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We prefer you to make initial contact by Email: [email protected]
Subclass 491 Visa
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
What can I do with Subclass 491 Visa?
With subclass 491 Visa visa You can:
Which are the Designated regional areas for subclass 491 Visa visa?
How long I can stay with subclass 491 Visa visa?
This is a temporary visa. You can stay in Australia for 5 years from the date you are granted your visa.
Subclass 491 Visa: Can I stay longer?
You can’t stay in Australia longer by extending this visa.
Subclass 491 Visa: Include family
You can include members of the family unit in your application. You can:
Family members who apply for the visa must also meet the Department of Home Affairs health and character requirements.
Family members NOT accompanying you to Australia might also need to meet the Department of Home Affairs health and character requirements.
If your partner or dependent children are not included in this application, tell the Department of Home Affairs the reason why (for example, they already hold Australian citizenship or are a permanent resident).
From A$ 4045 for the main applicant.
There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you.
Second instalment or other costs
To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account the second instalment or other costs.
You might have to pay an extra charge for any applicant 18 years old or older who has less than functional English. This charge is called the second instalment. Pay it only when The Department of Home Affairs ask you to. The Department of Home Affairs ask for the charge only if they are going to grant the visa. The second instalment charge for family members is A$ 4890.
The Visa Pricing Estimator does not include the second instalment or other costs. You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics
Subclass 491 Visa: Apply from
You can be in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance when you apply for the visa and when The Department of Home Affairs decide on your application.
If you apply in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a subclass 010 Bridging A visa, a subclass 020 Bridging B visa or a subclass 030 Bridging C visa, otherwise your application will not be valid.
Processing times for Subclass 491 Visa:
The Australian case officers at the Department of Home Affairs assess applications on a case-by-case basis, and hence, actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances including:
Subclass 491 Visa: Your obligations
You and your family must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws.
Learn more about conditions for this visa.
Subclass 491 Visa: Travel
You can travel out of Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
The time you spend outside Australia does not extend the visa.
Visa label
The Department of Home Affairs will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.
Be invited to apply for Subclass 491 Visa:
You can only apply for this visa if the Department of Home Affairs invites you to apply.
Submit an expression of interest (EOI) in SkillSelect to let the Department of Home Affairs know you would like to apply for the visa.
Indicate if an eligible relative is going to sponsor you for this visa or if you want a state or territory government agency to nominate you.
Subclass 491 Visa: Be nominated or sponsored
You must be either nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or indicate that you will be sponsored by an eligible relative. See below for more information.
Submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the visa to get an estimate of your points score.
If you score enough points, state and territory government agencies can see your EOI and might nominate you for the visa.
If you indicate in your EOI that you will be sponsored by an eligible relative the Department may invite you to apply for a visa in an invitation round.
Nomination by an Australian state or territory government agency
If you are nominated for the visa, The Department of Home Affairs will invite you to apply. All state and territory government agencies have their own criteria for deciding who they will nominate.
Contact the state or territory agency directly to find out more about their nomination process and what they want from you.
Subclass 491 Visa: Sponsorship by an eligible relative
Your sponsor must be:
An eligible relative can be:
The Department of Home Affairs must approve your sponsorship before you can be granted a visa.
Subclass 491 Visa: Be this age
You must be aged under 45 to be invited to apply for the visa.
You can still apply for the visa if you turn 45 after the Department of Home Affairs invites you to apply.
If you turn 45 after you submit your EOI (but before the Department of Home Affairs invites you to apply) you will not receive an invite.
Subclass 491 Visa: Have a suitable skills assessment
For your application to be valid, you must declare that you have a suitable skills assessment at time of invitation.
You will need to provide a copy of this skills assessment with your application.
Your skills assessment must have been obtained in the 3 years before the date of your invitation. If the assessment was for a shorter period, that period must not have passed. Some assessing authorities have 2 year validity for their skills assessment.
If your skills were assessed on the basis of a qualification you got in Australia when you held a student visa, the qualification must be from studying a course registered on CRICOS.
Be able to score 65 points or more
The subclass 491 Visa is a points-tested visa.
When you submit your EOI in SkillSelect you will be given an indicative point score based on the claims you have made. If you do not obtain a score of 65 points you will not be invited to apply for this visa.
If the Department of Home Affairs invites you to apply for the visa, your invitation will state the number of points that you must score when the case officers assess your application for grant of the visa (this score may be higher than 65 points, depending on your claims in the EOI).
When you lodge your application you must provide evidence supporting your claims.
To check how points can be awarded refer to the points table.
Have this level of English language
At the time of invitation, you must have at least Competent English.
