Skilled Work Regional Visa (491)

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (491) may be suitable for you if you are a highly skilled worker and do not qualify for the 189 or 190 visa. For example, you may fall short of the threshold 65 points without a State or Territory sponsorship for the 491 visa, or your occupation may not be on the  relevant list.

This is a regional visa accessible only in designated regional areas of Australia (i.e. excluding Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth). An invitation for the 491 visa may be triggered on approval of a State or Territory 491 nomination or on the basis of your Skill Select 491 Expression of Interest on the grounds of sponsorship by a family member.

It is a temporary visa valid for five years and permits you to work and reside only in a designated regional area of Australia. You may be eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) 191 visa after 3 to 4 years.

At the time that you are invited to apply for this visa, you:

• can be in Australia or outside Australia
• be under 45 years of age
• have nominated an eligible occupation that is included on the current Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) OR on the Regional Occupation List (ROL)
• have had your skills assessed by the appropriate Australian skills assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation
• have competent English
• score at least 65 on the relevant points test (which takes into account your age, English competency, qualifications and work experience, amongst other factors)
• are nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency OR be sponsored by an eligible relative who resides in a designated area of Australia.

The documents required for the 491 visa can be grouped under the following categories:

• Forms – these will be in addition to the application form submitted in ImmiAccount
• Identity and other documents – these will be documents about your identity, relationship, name changes etc.
• Qualifications – documents to support each qualification that you have listed in the Skill Select Expression of Interest
• Work Experience – documents to substantiate your employment claims as stated in the Skill Select Expression of Interest
• Other documents – including the outcome of your skills assessment, results of your English proficiency test and police clearances etc.

As at 1 July 2024, the Home Affairs fees for this visa are as below:

• primary applicant – A$ 4,770
• dependent over 18 years of age – A$ 2,385
• dependent under 18 years of age – A$ 1,190

In addition, there will be fees associated with the Skills Assessment, State or Territory nomination, obtaining police clearances and undertaking medical examinations.

Assure Visa fees for visa 491 are listed on our Fees Page.