The Skilled Work Regional visa
How the Subclass 491 visa works
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a five-year provisional visa. It is not immediate permanent residence. You can be nominated by a state or territory government, or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area.
Nomination or accepted family sponsorship adds 15 points. In return, you must live, work and study in a designated regional area while you hold the visa. The 2026-27 Permanent Migration Program sets 14,110 places for the regional category.
The 491 visa may suit you if you
- have a points score below what 189 or 190 invitations usually require
- work in an occupation that regional states or territories are targeting
- have an eligible relative living in regional Australia
- are prepared to live and work in a designated regional postcode
Two routes
State nomination or family sponsorship
Australia Regional Nomination for the 491 Visa
Australia regional nomination refers here to nomination by a state or territory government for subclass 491. It is separate from the eligible-relative sponsorship route. A state or territory government nominates you based on its regional skill needs. Each one sets its own occupation lists and criteria, and many expect a commitment to live and work in its regional areas.
491 Family Sponsored Visa
A relative can sponsor you if they are 18 or older, an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and usually resident in a designated regional area. Under the Department's sponsor criteria, the relative can be your parent, child or step-child, brother or sister, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, grandparent or first cousin, including the adoptive and step relationships listed. You must still meet the occupation, skills assessment, English and points requirements.
What Counts as Regional Australia
Most of Australia is a designated regional area, apart from the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane metropolitan areas. Check your intended location against the Department's postcode list before you commit.
Eligibility
491 visa eligibility and requirements
- Nomination or sponsorship
- A state or territory must nominate you, or an eligible relative must sponsor you.
- Occupation list
- Your occupation must be on the skilled occupation list that applies to your route and, for nomination, on the state's list.
- Skills assessment
- You need a suitable skills assessment for your occupation, obtained within the three years before your invitation.
- Age
- You must be under 45 when you are invited to apply.
- English requirements
- You need at least competent English.
- Points requirements
- At least 65 points, including the 15 points from nomination or accepted family sponsorship. Meeting 65 points does not guarantee an invitation.
How our 491 assessment works
- Occupation review. We confirm your occupation code from your actual duties.
- Points estimate. We calculate your score, including the 15 nomination or sponsorship points.
- Route check. We assess whether state nomination, family sponsorship or both are open to you.
- Regional criteria. We check current state and territory lists and requirements.
- Your shortlist. You receive suitable states or the sponsorship route, with the criteria you meet and any gaps.
- Next steps. We set out what to do first, from skills assessment to EOI.
Visa conditions
491 visa conditions
While you hold the 491 visa, you and your included family members must live, work and study only in a designated regional area. Moving to a metropolitan area can put the visa at risk. You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
PR pathway
From 491 to 191: the permanent residence pathway
After three years, you may apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191). To be eligible, you must:
- have held your 491 visa for at least three years
- have complied with the conditions of your visa
- provide ATO notices of assessment for three income years out of the five years of the eligible visa. There is no minimum income requirement
- meet the health and character requirements
The 191 does not require a new nomination or sponsorship. Its charge currently starts from AUD 630. Eligibility and grant remain conditional, so we plan for the 191 requirements from the start.
The process
Subclass 491 visa application process
- Skills assessment and English test. You complete both before submitting your EOI.
- Expression of Interest. You submit your EOI in SkillSelect for subclass 491, choosing state nomination or family sponsorship.
- Nomination or sponsorship. A state nominates you, or your relative's sponsorship is in place.
- Invitation. The Department invites you to apply.
- Visa application. You lodge your application within 60 days of the invitation.
- Health and character checks. You complete medicals and provide police certificates when requested.
- Decision. The Department assesses your application and decides on the grant.
Costs and timelines
491 visa cost and processing time
Home Affairs charges as checked on 9 October 2026, each from the main applicant amount. Use the Visa Pricing Estimator for your family's total.
Each included family member adds a further charge, and a second instalment may apply to family members aged 18 or over with less than functional English. Check the visa page for the current amount. Some states charge a nomination fee. Our professional fees come to you in writing after your assessment.
Why KINBRIDGE
How KINBRIDGE supports your Regional move
A 491 decision affects where you live for years, so it needs planning beyond the application.
Route Comparison
We compare state nomination and family sponsorship for your profile, including which one is realistically open.
Regional State Shortlist
Your occupation and points are checked against current regional lists, so you target states that need your skills.
Conditions Explained Upfront
You will know what living and working in a designated regional area means before you accept a nomination.
191 Planning
We explain the visa holding, compliance and tax assessment evidence needed for subclass 191, so you can plan for them from the start.
Sponsor Documents
For family sponsorship, we check that your relative's evidence of residence and status is in order.
491, 190 or 189?
If your points support a permanent visa, we tell you, because the 491 is not always the best choice.
FAQs
Your 491 visa questions, answered
Is the 491 visa permanent?
No. It is a five-year provisional visa. Holders who meet the requirements may apply for the permanent subclass 191 visa after three years.
Can I apply for the 491 visa from India?
Yes. You can submit an EOI from outside Australia. Some state streams favour applicants already in the state, so check the current criteria.
Can I move to Sydney or Melbourne on a 491 visa?
No. You must live, work and study in a designated regional area, which excludes the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane metropolitan areas.