The 491 visa, the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) subclass 491 visa, enables eligible skilled workers and their families to live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years. Visa holders are eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence (subclass 191) visa after three years. Applicants for this visa must be nominated by:
- an Australian state or territory government agency or
- Sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area and be invited to apply for the visa, following submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa replaced the 489 visa. The 491 visa is a skilled and a points tested visa . It has a 45 year age limit and requires a positive skills assessment.
| New | Replaces |
|---|---|
| Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) | Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) – first provisional stream |
The visa validity period is 5 years. Condition 8579 is imposed, which reflects the government’s intention that visa holders live, work and study only in regional areas. Visa holders may move between regional areas. Regional areas are defined as any area excluding Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Perth and Gold Coast are classified as regional areas. You may work in any occupation and for any employer in line with the work and residence conditions attached to your visa.
Holders of these provisional visas are also unable to apply for most other skills based visas in Australia unless they have completed at least three years in a designated regional area, unless exceptional circumstances exist. Additionally, similar to current arrangements for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa program, holders of the new provisional visas can be negatively impacted by sponsor non-compliance.
The 491 visa permanent pathway is:
- Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional): To meet the requirements of the permanent visa applicants must have held a subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years, have complied with the conditions on that visa. You must provide ATO notices of assessment for three income years, but no minimum income amount currently applies (see 191 visa income requirements).
Related: 191 visa income requirements
Effect on the former 489 visa to 887 visa pathway
The Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 489) is now closed to new applicants. Transitional arrangements are put in place for applications which have been lodged and are undecided, as well as applicants whose pathway currently targets the permanent Skilled Regional Visa (subclass 887).
Points for 491 applicants
As well as the standard points for age, qualifications, overseas and Australian work experience, Australian study and English, 491 applicants can claim:
- 15 points for nomination by a State or Territory government agency or sponsorship by a family member residing in regional Australia, to live and work in regional Australia;
- 10 points for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) qualifications;
Partner Points
- 10 points, if one of the following apply:
- skilled spouse or de facto partner (Skills assessment and Competent English); or
- applicants without a spouse or de facto partner (single) or
- 5 points: if your partner has Competent English. Your partner can be over 45 years of age and does not need a Skills Assessment.
Summary of the 491 visa
- 14,110 places in the Regional category in 2026-27 (down from 33,000), shared by the 491, 494 and other regional visas
- be on the 491 occupations list
- Must be sponsored by an eligible relative or state authority
- Points tested
- Visa will be granted for initially 5 years
- Must live and work for 3 years in regional areas to get Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) 191 Visa
- 191 visa income requirements
- Regional Australia is everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
- You may move between regions. Regional areas include Perth, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Lake Macquarie, Illawarra, Geelong, Newcastle, Wollongong, Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra.
- Cannot apply for most other skilled visas until you have held the 491 for 3 years
- Visa application charge from 1 July 2026: $6,140 for the main applicant, $3,070 for each additional applicant 18 and over and $1,535 for each child under 18
Benefits of the 491 visa
- Priority processing of regional applications
- Incentives for migrants to stay in regional areas longer term as they build ties through workforce and community participation, and access to medicare
- More points available to subclass 491 visa applicants
Ranking systems for an invitation to apply for a 491 visa
- First: Applicant with a skilled partner OR applicants without a partner
- Second: Applicant with a partner who can demonstrate Competent English (but does not have the skills for skilled partner points)
- Third: Applicant with a partner who is ineligible for either competent English or Skilled partner points.
Migration definitions
| Definition | Locations | Regional incentives |
| Major Cities | Sydney
Melbourne Brisbane |
– NA |
| Cities and major regional centres | Perth
Adelaide Gold Coast Sunshine Coast Canberra Newcastle/Lake Macquarie Wollongong/Illawarra Geelong Hobart |
– Access to dedicated regional visa places (14,110 Regional category places in 2026-27, shared by the 491, 494 and other regional visas).
– Priority processing on regional visas. – Access to the Regional Occupations List: more jobs compared to non-regional lists. – International students studying at regional universities can access an additional 1 year in Australia on a post-study work visa. |
| Regional centres and other regional areas | All other locations | – Access to dedicated regional visa places (14,110 Regional category places in 2026-27, shared by the 491, 494 and other regional visas).
