Subclass 491 - Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)

The Subclass 491 Visa is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers and their families to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years. This points-based visa is designed to address regional skill shortages by encouraging skilled workers to settle in less populated areas of Australia. It offers a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Visa after meeting specific requirements.

Key Features

The Subclass 491 Visa offers a range of benefits that make it an attractive option for skilled workers seeking permanent residency in Australia. Below are the key features of this visa:

1. Regional Living and Working: 

1. • The Subclass 491 Visa requires you to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia. These areas are outside of the major cities, offering a unique opportunity to experience Australia’s diverse landscapes and communities.

2. Five-Year Validity: 

1. • The visa is valid for five years, during which you and your family can enjoy full work rights, access to education, and public healthcare through Medicare.

3. Pathway to Permanent Residency: 

1. • After holding the Subclass 491 Visa for at least three years and meeting specific income and residency requirements, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Visa.

4. Points-Based System: 

• Like other skilled visas, the Subclass 491 is points-based. You need to score at least 65 points, with points awarded for age, English proficiency, work experience, education, and regional nomination.

5. State/Territory or Family Sponsorship: 

• To apply for this visa, you must be sponsored by an Australian state or territory government or by an eligible family member living in a designated regional area.

6. Multiple Entry: 

• The visa allows for multiple entries into Australia during its validity period, providing flexibility for travel and visits to your home country.

7. Family Inclusion: 

• You can include immediate family members in your application, allowing them to live, work, and study in regional Australia with you.

8. Increased Points for Regional Nomination: 

• If nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by a family member, you receive additional points on the points test, increasing your chances of receiving an invitation to apply.

9. Priority Processing: 

• Applications for the Subclass 491 Visa often receive priority processing, especially when occupations are in high demand in regional areas.

10. Access to Australian Lifestyle: 

• Regional Australia offers a high quality of life, with lower living costs, less congestion, and a strong sense of community, all while providing access to Australia’s world-class healthcare and education systems.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Subclass 491 Visa, you must meet a range of requirements that ensure you possess the skills and qualifications needed to contribute to Australia's economy. 

State or Territory Nomination: 

You must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government. Each state or territory has its own list of eligible occupations and specific nomination criteria, which may include a commitment to live and work in that state or territory for a specified period.

Below are the key eligibility criteria for this visa:

1. Skilled Occupation List

• Relevant Occupation: Your occupation must be on the relevant Skilled Occupation List (SOL) as specified by the Australian government.
• Job Alignment: You must demonstrate that your qualifications and work experience align with an occupation listed on the SOL.

2. Points Test

• Minimum Score: You must score at least 65 points on the points test, which assesses your suitability based on factors like age, English proficiency, work experience, and education.
• Scoring Factors:
  • Age: Higher points for applicants between 25 and 32 years old.
  • English Language Proficiency: Points awarded based on your level of English, assessed through an approved language test.
  • Skilled Employment: Points for work experience in your nominated occupation, both in Australia and overseas.
  • Educational Qualifications: Points for qualifications such as a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD from an accredited institution.
  • Other Factors: Additional points for factors such as studying in Australia, professional year programs, and partner skills.

3. Skills Assessment

• Positive Assessment: You must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation.
• Authority Requirement: The assessment must be from an authority recognized by the Australian government and be specific to your occupation.

4. Age Limit

• Under 45 Years: You must be under the age of 45 at the time of receiving an invitation to apply for the visa.

5. English Language Proficiency

• Competent English: You must demonstrate competent English language skills, typically through an approved test such as IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL.
• Higher Points for Proficiency: Achieving a higher score on your English test can contribute more points to your overall points test score.

6. Expression of Interest (EOI) and Register of Interest (ROI)

• Submit EOI: You must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system, where you express your interest in applying for the Subclass 491 Visa. If there is the requirement of the State or Territory Government to lodge ROI, you must submit THE ROI.
• Invitation to Apply: Only after receiving an invitation from both the Department of Home Affairs and State or Territory Government you proceed to submit your visa application.

7. Health and Character Requirements

• Health Examination: You and any family members included in your application must meet Australia's health requirements, typically assessed through medical examinations.
• Character Assessment: You must provide police clearance certificates to meet Australia's character requirements, ensuring you have no significant criminal history.

