Last Updated: 14 July 2026

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The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) is a points-tested provisional visa that allows skilled workers to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia. Applicants must be nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member living in a designated regional area, and be invited to apply through SkillSelect.

 

The visa is administered by the Department of Home Affairs as part of Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) programme.

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What Is the Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)?

The visa 491 is a temporary (provisional) visa designed to support population growth and workforce needs in regional Australia.

Key features:

• Provisional visa (not permanent at grant)

• Valid for 5 years

• Requires regional nomination or family sponsorship

• Points-tested under SkillSelect

• Pathway to permanent residence available

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Unlike the subclass 189 and 190 visas, the 491 visa is region-restricted and includes specific post-grant conditions.

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What You Can Do With a 491 Visa

With a granted subclass 491 visa, you can:

• Live, work, and study only in designated regional areas

• Travel to and from Australia while the visa is valid

• Include eligible family members in your visa

• Apply for permanent residence later (subject to eligibility)

• Access Medicare

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Holders must comply with regional residence and work conditions throughout the visa period.

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Core Eligibility Requirements for the 491 Visa

To be eligible for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), you must meet all requirements at the time of invitation.

• Age

  • Under 45 years old

• Have a suitable skills assessment

  • Hold a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation

  • Issued by the relevant assessing authority

• Occupation

  • Occupation must be eligible for the 491 visa

  • Occupation availability may depend on nomination pathway

• Points Test

  • Score at least 65 points to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

  • Points are used for ranking, not approval

• Nomination or Sponsorship. You must be either:

  • Nominated by a state or territory government, or

  • Sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area

• English Language

  • Meet the minimum English language requirement set by Home Affairs

• Health and Character

  • Meet Australia’s health and character requirements

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Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee nomination, sponsorship, or invitation.

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Designated Regional Areas for the 491 Visa

Regional Australia for the 491 visa means everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. This includes major cities like Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, and the Gold Coast — a common misconception is that these count as metropolitan areas, but the Department of Home Affairs has classified them as regional since 16 November 2019.

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The Department splits regional areas into two categories:

Category 2 — Cities and Major Regional Centres: Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong, and Hobart.

Category 3 — Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas: Everywhere else outside the excluded cities and Category 2 areas.

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New South Wales

• Category 2: postcodes 2259, 2264–2308, 2500–2526, 2528–2535, and 2574

• Category 3: postcodes 2250–2258, 2260–2263, 2311–2490, 2527, 2536–2551, 2575–2739, 2753–2754, 2756–2758, and 2773–2898

Victoria

• Category 2: postcodes 3211–3232, 3235, 3240, 3328, 3330–3333, 3340, and 3342

• Category 3: postcodes 3097–3099, 3139, 3233–3234, 3236–3239, 3241–3325, 3329, 3334, 3341, 3345–3424, 3430–3799, 3809–3909, 3912–3971, and 3978–3996

Queensland

• Category 2: postcodes 4019–4022, 4025, 4037, 4074, 4076–4078, 4207–4275, 4300–4301, 4303–4305, 4500–4506, 4508–4512, 4514–4516, 4517–4519, 4521, 4550–4551, 4553–4562, 4564–4569, and 4571–4575

• Category 3: postcodes 4124, 4125, 4133, 4183–4184, 4280–4287, 4306–4498, 4507, 4552, 4563, 4570, and 4580–4895

• Note: some Category 2 postcodes here only apply to visas granted on or after 5 March 2022

Western Australia

• Category 2: postcodes 6000–6038, 6050–6083, 6090–6182, 6208–6211, 6214, and 6556–6558

• Category 3: every other WA postcode

South Australia

• Category 2: postcodes 5000–5171, 5173–5174, 5231–5235, 5240–5252, 5351, and 5950–5960

• Category 3: every other SA postcode

Tasmania

• Category 2: postcodes 7000, 7004–7026, 7030–7109, 7140–7151, and 7170–7177

• Category 3: every other Tasmanian postcode

Australian Capital Territory

• Category 2: all ACT postcodes

• Category 3: none

Northern Territory

• Category 2: none

• Category 3: all NT postcodes

Check the current Department of Home Affairs regional postcode list before relying on this for an existing application, since postcode boundaries and applicable dates can change.

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Nomination and Sponsorship Pathways for the 491 Visa

The visa 491 has two nomination pathways:

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State or Territory Nomination

• Nomination by an Australian state or territory government

• Criteria vary between states and territories

• Selection is based on regional workforce needs

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Family Sponsorship

• Sponsorship by an eligible relative

• Sponsor must live in a designated regional area

• Sponsor must meet eligibility and residence requirements

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Both pathways require an invitation to apply through SkillSelect.

