{"id":2043,"date":"2021-05-04T15:15:59","date_gmt":"2021-05-04T05:15:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blmigration.com.au\/?post_type=service&p=2043"},"modified":"2025-11-05T15:54:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T05:54:19","slug":"skilled-work-regional-provisional-visa-subclass-491","status":"publish","type":"service","link":"https:\/\/www.blmigration.com.au\/en\/service\/i-need-a-work-visa-for-australia\/state-territory-nominated-visas\/skilled-work-regional-provisional-visa-subclass-491\/","title":{"rendered":"Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa \u2013 Subclass 491"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Class PS, Subclass 491)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (491 visa) allows skilled workers nominated by a state or territory government or eligible regional sponsor to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia for up to five years. You may then transition into the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191) after living and working above the specified income threshold for at least 3 years in the designated regional area.<\/p>

As part of the Australian Government\u2019s initiative to promote residence in the regional areas of Australia, invitation or nomination under this visa gives an extra 15 points.<\/p>

The steps to achieving this are:<\/p>

  • Skills Assessment<\/strong> \u2013 You must first be assessed as qualified to perform the occupation. Each occupation has its own assessing authority who will assess your level of experience and qualifications. A positive result must be received before proceeding to the next step.<\/li>
  • Expression of Interest (\u2018EOI\u2019) + State\/Territory Nomination <\/strong>\u2013 An EOI is required for the Governments to select the top candidates in monthly rounds. They will pick the candidates with the most points to pass through to the next round.<\/li>
  • Visa Application<\/strong> \u2013 You can then lodge your visa application within 60 days of receiving an invitation.<\/li><\/ul>

    You will need a minimum of 65 points to be invited, however, each occupation will generally have a different cut-off point depending on the demand for that occupation.<\/p>

    You can use the points table to calculate an estimate of the number of points you may need to be eligible for the 491 visa:<\/p>
    \u00a0<\/strong><\/td>Factor <\/strong><\/td>Points<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    Age<\/strong><\/td>18-24<\/td>25<\/td><\/tr>
    25-32<\/td>30<\/td><\/tr>
    33-39<\/td>25<\/td><\/tr>
    40-44<\/td>15<\/td><\/tr>
    English<\/strong><\/td>Competent English<\/a><\/td>0<\/td><\/tr>
    Proficient English<\/a><\/td>10<\/td><\/tr>
    Superior English<\/a><\/td>20<\/td><\/tr>
    Skilled Employment \u2013 Overseas<\/strong><\/td>< 3 years<\/td>0<\/td><\/tr>
    3-5 years<\/td>5<\/td><\/tr>
    5-8 years<\/td>10<\/td><\/tr>
    8 years +<\/td>15<\/td><\/tr>
    Skilled Employment \u2013 Australia<\/strong><\/td>< 1 year<\/td>0<\/td><\/tr>
    1-3 years<\/td>5<\/td><\/tr>
    3-5 years<\/td>10<\/td><\/tr>
    5-8 years<\/td>15<\/td><\/tr>
    8 years +<\/td>20<\/td><\/tr>
    Educational Qualifications<\/strong><\/td>PhD from Australia or a recognised foreign educational institution<\/td>20<\/td><\/tr>
    Bachelor degree from Australia or a recognised foreign educational institution<\/td>15<\/td><\/tr>
    Diploma or trade qualification from Australia<\/td>10<\/td><\/tr>
    Qualification\/award otherwise recognised by relevant assessing authority as being suitable for that occupation<\/td>10<\/td><\/tr>
    Specialist education qualification <\/strong><\/td>A Masters degree by research or a PhD from an Australian educational institution that included at least 2 academic years of study in STEM fields.\u00a0 (see below)<\/td>10<\/td><\/tr>
    Australian Study Requirement<\/a><\/strong><\/td>Completed at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution for at least 2 academic years study.<\/td>5<\/td><\/tr>
    Professional Year<\/strong><\/td>Completion of Professional Year in Australia<\/td>\u00a05<\/td><\/tr>
    Credentialled Community Language<\/strong><\/td>Hold a recognised qualification in a credentialled community Language<\/td>5<\/td><\/tr>
    Study in Regional Australia<\/strong><\/td>Completed the Australian study requirement for 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification whilst living and studying in a designated regional area<\/td>5<\/td><\/tr>
    Partner Skills Qualification<\/strong><\/td>

    Spouse\/De facto partner is:<\/p>

    \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Under 45<\/p>

    \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Has competent English<\/p>

    \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Has suitable skills assessment for their nominated occupation which is on the same skilled occupation list<\/p><\/td>

    		10<\/td><\/tr>

    Spouse\/De facto partner is:<\/p>

    \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Has competent English<\/p><\/td>

    		5<\/td><\/tr>

    Spouse\/De facto partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident<\/p>

    OR<\/p>

    You are single<\/p><\/td>

    		10<\/td><\/tr>
    Invited by State\/Territory visa<\/strong><\/td>Subclass 190 visa<\/td>5<\/td><\/tr>
    \u00a0<\/strong><\/td>Subclass 491 visa<\/td>15<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

    The other requirements for the 491 visa are:<\/p>

    • Invitation from State\/Territory has not ended<\/li>
    • Must be under 45 at the time of invitation<\/li>
    • Provide evidence of the points claimed in the invitation including the skills assessment result<\/li>
    • Demonstrate at least Competent English<\/li>
    • Occupation is found on the occupation list<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Common Issues When Applying for the 491 Visa<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      • Missing opportunities to maximise points, leading to missed invitations.<\/li>
      • Incomplete documentation supporting claims for work experience or regional employment.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Suggested Solutions<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        • Seek to earn additional points through higher English proficiency or by substantiating overseas employment experience.<\/li>
        • Prepare your employment and qualification evidence early to ensure your EOI is accurate and complete.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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          491 Visa FAQs<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is the process for obtaining a 491 visa?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
          1. Obtain nomination from a state or territory government or sponsorship from an approved regional sponsor.<\/li>
          2. Once invited by the Minister for Home Affairs, demonstrate that you meet requirements for age, skills assessment and English proficiency.<\/li>
          3. Lodge your 491 visa application within the invitation timeframe.<\/li><\/ol><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWho does the regional condition apply to?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

            The regional condition applies to all applicants, including secondary dependents. All visa holders must live, work and study in designated regional areas to maintain visa compliance.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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            Our Strengths<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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            • Diligence \u2013 We ensure your EOI and supporting evidence are complete, consistent and fully aligned with state nomination requirements.<\/li>
            • Comprehensive Support \u2013 From EOI submission to final visa lodgement, we guide you through each step to maximise your success.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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