Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa

Overview

With this visa you can

• Live, work and study in a designated regional area for 5 years
• Travel to and from Australia while the visa is valid
• Apply for permanent residence after 3 years, if eligible

Streams

• Primary applicants
• Subsequent entrant

Requirements

The official page lists these main requirements. Each stream adds its own.

• Be nominated by a state or territory government agency, or sponsored by an eligible relative
• Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list and a suitable skills assessment
• Be invited to apply and satisfy the points test

Official pages that explain them

• Points table

All requirements on the Home Affairs page

Documents & forms

The official page lists the documents to provide with an application. Open the documents list on Home Affairs.

Forms often used with this visa

• Form sponsor-declaration-491: Sponsorship Declaration - Skilled Work Regional (Class PS) Subclass 491 (Provisional) Visa — Family-sponsored stream — the eligible relative's sponsorship declaration.
• Form 491fs: Sponsorship Declaration - Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) Visa — Alternate sponsorship declaration for the Subclass 491 family-sponsored stream.
• Form 80: Personal Particulars for Assessment Including Character Assessment — Personal particulars and character — routinely requested for skilled applicants.
• Form 1221: Additional Personal Particulars Information — Additional personal particulars, if requested.
• Form 956: Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person — If you appoint a registered migration agent or legal practitioner.
• Form 1022: Notification of Changes in Circumstances — To notify a change in circumstances after lodgement.
• Form 1023: Notification of Incorrect Answer(s) — To correct an incorrect answer after lodgement.

The official page lists the documents each application requires.

Browse all departmental forms

Preparation checklist: a printable list of common steps and documents, each linked to its official source.

Occupation lists

• Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List — 212 occupations
• Short-term Skilled Occupation List — 215 occupations
• Regional Occupation List — 77 occupations

The official page says which list each stream uses. Being on a list does not mean an applicant is eligible.

Published processing times and charges

Processing times for this visa, by stream, with the reporting period.

Visa application charge

YourVisaSite compares this list with the Home Affairs price list on a regular schedule. Our copy last changed on 21 October 2026. A successful check does not independently verify every underlying fact. The official source remains the authority; open it before you rely on an entry. Other costs, such as health checks or a second instalment, may apply, and government charges are separate from any professional fee. Current official pricing ↗

Updates & sources

Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. This summary was written from the official page on 20 October 2026.

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This page is general information written from the official page. It does not assess anyone’s eligibility, is not migration advice and has not been reviewed by a lawyer or registered migration agent. The official page is always the current source. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.