Information about family members 18 years old or older
If a family member 18 years or older is applying for the visa with you, either:
Subclass 491 Visa: Meet the skills requirement
Your occupation must be on the combined list of eligible skilled occupations for a Skilled Regional (subclass 491 Visa) visa.
Subclass 491 Visa: Meet the health requirement:
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet the Department of Home Affairs health requirement. If requested, family members not accompanying you to Australia might also need to meet the Department of Home Affairs health requirement.
Subclass 491 Visa: Meet the character requirement
You and family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa with you must meet the Department of Home Affairs character requirement. Family members not accompanying you to Australia must also meet the character requirement.
Have paid back your debt to the Australian government
If you or any family members (including those who do not apply for the visa with you) owe the Australian Government money, you or they must have paid it back or arranged to pay it back.
Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
You might NOT be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused while you were in Australia. Check if visa cancellation affects your eligibility.
Before you apply
You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect to let the Department of Home Affairs know you want to apply for this visa.
You don’t have to use a migration agent to apply for any visa. But if you want to, please use a registered migration agent.
You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) to let the Department of Home Affairs know you want to apply for this visa.
If you score enough points, a state or territory government agency may nominate you for the visa and the Department of Home Affairs will invite you to apply.
If you advised in your EOI that you will be sponsored by an eligible relative the Department of Home Affairs may invite you to apply for a visa in an invitation round.
Check that your occupation is on the combined list of eligible skilled occupations for a Skilled Regional (subclass 491 Visa) visa.
You must have a suitable skills assessment at the time the Department of Home Affairs invites you to apply.
The assessment must be undertaken by an assessing authority listed against your occupation in the list of eligible skilled occupations. You might have to pay for the assessment.
To be eligible for a visa your skills assessment must have been obtained within the 3 years before the date of invitation. If the assessment was for a shorter period, that period must not have passed. The Department of Home Affairs can’t accept a skills assessment issued more than 3 years before the invitation date.
If your skills were assessed based on a qualification you got in Australia when you held a student visa, the qualification must be from studying a course registered on CRICOS.
For medical practitioners The Department of Home Affairs accept evidence of registration issued by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. You must hold either:
You must show that you hold this registration at the time the Department of Home Affairs invites you to apply.
A suitable skills assessment for barristers and solicitors is evidence of admission to practice as a lawyer in an Australian state or territory.
The relevant legal admissions authority must have admitted you to practice at the time you are invited to apply.
You must be able to obtain at least 65 points on the Department of Home Affairs points test to be eligible for this visa.
If the Department of Home Affairs invites you to apply for the visa, you must prove the claims you make in your EOI when The Department of Home Affairs assess your application.
Use the points table to check how many points you might score.
Check that you meet all other eligibility criteria for the visa.
If the Department of Home Affairs invites you to apply for the visa, you will have to prove the claims you make in your EOI. You will also need to show you meet the other eligibility criteria.
See what documents you will need to prove your claims before you submit your EOI in the Gather documents section.
Submit your EOI via SkillSelect. You can submit it from within or outside Australia.
Your EOI is not a visa application. There is no fee for submitting an EOI.
Select the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491 Visa) Invited pathway.
You will receive an email confirming your EOI has been submitted.
SkillSelect will estimate your points score based on the claims made in your EOI.
You must have an estimated score of at least 65 points to be invited to apply for this visa.
If you score enough points and there are places allocated for your occupation, the Department of Home Affairs might invite you to apply.
If you have expressed interested in being nominated then your EOI will be visible to state and territory government agencies and they may nominate you for the visa.
If you are nominated, you will get an invitation to apply for this visa.
If a state or territory government agency nominates you, you and all members of your family unit who are also holders of the visa, will need to live, work and study in only certain areas of Australia.
The Department of Home Affairs may invite you to apply for the visa if you have stated in your expression of interest that you have an eligible relative willing to sponsor you.
If an eligible relative sponsors you, you and all members of your family unit who are also holders of the visa, will need to live, work and study in only certain designated areas of Australia.
An EOI is not a visa application. Submitting an EOI does not mean you will get a bridging visa.
If your current visa is about to expire, you must apply for another visa to remain in Australia lawfully.
You are not eligible for a bridging visa because the EOI is not a visa application. You are only eligible for a bridging visa after you are invited and apply for this visa.
Let the Department of Home Affairs know through SkillSelect if:
You must be able to meet the points score on your invitation letter if the Department of Home Affairs invites you to apply.
SkillSelect will update your indicative points score when you make changes to your EOI. You can change your EOI at any time before your invitation.
The Department of Home Affairs allocates places for the skilled migration program to meet the Australian Government’s migration planning levels.
Once invited, you have 60 calendar days to apply for the visa. The Department of Home Affairs cannot extend this time.
