Skilled Work Regional visa, subclass 491 in Australia

Skilled Work Regional visa, subclass 491 · Australia visa route

skilled · last reviewed 2026-08-08 · all Australia routes

A provisional points-tested visa for skilled workers nominated by a state/territory or sponsored by an eligible relative in a regional area.

Important notes

• Submit an Expression of Interest and obtain state/territory nomination or eligible-relative sponsorship in a designated regional area.
• Nominate an eligible occupation, obtain a skills assessment, and meet the points and English requirements.
• Live, work, and study only in designated regional areas and later meet the permanent-residence conditions.
• Subclass 491 is provisional, unlike subclasses 189 and 190.
• The route provides 15 points but carries regional residence, work, and study conditions.

Preparation checklist

• Passport and EOI
• Regional nomination or family sponsorship
• Skills assessment
• English and qualification evidence
• Health, police, and regional residence evidence

Points-tested skilled migration variants

These routes serve a similar purpose or sit within the same visa family, so they are shown together for comparison; each has its own page.

Australia Skilled Independent visa, subclass 189 A points-tested permanent visa for invited skilled workers without state or family sponsorship. Open route → Australia Skilled Nominated visa, subclass 190 A points-tested permanent visa requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory. Open route →

Official source

Official source: Australian Department of Home Affairs

Also look at similar visas from these countries

Higher rating for quality of life

🇹🇭 Thailand Non-Immigrant B visa plus work permit An employer-led or qualification-based work route. Open this route → 🇪🇸 Spain Highly qualified professional For high-salary skilled or managerial roles. Open this route →

More accessible countries

🇪🇨 Ecuador Professional visa An employer-led or qualification-based work route. Open this route → 🇧🇷 Brazil Work residence Brazil's VITEM V work route normally requires the Brazilian authority's prior residence or work authorisation before the consular visa stage. Open this route →

More affordable countries

🇪🇬 Egypt Work permit/residence Needs an employer and labour approvals; best with an offer. Open this route → 🇮🇳 India Employment visa Usually needs skilled/specialist work and employer documents. Open this route →

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Visa rules change frequently. This page is a research guide, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the official source before applying.