Australia’s efficient task regional (provisional) 491 visa australia provides skilled professionals a valuable route to live and work in regional Australia, with the ultimate goal of achieving permanent residence. Designed to address a lack of skills outside major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, 491 Visa is an attractive option for people wishing to settle in growing regional communities in Australia.
If you are a worthy worker looking for a long-term opportunity in Australia, here you need to know about 491 visas-tips for success and profit for success.
What is 491 Visa?
The 491 visa is an provisional (temporary) visa that allows skilled workers and their families to live, work and study in nominated regional regions of Australia for 5 years. It replaces the older subclass 489 visa and comes with several enhanced benefits, including more points, long validity and a clear passage for permanent residence through 191 visas.
Major features of 491 visa
Valid for 5 years
Work and live in regional Australia
Pathway to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa
Access to Medicare (after the visa is granted)
One should live in a regional region for at least 3 years and meet income requirements to be eligible for permanent residence
Can include family members in the application
What is Considered “Regional Australia”?
Regional areas include most of Australia except:
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
All other cities and towns – including Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, Hobart, Darwin and many rural communities – are eligible under the regional definition for 491 visas.
Two ways to apply for 491 visas
State or Territory Nomination
You receive a nomination from an Australian state or territory government.
Your occupation must be on that state’s skilled occupation list.
You must be committed to living and working in that state for a specific period (usually 2-3 years).
Family Sponsorship
You are sponsored by a eligible relative who is an Australian citizen or a permanent resident living in a specified regional region.
Your business should be on moderate and long -term strategic skills list (MLTSSL).
491 Visa Eligibility Criteria
To apply for 491 visas, you need:
Be under 45 years of age
Evaluate a positive skills for a business in relevant skilled business list
Get minimum 65 marks on points test
Competent English (minimum IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent)
A state/region can be nominated by the government or is sponsored by a eligible member of the family
Present an expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect
Get an invitation to apply
Meet health and character requirements
Understanding the Points Test
Applicants will get at least 65 points, but high scores are more competitive.Points are awarded for:
Age
English language proficiency
Skilled work experience
Educational qualification
Australian study
Partner skills
State nomination or family sponsorship (+15 points for 491)
The 491 visa offers 15 additional points for nomination/sponsorship — making it a strong choice for applicants who need extra points.
Application Process
Step 1: Check Business List
Ensure that your business is in the appropriate list – either MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL, based on the state or sponsorship type.
Step 2: Skill Evaluation
Apply to the relevant assessment authority for your business (eg, Engineer Australia, ACS for IT professionals, etc.).
Step 3: Take an English Test
IELTS, PTE academic, or toefl ibt are all accepted.
Step 4: Present an expression of interest (EOI)
Log in to SkillSelect and submit your EOI, indicating interest in 491 visas. Choose that you are applying through the enrollment or family sponsor of the state.
Step 5: Get enrollment or sponsorship
If applying via state nomination, apply to the relevant state government once invited.
If applying through sponsorship of the family, make sure that your relatives meet all eligibility criteria.
Step 6: Get invitation to apply
When successful, you will receive an invitation to apply for a visa.
Step 7: Lodge Visa application
You have 60 days from the invitation to submit your entire application through Immiaccount to submit your entire application online.
Permanent residence route (subclass 191)
To qualify for permanent residence under subcontinent 191 visa, 491 visa holders must be:
Live in a specified regional area for at least 3 years
Earn at least 53,900 per year (subject to change) taxable income for 3 consecutive years
Filling health, character and habitat requirements
After fulfilling these conditions, you can apply for 191 visas, which provides permanent residence without any regional restrictions.
Tips for a strong 491 application
Migration apply early in the year – the state quota is limited and fills rapidly.
Tail your EOI to match the requirements of your nominated state.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation-especially for skills and English tests.
If eligible, register for many states or include family sponsorship to increase your opportunities.
If you are uncertain about eligibility or documentation, consult a registered migration agent.
final thoughts
491 visa is an excellent choice for skilled professionals who want to build a future in Australia, contributing to the development of their regional communities. With generous points, access to medicare, and a clear passage for permanent residence, subclass 491 is not just a temporary solution-it is a long-term investment in your life and career.