Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) is a points tested temporary visa offering skilled professionals a pathway to live and work in designated regional areas. One of the biggest advantages of this visa is the 15 points awarded for state or territory nomination or regional family sponsorship, which can significantly improve your points score.

5 Year Stay

Allows you to stay in Australia for up to five years to contribute to regional communities.

Pathway to PR

After meeting the required work duration of three years, you can transition to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.

Flexibility

Unlike employer sponsored visas, the 491 offers flexibility to work for any employer in your regional area.

Travel

There are no restrictions with travel in and out of Australia, and you may include family members in your application.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility requirements

Requirement	Criteria
Occupation	Must be on the relevant skilled occupation list.
Skills Assessment	Positive assessment from the relevant authority.
Points Test	Minimum of 65 points.
State/Territory Nomination	You must have been nominated by a state or territory, or sponsored by an eligible family member.
Age	Under 45 at the time of invitation.
English Language	Competent is the minimum level, however points are only awarded for Proficient and above.
Invitation	Expression of Interest (EOI) required for state or territory nominations; only invited applicants may apply.

HOW WE NAVIGATE YOUR VISA PATH

Applying for a 491 visa is a staged process:

Confirm Eligibility

Confirm your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list and calculate your points score.

Skills Assessment

Obtain your Skills Assessment from the relevant authority.

Submit EOI

Submit Expression of Interest via SkillSelect. If you are selected and nominated by a state, territory, or family sponsor, you will receive an invitation to apply.

Lodge Visa

From the date of invitation, you have 60 days to lodge 491 visa with the necessary supporting documents.

How wintr consulting can help

Navigating the 491 visa process can be complex, particularly when calculating your points score and preparing a competitive EOI for state or territory nominations. Navigating the 491 visa process can be complex, particularly when calculating your points score and preparing a competitive EOI for state or territory nominations. Eligibility assessment: Reviewing your background, skills, and occupation to confirm your eligibility for this visa. Points test guidance: Helping you identify maximum points where possible, such as through English testing or partner skills. Skills assessment support: Managing your application with the relevant assessing authority. EOI preparation: Drafting and lodging your EOI with SkillSelect, and updating where applicable. Visa application management: Preparing and submitting your visa application with all supporting documents upon receiving your invitation. End-to-end support: Guiding you from the first assessment through to final visa decision. If you’re a professional seeking the 491 pathway, whether you are in or outside Australia, Wintr Consulting can assist you from the beginning. We look forward to hearing from you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Applying for a 491 visa is a staged process:

What is the processing time for a 491 visa?

The Department of Home Affairs provides estimated processing times through the Global Visa Processing Times tool. This page is updated regularly to reflect how long it has taken to process recently finalised applications.

Who can sponsor me for a 491 visa?

You can be nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible relative who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen usually resident in a designated regional area.

Who is an eligible relative?

A parent, child, step child, sibling, adoptive sibling, step sibling, aunt or uncle, an adoptive aunt or uncle, a step aunt or uncle, a nephew or niece, an adoptive nephew or niece, a step nephew or niece, a grandparent, or a first cousin.

Which areas are considered “regional” for the 491 visa?

All postcodes in Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory are regional areas. New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland have postcodes designated as regional areas.

Can I include my family in my 491 visa application?

Yes. You can include your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children in your application, either at the time of lodgement or later as subsequent entrants.

How much does the 491 visa cost?

Fees are reviewed annually by the Department of Home Affairs. As of July 2025, the visa application fees for the Subclass 491 visa starts from AUD $4,640 for the main applicant. Additional charges apply for secondary applicants (partners and children) and for applicants who do not meet English requirements. For up to date fees, use the visa pricing estimator.

Do I need a job offer for the 491 visa?

No, a job offer is not mandatory. However, some states and territories may require evidence of employment or job opportunities in your nominated regional area as part of their nomination process.

Can I move between regional areas on a 491 visa?

Yes, you may move between designated regional areas within Australia, provided you continue to live, work, or study only in eligible regions.

What happens if I don’t meet the income requirement for the 191 visa?

There is no minimum income requirement for the 191 visa, you must simply be able to provide Notice of Assessments issued by the ATO for three income years for employment held in designated regional areas.

Can I study in Australia on a 491 visa?

Yes. You can study in Australia while holding a 491 visa, but you must remain enrolled in an institution located in a designated regional area.

Book employer sponsored consultation