491 Visa: Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

What parts of Australia are “designated regional areas”?

 It is intended to be any part of Australia excluding Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and Melbourne. Unlike the 489 visa, the regions of Newcastle, Wollongong and the NSW Central Coast will be designated regional areas.

How will points be allocated for the 491 visa? 

There is a revised points system for the 491 visa so you have new ways to earn points towards your score. You will get:

• 15 points for nomination by a family member or a regional part of a state or territory
• 10 points for Masters or PhD level Australian qualification in specific areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – STEM). This change is driven by the importance of STEM skills to Australia’s ongoing innovation and economic success.
• 10 partner points, if one of the following apply:
  You have a skilled partner. This means that your partner is under 45 years of age, obtains a positive skill assessment in a job on the same shortage list as you and has Competent English; or
  b. You are single; or
  c. You have a partner who is an Australian permanent resident or an Australian citizen
• 5 points if your partner who can demonstrate Competent English. The partner can be over 45 years of age and does not need to work in a skilled occupation

Points will still apply based on your age, qualification, years of overseas and/or Australian skilled work experience, Australian study and English skills, as they do under the 489 visa and other skilled visas.

The revised points system will apply to all skilled migration visas.

Why are partner points changing?

The Productivity Commission found that secondary applicants (partners of skilled migrants) should also be assessed, given their contribution to the Australian community, workforce and economy. The current point system does not allocate appropriate weight to the skill of a partner.

When will I be invited to apply for a 491 visa?

There is a ranking system for an invitation to apply for a 491 visa. The rankings are:

• Equal first: Applicant with a skilled partner OR applicants without a partner
• Second: Applicant with A partner who can demonstrate Competent English (but does not have the skills for skilled partner points)
• Third: Applicant with a partner who is ineligible for either competent English or Skilled partner points

Can 491 visa holders lodge other visas? 

491 visa holders cannot lodge certain visas until they have held a 491 visa (and met its conditions) for three years. This includes skilled PR visas (189 visa and 190 visa), business visas (124 visa, 132 visa and 188 visa), employer nominated PR 186 visa and the onshore partner visa (820 visa).

This requirement to reside and work in a designated regional area is underpinned by the need to support economic development and population growth in regional areas.