8. No Prior Visa Cancellation or Refusal

• Visa History: You must not have had a visa application refused or a visa cancelled while you were in Australia, as this may affect your eligibility.

9. Genuine Commitment to Regional Australia:

• You must genuinely intend to live, work, and study in regional Australia. This commitment is crucial for both state/territory nomination and family sponsorship.

By meeting these criteria, you position yourself as a strong candidate for the Subclass 491 Visa, paving the way for permanent residency in Australia. If you're unsure about any aspect of these requirements, Visafast is here to guide you through the process and ensure you meet all necessary qualifications for a successful application.

Application Process

The application process for the Subclass 491 Visa involves several key steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate through it:

1. Check Your Eligibility

• Review the eligibility criteria to ensure you meet the basic requirements for the Subclass 491 Visa, including age, occupation, English language proficiency, and points score. Verify that your occupation is on the relevant Skilled Occupation List for the state or territory you are interested in.

2. Obtain a Positive Skills Assessment

• ​Before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI), you need to obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. This assessment verifies that your qualifications and work experience meet the Australian standards for your occupation.

3. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

• Lodge your EOI through the Department of Home Affairs' SkillSelect system. Your EOI will include details about your skills, work experience, and other factors that determine your points score. Make sure to select the states or territories where you would like to be nominated.

4. Receive a State or Territory Nomination

• If a state or territory government selects you from the SkillSelect pool, they will nominate you for the Subclass 491 Visa. Each state or territory has its own nomination process, which may include additional requirements or an invitation to submit a separate application for nomination.

5. Receive an Invitation to Apply

• After being nominated, you will receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs to apply for the Subclass 491 Visa. Invitations are issued based on your points score and the information provided in your EOI.

6. Lodge Your Visa Application

• Once you receive the invitation, you have 60 days to submit your visa application online. You will need to provide comprehensive documentation, including proof of identity, skills assessment, English language proficiency, and evidence of your state or territory nomination.

7. Attend Health Examinations and Provide Biometrics

• You and your family members included in the application must undergo mandatory health examinations to meet Australia’s health requirements. Additionally, you may need to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photos) as part of the application process.

8. Submit Police Clearances

• Obtain police clearance certificates from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the past 10 years since turning 16, to satisfy the character requirements.

9. Await Processing

• After lodging your application, you will need to wait for it to be processed. Processing times can vary depending on the complexity of your application and the current workload of the Department of Home Affairs.

10. Receive Your Visa Outcome

• If your application is approved, you will receive the Subclass 491 Visa, granting you permanent residency in Australia. If your application is refused, you will be informed of the reasons for refusal and whether you have the right to appeal the decision.

11. Move to Regional or Designated area in Australia

• Start your new life in a designated regional area of Australia, fulfilling the visa conditions and working towards permanent residency.
• Designated Area Postcodes is here

Points Calculation

Understanding the points system is crucial to determining your eligibility for the Subclass 491 Visa. The Points Calculator allows you to estimate your score based on various factors that the Australian government considers important for skilled migration. Below is a breakdown of the key criteria used to calculate your points:

1. Age

• 18-24 years: 25 points
• 25-32 years: 30 points
• 33-39 years: 25 points
• 40-44 years: 15 points
• 45 years and older: 0 points

2. English Language Proficiency

• Competent English: 0 points (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)
• Proficient English: 10 points (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent)
• Superior English: 20 points (IELTS 8.0 or equivalent)

3. Skilled Employment Experience

• Overseas Work Experience in a Nominated Occupation:
  • Less than 3 years: 0 points
  • 3-4 years: 5 points
  • 5-7 years: 10 points
  • 8 years or more: 15 points
• Australian Work Experience in a Nominated Occupation:
  • Less than 1 year: 0 points
  • 1-2 years: 5 points
  • 3-4 years: 10 points
  • 5-7 years: 15 points
  • 8 years or more: 20 points

4. Educational Qualifications

• Doctorate (PhD): 20 points
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree: 15 points
• Australian Diploma or Trade Qualification: 10 points
• Award or qualification recognized by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation: 10 points

5. Australian Study Requirement

• Completed at least two academic years of study in Australia: 5 points

6. Specialist Education Qualification

• Master’s degree by research or a Doctorate degree from an Australian educational institution in a relevant field: 10 points

