The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa Subclass 491 is a provisional visa meant for those skilled workers, who want to live and work in regional Australia. This is a new visa category introduced by Australian government on November 16, 2019. This particular visa has replaced the earlier Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 489, which has been repealed on the same date. 

This particular visa offers some added benefit compared to old 489 visa. Find below the key benefits of this visa: 

This visa allows you to stay in Australia for 5 years The visa holders are allowed to live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia

You can include the eligible family members in the application It allows the visa holder to travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid

• 5 additional points for regional nomination or sponsorship provide an extra incentive for prospective migrants to consider settling in regional parts of the country.
• Permanent Residency pathway available with upcoming Subclass 191 visa, starting from 16 November 2022.
• Priority processing provisions will be extended to comprise all visa applications sponsored by regional employers as well as other visa applicants who will live and stay in Australia’s regional areas.
• 491 & 494 subclass visa holders are eligible to enrol for Medicare
• 491 & 494 subclass visa holders will be able to move between the regional areas unlike 489 subclass
• Except Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane rest all will be considered as Regional Areas.
• ACT is also sponsoring a 491 subclass visa, which never use to sponsor the regional visa i.e., 489 visa earlier. Canberra, which is the capital city of Australia. 
• Access to the Regional Occupations List – more jobs compared to non-regional lists.
• International students studying at regional universities will be eligible to access an additional year in Australia on a post-study work visa.
• Priority in negotiating region-specific Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs).

To apply for this particular visa, an applicant needs:

• To be under 45 years of age to be invited to apply for the visa.
• to be nominated by a state or territory government agency, or an eligible relative must sponsor you to apply for this visa
• to have an occupation listed in a relevant skilled occupation list, i.e. Combined list of Eligible Skilled Occupations
• to have a suitable skills assessment from an approved assessing authority for the occupation
• to have competent English, i.e. IELTS band 6 for each four components
• to have received Invitation to Apply to apply by DHA (via SkillSelect System).
• to have enough points (minimum 65 points) on the points assessment table
• To meet the health and character requirement. Provide the medical certificate and PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) for the same.

You are suggested to apply for this visa in a stepwise manner. Here is the stepwise process to apply for Subclass 491 visa:

• Gather the Essential documents to register profile, i.e. IELTS test result for English proficiency and Skill Assessment report
• Submit your EOI (Expression of Interest) profile in SkillSelect online system
• The DHA will issue ITA (invitation to apply) in your name through one of its monthly SkillSelect invitation rounds
• Submit application for the visa, along with required documents, within 60 days on receipt of ITA
• Your visa application will be processed. Provide PCC and medical certificate when asked by visa office
• Get approval of visa from the Department of Home Affairs Australia in your name

Since, it’s a new visa, hence, the processing time of Skilled work Regional visa Subclass 491 is not available at the moment. However, the average processing time for this is likely to be available once we get the first lot of candidates with approved visa status.

The visa fees for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa Subclass 491 is from AUD 4,045.Check the visa cost below with the additional applicant scenario.

The visa or immigration rules and procedure is subject to change. Hence, to confirm latest process and eligibility requirement, you may get in touch with certified Australia migration expert at Visas Avenue.