Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia as a skilled worker.
Overview
Stay period
5 years
Cost
From AUD 4,910 for the main applicant
Work rights
Live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia
Last checked
25 April 2026
Key requirements
- •Be nominated by a state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible relative
- •Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
- •Have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- •Be invited to apply
- •Satisfy the points test
- •Score at least 65 points
- •Be aged under 45 when invited to apply
- •Have at least Competent English at time of invitation
- •Live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia if granted
- •Meet health and character requirements
- •Have paid back any debt to the Australian Government
- •Sign the Australian Values Statement if 18 or older
Documents required
- •Expression of Interest through SkillSelect
- •Invitation to apply
- •Suitable skills assessment
- •Identity documents
- •Competent English evidence
- •Evidence supporting points claims
- •Character documents and police certificates if required
- •Health examination results if requested
- •Partner documents if applicable
- •Dependent child documents if applicable
- •Sponsor declaration if sponsored by eligible relative
- •Proof sponsor is an eligible relative
- •Proof sponsor is 18 or older
- •Proof sponsor is Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- •Proof sponsor usually resides in a designated area of Australia
- •Translated documents for non-English documents
Application steps
- 1Submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect
- 2Select Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa subclass 491 invited pathway
- 3Indicate whether seeking state or territory nomination or eligible relative sponsorship
- 4Wait for possible nomination, sponsorship invitation, or invitation round
- 5Receive an invitation to apply if selected
- 6Apply online through ImmiAccount within 60 calendar days of invitation
- 7Attach documents and pay the first visa application charge
- 8Respond to requests for more information if requested
- 9Complete health examinations or biometrics if requested
- 10Stay lawful while application is processed
- 11Wait for written visa outcome
Visa conditions
- •Temporary provisional visa valid for 5 years
- •Must live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia
- •Travel to and from Australia while the visa is valid
- •Time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa
- •May apply for Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) subclass 191 after 3 years if eligible
- •Cannot extend this visa
- •Family members who hold the visa must also live, work and study in designated regional areas
- •Must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws
Risk flags
- !No invitation means the applicant cannot apply
- !A score below 65 points means the applicant will not be invited
- !Invitation points may be higher than 65 depending on EOI claims
- !Age must be under 45 at time of invitation
- !Skills assessment must be suitable and valid
- !Occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list
- !Nomination or sponsorship must be valid
- !If nomination is withdrawn, visa may not be granted
- !Applicants must live, work and study only in designated regional areas if granted
- !Subclass 491 holders generally cannot apply for certain permanent visas until holding the 491 for 3 years
- !Incomplete or incorrect information may delay or affect the application
English language requirements
At the time of invitation, the primary applicant must have at least Competent English. Family members aged 18 or older must have Functional English or may need to pay a second instalment visa application charge.
Online tests not accepted
Financial requirements
Notes
- •
The source text does not describe a specific personal financial capacity requirement for subclass 491.
- •
Visa charges and possible second instalment charges may apply.
- •
Second instalment charge for family members with less than functional English is AUD 4,890.
Status
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Occupation requirements
Applicant must have an occupation on the combined list of eligible skilled occupations for a Skilled Regional subclass 491 visa.
- •Subclass 491 can involve state or territory nomination or eligible relative sponsorship.
- •State and territory government agencies have their own nomination criteria.
- •Occupation eligibility should be checked against the relevant skilled occupation list and nomination or sponsorship pathway.
Points test rules
Subclass 491 is a points-tested visa. Applicant must score at least 65 points and may receive invitation based on EOI claims, nomination, or eligible relative sponsorship.
Minimum points required: 65
Detailed points categories should reuse the skilled migration points table used for subclass 189/190 unless subclass-specific differences are identified.
Regional requirements
Visa holders must live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia.
Pathway to permanent residence: May apply for Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) subclass 191 after 3 years if eligible.
Cannot apply for certain permanent visas before 3 years
- •Subclass 820 Partner visa
- •Subclass 132 Business Talent
- •Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme
- •Subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investment
- •Subclass 189 Skilled Independent
- •Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated
- •Subclass 858 Global Talent
Nomination or sponsorship
Options
- •Nomination by Australian state or territory government agency
- •Sponsorship by eligible relative
Relative sponsor requirements
- •18 years old or older
- •Usually resident in a designated area of Australia
- •Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- •Eligible relative of the applicant or applicant's partner
Relative categories
- •Parent
- •Child or step-child
- •Brother or sister
- •Adoptive brother or sister
- •Step-brother or step-sister
- •Aunt or uncle
- •Adoptive aunt or uncle
- •Step-aunt or step-uncle
- •Nephew or niece
- •Adoptive nephew or niece
- •Step-nephew or step-niece
- •Grandparent
- •First cousin
Source snapshots
PDF snapshot
Captured: 25 April 2026
This page provides general information only. It does not provide migration advice or legal advice. For personalised advice, speak with a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner.