NSW 491 Regional Sponsored Visa Update for Pathways 1 & 3

This update outlines the current status of NSW 491 Regional Sponsored Visa nominations for the 2025–26 program year. These nomination streams fall under the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa and are managed by Investment NSW. Places are limited each year and nominations are never guaranteed.

Due to extremely high demand, both Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 are now closed. This means NSW has received enough applications to fill its allocation for these streams. Further closures may remain in place unless additional places are announced.

What Are NSW 491 Regional Sponsored Visa Nominations?

The subclass 491 visa is a state sponsored regional skilled visa that allows skilled migrants to live and work in designated regional areas of New South Wales. Through NSW 491 Visa Nominations, the NSW Government selects candidates who meet state criteria and whose skills align with regional workforce needs.

Nomination by NSW does not guarantee visa approval, but it is a mandatory step before lodging the visa application with the Department of Home Affairs.

NSW 491 Pathway 1 – Work in Regional NSW (Closed)

Pathway 1 was open to applicants working in regional NSW in their nominated or closely related occupation. Due to overwhelming demand, this pathway has now been closed.

To have been eligible, applicants needed to:

• Be currently employed in their nominated or closely related occupation

• Be working in a designated regional area of NSW

• Have worked continuously for at least 6 months with the same regional NSW employer

Salary Requirement

Applicants under Pathway 1 had to be paid at or above:

• The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), or

• The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)

Even when open, meeting minimum criteria did not guarantee nomination, as selections are competitive and based on NSW priorities.

NSW 491 Pathway 3 – Regional NSW Graduate (Closed)

Pathway 3 was designed for recent graduates who completed eligible study in regional NSW and were seeking a skilled migration pathway aligned with their qualification. This pathway is also now closed.

Previously, applicants needed to:

• Have completed a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree (coursework or research), or PhD

• Have studied at an institution located in designated regional NSW

• Have completed their qualification within the last 2 years

Occupation and Study Relevance

Under Pathway 3:

• Your occupation must be on the NSW Regional Skills List

• Your qualification must be directly related to your nominated or closely related occupation

This means simply graduating in regional NSW is not enough. Your field of study must align clearly with your skilled occupation for nomination to be considered.

What This Means for Applicants

NSW has a fixed nomination allocation for the subclass 491 visa. With both Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 now closed, many applicants will need to consider alternative migration strategies.

Because NSW 491 regional sponsored visa nominations are highly competitive, even strong candidates can miss out when demand exceeds available places.

Alternative Pathways to Consider

If you were planning to apply through NSW, your focus may now need to shift to:

• Employer sponsored visas (such as the subclass 482, 494, or 186, depending on your situation)

• Applying through another state or territory where your occupation may still be open and nomination criteria can be met

Each state and visa pathway has different rules around occupation lists, employment requirements, salary thresholds, and work experience.

NSW 491 Regional Sponsored Visa Nominations : Book a Consultation

If you were considering other state and regional options or are now exploring employer sponsored visas, it is important to assess:

• Whether your occupation is eligible in other states

• Whether you meet employer sponsorship requirements

• Which pathway best suits your work experience and qualifications

  
  

Book a consultation with our registered migration team to understand the best strategy for your situation.

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Last updated: January 2026