Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa:

The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa is designed for skilled workers who want to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia. This visa aims to address skill shortages in regional areas and promote regional development.

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Email: info@immiedu.com.au

Contact: 04 2626 3536.

Key Features of the Subclass 491 Visa:

Eligibility Criteria:

Age: You must be under 45 years of age at the time of application.
Skill Assessment: You must have a positive skill assessment in an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.
Points Test: You need to score at least 65 points on the points test. Points are awarded based on factors such as age, English language proficiency, skilled employment experience, educational qualifications, and other factors.
Nomination/Sponsorship: You must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area.
English Proficiency: You must demonstrate a competent level of English.
Health and Character: You must meet health and character requirements.

Visa Benefits:

Work and Study Rights: You can live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years.
Pathway to Permanent Residency: The Subclass 491 visa provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, provided you meet the residence and income requirements.
Travel: You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
Family Inclusion: You can include eligible family members in your application. They will also have the same rights and conditions as the primary visa holder.

Application Process:

Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit an EOI through Skill Select and wait to be invited to apply.
Nomination/Sponsorship: Secure a nomination from a state or territory government agency or sponsorship from an eligible family member.
Invitation to Apply: Once invited, you can lodge your visa application.
Document Submission: Provide necessary documents, including proof of skills, qualifications, English proficiency, and other relevant documents.
Visa Decision: The Department of Home Affairs will assess your application and make a decision.

Designated Regional Areas:

Designated regional areas include all of Australia except for the metropolitan areas of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Regional areas are classified to encourage migration to less populated areas, aiding in their development and addressing local skill shortages.

Costs:

The visa application fee varies. Additional costs may include charges for health assessments, police certificates, and biometrics.

Key Industries and Job Opportunities:

Healthcare and Social Assistance: High demand for doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and aged care workers.
Education and Training: Demand for teachers, educational administrators, and vocational trainers.
Construction and Engineering: Opportunities for civil engineers, construction managers, electricians, and plumbers.
Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing: Need for agricultural scientists, farm managers, and veterinarians.
Mining and Resources: Demand for mining engineers, geologists, and environmental scientists.
Information Technology: Roles for software developers, network engineers, and cybersecurity experts.
Hospitality and Tourism: Opportunities for chefs, hotel managers, and tour guides.
Manufacturing: Roles for production managers, mechanical engineers, and quality assurance managers.
Retail and Wholesale Trade: Need for retail managers, sales representatives, and supply chain managers.

Eligibility Requirements for the 491 Visa:

The eligibility requirements for the 491 Visa (Skilled Work Regional Visa) are specific and must be met for an application to be successful. Here are the key eligibility criteria:

Nominated Occupation:

The applicant’s occupation must be on a relevant skilled occupation list. The occupation lists are regularly updated to reflect the needs of the Australian labor market.

Skills Assessment

Applicants must have a positive skills assessment for their nominated occupation from a relevant assessing authority. The skills assessment confirms that the applicant has the necessary skills and qualifications for their occupation.

Age

The applicant must be under 45 years old at the time of being invited to apply for the visa.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants must demonstrate competent English language proficiency. This can be proven through an accepted English language test such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or other recognized tests.

Points Test

Applicants must score at least 65 points on the GSM (General Skilled Migration) points test. Points are awarded based on factors such as age, English language ability, skilled employment, educational qualifications, and other criteria.

Nomination or Sponsorship

State or Territory Government Nomination: The applicant must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government. Each state and territory has its own criteria and processes for nomination.

Eligible Family Member Sponsorship: Alternatively, the applicant can be sponsored by an eligible family member who resides in a designated regional area. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Expression of Interest (EOI)

Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Skill Select system. An EOI is not a visa application but an indication that the applicant would like to be considered for a skilled visa. The EOI includes details about the applicant’s skills, qualifications, and experience.

Invitation to Apply

Applicants must receive an invitation to apply for the 491 Visa. Invitations are issued based on the information provided in the EOI and the points scored.

Health and Character Requirements

Applicants must meet health and character requirements. This usually involves medical examinations and police checks.

Genuine Intent to Live and Work in Regional Australia

Applicants must genuinely intend to live, work, and study in a designated regional area of Australia.

Financial Stability

Applicants may need to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family members upon arrival in Australia.

For more resources: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/