Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa

Eligibility snapshot

In general terms, the subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa is a points-tested skilled visa for people who are either nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency, or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area. It typically lets the holder and any included family members live, work and study in regional Australia for several years, and is generally framed as a provisional step toward a permanent skilled outcome once residence and income-type conditions have been met over time. Applicants are usually expected to have a relevant occupation, a suitable skills assessment from the appropriate assessing body, an acceptable level of English, and to fall within the relevant age range, alongside meeting health and character requirements. The process commonly begins with an expression of interest in SkillSelect, followed by nomination or sponsorship and then an invitation to apply. The exact points threshold, eligible occupations, age limits and English levels change over time and differ by state, territory and pathway. General information only — not immigration assistance or legal advice. The precise criteria are set out on the official Home Affairs page and may have changed; what YOUR application needs is a question for a registered practitioner who can advise on your circumstances.

What it can cost

The main government cost is the Visa Application Charge (VAC), which from 1 July 2025 is $4,910 for the primary applicant. Additional family members included in the same application are typically charged separate VAC amounts, and these vary depending on the age of each person, so the total government charge usually grows with each applicant added. Beyond the VAC, applicants generally encounter a range of ancillary costs that are not paid to the visa application itself. In broad terms these can include health examinations, police clearance certificates from relevant countries, and certified translations of any documents not already in English. Where they apply to the pathway, a skills assessment fee charged by the relevant assessing authority and an English language test fee are also common. State or territory nomination processes may carry their own separate fees. The VAC is a government charge collected by the Department of Home Affairs and is entirely separate from any platform fee or practitioner consult fee shown on this site. Amounts other than the VAC above change frequently — check the official page for current figures, and a registered practitioner can help estimate the likely total for your situation. General information only — not immigration assistance or legal advice.

Common questions