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 an income requirement 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 requirements 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 (currently $53,900)
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 minimum taxable income requirements. You must show earnings of at least $53,900 per annum for three years. 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:
Bridging Visa R
Genuine Student (GS)
Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES)
NSW 491 Pathway 1 – Apply directly to NSW
Upcoming Immigration Changes 2024