aunt or uncle
- Nephew or niece
- Grandparent; or
- First cousin
State nomination
Every state and territory in Australia has its own criteria for nomination. Some give advantages to graduates from that state or territory, people already living and working in the region or people who have family present in that area of Australia. You can find specific information at the following links:
- Western Australia
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- New South Wales
- Australian Capital Territory
- Victoria
- Tasmania
- South Australia
The points test
All candidates to migrate to Australia through the General Skilled Migration program are ranked based on a points test. Applicants must reach at least 65 points, but those with higher points will generally be invited before those with lower points.