Updated on 1 Jul 2021
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa allows points-tested skilled workers and their families to live, study and work in designated regional areas for a period of 5 years.
The subclass 491 is a provisional points-tested visa to assist regional Australia to access the people and skills it needs to grow and thrive. This visa is for people who wish to settle in regional Australia who have skills that are in high demand in Australia's labour market. This visa is administered by the Department of Home Affairs.
If you are granted a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa , you may be eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) visa, which provides permanent residence and the right to live and work anywhere in Victoria. You must meet all the relevant Commonwealth eligibility requirements. For more information on the subclass 191 visa, visit the Department of Home Affairs.
To be selected to apply for a visa nomination under the subclass 491, you will need to make or update an EOI via SkillSelect and then submit a Registration of Interest for Victorian Visa Nomination on the Live in Melbourne website. Only those applicants meeting the eligibility requirements will be considered for selection. Further information about the requirements and steps to register your interest is available on the Registration of Interest for Victorian Visa Nomination page.
Eligibility:
Once you are selected to apply for a visa nomination for a Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 491), you can submit your visa nomination application through the Live in Melbourne website.
To receive a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa nomination from Victoria, you will need to meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:
Age
Be below age 45 to submit a nomination application for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa.
English language
You must have a Competent level of English (or equivalent).
Competent level is equivalent to a score of at least six (6) in each band score of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or equivalent results in accepted alternative tests. You can obtain the IELTS equivalent in any of the following Department of Home Affairs’ accepted language tests: OET, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE).
Residency
You must be currently living and worked in regional Victoria in nominated occupation
Employment
- You must be currently working in Victoria in a target sector.
- We will accept casual employment.
- We will accept employment in a role that is closely related to your nominated occupation.
- We will NOT accept employment that is NOT related to your nominated occupation.
- For example, we will not accept situations where you are working as a Personal Care Assistant and your nominated occupation is Software Developer.
- You must support all your claims of employment with documents in your application.
- You will be required to provide a current contract, most recent payslip and an extract from your superannuation account showing the most recent payments from your employer.
- In some instances, we may also require additional payslips or reference letter from your employer. If so, we will ask for this during assessment.
Victorian target sectors
You must be working in one of the following target sectors:
- Health
- Medical research
- Life sciences
- Agri-food
- Advanced manufacturing
- New energy, emissions reduction and circular economy
- Digital
- Cyber Security skills only (subclass 190)
- All digital skills (subclass 491)
Our Target sectors page provides more information about these sectors.
Skills assessment
You must provide a skills assessment that matches the occupation you have nominated on your visa nomination application and EOI. Please ensure that your skills assessment is valid for at least 12 weeks at the time of submitting a visa nomination application.
Finances
There are no financial requirements as all applicants must already be living and working in regional Victoria.
Genuine intention to Live, Work and study in a designated regional area in Victoria
You and your dependents must demonstrate that you are committed to living, working and/or studying in a designated regional area for the length of the visa period.
Declaration
You and your Migration Agent (if applicable) must both read, understand and sign the Victorian Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa nomination declaration form in order to be considered for Victorian visa nomination. This completed and signed declaration must be provided with your application at the time of lodgement.
Detailed resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
Your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is a critical document used to assess your suitability for Victorian visa nomination. It must provide evidence of skills and work experience and a detailed, chronological list of all relevant employment.
You should take the time to ensure your CV is professionally presented and details your skills, work readiness and work experience. You should explain any gaps in employment.
Your CV should be no more than four pages long and must include:
- detailed description of relevant tasks and responsibilities performed within all employment
- dates of employment (including month and year)
- dates of education and training.
Department of Home Affairs requirements
Successfully gaining Victorian visa nomination does not guarantee you will be granted an Australian visa. You must also meet the Department of Home Affairs eligibility requirements for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
Fees and Charges
There is no application fee for Victorian visa nomination.
Processing Time: The average processing time for the Victorian Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa nomination is currently 12 weeks. This may vary depending on the occupation and in some instances, it may take longer to assess applications. You (or your migration agent) will be notified of the outcome of your nomination application by email.
Please note that decisions may take longer if applications are submitted without adequate documentation.
Contact Details:
Email: skilled@liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au
Telephone: + 61 3 9651 9756
Postal address
Skilled and Business Migration Program
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions
State Government of Victoria
GPO Box 4509
Melbourne
VIC 3001
AUSTRALIA
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