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Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

Updated 22 July 2026

This is general information, not migration advice. Visa rules, fees and eligibility change often — always confirm on the Department of Home Affairs website, and speak to a registered migration agent about your own situation.

Overview

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a points-tested provisional visa for skilled people nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency, or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area, to live and work in regional Australia. You must submit an expression of interest in SkillSelect and be invited to apply. The visa lets you stay in Australia for 5 years, live, work and study in a designated regional area, and travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid. If eligible, you can apply for permanent residence through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) after 3 years from the time your visa is granted. A separate Subsequent Entrant pathway exists for members of the family unit of a subclass 491 primary visa holder. How long you can stay: 5 years. Officially: "This is a temporary visa. You can stay in Australia for 5 years from the date we grant your visa." You can't stay longer by extending this visa. Family members applying later through the Subsequent Entrant pathway stay "Until the visa that your family member holds ends."

Step by step

  1. Step 1: Step 1 - Before you apply: submit an expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. In the EOI indicate whether an eligible relative will sponsor you or whether you want a state or territory government agency to nominate you. Check your occupation is on the combined list of eligible skilled occupations for a subclass 491 visa and get a suitable skills assessment (it must have been obtained within the 3 years before the invitation date). You must be invited before you can apply.

  2. Step 2: Step 2 - Gather your documents: identity, skills assessment, work experience, English language, health, character, partner and dependant documents, and evidence supporting every points claim you made in your EOI. Translate non-English documents into English.

  3. Step 3: Step 3 - Apply for the visa: apply online in ImmiAccount within the period stated in your invitation, attach your documents and pay the visa application charge.

  4. Step 4: Step 4 - After you apply: complete health examinations and biometrics if required, respond to requests for more information, keep the Department informed if your circumstances change, and pay the second instalment if the Department sends you an invoice.

  5. Step 5: Step 5 - Visa outcome: the Department notifies you of the decision in writing, including your visa grant number, when the visa starts and your visa conditions.

Eligibility & requirements

  • Be invited to apply: you can only apply for this visa if the Department invites you to, after you submit an expression of interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
  • Be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency, OR indicate that you will be sponsored by an eligible relative. Each state and territory sets its own nomination criteria. A sponsoring relative must be 18 or older, usually resident in a designated area of Australia, an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and your (or your partner's) eligible relative - a parent, child or step-child, sibling/step-sibling, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, grandparent, or first cousin. The sponsorship must be approved before the visa can be granted.
  • Be aged under 45 to be invited to apply. You can still apply if you turn 45 after the invitation is issued; if you turn 45 after submitting the EOI but before invitation, you will not be invited.
  • Have a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation, declared at the time of invitation. The assessment must have been obtained in the 3 years before the invitation date. For medical and legal practitioners, specified AHPRA registration or admission to practice law is also accepted.
  • Be able to score 65 points or more on the points test. This is a points-tested visa; if you do not obtain a score of 65 points you will not be invited. Your invitation states the score you must achieve at assessment, which may be higher than 65 depending on your EOI claims. See the official points table - do not rely on unofficial thresholds.
  • Have at least Competent English at the time of invitation. A family member aged 18 or over applying with you must either have functional English or pay a second instalment visa application charge.
  • Meet the skills requirement: your occupation must be on the combined list of eligible skilled occupations for a Skilled Regional (subclass 491) visa (see the official list linked below).
  • Meet the health and character requirements (character applies to you and family members aged 16 and over), have paid back or arranged to pay back any debt to the Australian Government, and if you are 18 or older sign the Australian Values Statement after reading the Life in Australia booklet.

Costs

ItemIndicative cost
Application charge - main applicantFrom AUD6,140.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances)
Application charge - each family member who applies with youCurrent fee is published on the Home Affairs page for this visa — see Key links.
Second instalment (for an applicant 18 or over with less than functional English)Current fee is published on the Home Affairs page for this visa — see Key links.
Other costs (skills assessment, health checks, police certificates, biometrics)Current fee is published on the Home Affairs page for this visa — see Key links.

Key links

Contacts

Registered migration agent (MARA)
For advice about your own circumstances, use a registered migration agent or a legal service. This page is general information only.