Skilled Visa

Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 491

This program is primarily aimed at people who require an extra 15 points under the general skilled migration points test in order to have enough points to migrate to Australia. It is a two-stage process where first you apply for a provisional subclass 491 visa and then after 3 years of living and working in the area you have agreed to live in, and meeting the minimum income requirements, you may apply for a permanent subclass 191 visa. For this visa you can be nominated by a family member living in regional Australia as well as a state or territory.

Application process for subclass 491 visa – state nomination

1. Identify an occupation on the ANZSCO
2. Identify a state or territory which lists that occupation on their migration plan
3. Apply for and receive a positive skills assessment for your skilled occupation
4. If necessary, sit an English test
5. Lodge an application with the relevant state or territory for nomination (some states do not require this)
6. Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) with SkillSelect
7. Receive invitation to apply
8. Make application within 60 days

Application process for subclass 491 visa – family sponsorship

1. Identify an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
2. Apply for and receive a positive skills assessment for your skilled occupation
3. If necessary, sit an English test
4. Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) with SkillSelect which identifies a family member who can sponsor you
5. Receive invitation to apply
6. Make application within 60 days

Visa eligibility criteria

The major criteria for a subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisiona) visa are:

• Nomination by a state or territory of Australia
• A positive skills assessment  for your occupation
• Achieving an English standard of at least IELTS 6 or equivalent
• Being aged between 18 and 45 inclusive. In other words, you cannot have turned 45.
• Standard health and character criteria
• Having at least 65 points on the General Skilled Migration points test

Family sponsorship criteria

To sponsor a family member to migrate to Australia you must satisfy the following criteria:

• You must be at least 18 years old
• You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen
• You must be “usually resident” in a regional area of Australia (i.e. outside the major cities)
• You must be directly related to either the primary applicant or the primary applicant’s partner/spouse as a:

1. Parent
2. Child or stepchild
3. Sibling
4. Aunt or uncle
5. Nephew or niece
6. Grandparent; or
7. First cousin

State nomination

Every state and territory in Australia has its own criteria for nomination. Some give advantages to graduates from that state or territory, people already living and working in the region or people who have family present in that area of Australia. You can find specific information at the following links:

• Western Australia
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• New South Wales
• Australian Capital Territory
• Victoria
• Tasmania
• South Australia

The points test

All candidates to migrate to Australia through the General Skilled Migration program are ranked based on a points test. Applicants must reach at least 65 points, but those with higher points will generally be invited before those with lower points.

Subclass 489 applicant FAQ