Are you a skilled worker planning to migrate to Australia? βοΈ If you’re open to living in regional areas, the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa could be the ideal pathway to Australian permanent residencyβwith added lifestyle and career benefits! π‘π
At Oz Immi Advisors, we help skilled migrants navigate the entire processβfrom Expression of Interest (EOI) to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa. Letβs dive into why the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa could be your best choice. π
What Is the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa? π€
The Subclass 491 is a points-tested provisional visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative living in regional Australia. π€
With this visa, you can:
- Stay in Australia for up to 5 years ποΈ
- Live, work, and study in designated regional areas πΊοΈ
- Travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid βοΈ
- Apply for permanent residency (Subclass 191) after 3 years (if eligible) β
Who Can Apply for the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa? πββοΈπββοΈ
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be nominated by a state/territory or sponsored by an eligible family member π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦
- Submit an EOI and receive an invitation to apply βοΈ
- Hold a suitable skills assessment for an occupation on the relevant Skilled Occupation List π
- Be under 45 years of age π
- Score at least 65 points in the immigration points test π―
- Meet English language, health, and character requirements πͺπ£οΈ
What Areas Count as βRegional Australiaβ? ποΈ
Regional Australia includes areas outside major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Eligible areas include:
- All of Tasmania, South Australia, and the Northern Territory π¦πΊ
- Regional zones in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia π
Why choose regional Australia?
- Potential for priority visa processing π
- Access to regional migration incentives π°
- High job demand in healthcare, agriculture, trades, IT, and education π§βπ»π©βπ«π¨βπ§
π€οΈ How Does the Pathway to Permanent Residency Work?
The Subclass 491 is a pathway visa leading to the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa. To be eligible for the 191, you must:
- Live and work in regional Australia for at least 3 years ποΈ
- Meet the minimum taxable income requirements for those 3 years πΈ
- Comply with all visa conditions βοΈ
Can Family Members Be Included? π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦
Absolutely! You can:
- Include your partner and dependent children in the initial application π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦
- Add eligible family members later under the Subsequent Entrant Stream β All family members must meet health and character requirements. The visa duration for subsequent entrants matches the primary applicantβs visa validity. π
Why Trust Oz Immi Advisors for Your 491 Visa? π
The Subclass 491 visa involves multiple stages and strict documentation. At Oz Immi Advisors, we provide:
βοΈ Customised EOI and nomination strategies π―
βοΈ Expert help with state/territory requirements πΊοΈ
βοΈ End-to-end skills assessment support π
βοΈ Guidance on bridging visa and onshore compliance π
βοΈ Long-term planning for Subclass 191 permanent residency π‘
Start Your Migration Journey with the Best Migration Agent in Australia β Sydney
The Subclass 491 visa is your chance to build a successful future in Australiaβs dynamic regional zonesβwhile paving the way to permanent residency. Don’t go it alone! Contact Oz Immi Advisors today to discuss your eligibility and start your exciting journey down under. ππ§