• NSW 491 Pathway 1 – Apply directly to NSW

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NSW 491 visa Pathway 1 – Apply directly to NSW

Opening of Skilled Work Regional visa Subclass 491 – Pathway 1

NSW announced the opening of the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) – Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 for the 2024-25 program year.

Below is a summary of the key updates:

Subclass 491 Visa Pathway 1 – Work in Regional NSW 

All occupations that are eligible for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) can apply under Pathway 1.

To apply under this pathway, you must be currently working in your nominated (or closely related) occupation in a designated regional area of NSW and have continuously done so for the past six months with a single employer based in regional NSW.

You must also be paid the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold salary rate (currently $73,150) from your qualifying employer in your nominated (or closely related) occupation at the time of application.

NSW removed the requirement to live-in-NSW for Pathway 1, providing greater flexibility for applicants living in border towns.

Key Changes:

  • Reduced Employment Duration: Applicants must now be currently living and working in a designated regional area of NSW and have continuously done so for the past 6 months, instead of the previous 12 months.

This change means that more skilled workers will be eligible to apply for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) under Pathway 1, opening up opportunities for those who have been contributing to the regional economy and communities for six months.


Remaining Criteria:

  • Employment must be with a single regional NSW-based employer working from an established business premises in regional NSW.
  •  The role must be in the applicant’s nominated (or closely related) occupation.
  •  The occupation must be deemed skilled by NSW.
  •  Applicants must be paid a minimum of the TSMIT salary level of $73,1500 (prorated if under 38 hours per week) from their qualifying employer in the nominated (or closely related) occupation in the 6 months immediately before applying.

 

 Important Reminders:

  • Skilled employment must occur after NSW deems the applicant skilled in their occupation and must appear in their SkillSelect EOI.
  •  Applicants must lodge their visa application onshore and must not have a current visa application being decided by Home Affairs for a permanent visa.

 

Supporting Regional NSW
This policy adjustment is part of our ongoing commitment to support regional NSW by attracting skilled workers to our communities. It reflects our understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by regional employers and migrants, and our dedication to fostering a vibrant, diverse, and economically robust regional NSW.

491 NSW RDA applications open

Applications for New South Wales nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa under Pathway 1 are now open. In the following sections, we will provide a detailed explanation of the nomination process and the essential guidelines applicants must follow.

This opportunity is designed to support skilled individuals already contributing to New South Wales’ thriving community and economy.

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.

To apply under this pathway, you must:

  1. Confirm Eligibility: Confirm that you meet all visa requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs, as well as the specific NSW nomination criteria.
  2. Submit your EOI: Lodge your EOI through SkillSelect. Ensure your EOI is for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) only and seeking nomination from NSW only. Important: your EOI cannot be amended after you apply. Therefore, ensuring its accuracy and completeness before applying is highly important.
  3. Apply
  4. Assessment: Once your application is submitted, NSW will assess your application against their nomination criteria. This may take up to six weeks.
  5. Outcome: If your application meets the criteria, you will receive an invitation to apply for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) from the Department of Home Affairs.
Key Guidelines for NSW Nomination Application

Before proceeding with the application form for NSW nomination, it’s crucial to understand and adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Previous NSW Nomination: If you have already been nominated by NSW for any skilled visa, you are ineligible for further NSW nomination.
  2. Single Active Application Rule: You may only have one active NSW nomination application at any time.
  3. Validity of Supporting Evidence: Ensure that all supporting evidence is valid for at least 5 business days from the date of you apply for NSW nomination.
  4. Accuracy of Information: It is imperative that the information provided in your application is accurate and truthful. Incorrect or misleading information may cause delays in the assessment process or lead to your application being declined.
Basic Eligibility

To be eligible for NSW nomination, you must meet the basic criteria outlined below:

Visa Eligibility

You must meet all requirements set for the 491 visa subclass.

Skills Assessment

You must have a valid skills assessment in an occupation on the eligible skilled occupation list for this visa.

Residency

You must be either currently residing:

  • in NSW and have continuously resided in NSW for a minimum period of three months; or
  • offshore and have continuously resided offshore for a minimum period of three months.

Related:

491 NSW Pathways

Important Information About Submitting an EOI in SkillSelect for NSW Nomination 

Submitting an EOI for NSW nomination under the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) requires careful attention. Don’t miss these essential points:

  1. EOI validity: Your EOI must remain valid for the entire assessment period.
  2. EOI Changes: After you directly apply directly for NSW nomination under ‘Pathway 1’, or are invited under ‘Pathway 2’, you cannot modify your EOI.
  3. Specific Visa and State: Your EOI must be exclusively for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) and seeking nomination from NSW only.
  4. Evidence of claims: You must provide evidence for all claims in your EOI with valid documents. Ensure these documents remain valid for at least five business days post-application.
  5. Employment claims: NSW has specific guidelines on the date you can claim skilled employment. These guidelines are unique to NSW and failing to comply will lead to your application being declined.
Book a Consultation

Pathway 1 – Apply directly to Investment NSW if you have an established work history with a regional NSW-based employer 

To apply directly for NSW nomination under ‘Pathway 1’ you must:

  1. Check Eligibility: Before submitting your EOI in SkillSelect, ensure you meet both the visa and NSW nomination eligibility requirements.
  2. Submit Your EOI: If you meet the criteria, submit an EOI in SkillSelect, specifically requesting NSW nomination for this visa only. Note: Your qualifying employment must be listed in your EOI.
  3. Apply For Nomination
  4. Wait For Your Nomination Assessment: Your application will typically be assessed within six weeks after payment.

