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Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
Reviewed by Mohammad Saghir Khan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1170510)Last reviewed:
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a 5-year visa for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory, or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area. Nomination or sponsorship adds 15 points. You must live, work and study in a designated regional area, which is all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. After holding the 491 for 3 years, you may apply for permanent residence through the subclass 191 visa.
Skilled Work Regional Visa (491) at a Glance
| Visa type | Provisional, valid for 5 years |
|---|---|
| Streams | State or territory nominated; family sponsored |
| Extra points | 15 points for nomination or family sponsorship |
| Where you live | A designated regional area (everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) |
| Age | Under 45 when invited |
| Points and English | At least 65 points and Competent English |
| Pathway to PR | Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (191) after 3 years |
| Government charge | AUD 6,140 main applicant, AUD 3,070 per adult and AUD 1,535 per child (from 1 July 2026); 191 from AUD 630 |
| 2026–27 places | 14,110 Regional places, down from 33,000 |
The Two 491 Streams
State or territory nominated
A state or territory nominates you because your occupation and profile match its regional skill needs. Each state sets its own criteria and some, such as Tasmania and Western Australia, nominate many 491 applicants. Victoria's 2026–27 program had not opened as at 15 October 2026.
Family sponsored
An eligible relative of you or your partner can sponsor you if they are 18 or over, an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and usually live in a designated regional area. Eligible relatives are a parent, child or step-child, brother or sister, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, grandparent or first cousin, including adoptive and step relations. Family-sponsored applicants are invited in Department rounds and use the MLTSSL.
Regional Obligations
You and the family members on your visa must live, work and study only in a designated regional area. Check any address with our regional postcode checker. Regional Victoria, including cities such as Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, counts, but Melbourne does not. While you hold the 491, you generally cannot apply for most other permanent visas until you have held it for 3 years.
From 491 to Permanent Residence (191)
After holding your 491 for at least 3 years, you may apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) if you:
- lived, worked and studied only in designated regional areas while on the 491, with evidence such as leases, bills, payslips and references
- complied with your visa conditions
- provide Australian Taxation Office notices of assessment for 3 income years while holding the 491, with any tax debt paid or under an approved payment plan.
Home Affairs states there is no minimum income requirement for the 191. The 191 base charge is AUD 630 from 1 July 2026.
Fewer places in 2026–27: the Regional category fell to 14,110 places, from 33,000 the year before, so 491 nominations are more competitive. Plan your 491 alongside 190 and employer-sponsored options.
Processing Times
Home Affairs figures updated on 29 September 2026: state or territory nominated 491 applications were decided within 5 months (50%) and 18 months (90%), family sponsored within 4 months (50%) and 7 months (90%), and 191 permanent applications within 8 months (50%) and 10 months (90%).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Moving to, or working in, Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane while on the 491.
- Not keeping evidence of where you lived and worked for your 191 application.
- Claiming family sponsorship from a relative who does not live in a designated regional area.
- Claiming points you cannot prove when you lodge.
How to Apply
- Check your occupation, points and regionConfirm your occupation is eligible, calculate your points with the 15 nomination points, and check where you plan to live with our regional postcode checker.
- Get your skills assessment and English testObtain a positive skills assessment and an accepted English test result.
- Lodge your EOI and nomination or sponsorshipSubmit your EOI in SkillSelect and either apply to a state for nomination or arrange family sponsorship.
- Receive an invitationAfter nomination, or in a Department round for family sponsorship, you are invited and have 60 days to apply.
- Lodge your visa applicationApply in ImmiAccount with evidence for every point and the sponsorship or nomination, and pay the charge.
- Live and work regionally, then apply for the 191Keep evidence of your regional address, work and income, and apply for permanent residence after 3 years.
How Aussie ASEAN Can Help
We check which states are nominating your occupation, whether a relative can sponsor you, and whether the places you plan to live and work count as designated regional areas. We prepare your EOI and nomination, lodge your 491, and later prepare your 191 permanent residence application.
Free tools for this visa
Related visas
Every case is different. Talk to a Registered Migration Agent about your Skilled Work Regional Visa (491) before you lodge.
Book a consultationSources: Home Affairs: Skilled Work Regional visa (491) · Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (191) · Regional postcodes · Migration Program planning levels · Global visa processing times
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English answers to the questions we are asked most often.
What is the 491 visa?
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a 5-year visa for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible relative, and who agree to live, work and study in a designated regional area.
Is Melbourne a regional area for the 491?
No. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are not designated regional areas. All other parts of Australia are, including Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, the Gold Coast and regional Victoria, such as Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.
How many points does the 491 add?
State or territory nomination, or accepted family sponsorship, adds 15 points, compared with 5 points for the 190. You still need at least 65 points in total.
Who can sponsor me for a 491 as a relative?
A parent, child or step-child, brother or sister, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, grandparent or first cousin of you or your partner, who is 18 or over, an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and usually lives in a designated regional area.
How do I get permanent residence after a 491?
After holding the 491 for at least 3 years, you can apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191). You must have lived, worked and studied in designated regional areas, complied with your visa conditions and provide tax notices of assessment for 3 income years. There is no minimum income requirement.
Can I move cities while on a 491?
Yes, as long as you move to another designated regional area. You must not live, work or study in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. Tell the Department about changes of address within 14 days.
How much does a 491 visa cost?
From 1 July 2026 the base government charge is AUD 6,140 for the main applicant, AUD 3,070 for each family member aged 18 or over and AUD 1,535 for each child under 18. The later 191 permanent visa costs from AUD 630.
Are 491 invitations harder to get in 2026–27?
Yes. The government cut the Regional category to 14,110 places for 2026–27, from 33,000. States are nominating fewer applicants, so a strong points score and a good match with state priorities matter more.
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