• Mon - Sat 10:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Skill work regional visa Subclass 491

Skill work regional visa Subclass 491

Australia Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

The Subclass 491 Visa is a provisional visa for skilled immigrants willing to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia.

What do designated regional areas mean?

The Australian Govt. has denoted certain postcodes in every state/territory that come under the designated regional areas.

These postcodes are:

visa Subclass 491
The table header Category Postcodes
New South Wales Cities and major regional centres 2259, 2264 to 2308, 2500 to 2526, 2528 to 2535 and 2574
Regional centres and other regional areas 2250 to 2258, 2260 to 2263, 2311 to 2490, 2527, 2536 to 2551, 2575 to 2739, 2753 to 2754, 2756 to 2758 and 2773 to 2898
Victoria Cities and major regional centres 3211 to 3232, 3235, 3240, 3328, 3330 to 3333, 3340 and 3342
Regional centres and other regional areas 3097 to 3099, 3139, 3233 to 3234, 3236 to 3239, 3241 to 3325, 3329, 3334, 3341, 3345 to 3424, 3430 to 3799, 3809 to 3909, 3912 to 3971 and 3978 to 3996
Queensland Cities and major regional centres 4207 to 4275, 4517 to 4519, 4550 to 4551, 4553 to 4562, 4564 to 4569 and 4571 to 4575
Regional centres and other regional areas 4124 to 4125, 4133, 4183 to 4184, 4280 to 4287, 4306 to 4498, 4507, 4552, 4563, 4570 and 4580 to 4895
Western Australia Cities and major regional centres 6000 to 6038, 6050 to 6083, 6090 to 6182, 6208 to 6211, 6214 and 6556 to 6558
Regional centres and other regional areas All postcodes in Western Australia not mentioned in ‘Cities and major regional centres’ category above
South Australia Cities and major regional centres 5000 to 5171, 5173 to 5174, 5231 to 5235, 5240 to 5252, 5351 and 5950 to 5960
Regional centres and other regional areas All postcodes in South Australia not mentioned in ‘Cities and major regional centres’ category above
Tasmania Cities and major regional centres 7000, 7004 to 7026, 7030 to 7109, 7140 to 7151 and 7170 to 7177
Regional centres and other regional areas All postcodes in Tasmania not mentioned in ‘Cities and major regional centres’ category above
Australian Capital Territory Cities and major regional centres All postcodes in the Australian Capital Territory
Regional centres and other regional areas None
Northern Territory Cities and major regional centres None
Regional centres and other regional areas All postcodes in the Northern Territory
Norfolk Island Cities and major regional centres None
Regional centres and other regional areas All postcodes in Norfolk Island
Other Territories Cities and major regional centres None
Regional centres and other regional areas All postcodes in a Territory other than the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory or Norfolk Island

Features of Subclass 491 Visa Australia

The features of Subclass 491 Visa Australia are:

  • It is a provisional visa that allows you to live and work in regional Australia for 5 years.
  • Visa holders may travel overseas and back multiple times, provided the visa is still valid.
  • Visa holders can apply for a permanent resident visa after completing 3 years of stay in a designated regional area in Australia.
  • 15,000 visa places allocated each year.

Eligibility requirements for the Subclass 491 Visa Australia

To become eligible for the Subclass 491 Visa, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • It is a provisional visa that allows you to live and work in regional Australia for 5 years.
  • Visa holders may travel overseas and back multiple times, provided the visa is still valid.
  • Visa holders can apply for a permanent resident visa after completing 3 years of stay in a designated regional area in Australia.
  • 15,000 visa places allocated each year.

Points allocation for Subclass 491 Visa Australia

The Subclass 491 Visa is also a General Skilled Migration Visa, and is points-based. These points are awarded based on Age, Education, Work Experience, and English Proficiency. However, for the Subclass 491 Visa, you may obtain additional points such as:

  • 15 points if you are nominated by a state/territory or receive sponsorship from an eligible family member living in regional Australia.
  • 10 points if your spouse or common-law partner has a positive Skill Assessment report.
  • 10 points if you are a single applicant.
  • 10 points if your spouse or common-law partner is a citizen or permanent resident of Australia.
  • 5 points if your spouse or common-law partner has competent English. Your spouse/common-law partner must submit an IELTS or any other accepted English language test scorecard.
  • 10 points for certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) qualifications.

Does the Subclass 491 Visa lead to Permanent Residency?

Yes, Subclass 491 Visa holders can apply for Permanent Residency after completing 3 years of stay in a designated regional area in Australia. Visa holders can apply for Permanent Residence through the Subclass 191 Visa, which will begin accepting applications for PR from November 2022. Besides completing 3 years of stay, applicants must also meet the annual income criteria, AUD 53,900 per year in these 3 years.

What is the cost of the Subclass 491 Visa Australia?

The Govt. fee of the Subclass 491 Visa is AUD 4,045.

Are you thinking about moving to Australia? Contact Niyama Immigrations today.