Subclass 491 Through SkillSelect: Requirements and Regional Areas

What is the subclass 491 visa?

The subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) visa is a temporary 5-year visa for highly skilled workers willing to live and work in regional Australia. It is not PR immediately, but it is a pathway to permanent residence through the subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) visa after 3 years of living and working in a regional area.

Two pathways to a subclass 491 visa

Pathway 1: State or territory nomination

A state or territory nominates you for the subclass 491. This is the most common pathway. The state sends an invitation directly to your EOI in SkillSelect.

Pathway 2: Sponsorship by an eligible relative

You can receive a subclass 491 visa if you are sponsored by an eligible relative living in regional Australia. The relative must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, and must be residing in a designated regional area.

Basic eligibility

An occupation on a relevant list

Your occupation needs to be on the MLTSSL or the Regional Occupation List (ROL). The occupation list for the subclass 491 is broader than for the subclass 189 — many occupations that are not eligible for the subclass 189 can still be eligible for the subclass 491 through the ROL.

A valid skills assessment

You need a skills assessment from the assessing authority appropriate to the ANZSCO code of the occupation you are pursuing. The assessment must still be valid at the time you lodge the visa application.

English proficiency

The minimum requirement is the Competent level. As with the other skilled visas, higher English not only helps you score better but also increases your chances of being selected by a state.

Under 45 years old

You must be under 45 years old at the time of receiving an invitation from the state or from a sponsoring relative.

A minimum of 65 points

The EOI must reach at least 65 points. The actual cut-off score for the subclass 491 is usually lower than for the subclass 189, due to a larger volume of invitations and less competition in some occupations.

What counts as a regional area

Regional areas cover most of Australia’s territory, except the major metropolitan areas. Specifically, the following are not regional areas:

• Sydney and the Greater Sydney suburbs (NSW)
• Melbourne and the Greater Melbourne suburbs (VIC)
• Brisbane and the Greater Brisbane suburbs (QLD — with some exceptions)

Regional areas include (for example):

• All of South Australia, Western Australia (outside metropolitan Perth), Tasmania, and the Northern Territory
• The ACT (Canberra), treated as regional for subclass 491 purposes
• Cities and towns outside the major metropolitan areas listed above
• Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong (depending on the period)

The regional postcode list is maintained and updated by the Department of Home Affairs. Check the specific postcode on the Department’s website before making a decision.

The process from EOI to subclass 491

Step 1: Lodge an EOI in SkillSelect

Lodge an EOI and indicate interest in the subclass 491. Select the states or territories where you are willing to live and work.

Step 2: Lodge an application with the state

Lodge a separate application with the state through its nomination portal. Some states actively contact candidates from SkillSelect, but most require you to lodge an application yourself.

Step 3: Receive an invitation from the state

If the state approves you, it sends an invitation directly through SkillSelect. This step is entirely different from the subclass 190 — there is no points-competitive invitation round from the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 4: Lodge the visa application within 60 days

After receiving the invitation, lodge the subclass 491 application within 60 days. The file includes a complete set of documents on identity, health, character, qualifications, and work experience.

The pathway from subclass 491 to PR

Once you hold a subclass 491 visa, you need to:

1. Live and work continuously in regional Australia for at least 3 years.
2. Meet the minimum income threshold required (annual income reaching the minimum income threshold) over those 3 years.
3. Lodge a subclass 191 application to obtain PR.

This is a more realistic pathway than the subclass 189 for many applicants with mid-range points, especially those willing to live outside the major metropolitan areas in the early stage.