– Priority processing on regional visas. – Access to the Regional Occupations List: more jobs compared to non-regional lists. – International students studying at regional universities can access an additional 2 years in Australia on a post-study work visa. – Priority in negotiating region-specific Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs). |
491 Visa State Nomination Requirements
Each state and territory has its own priority occupations, and variations in eligibility requirements and application processes.
State Nomination Requirements from each state and territory (Subclass 190 and 491):
- TAS: Tasmania Skilled Migration Nomination Requirements
- VIC: Victoria Skilled Migration Nomination Requirement
- ACT: Government Nomination Requirements
- NT: Northern Territory Government Nomination Requirements
- WA: Western Australia State Nominated Migration Requirements
- QLD: Queensland Skilled Migration Nomination Requirements
- SA: South Australia Skilled Migration Nomination Requirements
- NSW: New South Wales Skilled Migration Nomination Requirements
Related: State requirements for 491 visa
Sponsorship by an eligible relative (Family stream)
Please note that for the 491 family stream your occupation must be on the MLTSSL list. Your sponsor must be:
- 18 years old or older
- usually resident in a designated area of Australia
- be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen
- be your or your partner’s eligible relative
An eligible relative can be:
- a parent
- a child or step-child
- a brother, sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, step-brother or step-sister
- an aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle
- a nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step-nephew or step-niece
- a grandparent, or
- a first cousin
Sponsorship must be approved before you can be granted a visa.
Related: Family Sponsored 491 visa
Do the sponsor and the applicant need to reside in the same State/Territory?
There is no requirement in policy or the regulations that the sponsor and applicant must live in the same regional area, however, the sponsor must continue to meet all the sponsorship requirements that they have agreed to, regardless of where they are each living.”
The Two 491 Visa Streams: State Nominated and Family Sponsored
To apply for a 491 visa you need to be nominated by a state or territory government, or sponsored by an eligible relative who lives in a designated regional area. Both routes give you the same 15 points and lead to the same visa, but who you deal with, which occupations you can use and how invitations are issued are quite different. Select a tab to compare them.
Who it is for: skilled workers whose occupation is on a state or territory’s 491 list and who meet that state’s own criteria.
How it works:
- You lodge an EOI in SkillSelect selecting the 491 and the state or territory you are interested in. Some states also ask you to lodge a separate registration of interest or application on their own website.
- The state reviews candidates against its own rules, which can include living or working in its regional areas, a minimum period of work in your occupation, higher English or a higher points score.
- If the state nominates you, you receive an invitation through SkillSelect and have 60 days to lodge your visa application.
Occupations: each state chooses its 491 occupations from the MLTSSL, STSOL and Regional Occupation List (ROL), so the 491 is open to many occupations that cannot be used for a 189. See the 491 visa occupations list and our guide to 491 state requirements.
Things to know: each state has a limited number of nomination places every program year. In 2026 to 2027 some states have paused or narrowed their 491 programs, while others mainly nominate people who already live and work in their regional areas. You will usually be asked to commit to living in that state’s regional areas, and the state may contact you after grant to check that you have.
Designated Regional Areas for the 491 Visa
A 491 visa holder must live, work and study in a designated regional area. Since 16 November 2019, Australia has been divided into three categories for regional migration purposes. Only Categories 2 and 3 count as regional for the 491.
| Category | Areas included | Regional for the 491? |
| Category 1: Major cities | Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane | No |
| Category 2: Cities and major regional centres | Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Wollongong and Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart | Yes |
| Category 3: Regional centres and other regional areas | All other designated regional postcodes, including the whole of the Northern Territory and all of Tasmania outside Hobart | Yes |
What the categories mean for you
- Both Category 2 and Category 3 areas meet condition 8579, so you can live in Perth, Adelaide or the Gold Coast on a 491, not only in small country towns.
- The boundaries are set by postcode. Some outer areas near Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are still Category 1. Always check the postcode of your home, your workplace and your place of study, not just the suburb or town name.
- The category can also matter for study and graduate visas. Studying in a Category 2 or 3 area may give you 5 extra points for regional study, and graduates from regional campuses may qualify for extra time on a second 485 visa.
For the full postcode table by state, see our guide to designated regional areas.
Condition 8579 and Your Other 491 Visa Conditions
Every 491 visa comes with conditions that apply to you and to every family member granted the visa with you. Meeting them is not only about keeping your visa: the 191 permanent visa requires that you have complied with them.
Condition 8579: live, work and study in a designated regional area
- It applies while you are in Australia. You must live, work and study only in a designated regional area. Your partner and children on the visa must do the same, so a partner cannot take a job in Melbourne or a child cannot enrol at a Sydney university.
