Subclass 491

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa

A visa for skilled people nominated by a state or territory government to live and work in regional Australia

Basic Eligibility

You must:

• be nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency, or an eligible relative must sponsor you
• have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
• have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
• be invited to apply
• satisfy the points test.

We process Skilled visa applications according to Ministerial Direction No. 105 . We are now processing subclass 491 applications lodged from January 2025. See Skilled visa processing priorities.

Subclass 491

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa - Main applicant

This is a provisional visa. It is for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia

• stay in Australia for 5 years

• live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia

• travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid

• apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your visa is granted.

Stay

5 Years

Cost

From AUD4,910.00

Processing Time

For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.

Subclass 491

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – Subsequent entrant

This visa is for a member of the family unit of someone who holds a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

• be a member of the family unit of a person who holds a subclass 491 visa on the basis of satisfying the primary criteria for the grant of that visa.

Stay

Until the visa that your family member holds ends.

Cost

From AUD4,910.00

Processing Time

For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.