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  • Small Business Owner Comparison – 491 visa

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Small Business Owner Comparison – 491 visa – a pathway to Australia permanent residency

Key facts (October 2026)

  • Tasmania runs a dedicated 491 business owner pathway in 2026-27: the Tasmanian Business Operator (TBO) pathway, with a minimum business income of $67,509.
  • The ACT considers business owners under its Canberra Resident stream (190 or 491), using Canberra Matrix points for business turnover and trading time.
  • The Queensland Small Business Owner stream is closed.
  • After 3 years on a 491 visa with taxable income, you may apply for the 191 permanent visa.

The skilled migration program (SC491 visa) in Australia has been the most popular program used by migrants to obtain permanent residency status in this country. Therefore, Australia receives thousands of applications every year under the skilled migration program from people around the world, which makes the program highly competitive. For those who are in Australia and cannot meet certain requirements of the states/ territories (for instance, occupations, work experience or job offer), and wish to run a business in that state/ territory, they might consider the Small Business Owner (SBO) pathway to aim for the permanent residency.

There are 3 states in Australia, which are Queensland (closed) , Tasmania and Canberra, that have in place the SBO streams for migrants. We have detailed all the requirements and application process for this stream in these states in our previous articles:

There are many requirements, and you might find it difficult to digest. Therefore, in this article, we would like to make a comparison for the SBO streams in these 3 states, so that you will have a better understanding of which state would suit you best in your situation.

 
QUEENSLAND
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER STREAM

Closed
TASMANIA
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER STREAM

Updated 04/2026
CANBERRA

Now part of the Canberra Resident stream

SMALL BUSINESS OWNER STREAM
Types of Eligible visa

 

 491 (Provisional) 491 (Provisional) 190 (Permanent Resident) and 491 (Provisional)
 

Your Current visa
 You must be on a visa that gives your full work rights (i.e student visa is not eligible) You can be on any types of visas You can be on any types of visas
Your location
 You must be in Queensland for at least 6 months You must be in Tasmania for at least 12 months You must be in Canberra for at least 3 months for 491 nomination, and 6 months for 190 nomination
 

Types of business
 Must buy an existing business. If you are buying a franchise business, it must have been operating for at least 1 year. Well-established in Tasmania at least 12 months (Priority attributes: 18 consecutive months+ ) Can either buy an existing business or establish a new one
Value of the Business

 

 At least AUD 100,000 No requirement

*The financial requirements focus on genuine income, profitability, and turnover

 No requirement
Ownership Percentage
 100% 100% – Either as a sole owner or by co-owning it exclusively with your spouse At least 51%. Your business partner must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Annual Turnover of the business

 

 No specific requirement No specific requirement

*Orange Plus priority – if turnover more than $500,000 in the last financial year

 No minimum for eligibility. Canberra Matrix points: 20 points for at least $200,000 turnover over 12 months of trading, or 10 points for at least $100,000 over 6 months.

Income: Small Business owner: minimum $16,000 income for last three months.

Self-employment on an ABN: minimum $610 per week.
Length of Business

 

 At least 6 months before applying Owned and operated at least 12 months before applying For Small Business Owner Matrix points, the business must have traded in Canberra for at least 6 months (10 points) or 12 months (20 points).

For ACT employment points: you worked a minimum 20 hours per week for each week claimed towards the period of employment.

If you are claiming any period of self-employment:

  • Your gross (taxable) weekly income must exceed $610 for each week of employment claimed; and
  • Your business must have been operating in Canberra for at least 12 months.
Number of Australian citizen/ PR Employees
 You must employ at least one employee who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or subclass 444 holders for at least 20 hours/ week. No minimum requirement

Orange Plus Attribute -employs more than 10;

Orange Attribute – employs more than 3 full-time

*including provisional visa holders.

 You must employ at least one Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen for at least 13 weeks (minimum 20 hrs pw)
Your Salary
 No specific requirement. To be eligible for the 191 permanent visa later, you will need taxable income (shown on ATO notices of assessment) for at least 3 years while holding the 491 visa. There is no minimum dollar amount. You must demonstrate that the business is able to give you a personal income of at least $67,509 (2026-27, 85% of the Core Skills Income Threshold).

*Your business must remain operating at a net profit after your personal taxable income of $67,509 has been deducted.

 Your salary must be at least:

·         AUD 32,000/ 6 months for 190 nomination

·         AUD 16,000/ 3 months for 491 nomination
Ineligible types of Business
 ·         Start-up

·         Home-based businesses

·         Part owned

·         A business that has been used to qualify for QLD SBO stream

 ·         Taxi drivers, ride-share, and food delivery services

·         Service station / petroleum outlets

·         Massage therapy with no health fund number and related skills assessment

·         Convenience stores have fewer than 20 employees

·         Franchises (including post-office, newsagents) and passive business investments

·         Subcontracting businesses, including parcel delivery contracting services

 · Sub tenancy

· Ride-share and taxi

· Delivery and courier services

· An on-sold business previously used to qualify for ACT nomination

Business and investor visa guides

The Australian Government’s decision to close the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) on 31 July 2024 has disrupted the migration plans of many business owners and entrepreneurs. This change has compelled prospective migrants to explore alternative pathways, such as self-sponsorship under the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa and small business owner Subclass 491 visas, another potential option could be the New Zealand Business Investor Work Visa.

These alternatives demand investment, legal compliance, and a clear understanding of visa criteria. Engaging a professional migration agent or legal advisor is strongly recommended to increase your chances of success. Book a consultation to evaluate your visa options and pathways here.

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Tasmanian Business Operator Pathway (TBO) – 491 visaA small, low-resolution image showcasing a scenic view of a modern bridge stretching across calm waters with a backdrop of a mountain range and a clear blue sky.A picturesque landscape with a hot air balloon over a tranquil lake at sunset.Skills Priority List (SPL)