- You can move between regional areas. The condition is not limited to one town or one state, so a move from Adelaide to Perth does not by itself breach 8579. If you were state nominated, though, moving away from the nominating state can breach the commitment you gave to that state.
- Short trips are not the same as living somewhere. Visiting a major city for a holiday, a conference or an airport connection is not living or working there. Regular or long stays in a Category 1 city, especially to work, can be treated as a breach.
- Where you do the work matters. If you work remotely, the place where you actually perform the work counts, not where your employer’s head office is. Days spent working in a Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane office are work in a non-regional area.
- Time overseas is not a breach, but long periods abroad can make it harder to meet the 191 requirements, because you will need tax records for three income years.
- It cannot be waived. A breach can lead to cancellation of the visa for you and your family, and can stop you getting a 191 later.
The other conditions on your 491
- Condition 8578: tell Home Affairs within 14 days if your residential address, email, phone number, passport, or the address of your employer or workplace changes.
- Condition 8580: if Home Affairs asks in writing, give evidence of your home address, your employer’s address, where you work and where you study within 28 days.
- Condition 8581: attend an interview if Home Affairs asks you to.
Applying for other visas while you hold a 491
To keep 491 holders in the regions, you generally cannot be granted a 189, 190, 186, 188 or 858 visa until you have held your 491 for at least 3 years. A similar 3 year rule applies if you want to apply in Australia for a partner visa (subclass 820). For most people, the intended path to permanent residence is the 191 visa, explained below.
How the 15 Nomination Points Help: A Worked Example
The 491 uses the same points test as the 189 and 190, with a pass mark of 65 points. The difference is that nomination or sponsorship for a 491 adds 15 points, compared with 5 points for a 190 and none for a 189. See the full skilled visa points table or our 189 visa page for a breakdown of every factor.
Here is how this can work in practice. Arjun is 35, has a bachelor degree, 6 years of skilled work overseas in his nominated occupation, Competent English and a partner who also has Competent English.
| Factor | Arjun’s situation | Points |
| Age | 35 years old | 25 |
| English | Competent | 0 |
| Qualification | Bachelor degree, recognised by his assessing authority | 15 |
| Overseas employment | 6 years | 10 |
| Partner | Partner has Competent English only | 5 |
| Subtotal before nomination | 55 | |
| 189 (no nomination points) | Below the 65 pass mark | 55 |
| 190 (plus 5 points) | Still below the pass mark | 60 |
| 491 (plus 15 points) | Meets the pass mark | 70 |
Arjun cannot lodge a valid EOI for a 189 or 190, but with 491 nomination or sponsorship he reaches 70 points. In practice, many states and the family sponsored rounds have invited candidates well above 65 points, so he would still improve his chances by lifting his English to Proficient (10 more points) or by gaining a NAATI CCL credential (5 more points).
A note on ties. When candidates have the same points, Home Affairs also looks at partner status. Single applicants and applicants with a skilled partner are ranked ahead of applicants whose partner has Competent English only, who are ranked ahead of applicants whose partner meets neither requirement. Check your own score with our points calculator.
Is the points test changing? In the 2026 to 2027 Federal Budget (May 2026), the Government announced that it will reform the points test. As at late October 2026 no detailed changes or start date had been released, so the current points table still applies.
From 491 to Permanent Residence: The 191 Visa
The 491 is a 5 year provisional visa. The main way to become a permanent resident is the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa subclass 191. There is no points test, no new skills assessment, no English test, no age limit and no invitation for the 191. Instead, Home Affairs looks at your time on the 491 and whether you complied with it.
The main 191 requirements
- Hold a 491 visa when you apply (or a 494 visa).
- Have held it for at least 3 years. The 3 years are counted from the date your 491 was granted. If you apply even one day early, your application is invalid.
- Have complied with your visa conditions, including living, working and studying only in a designated regional area while in Australia.
- Provide ATO notices of assessment for 3 income years that ended while you held your 491. Lodge a tax return every year so that these notices exist when you need them.
- Meet health and character requirements, for you and any family members included.
Is there a minimum income for the 191?
When the regional visas started, a taxable income of at least $53,900 a year was proposed. That threshold was never set by a legislative instrument, so at present the 191 does not have a minimum income amount. What you must provide is the notices of assessment for 3 income years. Read our page on 191 visa income requirements for details. This could change if the Government sets a threshold, so keep your income steady and your tax affairs in order.
