Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Subclass 491 is a provisional points-tested regional visa, with state or territory nomination or eligible family sponsorship. It has designated-regional-area conditions and a separate potential permanent pathway through subclass 191. Neither the nomination nor a 491 grant guarantees the later permanent visa.
Aarish Haider · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2619656
Updated 2026-10-22 · General information · Official-source check 2026-10-22
Key facts
| Purpose | A regional pathway to permanent residence, provisional in the first instance. |
|---|---|
| Status | Provisional visa for up to five years; a separate subclass 191 application may be available if its criteria are met. |
| Nomination/sponsorship | Requires nomination by a state/territory government or sponsorship by an eligible family member in a designated regional area. |
| Skills assessment | A positive skills assessment in a supported occupation is generally required. |
| EOI relationship | Requires an Expression of Interest, generally alongside a nomination/sponsorship application, before an invitation is issued. |
Who this is relevant to
For applicants able to build their plans around living, working and studying in designated regional areas and who meet an available nomination or family-sponsorship route.
Requirements
Check the applicable occupation, assessment, English, age and points criteria and the nominated or family-sponsored stream. Family sponsorship has its own relationship, sponsor and location requirements. Confirm regional postcodes and the conditions that would apply to the visa, rather than relying on everyday descriptions of a city as regional.
Process
- Check the appropriate nomination or eligible family-sponsorship route and federal visa criteria.
- Confirm the regional locations and prepare an accurate EOI with supporting assessment and points evidence.
- If invited, lodge the visa application within the invitation period.
- After grant, keep records of visa-condition compliance and obtain separate advice before a later subclass 191 application.
Evidence
Keep the assessment and points evidence, nomination or sponsor records and, after grant, documents showing compliance with your conditions. A later 191 application requires its own evidence, including relevant ATO notices of assessment.
Common issues
The current subclass 191 Regional Provisional stream has no minimum income requirement. That does not remove its other criteria, eligible-visa holding period, visa-condition compliance or ATO notice requirements. Check the current 191 rules before planning an application.
Official sources
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