June 2023 update: Please be advised that there is no minimum income requirement for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191), as there is no legislative instrument in place specifying a minimum income threshold for this visa.
Subclass 191- Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa allows workers who hold an eligible visa and meet the taxable income requirement (there is no minimum amount) to live and work in Australia permanently.
- You don’t need a sponsor or nominator
- You must hold an eligible visa and complied with the conditions of that visa
- You must have lived for at least 3 years in a designated regional area
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa in the Regional Provisional Stream is the pathway to permanent residence for eligible holders of the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visas.
Primary applicants must provide notices of assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three income years out of the five years of their eligible visa. Primary applicants who have already lodged should check and ensure their application provides these three notices.
Previously the requirement was:
- You must have had a taxable income at or above a specific income threshold for at least 3 years while holding your eligible visa (the $53,900 figure that was announced in 2019 no longer applies)
Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional): To meet the requirements of the permanent visa (from November 2022) applicants must have held a subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years, have complied with the conditions on that visa and have met the taxable income requirements. You must provide ATO notices of assessment showing taxable income for three income years while holding your eligible visa. There is no minimum dollar amount. Your partner can also be the main applicant for the 191 visa if they can demonstrate this criteria.
With this visa, you can…
- work and study anywhere in Australia
- sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence
- if eligible, become an Australian citizen.
income year has the meaning given by the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
relevant income year: an income year is a relevant income year for an applicant if:
(a) the income year ended before the date of application; and
(b) the applicant held a regional provisional visa for all or part of the income year.
(1) The applicant has provided copies of notices of assessment, and any notices of amended assessments, given to the applicant under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 in relation to 3 relevant income years for the applicant.
(2) The applicant’s taxable income for each of those relevant income years is at least equal to the amount specified in an instrument under subclause (3) in relation to the applicant.
(3) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify an amount for the purposes of subclause (2) in relation to all applicants or different classes of applicants.
(4) Subclause (1) is satisfied in relation to a copy of a notice even if the copy does not include the applicant’s tax file number within the meaning of Part VA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936.
Related guides
- 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa
- 491 visa
- 494 visa
- Condition 8580 on the 491 visa
- Designated regional areas
191 visa requirements at a glance
| Requirement | What you need to show |
|---|---|
| Eligible visa | You have held a 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years when you apply. |
| Regional residence and work | You lived, worked and studied only in designated regional areas while holding that visa, and complied with its conditions. |
| Taxable income | ATO notices of assessment (and any amended notices) for 3 income years in which you held the provisional visa. There is no minimum dollar amount. |
| Health and character | You and your family members meet the health and character requirements. |
| Visa charge | AUD 630 for the main applicant from 1 July 2026. |
How to prepare your taxable income evidence
- Lodge your Australian tax return every year while you hold your 491 or 494, even if your income is low.
- Download your notices of assessment from myGov (ATO) for each relevant income year. A relevant income year is one that ended before you apply and in which you held the provisional visa for all or part of the year.
- Check that each notice shows your name and the correct income year, and keep any amended notices.
- Upload notices for 3 relevant income years with your 191 application. If you have already lodged, check your application includes all three.
- If your provisional visa will expire while your 191 is processed, apply before it expires so a bridging visa can keep you lawful.
191 visa income FAQs
Is there a minimum income for the 191 visa?
No. The regulations allow the Minister to set a minimum taxable income by legislative instrument, but no instrument is in place, so you only need to show taxable income in 3 relevant income years. The $53,900 figure announced in 2019 does not apply.
Do the 3 income years have to be in a row?
No. You need notices of assessment for 3 income years in which you held your 491 or 494 visa. They do not have to be consecutive, but each year must have ended before you apply.
Can my partner be the main applicant for the 191?
Yes. If your partner held the provisional visa as a secondary applicant and meets the 191 criteria, including the taxable income evidence, they can apply as the main applicant.
Does income earned outside a regional area count?
The 191 requires that you complied with your visa conditions, including living and working only in regional areas. Income from work outside a designated regional area can cause problems with condition 8579, so get advice if this applies to you.
How long does the 191 visa take?
Processing times change often. Check our processing times page for the latest figures.
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