7. Credentialed Community Language

• Accredited by NAATI as a translator or interpreter in a community language: 5 points

8. Study in Regional Australia

• Completed a qualification in a regional area of Australia: 5 points

9. Partner Skills

• Partner meets age, English, and skill requirements: 10 points
• Partner has competent English but does not meet skills requirement: 5 points
• Single applicant or partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident: 10 points

10. Professional Year in Australia

• Completion of a professional year in Australia in your nominated occupation: 5 points

11. State or Territory Nomination Points

• One your state or territory nomination application is approved: 15 points

How to Use the Points Calculator

Using our Points Calculator tool, you can input your details in each of these categories to see how many points you score. This will help you determine whether you meet the minimum threshold of 65 points required to be eligible for the Subclass 491 Visa. If your score is close to or exceeds 65 points, you are in a strong position to proceed with your visa application.

At Visafast, we also offer personalized consultations to help you optimize your points score and strengthen your visa application. Our experts can guide you on how to improve your eligibility, whether through additional qualifications, work experience, or other factors.

Explore your potential for permanent residency in Australia today by using our Points Calculator!

Costs

Visa Application Fees:

• Primary Applicant: AUD 4,765
• Additional Adult Applicant: AUD 2,385
• Additional Child Applicant: AUD 1,195

Other Costs: (e.g., skills assessment, English test, health checks, police clearance certificate).

Subclass 491 Document Checklist

Preparing your application for the Subclass 491 Visa requires gathering a comprehensive set of documents to support your eligibility and ensure a smooth application process. Below is a detailed document checklist to help you organize everything you need:

1. Identity Documents

• Passport: A copy of the bio-data page of your current passport.
• National ID Card: A copy of your national identity card, if applicable.
• Birth Certificate: A copy of your birth certificate showing your name, birth date, and both parents' names.

2. Skills Assessment

• Skills Assessment Report: A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation.
• Evidence of Qualifications: Copies of your academic qualifications, such as degrees or diplomas, relevant to your nominated occupation.
• Work Experience Documents: Proof of your work experience, including reference letters from employers detailing your role, duties, and employment duration. Payment Evidence such as payslips, bank statements and tax returns.

3. English Language Proficiency

• English Test Results: Official results from an approved English language test (e.g., IELTS, PTE, TOEFL) taken within the last three years, showing your proficiency level.

4. Points Test Documents

• Age Proof: A copy of your passport or birth certificate to confirm your age.
• Educational Qualifications: Certified copies of your degrees, diplomas, or trade qualifications.
• Australian Study Requirement: Evidence that you completed at least two academic years of study in Australia, if applicable.
• Work Experience: Reference letters, payslips, and tax records to support your claimed skilled work experience.
• Professional Year Program: Evidence of completing a Professional Year in Australia, if applicable.
• Partner Documents: If claiming partner points, provide your partner's skills assessment, English test results, and proof of relationship.

5. Expression of Interest (EOI)

• EOI Summary: A copy of your EOI lodged through SkillSelect, including your unique EOI number and all the details provided.

6. Health and Character Requirements

• Health Examination Reports: Medical examination reports and relevant health documents, as required by the Department of Home Affairs.
• Police Clearance Certificates: Police checks from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the past 10 years since turning 16.
• Form 80: Personal particulars for character assessment (Form 80), providing details about your travel history, employment, and other background information.

7. Relationship Documents (if applicable)

• Marriage Certificate: A certified copy of your marriage certificate if you are married.
• De Facto Relationship Evidence: Documents such as joint bank statements, lease agreements, or utility bills showing shared financial responsibilities, if in a de facto relationship.
• Children's Birth Certificates: Copies of birth certificates and Passport for any dependent children included in your application.
• Adoption Papers: If applicable, certified copies of legal adoption papers for any adopted children.

8. Miscellaneous

• Passport Photos: Recent digital passport-sized photographs of yourself and any family members included in the application.
• Form 1221: Additional personal particulars form (Form 1221), if requested by the Department of Home Affairs.
• Affidavits/Statutory Declarations: Any affidavits or statutory declarations required to explain any discrepancies or provide additional context to your application.

Related Visas

Latest News/Blog