Previous NSW skilled occupation list for the 491 visa

Unit group
1213 – Livestock Farmers
1214 – Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmers
1311 – Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Managers
1321 – Corporate Services Managers
1323 – Human Resource Managers
1324 – Policy and Planning Managers
1325 – Research and Development Managers
1331 – Construction Managers
1332 – Engineering Managers
1335 – Production Managers
1336 – Supply, Distribution and Procurement Managers
1341 – Child Care Centre Managers
1342 – Health and Welfare Services Managers
1343 – School Principals
1351 – ICT Managers
1399 – Other Specialist Managers
1492 – Call or Contact Centre and Customer Service Managers
1493 – Conference and Event Organisers
Unit group
2124 – Journalists and Other Writers
2221 – Financial Brokers
2223 – Financial Investment Advisers and Managers
2231 – Human Resource Professionals
2241 – Actuaries, Mathematicians and Statisticians
2243 – Economists
2244 – Intelligence and Policy Analysts
2247 – Management and Organisation Analysts
2251 – Advertising and Marketing Professionals
2253 – Public Relations Professionals
2321 – Architects and Landscape Architects
2322 – Surveyors and Spatial Scientists
2323 – Fashion, Industrial and Jewellery Designers
2324 – Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators
2332 – Civil Engineering Professionals
2333 – Electrical Engineers
2334 – Electronics Engineers
2335 – Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers
2336 – Mining Engineers
2339 – Other Engineering Professionals
2341 – Agricultural, Fisheries and Forestry Scientists
2342 – Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists
2343 – Environmental Scientists
2347 – Veterinarians
2411 – Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers
2412 – Primary School Teachers
2413 – Middle School Teachers / Intermediate School Teachers
2414 – Secondary School Teachers
2415 – Special Education Teachers
2421 – University Lecturers and Tutors
2512 – Medical Imaging Professionals
2513 – Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals
2515 – Pharmacists
2523 – Dental Practitioners
2524 – Occupational Therapists
2525 – Physiotherapists
2526 – Podiatrists
2527 – Audiologists and Speech Pathologists / Therapists
2531 – General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers
2532 – Anaesthetists
2541 – Midwives
2542 – Nurse Educators and Researchers
2543 – Nurse Managers
2544 – Registered Nurses
2713 – Solicitors
2721 – Counsellors
2723 – Psychologists
2725 – Social Workers
2726 – Welfare, Recreation and Community Arts Workers
Unit group
3112 – Medical Technicians
3121 – Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians
3122 – Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians
3123 – Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians
3211 – Automotive Electricians
3212 – Motor Mechanics
3222 – Sheetmetal Trades Workers
3223 – Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers
3232 – Metal Fitters and Machinists
3241 – Panelbeaters
3243 – Vehicle Painters
3311 – Bricklayers and Stonemasons
3312 – Carpenters and Joiners
3322 – Painting Trades Workers
3332 – Plasterers
3333 – Roof Tilers
3334 – Wall and Floor Tilers
3341 – Plumbers
3411 – Electricians
3421 – Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics
3422 – Electrical Distribution Trades Workers
3423 – Electronics Trades Workers
3622 – Gardeners
3623 – Sports Turf Managers and Trades Workers
3624 – Nurserypersons
3911 – Hairdressers
3941 – Cabinetmakers
Unit group
4111 – Ambulance Officers and Paramedics
4113 – Diversional Therapists
4117 – Welfare Support Workers
4523 – Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials
Unit group
5111 – Contract, Program and Project Administrators
5996 – Insurance Investigators, Loss Adjusters and Risk Surveyors
Unit group
6121 – Real Estate Sales Agents

Participating RDA offices

You can find more information for the individual RDAs by clicking on the tabs below:

APPLICATIONS OPEN 2 NOVEMBER 2022.

As the region that is supporting you and providing you with the opportunity to gain a 491 visa and potentially permanent residency, we expect you to genuinely commit to the Central Coast region by living and working here and to make a positive contribution to our communities.

Therefore, it is important that you get to know the Central Coast region, and research whether the work and lifestyle opportunities it provides are suitable for you and any dependents you may have.

Other State Skilled Occupations lists for 190 visa and 491 state sponsored regional visa

Select a state below to see it’s requirements:

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State and territory requirements

Each state and territory has its own list of occupations, requirements and processes you must follow.

More information about the requirements and processes on how Australian states or territories nominate applicants is available.