Subclass 491 visa – building your career and pr pathways in australian regional areas

What is a subclass 491 visa?

The subclass 491 visa Australia allows skilled workers and their eligible family members to live and work in Australian regional areas for up to 5 years. Applicants must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible family member.

Additionally, if you are considering studying in Queensland, you may explore the Subclass 491 SBO visa (Small Business Owners). This skilled visa is designed for international students graduating in Queensland to stay temporarily in Australia, manage their business, and eventually apply for Australian Permanent Residency.

After residing and working in a regional area for 3 years since applying for the Subclass 491, applicants may be eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa – Subclass 191, allowing them to live permanently in Australia.

The benefits of a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

While holding a Subclass 491 visa, you must continue to meet the requirements for the Subclass 191 visa to achieve Australian permanent residency. Additionally, Subclass 491 visa holders are entitled to the following benefits:

• Residency: To live in Australia for 5 years.
• Work and study:
  • Work and study in designated regions.
  • Attend a free Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).
• Multiple entries: To travel to and from Australia during the visa’s validity period.
• Family member: Allow your eligible family members to apply for the visa together with you.
• Citizenship: Apply for Australian citizenship after 3 years of staying and working in a regional area.

For more information about the subclass 491 visa benefits, please contact VEM.

The requirements of a Subclass 491 visa

Unlike the subclass 494 visa, the Subclass 491 requirements are based on the points test system.

For both Subclass 491 and Subclass 491 – SBO

• Age limit: Must be under 45 years of age.
• English language proficiency: IELTS: At least score 6.0 in each of 4 parts (or an equivalent result)
• Points test: To score at least 65 points.
• Skills assessment: Like subclass 189 visa or 190 visa, the applicants must pass the skills assessment. The assessment criteria vary on each occupation. You can contact VEM for more details.
• Expression of Interest (EOI): Must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and wait for the invitation to lodge the visa application.

For Subclass 491

• Sponsorship/ nomination: Must be nominated by a state/territory, or sponsored by an eligible family member that meets the following requirements:
  • Must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
  • Must be over 18 years of age and live in a designated regional area.
• Occupation:
  • Must be included on the subclass 491 occupation list.
  • This list is different in each state. You can contact VEM to receive the suitable list for you.
• Job offer: To be invited to work by an Australian business.

For Subclass 491 – SBO

• Sponsorship/ nomination: Must be nominated by Queensland or other states (not all states/territories)
• Occupation: Must be included in the Legislative Instrument (LIN 19/051).
• Job offer: Provide evidence of business ownership and operation in Australia.
• Current visa: Must hold a visa that allows full-time work and business operation (at least 35 hours per week).
• Residency: Must live and work in areas with the following postal codes:
  • 4124–4125
  • 4133
  • 4183–4184
  • 4207–4275
  • 4280–4287
  • 306–4498
  • 4507
  • 4517–4519
  • 4550–4575
  • 4580–4895
• Business: Must own and operate a business in Australia and meet the following requirements:
  • Have 100% ownership of the business (partnerships or joint ventures are not eligible).
  • Have operated a business for at least 6 months before applying for the visa.
  • Have at least one eligible employee who is a New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an Australian citizen (as defined in subclass 444). The employee must work at least 20 hours per week.
• In case of purchasing an existing business, it must be:
  • In regional Queensland.
  • Operated successfully by the applicant for at least 6 months before submitting the EOI.
  • Invested at least AUD100,000.
• In case of establishing a new company, it must be:
  • Operated and profitable for at least 2 years prior to your visa application, with a revenue each year is at least AUD200,000.
  • You can refer to ‘The process of establishing a company in Australia’ and ‘The procedures for purchasing an existing business in Australia’ to learn more about the Subclass 491 SBO visa.

Similar to subclass 190 and 189 visa, the Subclass 491 visa allows applicants to lodge their applications and receive the visa either in or outside Australia.

How to get points on a Skilled Work Regional visa?

For applicants who meet all subclass 491 requirements, the DHA prioritizes those with higher immigration points. Therefore, even if you pass the 65 points test, you may still miss the opportunity to apply for the Subclass 491 Australia visa.

Below are the Subclass 491 points calculator for applicants provided by the DHA:

Higher immigration points can significantly increase your chances of obtaining Subclass 491 visa approval. For expert guidance and support, contact VEM’s consultant, Mr. Peter Cao, a registered migration agent (MARN: 1577877)!

The cost of a subclass 491 visa

Like other Australian Skilled visas, Subclass 491 visa fee can be paid once or twice (if required). The second payment is applicable if dependent applicants who is 18 years of age and above do not meet the English requirement:

Note: The fees listed above do not include a 1.4% surcharge.

In addition to the visa application fee, applicants are also required to pay fees for health examinations, biometrics, and police checks.

For a successful application for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa, it’s advisable to seek support from a registered Australian migration agent. The Australian Government recommends choosing a reputable migration agent for assistance with your visa needs.

The process of applying for Subclass 491 visa

Applying for a subclass 491 visa Australia involves 5 key steps, which are:

• Step 1: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
• Step 2: Receive an invitation to apply for visa 491.
• Step 3: Prepare the documents and apply for the visa.
• Step 4: Provide additional documents (if required).
• Step 5: Receive a Subclass 491 visa.

The process of applying for subclass 491 – SBO visa

Different from the subclass 491, the applicants need to submit the subclass 491-SBO assessment form and have a request from Queensland when applying for Subclass 491-SBO:

• Step 1: Check whether you meet the requirements.
• Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to SkillSelect.
• Step 3: Submit the Subclass 491-SBO assessment form.
• Step 4: Receive a request from Queensland to provide documents.
• Step 5: Prepare documents and apply for the visa.
• Step 6: Receive an invitation, complete the application within 60 days, and apply for the visa.

Required documents for a Subclass 491 – SBO visa application

To apply for a Subclass 491-SBO stream, you need to provide the following documents:

• Identification documents:
  • Valid passport.
  • Skills assessment outcome.
• Nomination: The application for Queensland State Nomination.
• Business:
  • Business sale agreement (if applicable).
  • Evidence of the business management for at least 6 months.
  • Evidence of trading business for 2 years before purchasing the business.
  • Settlement Funds Declaration form
  • Bank statements (business)
  • Evidence of business ownership or registration documents (ABN – Australian Business Number, ACN – Australian Company Number, or
• ASIC – Australian Securities and Investments Commission).
• ASIC statement.
• Evidence of having at least 1 eligible employee who is Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen.
• Utility bill or lease agreement.
• Statement of weekly working hours according to the Australia laws.
• Future business plan.
• Financial statements (if purchasing an existing business).
• Profit and loss statement.

The processing times of a Australia 491 visa

According to the latest update of the DHA, Subclass 491 visa application will be processed in the following time:

To accelerate the subclass 491 processing time, prepare thoroughly from the outset for your visa application. Contact VEM for comprehensive assistance and guidance.

By: Peter Phong D Cao – Registered migration agent
(MARN: 1577877, MIA: 12648)

Frequently asked questions