Provisional · Regional · Points tested

Subclass 491Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa

A 5-year, points-tested provisional visa for skilled workers willing to live and work in regional Australia, with a clear pathway to permanent residence.

The 491 is regional-only — anywhere in Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. It leads to permanent residence via the subclass 191 after 3 years of qualifying regional residence and skilled work.

Check 491 eligibility Calculate your points

At a glance

The essentials

Visa type: Provisional, points-tested
Validity: 5 years
Pass mark: 65 points (shared with 189 / 190)
Regional definition: Anywhere excluding Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane
PR pathway: Subclass 191 after 3 years, provided ≥ 3 years full-time relevant work at the required skill level has been completed
Age limit: Under 45 at invitation

Eligibility

Do you qualify?

State/territory nomination, or sponsorship by an eligible family member in a designated regional area
EOI lodged in SkillSelect and invitation received
Positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation
Under 45 at invitation
65+ points on the shared points test
State-specific criteria met
e.g. Victoria: commitment to regional Victoria, under 45, Competent English, valid skills assessment, 65+ EOI points, successful Registration of Interest.

Process

How to apply

1
1. Skills assessment
Positive assessment from the authority listed against your ANZSCO code.
2
2. Submit EOI
Lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect and, in parallel, apply to your target state/territory (or arrange family sponsorship).
3
3. Receive invitation
State nomination or family sponsorship + a SkillSelect invitation to apply.
4
4. Lodge visa application
Provide skills assessment, English results, qualifications, employment references, and health/character evidence within the invitation window.

Allocation · as at 2025–26 program year

2025–26 state/territory allocation (indicative)

State / territory	Places	Change
NSW	1,500	↓ 500
VIC	700	↓ 1,400
QLD	750	↑ 150
WA	1,400	↓ 600
SA	900	↑ 100
TAS	650	↓ 110
NT	800	—
ACT	800	—

7,500 places nationally. Allocations refresh each program year — treat these numbers as indicative until the current-year allocation is confirmed.

Shared points test — 189 / 190 / 491

Points test

The 491 uses the shared points test with 189 and 190, plus +15 for a state/territory nomination or eligible family sponsorship in a designated regional area.

Pass mark: 65 points. Live from the SkillX admin console — updates here update the calculator.

Factor	Tier	Points
Loading points table…

+15 points for state/territory nomination or eligible family sponsorship in a designated regional area.

Australian work experience only counts if the work is in the nominated occupation or a "closely related" occupation (same ANZSCO unit group, a recognised career-advancement pathway, or explicitly recognised by the assessing authority), performed at least 20 hours/week, and — for Australian-based work — held on a substantive visa or Bridging A/B visa with conditions met. There is a cap on total employment points claimable.

Occupations that qualify

Which occupations open the 491 door?

See every ANZSCO occupation currently mapped to subclass 491 on the SkillX Skilled Occupation List — filtered, searchable, sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation.

Browse 491 occupations

FAQs

Common questions

Which regions count as regional?+

Everywhere in Australia except Greater Sydney, Greater Melbourne, and Greater Brisbane.

Can I switch states after grant?+

Not freely — you're expected to live, work and study in your nominating region. Moving may affect your 191 progression.

What if I don't get to 65 points?+

The 491 attracts +15 points for regional nomination or sponsorship, which pushes many applicants over the line.

Ready to test your 491 chances?

Rules-based, indicative result in under 30 seconds. Lead capture required.

Run the check

Figures last updated 1 July 2026. Visa policy moves — verify against the Department of Home Affairs before lodgement.