Skilled Australian Tradesperson
491 Visa

The 491 visa is a Skilled Work Regional Visa, released in November 2019, gives temporary residency for 5 years.

It is a points-based visa for overseas skilled workers sponsored by:

  • a designated regional area of an Australian state or territory (intended to be any part of Australia excluding Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and Melbourne) , or
  • an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area of Australia

Designated regional area

For this stream, the applicant has to satisfy additional State requirements. As each State has its own occupation list, they can impose additional requirements such as a high level of English proficiency for specific occupations or work experience in your occupation to qualify.

Regional visa holders can live and work in any designated regional area and can move between designated regional areas.

Eligible Family Member

To be eligible, the sponsor must be:

  • 18 years old or older
  • usually resident in a designated area of Australia
  • be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen
  • be your or your partner’s eligible relative

An eligible relative can be:

  • a parent
  • a child or step-child
  • a brother, sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, step-brother or step-sister
  • an aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle
  • a nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step-nephew or step-niece
  • a grandparent, or
  • a first cousin

491 Visa Eligibility

A revised points system is in place for the 491 visa that allows candidates to gain additional points.

Like other Skilled visas, points are awarded depending on age, level of English, qualification(s), Australian Study and years of work experience both overseas and/or in Australia.

Additional points can be earned:

  • for nomination by a family member or a regional part of a state or territory
  • for Masters or PhD level Australian qualification in specific areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – STEM).
  • Partner points (no partner /skilled partner/ Australian partner)

Before applying you will need to obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessment Authority and meet health and character requirements.

A skills assessment is a process that evaluates qualification(s) and/or work experience to determine whether the candidate has the necessary skills required to perform a specific role.

Skilling assessment authorities vary according to the nominated occupation and have different requirements, so it is of vital importance that candidates make sure to check all the specifics.

491 Visa process

Register on Skill Select and submit an Expression of Interest (EoI)

An EoI can be submitted either offshore or onshore.

65 is the minimum score required to have the chance of receiving an invitation

Wait for the invitation from Department of Home Affairs

Apply for the Visa (you are given 60 days to lodge your application)

This visa allows you to add family members.

Visa Outcome

The visa will allow you to live, work and study in designated regional area Australia for 5 years.

If you have had a taxable income at specific income threshold for at least three years you may be eligible to permanent residency under the Subclass 191 visa.

The 191 visa will be available in November 2022.

491 visa holders cannot lodge certain visas until they have held a 491 visa (and met its conditions) for three years. This includes skilled PR visas (189 and 190), business visas (124, 132 and 188), employer nominated PR visa 186 and the onshore partner visa (820).

To book a consultation, please fill in the contact form or call us on (08) 9388 9193

Testimonials

  • I don’t know what to say. I am literally without words! I thank you so much for all the support and help during these two years (I do know how stressful and demanding was to do my employer’s application) and thanks for having always answered quickly to my millions of questions! Thanks heaps!

    Laura D.
    Laura D. Gardener – 187 Permanent Visa
  • Thanks for the job you did. So a great news! I was really not expecting to have the approval yesterday when you called me!!! Thanks again for the outstanding job you did for us!

    Benedicte e Remi
    Benedicte e Remi Hotel Manager –187 Visa
  • Thanks Vale and thanks again for all the job you did to the whole team. You were mostly helpful and the job you have done to make this happens is amazing. Five stars service!

    Matteo B.
    Matteo B. Project Administrator – 186 Visa
  • That’s great news!!! OMG that’s excellent and incredibly happening. Sooooo EXCITED! A celebration will be in order tonight – thanks so much to Get Your Visa for your help!

    Jackie C.
    Jackie C. Property Manager – 187 Visa
  • Valentina and the team of Get Your Visa has been absolutely fantastic and have guided me from the beginning helping me to chose which visa would best be suited for my circumstances, through the bureaucracy of the visa process with fabulous patience and competence making the whole process hassle free and super smooth. A huge Thank You to have guided and helped me achieving my visa.

    Federico O.
    Federico O. Freelancer
  • Thanks heaps! I was not expecting to have the visa approved in 10 days. That’s great. I would not have obtained this result without you.

    Manuel D.G.
    Manuel D.G. Welder - 457 Temporary Visa

Our Visa Process

  • Consultation

  • Documents Collection

  • Documents Preparation

  • Visa Lodgement

  • Visa Approval