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Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
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Subclass 491
Subclass 491 is a provisional visa, not a permanent visa. It lets the holder live, work and study in a designated regional area.
A later subclass 191 permanent visa may be available if the residence and income conditions of that visa are met. Nomination or family sponsorship adds 15 points on the same points test as subclass 189.
Requirements
- A nomination by a state or territory, or sponsorship by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area.
- An invitation to apply.
- An occupation that is eligible for this regional pathway.
- A suitable skills assessment.
- Under 45 years of age when invited.
- English at the level the visa requires. The Department publishes what competent, proficient and superior English mean.
- A points test score of at least 65, including the 15 nomination or sponsorship points.
- Health and character requirements.
How the points are scored
- The pass mark is 65 points. A score of 65 makes an expression of interest valid. Invitations are then ranked within the occupation, so a higher score is invited first.
- Age: 18–24 scores 25, 25–32 scores 30, 33–39 scores 25, and 40–44 scores 15.
- English: proficient English scores 10 and superior English scores 20. Competent English is the visa threshold and scores 0 points. The Department explains each English level.
- Overseas skilled employment in the nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation, during the last 10 years: 3 years scores 5, 5 years scores 10, and 8 years scores 15.
- Australian skilled employment in the nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation, during the last 10 years: 1 year scores 5, 3 years scores 10, 5 years scores 15, and 8 years scores 20.
- Australian and overseas employment points are added together and then capped at 20.
- Employment is counted from the date the skills assessment treats the person as skilled. Work before that date is not claimed as skilled employment.
- Qualifications: a diploma or trade qualification scores 10, a bachelor or masters degree scores 15, and a doctorate scores 20.
- Australian study requirement: 5 points. Specialist education qualification: 10 points. Professional year: 5 points. Credentialled community language: 5 points. Study in regional Australia: 5 points.
- Partner points: a skilled partner scores 10, a partner with competent English scores 5, and a person scores 10 if they are single or their partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- A state or territory nomination, or sponsorship by an eligible relative, adds 15 points.
Provisional stay, and subclass 191
- The visa is provisional. It is not granted as permanent residence.
- The holder lives and works in a designated regional area.
- A subclass 191 visa may be available later if the residence and income conditions of that visa are met. Department of Home Affairs — subclass 191.
- State occupation lists and invitation scores move during the year. We use the current ones in a consultation. They are not printed here.
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Discuss your subclass 491 pathway
We will tell you whether the provisional regional visa fits, and what the later subclass 191 conditions mean for this occupation.