Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa.

The subclass 491 is a provisional skilled visa for applicants willing to live and work in regional Australia. It awards 15 bonus points - the largest bonus of any skilled visa - making it the most accessible pathway for applicants with lower base scores. After three years in a regional area, you can apply for permanent residency through the subclass 191.

At a glance

Visa type
Provisional (5 years)
Sponsorship
State nomination or family
Points bonus
+15 points
Location
Regional Australia only
Application cost
$4,640 (main applicant)
Processing time
6-12 months
PR pathway
Subclass 191 after 3 years
Income requirement
$53,900/year for 191

What counts as regional Australia.

Regional Australia for the 491 visa includes everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Many large cities qualify as regional:

Perth Western Australia
Adelaide South Australia
Gold Coast Queensland
Canberra ACT
Newcastle New South Wales
Hobart Tasmania

Plus all towns and cities outside the three excluded metropolitan areas. See the full designated regional areas list.

Eligibility requirements.

  • Nomination or sponsorship: State/territory nomination for regional areas, or sponsorship by an eligible family member living in a regional area.
  • Occupation: Your occupation must be on the MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL. The 491 accepts the widest range of occupations of all three skilled visas.
  • Skills assessment: Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
  • Age: Under 45 at the time of invitation.
  • English: At least competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent).
  • Points: At least 65 points including the 15-point bonus. This means a base score of 50 is sufficient.
  • Health and character: Standard requirements apply.

Pathway to permanent residency.

The 491 is a stepping stone, not the destination. Here is how the pathway to PR works:

  1. 1

    Get the 491 visa

    Complete the application process and receive your provisional visa. This typically takes 6-12 months.

  2. 2

    Live and work regionally for 3 years

    You must live, work, and study only in designated regional areas. Your address must be in a regional area for the entire three-year period.

  3. 3

    Meet the income requirement

    Earn a minimum taxable income of $53,900 per year for at least three of the five years on your 491 visa. This is checked against your tax returns.

  4. 4

    Apply for the subclass 191

    After meeting the requirements, apply for the subclass 191 permanent visa. Processing typically takes 6-12 months.

How this compares.

Subclass 189

Direct PR, live anywhere. No bonus points - needs 90+ base score.

Subclass 190

Direct PR with +5 points. State commitment for 2 years, not limited to regional.

See the full 189 vs 190 vs 491 comparison.

Frequently asked questions.

Is the 491 visa permanent?
No. The 491 is a provisional visa valid for five years. After living and working in regional Australia for at least three years and meeting the income requirement, you can apply for the subclass 191 visa which grants permanent residency.
What is the income requirement for the 191 visa?
To transition from the 491 to the 191 permanent visa, you must earn a minimum taxable income of $53,900 per year for at least three years while living in a designated regional area. This is based on individual income, not household income.
What counts as regional Australia?
For the 491 visa, regional Australia includes everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. This means cities like Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, and Hobart all qualify as regional areas.
Can I get 491 sponsorship from a family member?
Yes. The 491 has two streams: state/territory nomination and family sponsorship. For family sponsorship, you need an eligible relative (parent, child, sibling, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, or grandparent) who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen living in a designated regional area.
How many bonus points does the 491 give?
The 491 visa awards 15 bonus points for either state/territory nomination or family sponsorship. This is the largest points bonus of any skilled visa, making it accessible to applicants with lower base scores.
Can I work in a city while on a 491 visa?
No. The 491 visa has a condition requiring you to live, work, and study only in designated regional areas. Working in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane would breach your visa conditions and could lead to visa cancellation.
How long until I get permanent residency on the 491 pathway?
The typical timeline is: 491 visa processing (6-12 months) + three years of regional living and working + 191 visa processing (6-12 months). In total, expect roughly 4-5 years from your 491 application to permanent residency.

Check your 491 eligibility.

See if the regional pathway is right for you. Get an estimated points score and find out which states might nominate you.

Get your free assessment

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