A typical 491 to 191 timeline
| Stage | What happens |
| Grant of your 491 | Your 5 year visa starts. Move to, or stay in, a designated regional area and start keeping records of where you live and work. |
| Years 1 to 3 | Live, work and study only in regional areas. Lodge a tax return each income year and keep your notices of assessment. |
| 3 years after grant | You can apply for the 191 if you have notices of assessment for 3 relevant income years. |
| Before your 491 ends at 5 years | Lodge your 191 while you still hold the 491. Waiting until near the end leaves no room for problems. |
The 191 visa charge from 1 July 2026 is $630 for the main applicant, $315 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and $160 for each additional applicant under 18.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a 491 Visa
- Check your occupation. For state nomination, it must be on the 491 list of the state you are targeting. For family sponsorship, it must be on the MLTSSL.
- Get a skills assessment. It must be valid when you are invited.
- Sit your English test. You need at least Competent English, and many states ask for more.
- Work out your points, including the 15 points for nomination or sponsorship. You need at least 65.
- Choose your stream. Read the criteria of the states you are interested in, or confirm that your relative is an eligible sponsor who is usually resident in a designated regional area.
- Lodge your EOI in SkillSelect, and any separate application the state requires.
- Receive your nomination and invitation. From the date of invitation you have 60 days to lodge your visa application.
- Lodge your visa application with your documents and pay the visa charge of $6,140 for the main applicant from 1 July 2026, plus charges for family members.
- Complete health checks and biometrics when asked, and respond to any requests by the date given.
- After grant, settle in a designated regional area and keep evidence of where you live and work, ready for your 191.
491 visa document checklist
The documents you need depend on your stream and your circumstances. This list covers what is commonly requested. Click each heading to see more.
Identity documents
- Passport bio page for you and each family member
- Birth certificates
- National identity card, if your country issues one
- Evidence of any change of name
Skills assessment, qualifications and English
- Your skills assessment outcome letter
- Degree certificates and academic transcripts
- English test results for you, and for your partner if you claim partner points
- Evidence of functional English for adult family members, or be ready to pay the second instalment of the visa charge
Employment evidence
- Detailed reference letters showing your dates, hours, salary and duties
- Employment contracts, payslips and bank statements
- Tax records, and superannuation statements for Australian work
State nomination evidence
- Your state nomination approval and SkillSelect invitation
- Any evidence the state relied on, such as proof that you live or work in its regional areas or a job offer from a regional employer
Family sponsor documents
- Your relative’s evidence of Australian citizenship, permanent residence or eligible New Zealand citizenship
- Documents that prove the relationship, such as birth certificates that link you and your relative through your parents or grandparents
- Evidence that your relative is usually resident in a designated regional area, such as a lease or rates notice, utility bills and a driver licence
- Your relative’s sponsorship declaration and identity documents
Partner and children
- Marriage certificate, or evidence of a de facto relationship such as joint leases, joint accounts and shared bills
- Birth certificates of children, and custody documents if a child’s other parent is not migrating
Health and character
- Health examinations for each applicant
- Police certificates for every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years since turning 16
491 vs 190 vs 494: Which Visa Suits You?
The 491 sits between the permanent 190 visa and the employer sponsored 494 regional visa. If your points are high enough for a 189 visa, that is usually the simplest option, because it has no regional or state conditions.
| Feature | 491 Skilled Work Regional | 190 Skilled Nominated | 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional |
| Type of visa | Provisional, valid for 5 years | Permanent | Provisional, valid for 5 years |
| Who nominates you | A state or territory, or an eligible relative | A state or territory | An employer in a designated regional area |
| Points test | Yes, 65 points including 15 for nomination | Yes, 65 points including 5 for nomination | No points test |
| Occupation lists | MLTSSL, STSOL or ROL (state); MLTSSL only (family) | MLTSSL or STSOL, as chosen by each state | 494 occupation list |
| Work experience | Depends on your points and the state’s criteria | Depends on your points and the state’s criteria | Generally 3 years in your occupation |
| Age limit | Under 45 at invitation | Under 45 at invitation | Under 45 at application, with some exemptions |
| Where you can live and work | Any designated regional area, for any employer | In the nominating state, usually for at least 2 years | A designated regional area, working for your sponsoring employer |
| Path to permanent residence | 191 visa after 3 years | Already permanent | 191 visa after 3 years |
| Visa charge, main applicant (from 1 July 2026) | $6,140 | $6,140 | $6,140 |
Choose the 491 if your points are too low for a 189 or 190, your occupation is only on a regional list, or you want the freedom to change employers. Choose the 494 if a regional employer is willing to sponsor you, especially if you are older or have a lower points score. Compare all options in our skilled visa comparison charts.