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Points Test Explained for the 491 Visa

You need at least 65 points to submit an EOI for the 491 visa, but a higher score improves your competitiveness within your occupation and pathway.

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Age

• 18–24 years: 25 points

• 25–32 years: 30 points

• 33–39 years: 25 points

• 40–44 years: 15 points

English language

• Competent English: 0 points

• Proficient English: 10 points

• Superior English: 20 points

Overseas skilled employment

• 3–4 years: 5 points

• 5–7 years: 10 points

• 8+ years: 15 points

Australian skilled employment

• 1–2 years: 5 points

• 3–4 years: 10 points

• 5–7 years: 15 points

• 8+ years: 20 points

Education

• Doctorate: 20 points

• Bachelor degree or above: 15 points

• Diploma or trade qualification: 10 points

STEM specialist qualification

• Australian Master's (research) or PhD in a STEM field, 2+ years: 10 points

Australian study requirement

• At least 1 degree, diploma, or trade qualification from an Australian institution: 5 points

Study in regional Australia

• Qualification obtained while living and studying in a designated regional area: 5 points

Professional Year

• Completed in Australia in Accounting, ICT, or Engineering: 5 points

Credentialled community language

• NAATI accreditation: 5 points

Partner skills

• Skilled partner meeting age, English, occupation, and assessment criteria: 10 points

• Partner with competent English only: 5 points

• Single applicant, or partner is an Australian citizen/PR: 10 points

Nomination or sponsorship

• State/territory nomination or approved family sponsorship: 15 points

Combined employment points (overseas + Australian) are capped at 20 points total, even if your combined years would score higher. You can only claim points for your highest qualification — not multiple degrees.

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How SkillSelect Works for the Subclass 491 Visa

The SkillSelect process for the 491 visa generally involves:

1. Completing a skills assessment

2. Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI)

3. Seeking state/territory nomination or family sponsorship

4. Receiving an invitation to apply

5. Lodging a visa application

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There is no fixed schedule for invitations. Outcomes depend on programme planning and regional priorities.

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Conditions and Obligations of the 491 Visa

The subclass 491 visa includes specific conditions, such as:

• Living, working, and studying only in designated regional areas

• Providing address updates when required

• Complying with all visa conditions

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Failure to meet regional conditions may affect future visa options.

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Pathway to Permanent Residence

Holders of the 491 visa Australia may be eligible to apply for permanent residence through a regional permanent visa, subject to meeting requirements such as:

• Minimum income threshold

• Period of residence in a designated regional area

• Compliance with visa conditions

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Permanent residence is not automatic and depends on meeting all criteria at the time of application.

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491 Visa Processing Time

The 491 visa processing time begins after a valid visa application is lodged following an invitation.

Processing times vary depending on:

• Application completeness

• Nomination or sponsorship pathway

• Health and character checks

• Case complexity

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Time spent waiting for nomination or sponsorship is not included in processing time.

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491 Visa Cost

The 491 visa costs from AUD 6,140 for the primary applicant, set by the Department of Home Affairs.

 

This is the base visa application charge only — it doesn't include skills assessment fees, English test fees, health examinations, or police certificates.

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From 1 July 2026, eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens qualify for a lower visa application charge. Check your exact cost with the Department's Visa Pricing Estimator, which accounts for your specific circumstances — the estimator doesn't include the additional costs listed above.

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Subsequent entrants (family members joining a 491 visa holder later) pay the same base charge of AUD 6,140.

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Common Misunderstandings About the 491 Visa

• The 491 visa is permanent at grant

• You can live anywhere in Australia

• Regional nomination guarantees permanent residence

• Processing time includes waiting for nomination

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These assumptions often lead to unrealistic expectations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) permanent?
No. It is a provisional visa with a pathway to permanent residence.

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Can I move to a non-regional area on a 491 visa?
No. You must live, work, and study in designated regional areas.

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Do I need a job offer for a 491 visa?
Not always. Requirements depend on the nomination or sponsorship pathway.

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Can family members be included in a 491 visa application?
Yes. Eligible family members can be included.

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Understanding the Skilled Work Regional Visa Pathway

The visa 491 provides a structured regional migration pathway for skilled workers willing to live and work outside Australia’s major cities.

While it offers additional points and broader occupation access, it also includes clear regional obligations and a provisional status. Understanding eligibility, nomination or sponsorship pathways, and post-grant conditions is essential before relying on this visa.