Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

Live and work in regional Australia with a pathway to permanent residency.

The 491 visa is a provisional (temporary) visa designed for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional areasof Australia. If you're looking to build a future in Australia and don’t mind stepping outside the major cities, this could be a great option.

What is the 491 Visa?

The 491 visa is points-based and allows skilled workers to live, work, and study in designated regional areas for up to 5 years. You must be either:

  • Nominated by a state or territory government agency in a regional area, or

  • Sponsored by an eligible family member living in a regional area

What counts as a 'designated regional area'?

Most places in Australia outside of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are classed as regional for this visa. This includes popular cities like Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, and the Gold Coast.

How the Points System Works

Your eligibility is based on a points test. Here’s how points are awarded for the 491:

  • +15 points: If you’re nominated by a state/territory or sponsored by family in a regional area

  • +10 points: If you hold a Master’s or PhD from an Australian university in STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)

  • +10 points: If you are single, have a skilled partner under 45 with a positive skills assessment and Competent English, or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident

  • +5 points: If your partner has Competent English (no skills assessment needed)

  • Other points are based on your age, qualifications, skilled work experience, English proficiency, and Australian study history

Why Do Partner Points Matter?

Australia now considers your partner’s skills and background as part of your application. This ensures all migrants—primary and secondary—can contribute meaningfully to Australia’s workforce and economy.

How Are Invitations Issued?

Once you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI), you’ll be ranked based on your total points. Invitations are issued to the highest scoring applicants first. If two EOIs have the same score, the one with the earlier submission date takes priority.

Are There Visa Restrictions?

Yes. If you hold a 491 visa, you can’t apply for some other visas (like the 189, 190, 186, or 820 visas) until you’ve held the 491 visa for 3 years and met all its conditions.

This rule supports the goal of encouraging skilled migrants to stay in regional areas and help boost local economies and communities.

Who Is This Visa For?

This visa is ideal for:

  • Skilled professionals with occupations on the eligible list

  • Those with family living in regional areas who can sponsor them

  • Graduates from Australian universities in STEM fields

  • Single applicants or those with skilled partners

  • People committed to building a life in regional Australia

Pathway to Permanent Residency

The 491 visa offers a direct pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa, once you:

  • Have held the 491 for at least 3 years

  • Have lived and worked in a regional area the entire time

  • Meet income and other eligibility requirements

Need Help?

Our Registered Migration Agents are ready to assist with:

  • Points assessment

  • State nomination and EOI submission

  • Document preparation

  • Planning your permanent residency pathway

Take our free visa assessment to find out if the 491 visa is right for you.

How the 491 Visa Leads to Permanent Residency

The 491 visa is valid for five years, but it’s designed to be a pathway to permanent residency in Australia.

To qualify for a Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa – Subclass 191, you’ll need to:

✔️ Live, work, or study in a designated regional area for at least 3 years while holding the 491 visa
✔️ Meet minimum taxable income requirements for each of those three years (thresholds are set by the Government)
✔️ Continue to comply with all visa conditions

Once you meet these conditions, you can apply for the 191 visa, which gives you permanent residency and puts you on the pathway to Australian citizenship.