Subclass 491 Visa

Eligibility Criteria of Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) Visa

If you meet the following requirements, you may be able to apply for a 491 Visa:

Here are the general eligibility criteria for the 491 visa:

Nomination and Sponsorship Requirements

You must be nominated by a state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible relative residing in a designated regional area of Australia.

Age Limitation for Subclass 491 Visa Applicants

You must be under 45 years of age when you are invited to apply.

Nominated Occupations and Skills Assessment

You must nominate an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list. This occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list. You must also have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. This assessment ensures that your skills meet the Australian standards for your occupation.

English Language Proficiency Requirement for Subclass 491 Visa

You must demonstrate competent English language proficiency. This can be done by providing evidence of achieving the required score in an approved English language test such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge (CAE), or OET.

Health and Character Assessment for Subclass 491 Visa

You and your family members included in the application must meet the health and character requirements. This may involve undergoing health examinations and obtaining police clearance certificates.

Points Test Evaluation for Subclass 491 Visa

You must score a minimum number of points on the points test. Points are awarded based on factors such as age, English language proficiency, skilled employment experience, educational qualifications, and other relevant factors.

These are the primary eligibility criteria for the 491 visa. However, it’s important to note that immigration laws and policies may change over time, so it’s advisable to check the latest information on the official website of the Department of Home Affairs or consult with Ozee Migration for personalised advice.

Understanding 491 Visa Processing Times

The processing time for a 491 visa application can vary depending on various factors such as the volume of applications, the completeness of the application, the complexity of individual cases, and whether all required supporting documents have been provided. Generally, processing times are subject to change and may be influenced by external factors such as policy changes or workload fluctuations within the immigration department.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) – Nominated by State/Territory Government Regional:

50% of visas are processed within 15 months
90% of visas are processed within 23 months

Regional Skilled Work (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) – Family-Sponsored Regional:

50% of visas are processed within 3 Months
90% of visas are processed within 6 Months

Subclass 491 Visa Applicants may include the following individuals in their 491 visa application:

• Dependent children/stepchildren
• Companion

PARTNERS

Your spouse or de facto partner. Applicants must demonstrate that:

• the relationship is genuine and ongoing; and
• you live together or do not live apart on a permanent basis.
• your partner is at least 18 years old at the time the application is submitted (there are some exceptions)
• You are not related by blood or marriage (if you are in a de facto relationship)
• You and your partner have made a mutual commitment to a shared life at the expense of all others.

CHILDREN

A child must meet the following requirements to be included or added to this visa:

• be your child or a stepchild from a current or previous relationship (under certain conditions);
• not be married, engaged to be married, or have a de facto partner; and must be:
• under 18 years of age or
• over 18 years of age but not yet turned 23, and be dependent on you or your partner or
• over 23 years of age and be unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations and be dependent on you or your partner.
• a dependent child of a child who meets the criteria in 1, 2, or 3 above.

HEALTH AND BEHAVIOR

You and any family members included in your application must satisfy Australia’s health and character requirements. Applicants may be required to provide police certificates in accordance with department requirements.

Visa Application Charge (VAC) for Subclass 491 Visa

Applicants must pay a visa application charge when lodging a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) application.

This provisional visa cost for both the primary applicant and the subsequent entrant is AUD 6,140.00.

Note:

• Concessions apply in limited circumstances
• Additional costs may also apply, including skills assessment fees, English language testing fees, health examinations, police certificates, and biometrics (if required).
• A second instalment of the visa application charge of AUD 4,890 may apply to certain adult applicants who do not have functional English.

Visa Conditions for Subclass 491 Visa Holders

Subclass 491 visa holders must comply with Australian visa conditions throughout the validity of their visa.

Key obligations include:

• You must live, work, and study in a designated regional area of Australia.
• The Department of Home Affairs may request evidence relating to your residence, employment, or compliance with visa conditions.
• You must continue to meet all applicable Australian immigration requirements while holding the visa.

If you want to apply for another employer-sponsored or skilled visa, you may be eligible for one of the visas listed below:

• 482 TSS Visa
• 186 (ENS) Visa
• 189 Visa
• 190 Visa
• 494 Visa

If you would like more information about the 491 visa subclass or to speak with a registered migration agent about your Australian visa eligibility, please click here to schedule a consultation.