Regional Assessment
Coordinating your regional skills assessment.
Australia
Skilled Immigration
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional Visa.
The Subclass 491 is a five-year provisional visa for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory government, or sponsored by an eligible relative already living in a designated regional area. Unlike the 189 and 190, it does not grant permanent residence outright — instead, holders must live, work, and study in a designated regional area, and can apply for permanent residence (Subclass 191) once they meet a minimum income threshold across a set number of years, generally after at least three years on the visa.
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Eligibility Essentials
Who qualifies for the 491.
Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant regional skilled occupation list, and you'll need a positive skills assessment, competitive English test results, and either state or territory nomination or eligible family sponsorship tied to a designated regional area.
Government Charge
From ~AUD 6,140
Base charge for the primary applicant, indexed on 1 July each year. Confirm the current figure — additional applicant charges may apply.
Age Limit
Under 45
18 up to (but not including) 45 years at the time of invitation.
Assessment Basis
Points Test
A minimum of 65 points, including nomination or family sponsorship points.
Outcome
Provisional · 5 Yrs
Eligible for Subclass 191 permanent residence after a minimum 3 years, subject to income requirements.
Why Subclass 491
Why applicants choose this stream.
For applicants open to regional Australia, the 491 broadens the range of eligible occupations and lays out a clear route to permanent residence. Here's what draws applicants to it:
- Wider occupation lists than the 189 and 190 streams in many cases
- A defined pathway to permanent residence via Subclass 191
- Freedom to travel to and from Australia throughout the visa's validity
- Eligible family members can be included in the same application
- Access to Medicare and the public education system while on the visa
- Support for building a life in Australia's growing regional communities
The Journey
The application process with CBI Experts.
From choosing your route into the stream to lodging your visa, our advisors manage each stage of the Subclass 491 application.
01
Eligibility Review
Our team confirms your occupation is on the regional occupation list and helps you weigh state nomination against family sponsorship as your route into the 491 stream.
02
Skills Assessment
We manage your submission to the relevant assessing authority against the requirements for your nominated occupation.
03
Expression of Interest
You lodge an EOI through SkillSelect, indicating your intent to live and work in the designated regional area named by your nominating state or sponsoring relative.
04
Invitation to Apply
Once your nomination or sponsorship is approved, the Department of Home Affairs issues an ITA, opening the window to lodge your Subclass 491 application.
05
Documentation and Lodgement
Required documents typically include your passport, skills assessment, English test results (such as PTE or IELTS), financial evidence, police clearance certificates, and, where relevant, family relationship documents.
How we support your Subclass 491 application.
From choosing between nomination and family sponsorship to final lodgement, our advisors handle the regional pathway end to end.
Sponsorship & Nomination
Preparing family sponsorship or nomination-linked applications.
Visa Lodgement
Managing your full Subclass 491 visa lodgement.
Ongoing Liaison
Liaising with assessing authorities and the Department of Home Affairs throughout.
In Confidence
Get in touch
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