491 Visa: Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

What is the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa?

The 491 visa is a points-based visa for skilled workers who are sponsored by either:

• A designated regional area of an Australian state or territory, or
• An eligible family member who resides in a designated regional area of Australia.

What Are Designated Regional Areas?

Designated regional areas are locations outside major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Essentially, most parts of Australia, excluding these large cities, are considered regional areas for migration purposes.

How Are Points Allocated for the 491 Visa?

• 15 points for being nominated by a regional area or a family member living in a regional area.
• 10 points for holding a Master’s or PhD qualification in specific fields (STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), reflecting Australia’s priority for STEM skills to support its ongoing innovation.
  
  10 partner points
  if one of the following applies:
• Your partner is skilled, i.e., under 45 years old, has a positive skill assessment for a role on the same shortage list as yours, and has Competent English, or
• You are single, or
• Your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• 5 points if your partner demonstrates Competent English. The partner can be over 45 years old and is not required to work in a skilled occupation.

Points are also awarded for your age, qualifications, years of relevant work experience (both overseas and in Australia), Australian study, and English language proficiency.

Why Are Partner Points Changing?

The Productivity Commission found that secondary applicants (skilled migrants’ partners) also contribute significantly to the Australian economy, workforce, and society. Thus, the revised point system will place more value on their skills, as the current system underrepresents their role.

When Will You Be Invited to Apply for a 491 Visa?

The Expression of Interest (EOI) with the highest points score will be the first to receive an invitation to apply for the visa. If multiple EOIs have equal points scores, priority will be based on the date and time the EOI achieved its score, known as the ‘tie-break’ or ‘date of effect’. EOIs submitted earlier will be given preference.

Can 491 Visa Holders Lodge Other Visas?

Holders of the 491 visa cannot apply for certain visas, including skilled PR visas (like the 189 and 190 visas), business visas (e.g., 124, 132, and 188 visas), employer-nominated PR (186 visa), and the onshore partner visa (820 visa), until they have held the 491 visa for three years and met its conditions.

This residency and employment requirement in regional areas is designed to foster economic development and support population growth in these areas.