SC491
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) is a temporary skilled visa that encourages skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia. Applicants must be nominated by a State or Territory government agency or be sponsored by an eligible family member.
The Benefits of Subclass 491 Visa
1. You must have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia.
2. A strategic 5-year pathway to Australian Permanent Residency.
3. Full access to Medicare and public healthcare benefits.
4. Opportunity to apply for PR after 3 years from the date your visa is granted.
Eligibility Criteria for Subclass 491 Visa
To be eligible for the Subclass 491 visa, you must:
1. Visa Application Invitation
2. Nomination or Sponsorship
3. Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
4. Skills assessment
5. Points Test
Subclass 491 visa Application Process
01
Eligibility Check & Points Assessment
Including skills assessment results, points test score, and profile competitiveness.
02
EOI Submission via SkillSelect
Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system and wait for the Department's ranking process.
03
Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
If your points score meets the competitive threshold, you will receive an official Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the visa.
04
Visa Lodgement Stage
Lodge your formal visa application within 60 days of receiving your invitation. All supporting documents must be submitted at this stage.
Required Documentation Checklist:
- Personal Identification,
- Evidence of Work Experience
- Educational Qualifications,
- English Proficiency Results,
- Health Examinations
05
Application Assessment & Outcome Stage
Monitor the processing status of your application. Once the Department completes its assessment, you will receive your Visa Grant notification.
Frequently asked questions
Below are our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help you better understand our services and the migration process at Skill Direct.
1. Which areas are classified as 'Designated Regional Areas'?
Almost all of Australia is classified as a regional area, except for three major cities: Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
2. If I am granted a Subclass 491 visa by New South Wales, am I required to live in New South Wales?
The Subclass 491 visa only requires you to live, work, and study within a Designated Regional Area (DRA). Under federal regulations, there is no legal mandate to remain in one specific state. Once your visa is granted, you are legally permitted to relocate to any state or territory in Australia, provided your new location is still classified as a DRA.
3. Am I required to work in my nominated occupation?
Once your Subclass 491 visa is granted, you are not legally required to work in the specific occupation you used for your Skills Assessment or State Nomination.