Common 491 Visa Mistakes to Avoid
Most 491 problems happen after the visa is granted, when they can put your 191 at risk. Click each one to see how to avoid it.
Taking a job or a home in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane
Living or working in a Category 1 city, even for a few months, can breach condition 8579. Before you accept a job, sign a lease or enrol in a course, check the postcode against the designated regional areas list. This includes jobs that require regular days in a city office.
Assuming your partner or children can live in a city
Condition 8579 applies to every person granted the 491, not only the main applicant. If your partner works in Melbourne or your adult child studies in Sydney, that can affect the whole family’s visas and your 191.
Forgetting to tell Home Affairs when you move
Condition 8578 requires you to report a change of address, contact details, passport or workplace within 14 days. Missing these notifications is an easy mistake to avoid and can count against you when your compliance is assessed.
Not lodging tax returns every year
You need ATO notices of assessment for 3 income years to apply for the 191. If you skip a tax return, or spend long periods overseas without Australian tax records, you may not have the notices you need when your 3 years are up.
Applying for the 191 too early, or too late
Your 491 must have been held for at least 3 years from its grant date when you apply. One day early makes the application invalid. Leaving it until your 491 is about to expire leaves no time to fix a problem.
Using a relative who is not an eligible sponsor
Your relative must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is usually resident in a designated regional area. A relative who lives in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, or who is a second cousin or a more distant relative, cannot sponsor you. Check this before you lodge your EOI.
Breaking your commitment to the nominating state
If a state nominated you, it expects you to live and work in its regional areas. Moving interstate soon after grant may not breach condition 8579, but it breaks your commitment to the state and can count against you. Talk to us before you move.
Planning to switch to another visa within 3 years
You generally cannot be granted a 189, 190, 186, 188 or 858 visa, or apply in Australia for an 820 partner visa, until you have held your 491 for 3 years. Plan your pathway with this rule in mind.
More 491 Visa Questions
Can my partner work in Sydney or Melbourne on a 491?
No. Your partner and any children granted the 491 with you must also live, work and study only in a designated regional area while in Australia. This is a common misunderstanding, and a breach by a family member can affect the whole family.
Can I move from one regional area to another?
Yes. Condition 8579 allows you to live and work in any designated regional area, so you can move between Category 2 and Category 3 areas. If you were state nominated, moving out of the nominating state can breach your commitment to that state, so get advice first.
Can I travel overseas while I hold a 491?
Yes. The 491 lets you travel to and from Australia as often as you like while it is valid. Time overseas does not breach condition 8579, but you still need notices of assessment for 3 income years to apply for the 191, so long periods abroad can delay your pathway.
Is there a minimum income for the 191 visa?
At present there is no minimum income amount, because the proposed threshold was never set by a legislative instrument. You must provide ATO notices of assessment for 3 income years in which you held your 491. See our page on 191 visa income requirements.
Can I apply for a 491 visa while I am in Australia?
Yes. You can apply in or outside Australia, but not while you are in immigration clearance. If your current visa has a no further stay condition, such as condition 8503, you may need to have it waived before you can apply in Australia.
Who invites me if my relative sponsors me?
For the family sponsored stream, Home Affairs issues the invitations in its own SkillSelect rounds, ranking candidates by points. Your relative does not choose when you are invited. Recent rounds have issued only a few hundred family sponsored invitations, so a high points score matters.
Can I apply for a 189 or 190 while I hold a 491?
Generally not until you have held your 491 for at least 3 years. The same rule applies to the 186, 188 and 858 visas, and to applying in Australia for an 820 partner visa. Most 491 holders move to permanent residence through the 191.
What if I lose my job while on a 491?
The 491 is not tied to an employer, so you can look for another job, but it must be in a designated regional area. Keep lodging your tax returns, because you need notices of assessment for 3 income years for the 191.
How much does a 491 visa cost?
From 1 July 2026, the visa charge is $6,140 for the main applicant, $3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and $1,535 for each additional applicant under 18. Adult family members without functional English may also need to pay a second instalment of $4,890. Skills assessments, English tests, health checks and police certificates cost extra.
