The following information applies to State and Territory nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) subclass 491 visa, which replaces the subclass 489 visa from 16 November 2019.
You can read more about this new visa and how it compares to the previous subclass 489 visa here.
Basic Visa Application Requirements
The subclass 491 visa, like other Australian general skilled migration visas, is points tested with a minimum pass mark of 65, but there are also some minimum requirements you need to meet.
Some of the key requirement are as follows:
You must be under 45 years of age at the time of lodging your visa application
You must be nominated by a State or Territory government (this is the most popular pathyway) or sponsored by an eligible family member living in regional Australia.
They must be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
You must be been able to Obtain a positive skills assessment for an occupation on the relevant list:
- For State or Territory government nomination your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) OR the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
Your occupation must also be available in the state or territory you apply to for nomination.Visit the ANZCO list here to find out if your occupation is listed. - For family sponsorship your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
- For State or Territory government nomination your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) OR the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
You must have at least competent level of English - e.g. IELTS score of 6.0 for all bands or equivalent (higher scores may be required to be awarded additional points)
You must score at least 65 points from the Point Test. While this is the minimum score, it is important to keep in mind that some popular occupations are extremely competitive and difficult to receive a state nomination.
For example Accounting now has a point requirement of 90. You can keep up to date the latest nomination news and adjustments visit the Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect Website.
While the visa is officially available from the Department of Home Affairs from 16 November 2019, each State and Territory can choose when or if it will participate as a nominating authority.
State & Territory Nomination Availability
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisionsal) subclass 491 visa is open for application
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Northern Territory
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales - TBC