You could receive an invitation up to 2 years after submitting an EOI. If The Department of Home Affairs invite you to apply you will receive an email from SkillSelect. Getting an invitation does not mean you will be granted the visa.
The invitation will include an indicative points score based on your EOI claims.
When you apply for the visa, you must show that you:
If you do not apply for the visa after two invitations, your EOI will be removed from SkillSelect.
The Department of Home Affairs will not process your visa application if you are 45 or over at the time of your invitation.
If you can’t show you meet the points score on your invitation or the other visa criteria, then do not apply for the visa.
Your EOI will be suspended if an invitation is issued, but you can update information once the 60-day invitation period has passed. If this is your second invitation, you will have to submit another EOI if you still want the visa.
Gather your documents
You will need to provide documents to support the claims you make in your EOI and show you meet the other visa criteria.
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can’t prove your identity or do not provide true information.
Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.
Also provide:
Documents that prove a change of name include:
If you are or have been married, widowed, divorced or permanently separated, provide proof such as divorce documents, death certificates, separation documents or statutory declarations.
If your partner or dependent children are not included in this application, tell the Department of Home Affairs the reason why (for example, they already hold Australian citizenship or are a permanent resident).
Provide an Australian police certificate if you have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since you turned 16.
The Department of Home Affairs only accept complete disclosure National Police Certificates issued by the Australian Federal Police. The Department of Home Affairs do not accept standard disclosure certificates or national police certificates issued by Australian state or territory police.
For immigration purposes, Australian police certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Also provide:
Complete and provide the following forms:
Provide proof you have at least competent English at time of invitation for this visa.
The Department of Home Affairs need to see evidence of your partner’s identity and relationship with you.
Provide:
For de facto relationship provide either:
For both married and de facto applicants you must provide evidence that you are in a genuine and continuing relationship. Evidence can include but is not limited to:
Provide proof that your partner has at least functional English.
If any of the dependent applicants, who did not pay the second instalment cannot show evidence of functional English, you will need to pay the second instalment of the visa application charge for each of those dependent applicants, when the Department of Home Affairs asks you to.
For every dependant 18 years old or younger who is applying with you, provide:
You must get consent for a dependent child to migrate to Australia from anyone who:
You must get consent for any applicant under 18 years of age to migrate to Australia from anyone who:
They must complete either:
Alternatively, you can show the Department of Home Affairs:
Include:
You don’t have to prove that your dependant under 18 years of age has functional English.
Note: If your child is likely to turn 18 while your application is being processed, you will need to provide evidence they are dependent on you. See the section ‘Dependants over 18 documents’ below for further information. A child who turns 18 while your application is being processed and who is not dependent on you cannot satisfy the criteria for this visa.
To include your child who is over 18 in your visa application, they must be:
If your child is likely to turn 23 while your application is being processed, you will need to provide evidence they are dependent on you due to disability.
Provide:
You must also provide proof the child is dependent on you.
Note: A child who turns 23 while your application is being processed and who does not meet these requirements cannot satisfy the criteria for this visa.
Provide proof that all dependent applicants aged 18 years and older, have at least functional English.
If any of the dependent applicants, who did not pay the second instalment cannot show evidence of functional English, you will need to pay the second instalment of the visa application charge for each of those dependent applicants.
You must provide documents that support the claims you made in your EOI. To check the documents you need use the points table. Depending on your claims this could include evidence of your:
One of these certificates issued by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency:
You must be registered at the time the Department of Home Affairs invites you to apply.
Proof of admission to practice as a lawyer in the relevant state or territory. You must be admitted to practice at the time the Department of Home Affairs invites you to apply.
You must provide documents to prove all of the claims you made in your EOI. Use the points table to check the documents you need.
If you are being sponsored, provide:
To prove that your sponsor is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen, provide:
To prove your sponsor is usually resident in a designated area of Australia, documents you can provide include, but are not limited to:
To prove the sponsor’s relationship with you, documents you can provide include, but are not limited to:
If you are being nominated you do not need to provide evidence of this with your application.
To nominate someone to:
See more about getting help with your application.
Have all non-English documents translated into English.
Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:
These details must be in English.
Note: You do not need to have any documents certified.
Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.
The scans and photos must be clear.
If a document is more than 1 page, save it all as 1 file.
Apply for the visa
When you have your invitation you can apply online. You can be in or outside Australia.
You have 60 days from the date of your invitation to apply for the visa.
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can’t prove your identity or do not provide true information.
Each family member must have their application charge paid and documents attached to their application.
After you apply
The Department of Home Affairs will let you know when they have received your application.
If you are granted a bridging visa you will receive notification of your visa grant.
The Department of Home Affairs does not give updates on applications within the standard processing time.
