Skilled Work Regional Visa (Provisional) – Subclass 491

Looking to live and work in regional Australia with the potential to stay for five years? The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 Visa could be your chance to grab this chance!!!

The Subclass 491 Visa: Your Gateway to Regional Australia

The subclass 491 visa ( skilled work regional visa) offers skilled workers and gives their families a chance to reside in designated regional areas for five years in Australia, where not only live but they can work and study too. This visa also provides an avenue to permanent residency ( subclass 191) after 3 years, only if the eligibility requirement criteria are meets.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Subclass 491 Visa, applicants must either:

  • Be nominated by a state or territory government of Australia 
  • Be sponsored by an eligible family member living in a regional area of Australia and need to be invited to apply visa, following the submission of EOI.

Designated Regional Locations

Australia’s recognized regional areas include 

  • New South Wales
  • Victoria
  • Queensland
  • Western Australia
  • South Australia
  • Tasmania
  • Australian Capital Territory
  • Northern Territory
  • Norfolk Island
  • All postcodes in a Territory other than the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory or Norfolk Island

Points Allocation for Skilled Work Regional Visa Subclass 491

Similar to other visas in the General skilled migration program, the subclass 491 visa is point-test and is evaluate through that. The points awards depend on factors like the demographics of applicants, work experience educational background and qualifications.  Here are the recent categories for the skilled migration visas for the point system. The earning point criteria are included here.

Points RangeAwarding factors
15-25 pointsFor age between 18-45 years.
0-20 pointsEnglish language skills
0-15 pointsSkilled employment experience
0-20 pointsAustralian skilled employment – (in Australia)
10-20 pointsEducational qualifications
10 pointsSpecialist education qualification
5 pointsAustralian study requirement
5 pointsProfessional Year in Australia
5 pointsCredentialled community language
5-10 pointsPartner skills
15 pointsNomination or sponsorship

Key Factors in Receiving an Invitation for the Subclass 491 Visa

The likelihood of receiving an invitation is influence by:

  • Applicants with a skilled partner or those who are single
  • Applicants with partners who can demonstrate Competent English
  • Applicants whose partners are not eligible for skilled partner points or cannot provide evidence of Competent English

How Skilled Work Regional Visa Pathway to Permanent Residency

The Subclass 491 Visa allows for a five-year stay in Australia. After meeting certain requirements, including:

  • Living, studying, or working in a designated regional area for three years
  • Bearing an annual income of a minimum of $53,900 for three consecutive years

Holders of the Subclass 491 Visa might qualify to apply for the Permanent Residency Subclass 191 Visa.

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 Visa offers a fantastic chance to enhance regional growth in Australia.

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