Discover the 491 Australia Visa
A Smart Pathway to Regional PR and New Opportunities
The sub-class 491 is for skilled workers who can live, work and study in designated areas of Australia. The skilled workers must meet the eligibility requirements before applying for subclass 491. The applicant must give a skill exam and pass with the required scores and also get a nomination from the state or territory government.
What Is the 491 Australia Visa?
The 491 visa is a temporary visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia. This stream is ideal for skilled workers who want to gain work experience, low living costs and a peaceful lifestyle. It replaced the Subclass 489 visa and serves both as a temporary work visa and a stepping stone toward permanent residency.
This visa was introduced to fill regional skill shortages and also gives skilled workers a chance to become permanent residents. The 491 visa allows you to bring your family, work flexibly and access essential services like Medicare.
Key Features of the 491 Visa:
- Live and work in designated regional areas for up to five years.
- Bring your immediate family members with you.
- Work for any employer in your nominated regional area.
- Access Medicare after visa grant.
- Eligible for 491 PR pathway after three years.
Understanding the 491 Visa Categories
The Subclass 491 visa has two main categories. Each one is designed to suit different types of applicants. Understanding these categories will help you choose the right pathway for your situation.
1. State/Territory Nominated Stream
This stream is for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government. Each state and territory has its own rules which may include factors like occupation demand, work experience and English language proficiency.
2. Family Sponsored Stream
This stream is for skilled workers who are sponsored by an eligible family member living in a designated regional area. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and must be aged 18 years or older.
491 Visa Requirements
Meeting the 491 visa requirements is essential for a successful application. The visa is designed to ensure that skilled workers can contribute meaningfully to regional communities.
General 491 Visa Requirements
Age: Must be under 45 at the time of invitation.
Skills Assessment: Positive assessment for your nominated occupation.
Points Test: Minimum of 65 points in SkillSelect.
English Language: Meet the IELTS requirement for 491 visa.
Nomination/Sponsorship: Either by a state/territory or a family member.
Health and Character: Meet Australian standards.
491 Family Sponsored Visa Requirements
Sponsor must be eligible and living in a regional area.
Your occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List.
Must meet points test and English language requirements.
491 Visa Conditions
Once the visa is granted, applicants must follow certain rules and regulations to avoid any penalties. These rules are designed to support regional development. Visa holders and their family members must live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia. You must work in your nominated occupation to ensure your skills contribute to regional industries. By following these rules, you and your family will also have access to Medicare, which helps with healthcare expenses.
When granted the Subclass 491 visa, you must follow certain conditions:
Live and work in designated regional areas only.
Study and work in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation.
Comply with all visa rules for you and your family members.
Medicare access is available after visa grant.
491 Visa Application Process
The 491 visa application process is structured to verify eligibility, skills and commitment to regional Australia. Applicants should check and follow the process carefully to improve the chances of visa approval.
Step-by-Step Process:
Check eligibility for the 491 visa category.
Obtain a positive skills assessment for your occupation.
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect.
Receive invitation to apply from state/territory or family sponsor.
Lodge the visa application online within 60 days.
Wait for a decision from Home Affairs 491 visa department.
Receive visa grant and start living in regional Australia.
491 Visa Application Cost
The 491 visa application cost is a vital consideration for all applicants.
Current Cost Breakdown:
Base fee for the primary applicant: AUD 4,240*.
Additional fees for each family member included.
Fees may change; always check Home Affairs 491 visa official page.
Costs may include skills assessment, English tests and health checks.
491 PR Pathway
The 491 visa pathway to permanent residency is a major attraction for skilled workers. Applicant can apply for australia PR by living, working and studying in regional areas for three years.
PR Pathway Requirements:
- Reside in a regional area for at least 3 years.
- Meet the minimum taxable income requirement.
- Comply with all 491 visa conditions.
- Eligible to apply for Subclass 191 PR.
Australian Skilled Visa Comparison
| Feature | Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa | Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa | Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Type | Permanent | Permanent | Provisional (Temporary) – 5 years |
| Sponsorship/Nomination | No nomination required (independent) | Requires state or territory nomination | Requires state/territory nomination OR family sponsorship in a regional area |
| Location Requirement | Can live and work anywhere in Australia | Must live and work in the nominating state/territory | Must live, work, and study in a designated regional area |
| Points Requirement | Minimum 65 points | Minimum 65 points | Minimum 65 points |
| Pathway to PR | Direct permanent residency | Direct permanent residency | Pathway to PR after 3 years via Subclass 191 visa (if income and residence requirements are met) |
| Family Members | Can be included | Can be included | Can be included, but they must also live in regional areas |
| Duration | Permanent from grant date | Permanent from grant date | Up to 5 years (with PR option after 3 years) |
| Flexibility | Most flexible, no location restrictions | Some restrictions (must stay in nominating state) | More restrictions (must stay in regional area) |
| Competition Level | Very high due to limited spots | High, but slightly easier than 189 if state nomination available | Comparatively easier due to regional focus and priority processing |
491 Skilled work visa Consultant
If you are looking for Skilled Work Visa (Subclass 491) and ready to build your future in Australia, consult MARA Registered agent for expert advice. Giec Global Sri Lanka is proud to have its own MARA registered migration agent, offering you direct access to professional and reliable immigration advice. Unlike many other agencies, we do not rely on third- party consultants. Because we don’t pay high outsourcing fees, the cost savings are passed directly on to you.
Contact Us
Yes, you can apply for a 491 offshore visa if you meet all eligibility criteria. Offshore applicants must follow the same process as onshore applicants, including submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.
The 491 visa category includes a wide range of occupations, such as accountants, care workers, chefs, and enrolled nurses. Each state and territory has its own skilled occupation list, so it’s important to check your occupation’s eligibility before applying.
Yes, the 491 Australia visa provides a direct pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa. To qualify, you must live and work in a regional area for at least three years, meet the minimum taxable income requirement, and follow all 491 visa conditions.
Yes, you can change jobs, but your new job must still be in a regional area and preferably related to your nominated occupation. You should also notify the Department of Home Affairs about the change to stay compliant with 491 visa conditions.
Yes, enrolled nurse 491 visa applications are very common. Nurses are in high demand in regional areas. You’ll need to meet the enrolled nurse 491 visa requirements, including skills assessment from ANMAC and English language proficiency.
The 491 visa new rules introduced in 2025 mainly focus on regional migration targets and digital lodgment systems. There’s also an emphasis on verifying employment records to ensure genuine work experience in regional areas.
If you lose your job, don’t panic. The 491 visa doesn’t get canceled immediately. You must actively look for another position in a regional area that matches your skills. Keep records of your job search in case Home Affairs requests evidence.
