Subclass 491
Subclass 491
Australia offers the Subclass 491 Visa as a pathway to Permanent Residency (PR) for skilled professionals who are willing to live and work in regional areas of Australia. This visa is specifically designed to address the skills shortages in regional states and territories.
At SWICS Pvt Ltd, under the expert guidance of Er. JP Singh (Certified Education & Migration Counsellor) and Advocate Trimaandeep Singh (Legal Immigration Expert), we provide step-by-step professional support in this highly complex visa category. Since the rules are strict, lengthy, and often confusing, only legally qualified and experienced consultants like us can manage these cases effectively.
Key Features of Subclass 491 Visa
- Valid for 5 years.
- Provides the right to live, study, and work in designated regional areas of Australia.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency through Subclass 191 after meeting conditions.
- Requires State/Territory Nomination OR Family Sponsorship.
- Nominated occupation must be on the MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL list.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the 491 Visa, applicants must:
- Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
- Have an occupation listed on the MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL.
- Get a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
- Score at least 65 points in the points test (including state nomination/family sponsorship points).
- Prove Competent English (IELTS 6 in each band or equivalent).
- Receive either:
- Nomination by an Australian State/Territory, OR
- Sponsorship by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area.
State Nomination for Subclass 491
Each Australian state and territory maintains its own State Nomination Occupation List and sets additional eligibility requirements.
- You must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect.
- Once selected, the state government issues a nomination, which adds 15 extra points to your profile.
- Conditions vary by state (work experience, job offer, English score, funds proof).
Examples:
Requires high-demand skills and often work experience in NSW.
Publishes a large list and welcomes offshore applicants.
Targets highly skilled professionals in priority sectors.
Each has unique requirements for offshore and onshore candidates.
Family Sponsorship for Subclass 491
If you do not get state nomination, you can still apply through family sponsorship provided:
- The sponsor is an eligible relative, and
- He/she lives in a designated regional area of Australia.
- Parent
- Brother or Sister
- Uncle or Aunt
- Nephew or Niece
- First Cousin
- The sponsor must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Eligible New Zealand Citizen.
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Must be living full-time in a regional area of Australia.
- Cannot live in metro areas like Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane.
- Family sponsorship under Subclass 491 provides 15 additional points in the immigration points test.
Pathway to Permanent Residency (PR)
Subclass 491 is a provisional visa. To convert it to Permanent Residency through Subclass 191, you must:
- Live, work, and study in a regional area for at least 3 years.
- Show taxable income of at least AUD 53,900 per year for 3 consecutive years.
- Meet all other visa conditions.
Why Choose SWICS Pvt Ltd for Subclass 491?
The 491 Visa involves multiple complexities: selecting the right occupation code, ensuring skills assessment, meeting state criteria, preparing financial documents, and understanding family sponsorship rules. A single mistake can lead to rejection.
That’s where SWICS Pvt Ltd comes in.
- Er. JP Singh, with his certifications from Australia, Canada, and the UK, provides precise guidance on choosing the right pathway.
- Advocate Trimaandeep Singh, with deep legal expertise, ensures your case is fully compliant with Australian immigration law.
- Our 22+ years of experience mean we understand the minute details of state nomination systems and family sponsorship pathways.
With us, you don’t just apply – you apply correctly, legally, and strategically, ensuring the highest success ratio.
Quick Facts – Subclass 491 Visa
- Visa Validity: 5 Years
- Pathway: Leads to PR (Subclass 191)
- Sponsorship: State/Territory Nomination OR Eligible Family Sponsorship
- Extra Points: 15 Points
- Eligible Occupation Lists: MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL
- Regional Stay Requirement: 3 Years minimum
FAQ
Australia Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 491
The Subclass 491 is a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa that allows skilled professionals to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years. It provides a clear pathway to Permanent Residency (Subclass 191) after meeting income and residence requirements.
At SWICS Pvt Ltd, under the guidance of Er. JP Singh and Advocate Trimaandeep Singh, we help applicants carefully assess their occupation, state nomination options, and family sponsorship opportunities to maximize success.
- Age must be under 45 years.
- Nominate an occupation listed on MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL.
- Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
- Minimum 65 points on Australia’s points test (including sponsorship/nomination points).
- English language proficiency (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL accepted).
- State/Territory nomination OR eligible family sponsorship.
For the 491 Visa, occupations can be chosen from three skilled occupation lists:
- MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List) – highly skilled, long-term demand jobs.
- STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List) – occupations needed in short to medium term.
- ROL (Regional Occupation List) – jobs in critical demand in regional Australia.
Our experts at SWICS Pvt Ltd ensure that the right occupation code is selected after analyzing future demand and state priorities.
Each Australian state and territory has its own skilled migration program, publishing a list of occupations and eligibility criteria.
- Applicants must meet both federal criteria (points, age, skills) and state-specific requirements (work experience, job offers, residency, or commitment to live in that state).
- Some states require applicants to live, study, or work in regional areas before applying.
- States like South Australia, Victoria, NSW, Queensland, and Tasmania regularly update their lists.
👉 Since state nomination rules are highly complex, our legal team led by Advocate Trimaandeep Singh ensures your application is error-free and aligned with the latest requirements.
If state nomination is not possible, applicants can apply under Family Sponsored Stream.
- The sponsor must be an eligible relative residing in a designated regional area of Australia.
- Eligible relatives include: Parent, Child, Sibling, Aunt/Uncle, Nephew/Niece, First Cousin.
- The sponsor must be an Australian Citizen, PR holder, or eligible New Zealand Citizen.
Extra Points: Family sponsorship gives 15 points towards the points test, which is often decisive for approval.
The minimum requirement is 65 points, but in reality, competitive applicants secure 80–90 points with the help of:
- State Nomination (+15 points)
- Family Sponsorship (+15 points)
- Regional Study/Experience (+5 points)
At SWICS Pvt Ltd, Er. JP Singh personally guides clients through points calculation and improvement strategies to maximize success.
- The visa is valid for 5 years.
- To transition to Permanent Residency (Subclass 191), you must:
- Live and work in a regional area for at least 3 years, and
- Earn a minimum taxable income (currently AUD 53,900 per year) for 3 consecutive years.
Yes. You can include your spouse/partner and dependent children in your application. They will also have full work and study rights in regional Australia.
Because:
- Occupation codes, assessment bodies, and nomination rules are highly complex and keep changing.
- Australian government fees are very high, and a single mistake may result in refusal without refund.
👉 That is why SWICS Pvt Ltd, under Er. JP Singh (Certified Counsellor) and Advocate Trimaandeep Singh (Legal Expert), ensures your case is handled with professional accuracy and legal compliance.
- 22+ years of expertise in Australian skilled migration.
- Led by Er. JP Singh, a certified education and migration counsellor with deep knowledge of PR pathways.
- Backed by Advocate Trimaandeep Singh, ensuring legal precision in handling strict Australian rules.
- Transparent process – no hidden charges, no false promises.
- Personalized guidance – from skills assessment to visa lodgement.
