Are you a skilled worker aiming to live and work in regional Australia? The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa provides a valuable opportunity. This visa allows you to live and work in a designated regional area for up to five (5) years and offers a pathway to permanent residency.
Subclass 491 allows you to:
live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia.
unlimited travel to and from Australia while the visa is valid.
Be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) after holding the visa for three (3) years.
Eligibility
To qualify for this visa, you must meet the following requirements:
Nomination or Sponsorship
You need to be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible relative. Each Australian State and Territory has its list of in-demand occupations and may have different requirements for work experience, English proficiency, or specialized skills. Be sure to check these specific requirements before starting your application. Sponsorship from an Eligible Family Member must be a resident of a designated regional area, at least 18 years old, and either an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Occupation
Your occupation must be included on the relevant skilled occupation list for the visa. This list identifies professions in demand and eligible for this visa category.
Skills Assessment
You must obtain a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation. This assessment should confirm that your qualifications and experience align with Australian standards for the role you are applying for.
Points Test
To qualify for the visa, you need to achieve a minimum score of 65 points on the points test. The points test evaluates various factors, including your age, English language proficiency, work experience, and educational qualifications, to determine your eligibility.
Age
You must be under 45 years old at the time you receive your invitation to apply. If you reach the age of 45 after receiving the invitation but before submitting your application, you are still eligible to apply.
English Language Proficiency
At the time of your invitation to apply, you must demonstrate at least Competent English. This level of proficiency indicates that you can effectively communicate in English in most situations.
Health and Character Requirements
Both you and any family members applying with you must meet health and character requirements. This involves undergoing health checks and providing police clearances to ensure that you and your family are of good character and do not pose a health risk.
Previous Visa History
You must not have had any visa canceled or previous visa applications refused, unless there are exceptional circumstances that can be justified. Your immigration history will be reviewed to assess your eligibility for this visa.
Application
Expression of Interest (EOI): Start by submitting an EOI through SkillSelect. This helps in assessing your points score and making you visible to state and territory government agencies or eligible relatives for nomination or sponsorship.
Invitation: If you meet the criteria and your EOI is successful, you will receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
Application: Once invited, you have 60 days to apply online. You can apply from within or outside Australia, provided you are not in immigration clearance.
Processing: Processing times vary based on individual circumstances. Factors influencing processing times include the completeness of your application, additional information requests, and external agency checks.
Visa Outcome: After assessing your application, you will receive a decision. If granted, the visa will be digitally linked to your passport, and you will be informed of the grant number, start date, and any specific conditions.
Visa Costs
The cost for the main applicant starts at AUD 4,770. Additional charges apply for each family member included in the application. For applicants 18 years or older with less than functional English, a second installment fee of AUD 4,890 applies. The Visa Pricing Estimator helps in estimating costs but does not include potential additional charges for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.
Processing Time
Most applications are processed within 6 to 22 months. However, processing times can vary based on the completeness and quality of your application. Additionally, delays may occur due to the volume of applications and the number of visas available.
Living and working in Australia
While on this visa, you are required to live, work, and study in a designated regional area. The visa allows multiple entries to Australia and does not extend your stay beyond the five (5) -year validity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the pathway to permanent residency?
- After holding the subclass 491 visa for three years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191), provided you have met the work and residence requirements during this period.
Q2: Can I travel with this visa?
- Yes, the visa allows you to travel in and out of Australia as much as you want while it is valid.
Q3: Can my family join me later?
- Yes, family members who did not apply with you initially can join you later as subsequent entrants. They will need to meet the health and character requirements.
Q4: What should I consider while holding this visa?
- Ensure you comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws. It is important to keep your contact details updated and inform immigration authorities of any changes, such as a new address, relationship status, or the birth of a child. Additionally, be mindful that time spent outside Australia does not extend the validity of your visa.
Q5: What is the points test?
- The points test is a scoring system used to evaluate your eligibility for the Subclass 491 Visa. It awards points based on factors such as age, English language proficiency, work experience, education, and whether you have regional nomination or sponsorship.
Q6: Is a job offer required for this Visa?
- A job offer is not mandatory for applying for a Subclass 491 visa. However, if you seek nomination from an Australian state government, that state may have additional requirements, which could include having a job offer, to meet its specific objectives.
Q7: Can I move states after receiving my visa approval?
- Subclass 491 visa holders are not restricted from moving interstate. However, the state government that nominated you typically expects you to reside and work in the designated area where you were originally nominated.
Q8: Can I apply for a Subclass 491 visa if I’m offshore?
- Yes, both onshore and offshore applicants are eligible to apply.
Please note that immigration regulations may change over time. To ensure you meet the current eligibility criteria and receive personalized guidance, we recommend consulting with Australian Portal Immigration. You can book your appointment here.
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