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Steps and documents

Before you start

  1. Read the official criteria for each route

    The official page sets out the state or territory nomination route and the eligible-relative sponsorship route, with the current points, age and English requirements. These change over time. Read the official criteria for each route; a registered practitioner can advise on your circumstances.

  2. Obtain a suitable skills assessment

    Typically a positive assessment from the relevant assessing authority for the nominated occupation is needed before key steps. Requirements vary by occupation and authority — confirm current details officially.

  3. Sit an English language test if required

    Commonly an accepted English test result is part of the picture, with the level required set officially and capable of changing. Check the official page for current requirements.

Documents commonly requested

  1. Assemble identity documents

    Generally a current passport and other identity records for the primary applicant and any included family members. Certified translations are typically needed for anything not in English.

  2. Gather nomination or sponsorship evidence

    Depending on the route, this typically means the state or territory nomination outcome, or evidence relating to sponsorship by an eligible relative in a designated regional area. Requirements differ by state and pathway.

  3. Collect relationship and family documents

    Where family members are included, in general terms records such as marriage, de facto, birth or change-of-name documents may be relevant. Confirm what applies on the official page.

Lodging the application

  1. Record an expression of interest and await an invitation

    Typically an expression of interest is submitted in SkillSelect, and an invitation is generally needed before a visa application can be lodged. The process and timeframes are set officially.

  2. Lodge the application in your own ImmiAccount

    In general terms, the application is lodged online through the applicant's own ImmiAccount within any required timeframe, attaching the gathered evidence. A registered practitioner can advise on your circumstances.

After lodging

  1. Complete health examinations

    Health examinations are commonly requested as part of processing. The specifics are arranged through official channels — check the official page for current requirements.

  2. Provide police clearance certificates

    Character checks typically involve police clearance certificates from relevant countries. Requirements vary by personal history — confirm what applies officially.

Official page for subclass 491

About this checklist

Dated copy · captured

Entries may have changed since then: check the Home Affairs visa pages ↗ before relying on one.

Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs (official links); checklist wording platform-authored. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (official names and links).

YourVisaSite has arranged this copy for searching. No lawyer or registered migration agent has reviewed it, and it does not assess eligibility or choose a form, course or provider for you.

Personal advice is available only from a registered migration agent or lawyer; find a practitioner on the visa page.