How long does a 491 visa take to process?
Processing times change and depend on how complete your application is and how quickly health and character checks are finished. Regional visas have generally been given priority. Lodging a decision ready application helps. See our skilled visa processing times page.
How VisaEnvoy can help you with your 491 Visa application
Based in Melbourne, VisaEnvoy’s registered migration agents provide comprehensive online migration services to clients across Australia and overseas, including those who have never visited Australia.
We guide you through the Subclass 491 visa process, from your initial eligibility assessment to the final decision on your Australian permanent residency application.
Our services include:
- Eligibility and Skills Assessment: Assessing your qualifications and work experience, checking whether your nominated occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation lists, and assisting with your skills assessment application.
- State Nomination and Points Assessment: Assessing your eligibility for state and territory nomination programs, taking into account your current location. If you are already living in Australia, we will prioritise assessing nomination opportunities in your current state or territory. We will also review your points score, identify which points you can legitimately claim, and explore suitable nomination options.
- EOI and State Nomination Applications: Preparing and submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI) and Registration of Interest (ROI), where required. If invited by a state or territory, we will assist with preparing and lodging your nomination application and supporting documents.
- 491 Visa Application: Once your state nomination is approved and you receive an invitation to apply for the visa, we will prepare and lodge your Subclass 491 visa application, including eligible family members.
- Bridging Visa Management: Assisting with relevant bridging visa applications and conditions, where applicable, to help you maintain lawful immigration status in Australia while your application is being processed.
- Ongoing Application Support: Liaising with relevant authorities, responding to requests for further information, and monitoring your application until a decision is made.
Where to Start?
Book a video consultation with a registered migration agent to take the first step towards your Subclass 491 Visa.
Have a suitable skills assessment
For your application to be valid, you must declare that you have a suitable skills assessment at time of invitation. You will need to provide a copy of this skills assessment with your application. For medical and legal practitioners, Home Affairs also accepts the following as proof of a skills assessment:
- full or unconditional or general medical registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
- conditional specialist registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. This only allows you to practise in your speciality. You need no further training or supervision
- admission to practice law in the relevant state or territory
Your skills assessment must have been obtained in the 3 years before the date of your invitation. If the assessment was for a shorter period, that period must not have passed. If your skills were assessed on the basis of a qualification you got in Australia when you held a student visa, the qualification must be from studying a course registered on CRICOS.
I’m in Australia and want to Stay in Australia
You can stay in Australia on a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for a new visa before your current visa expires.
You may be able to get a bridging visa. This will allow you to stay until:
- you have a new visa or,
- have made arrangements to leave.
If your visa has expired or is expiring book a video consultation to discuss your options.
State invitation rounds
491 Visa FAQ
Is 491 a permanent residency visa?
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) allows skilled migrants to live, study and work in designated regional areas for a period of 5 years, with a pathway to permanent residency. You need nomination by a state or territory government, or sponsorship by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area, before you can apply for this visa.
What is the new rule for 491 visa?
Workers who are granted the 491 visa will be able to stay in Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted, be eligible to travel to and from Australia as many times as you like during that time, and you’ll be able to apply for permanent Australian residence through the 191 visa.
How long does it take to get PR after 491?
After 3 years, subclass 491 visa holders may be eligible to apply for the subclass 191 visa which provides permanent residency.
Can I apply for citizenship after 491 visa?
If you are a permanent resident you can apply for Australian citizenship after having lived in Australia for four years in total while holding any kind of visa, and after having lived in Australia for 12 months as a permanent resident.
Can I apply for PR while on 491 visa?
If you live and work in a regional area for three years on the subclass 491 visa and meet the requirements for at least three years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.
What happens after 5 years of permanent residency in Australia?
After 5 years, your travel facility expires. You will need to apply for and be granted either: a Resident Return visa, if you wish to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. Australian citizenship, if you wish to travel as an Australian citizen.
Related guides
- 491 visa processing time
- Family sponsored 491 visa
- State requirements for the 491 visa
- Designated regional areas
- Skilled visas Australia
- Skilled Independent visa (189)
- Skilled Nominated visa (190)
- Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (191)
- Temporary Graduate visa (485)
- National Innovation visa (858)
- Skilled visa points table
- Skilled occupation list
- Skilled visa costs
- Skilled visa processing times
- Skilled visa assessment
Book a video consultation with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne to find out more about your visa options.
