Update (October 2026)
These visas started on 16 November 2019 as the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) and Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visas, and the permanent subclass 191 visa opened on 16 November 2022. Since June 2023 the 191 visa has no minimum taxable income requirement. See “What this means in 2026” below.
There will be two new skilled regional provisional visas introduced in November 2019:
Please see the updated page here.
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa: for people sponsored by an employer in regional Australia.
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa: for people who are nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in regional Australia.
- the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa will have almost 700 eligible occupations; and
- the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa will have over 500 eligible occupations.
Holders of the new skilled regional provisional visas will need to live and work in regional Australia. Visas will be granted with a validity period of up to five years.
The introduction of the two new regional visas will not impact people who already hold existing permanent skilled visas. Applications lodged prior to November 2019 will continue to be processed as normal.
New permanent visa pathway
Definition of Regional Australia
In November 2019, the definition of Regional Australia for all skilled visas will be simplified and expanded to include all of Australia except for the following metropolitan areas:
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
Important change: Perth and Gold Coast are classified as regional areas.
Regional areas include Perth, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Lake Macquarie, Illawarra, Geelong, Newcastle, Wollongong, Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra.
Areas within the new regional definition will have access to the two new skilled regional provisional visas, which enable migrants and employers to access a wider range of occupations as well as receiving priority processing.
What this means in 2026
The regional system announced in this article is now the main regional pathway to permanent residence. The 491 visa is for points tested applicants nominated by a state or territory, or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area. The 494 visa is for workers sponsored by a regional employer. Both are provisional visas of up to five years, and after at least three years living and working in regional Australia you can apply for the permanent 191 visa. Since June 2023 there is no minimum income requirement for the 191.
Who this affects: skilled workers and graduates who are willing to live outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and employers in regional areas who cannot fill skilled roles locally. State nomination places for the 491 are limited in 2026-27 and some states have paused or restricted 491 nominations, so check current settings in our October 2026 migration news.
| 491 | 494 | 191 (PR) | |
| Who it suits | Points tested applicants nominated by a state or sponsored by eligible family | Workers sponsored by a regional employer | Holders of a 491 or 494 visa |
| Key requirements | 65 points (including 15 for nomination), skills assessment, under 45, Competent English | Employer nomination, skills assessment, 3 years experience, under 45 (exemptions apply), Competent English, salary of at least the market rate and CSIT ($79,423 from 1 July 2026) | At least 3 years living and working in regional Australia while holding the 491 or 494 |
| Visa length | Up to 5 years | Up to 5 years | Permanent |
| Main applicant charge from 1 July 2026 | $6,140 | $6,140 | $630 |
If you would like to find out more about the current skilled occupations list or discuss your visa options further and evaluate which pathway to take, please contact us on 03 9521 7577.