You can check if they need more information from you in ImmiAccount.
If you are in Australia, you don’t have to tell the Department of Home Affairs if you want to travel outside Australia while they process your application. This is because you can be outside Australia when they make a decision.
But if you leave Australia, make sure your visa allows you to return. To see if you can return on your current visa, check VEVO.
Learn about visa expiry.
If you applied outside Australia, don’t arrange travel to Australia, leave your job or sell your home until the Department of Home Affairs advised you in writing that you have been granted the visa.
If you didn’t have health examinations before you applied, the Department of Home Affairs will let you know if you need them.
The Department of Home Affairs might ask for biometrics (fingerprints and photo). They will let you know if you need to provide them.
If you did not attach all documents when you applied, attach them as soon as you can to your ImmiAccount.
The Department of Home Affairs might also ask you to provide more information, however they are not obliged to do so and may make a decision on your application without asking for more documents
If you are in Australia, make sure you stay lawful by holding a valid visa while they process your application.
When you applied for this visa, you were granted a Bridging visa A (BVA). If your current visa expires before they decide on your application, the BVA will come into effect. You can stay in Australia on the BVA while they process your new visa application.
Do not ask to have the visa you currently hold cancelled. If your visa is cancelled:
Learn more about visa expiry.
If you need to pay a second instalment, pay it when the Department of Home Affairs sends you the invoice.
You can add dependent children to your application after you apply but before they decide on your visa.
Use Form 1436 Adding an additional applicant after lodgement, pay using ImmiAccount, attach the form and supporting documents to your ImmiAccount
Family members who apply for the visa must meet the Department of Home Affairs health and character requirements.
Family members who are not coming to Australia do have to meet the Department of Home Affairs character requirement and might have to meet the Department of Home Affairs health requirement.
If your child is born after you submit your application but before they decide on your visa, you must tell the Department of Home Affairs as soon as possible.
Find out what to do your child is born after you apply.
If they grant you the visa, your family members might be able to apply to join you in Australia later as subsequent entrants.
You must tell the Department of Home Affairs as soon as possible if you made a mistake on your application.
Complete Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers (168KB PDF) and attach it to your application in ImmiAccount.
Things you need to let the Department of Home Affairs know about after you have applied include:
See how to tell the Department of Home Affairs if your situation changes.
Visa outcome
You can be in or outside Australia when they decide your visa application but not in immigration clearance. The Department of Home Affairs will let you know their decision in writing.
If you are granted your visa, the Department of Home Affairs will tell you:
If the Department of Home Affairs refuses your visa, they will tell you:
The Department of Home Affairs will not refund the application charge if your application is refused.
If you are outside Australia when the visa is granted, you must enter Australia before a date that the Department of Home Affairs specifies on your visa grant letter.
You must have:
All people arriving in Australia must complete the Incoming Passenger Card. You will be given this card onboard.
The Department of Home Affairs have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.
To see your specific conditions, work and study requirements, use VEVO.
You and your family members must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws. See your conditions in your visa grant letter or VEVO.
Things you need to let the Department of Home Affairs know about include:
See how to tell the Department of Home Affairs if there is a change in your situation.
This is a temporary visa.
To see when you must leave or apply for a further visa to remain in Australia, refer to your visa grant letter and the information in VEVO.
You can’t stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. You must apply for a new visa if you want to stay longer.
If you want to stay in Australia permanently and you or your partner have satisfied the work and residence requirements, you might be eligible for Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).
You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
Time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa.
See your conditions in VEVO.
If an immigration officer processes your clearance at the Department of Home Affairs border, the Department of Home Affairs recommends you tell them:
If you do not tell them, you might be granted the subclass 444 visa. Grant of a subclass 444 visa might affect your eligibility for permanent residency through a Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) and ultimately, your eligibility for permanent residency or Australian citizenship.
If you wish to provide evidence you have a visa and conditions to someone, use VEVO.
You can work in any occupation and for any employer, in line with the work and residence conditions attached to your visa.
You will need to live and work in an area specified as a designated regional area
See your specific conditions in your visa grant letter or VEVO.
You are protected by Australian workplace law. See your workplace rights and entitlements.
Members of the family unit who did not apply for the visa with you can apply to join you in Australia later as subsequent entrants.
You must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia and return.
If applicable ensure your visa is still valid and allows you to re-enter Australia. You can check your visa validity in VEVO.
The Department of Home Affairs have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You could leave the airport faster if you use a SmartGate.
You are likely to have some money in a superannuation fund if you worked in Australia and you are:
See how to access your super.
To prove you have been to Australia, request your international movement records by completing Form 1359 Request for international movement records (195KB PDF)
Please always visit the Department of Home Affairs website to get the latest information on all visa types.