491 Visa – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 491
491 Visa or Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa was initially known as 489 Visa. This is a temporary visa available for skilled workers who intend to work and live in the Australian regional area. The 491 Visa allows you to live temporarily in Australia for up to 5 years, and eventually bring you to permanent residency if you meet the eligibility criteria. Let’s dive in to 491 Visa requirements, cost, processing time and application process.
491 Visa Overview
Once granted, the 491 Visa allows you to live, work, and study in a designated regional area of Australia for up to 5 years. After three years, a permanent residency pathway is available through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).
The subclass 491 is a point-test-based visa, so you must be invited to apply for a the visa. To get the invitation, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) application and get a score of at least 65 points.
Who is eligible for a 491 Visa?
To be eligible for the 491 Visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency, or an eligible relative must sponsor you;
- You must have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list or on the state/territory’s skilled occupation list;
- You must have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation;
- You must be invited to apply;
- You must be under 45 when you apply for the visa;
- You must be able to score 65 points or more;
- You must meet the health and character requirements;
- At the time of the invitation, you must demonstrate at least Competent English, which is at least 6 for each of the 4 components of your IELTS test.
Who can nominate or sponsor you with a 491 Visa?
To apply for a 491 Visa, you must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency. Or else, you may be sponsored by an eligible relative who:
- is 18 years old or older
- is a usually resident in a designated area of Australia
- is an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- is your or your partner’s eligible relative (if your partner joined the application)
An eligible relative can be your:
- Parent
- Child or step-child
- Brother or sister (biological or adoptive or step)
- Aunt or uncle (biological or adoptive or step)
- Nephew or niece (biological or adoptive or step)
- Grandparent
- First cousin
491 Visa Application Process
To apply for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 491, you must follow the following 5 steps:
Step 1: Skills Assessment
To apply for a 491 Visa, you must first receive a valid Skills Assessment. It is required to complete the Skills Assessment. It serves as evidence that you possess the experiences and credentials needed to carry out your job in Australia.
You must receive the Skills Assessment from the appropriate Skill Assessing Authority. In this instance, you have to select your designated profession first. Here, you can find the applicable Skill Assessing Authority and your specified occupation.
Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) Application
Once your Skills Assessment is finished, you can proceed to the next stage, which is to apply for an Expression of Interest (EOI). The EOI application must be submitted via SkillSelect, the government’s official website.
To express your interest in having your application for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) reviewed by the government, submit an EOI. The following details must be included in your EOI application:
- Particulars about yourself;
- The profession you would like to nominate;
- Work history;
- Educational background;
- English language ability;
- Skills Assessment;
- Spouse details, if applicable; etc.
A minimum of 65 points must be earned on your EOI application. Points are awarded based on everything you provide in your EOI application, including your educational background, credentials, and level of English ability. To find your test score, use our 491 Visa points calculator.
Step 3: Submit State Nomination Application
To obtain a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 491, a State Nomination application is required. Please be aware that there are various occupation lists and regulations in each state or territory. The following links will provide you with the state occupation list and requirements:
- Western Australian state requirements and occupation list
- New South Wales state requirements and occupation list
- Victoria state requirements and occupation list
- Queensland state requirements and occupation list
- South Australia state requirements and occupation list
- Tasmania state requirements and occupation list
- Northern Territory requirements and occupation list
- ACT state requirements and occupation list
If the state or territory you have your eye on needs you to file a Registration of Interest (ROI), make sure you do so before the government of that state or territory closes the ROI submission.
Step 4: Waiting for the Invitation
After filing the EOI and ROI application, you must wait for the invitation to submit the 491 Visa. The government of the state or territory will extend the invitation in writing.
You can take the following actions as you wait for the invitation:
- updating your information;
- achieving the greatest level of English proficiency, etc., to increase your score;
- verifying that every document is still valid
Step 5: Submit 491 Visa Application
You can file your 491 Visa application as soon as you receive the invitation. After you receive the invitation, you have 60 days to apply for a valid 491 Visa. Your EOI application’s data and information can be easily transferred to your IMMIAccount. But make sure all the records and data are up to date.
Your application will only be delayed if you submit a 491 Visa application with out-of-date information or documentation.
After submitting the application, you will have to wait for the outcome. As of right now, the 491 Visa takes 12 to 24 months to process.
491 Visa Cost 2025
The 491 Visa Cost is as follow:
- AUD 4,910 for main applicant
- AUD 2,455 for additional applicants aged 18 or above
- AUD 1,230 for additional applicants under 18
The second instalment of AUD 4,890 will apply if any applicant who is 18 years or older at the time of lodgement doesn’t have at least a Functional English level.
The above 491 Visa fee is as of July 2025. Please note that the visa fee might increase in July every year.
Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) average processing time in 2025
Processing time for 491 Visa Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) is currently between 12 – 24 months for the State/Territory Government nominated stream. Meanwhile, the processing time for the Family Sponsored stream is between 10 – 21 months.
How to include family members in your 491 Visa application?
You can include your spouse or de facto partner and/or your dependent children in your 491 Visa application. You can include them when:
- You lodge your 491 Visa; or
- Your 491 Visa application has been lodged, but still waiting for a decision from the Department of Home Affairs.
Your family member must meet the requirements, including the health and character requirements.
Benefits of Subclass 491
Some benefits that you will get from the 491 Visa are:
- Priority processing for regional applicants.
- Incentives for migrants to remain in local communities for a longer period of time as they form relationships through employment and community involvement.
- Available access to Medicare.
- Additional points available for applicants.
- Permanent residence pathway in 3 years.
Does the Subclass 491 Guarantee PR?
Yes, it does. You can apply for permanent residency through the 191 Visa – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa, specifically the Regional Provisional stream. You can apply for the 191 Visa after holding the subclass 491 for at least 3 years.
Which is better, 190 or 491?
The 190 visa is considered to be the most sought-after visa because it provides direct permanent residency once it’s granted. However, the 491 Visa gives you a chance to be sponsored by your family members – you won’t find it in other work visas.
In addition, since most skilled workers prefer the 190 or even the 189 visa, the competition for the 491 Visa is most likely lower. Your 491 Visa may also be prioritised when you lodge the application from inside an Australian-designated regional area.
So, generally, the 491 Visa may provide a better chance for you as it provides an opportunity for family-sponsored and priority processing.
491 Visa Conditions After Granted
The following visa conditions apply after your subclass 491 is granted:
- 8515 – You must not get married or in a de-facto relationship before you enter Australia.
- 8578 – You must notify the immigration when there is a change in your passport or contact detail.
- 8579 – You can live, study and work in a designated regional area
- 8580 – You must provide evidence of your stay, study or work.
- 8581 – You must attend an interview if requested.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 491 Visa Frequently Asked Questions
ONEderland Consulting managing director and also registered migration agent, Indah Melindasari, B.Com (MARN 0961 448) is here to answer your subclass 491 visa Australia questions!
- How to check my occupation? Does my occupation have to be listed?
- You may refer to the Skilled Occupation List from the Department of Home Affairs website or directly to the Occupation List set by the State/Territory Government. Your nominated occupation must be on one of those lists.
- Is the visa a permanent residency?
- No, subclass 491 is a temporary visa which is valid for 5 years. However, you may get a permanent residency by applying for a different visa called 191 Visa.
- How many points do I need to have?
- You may refer to the Points Calculator provided by the Department of Home Affairs.
- You need to reach 65 points, at the minimum. The higher scores you get, the better chances you will get against other migrants.
- How to calculate my points?
- The points may come from your: age, English language requirements, work experience (inside and outside Australia), credentialled community language, recognised qualifications, partner skills, State or Territory nomination or sponsorship by an eligible relative and regional study.
- Can I apply for citizenship after obtaining this visa?
- No, you cannot. You must hold a Permanent Residency to apply for citizenship, and the subclass 491 is not a permanent visa.
- How long can I stay using this visa?
- The Subclass 491 allows you and your family to stay in Australia for 5 years. The visa expires five years after the Department grants it, and you may renew the visa before it expires.
- Is there any permanent visa pathway after getting the subclass 491?
- If eligible, you may apply for permanent residency in your third year through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191)
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“Exceptional Support and Professionalism from One Derland ConsultingI began my permanent residency journey in Australia after completing my master’s degree and receiving my Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). While working in a field related to my studies and with a spouse employed in a specialist occupation, I chose One Derland Consulting to guide us through the PR process.Although I was based in Melbourne, I selected One Derland based on a strong recommendation from a friend who had a successful experience with them. Their Perth-based team was easy to coordinate with, especially after work hours due to the time difference.Surya, Rani, and Indah were incredibly helpful and attentive throughout. While I managed my own skills assessment, my husband’s case was more complex due to his overseas qualifications and lack of prior Australian experience. The team prepared a detailed and compelling report for his skills assessment, which was completed within a week—an impressive turnaround.Though the EOI preparation took some time, it was evident that this was due to their meticulous attention to detail. We received an invitation within a month of lodging the EOI, and our subclass 190 visa was granted in May 2025—six months before our temporary visa expired. Throughout the 17-month wait, Surya kept us informed and ensured all documentation was in order.Their consultation was always clear, direct, and reassuring. My husband and I are deeply grateful to the entire One Derland Consulting team for their dedication and professionalism. We wholeheartedly recommend their services and wish them continued success.”
Sahani Fernando
Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
Indah Melindasari, B.Com
Lead Migration Agent – MARN 0961 448
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