491 visa australia

Registered Australia Immigration Consultant

491 visa Australia Eligibility

To apply for the 491 visa Australia, you need to meet several important eligibility requirements set by both the Department of Home Affairs and the state of Victoria. This visa is intended for skilled individuals who genuinely wish to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia.

First, you must be under 45 years of age at the time of receiving a nomination. It’s also essential to have your skills assessed by a recognized authority for an occupation that appears on Victoria’s Skilled Occupation List. In addition, you must meet the English language requirements—usually a “competent” level or higher—and achieve at least 65 points on the Australian immigration points test. This score takes into account your age, qualifications, work experience, English skills and other factors.

Another major step is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Australian government’s SkillSelect system. This lets the Victorian government know you are seeking nomination and wish to live and work in regional Victoria. Once nominated and if your visa is accepted, the subclass 491 visa will allow you to stay in Australia for up to 5 years. During this time if you meet specific requirement such as living and working in the location for at least 3 years and earning a minimum income then you will become eligible to apply for permanent residency. If you are confused about PR points, you can use the Australia PR Points Calculator to check your eligibility.

Victorian Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa Nomination

To apply for a 491 regional visa, you must be nominated by a state or territory government. For Victoria, the state government assesses your skills and job prospects in regional Victoria.

To identify candidates who are the best, the Victorian government will use your EOI (Expression of Interest). Applicants with in-demand skills in sectors like health, trades, hospitality, and agriculture have better chances of receiving a nomination.

Victoria focuses on individuals who:
1. Have STEMM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, mathematics and Medicine)
2. Are currently working in regional Victoria
3. Have strong ties to the regional community

Further Eligibility Requirements

Australia Immigration Consultant

In addition to the basic requirements, there are specific eligibility rules for applicants seeking Victorian nomination for the 491 Australia visa.

  • Current residency: You must be living in regional Victoria at the time of application.
  • Relevant employment: You should be employed in your nominated occupation in regional Victoria.
  • Study: Graduates must have completed a relevant qualification in Victoria and demonstrate employability.
  • Visa status: You must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa while applying.

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Invitation to Apply for Victorian Nomination

After submitting your EOI, if you’re selected, you’ll receive an invitation from the Victorian government to apply for a nomination for visa 491 Australia . Bear in mind that receiving an invitation does not guarantee a visa. It’s a state-level nomination step required before you can proceed with the 491 visa application through the Department of Home Affairs.

This invitation is based on

Your points score
The demand for your occupation
Your current employment in regional Victoria
Contribution to priority sectors

Your application must include

Personal details and contact information
Your occupation and ANZSCO code
Skills assessment results
Employment evidence
Proof of current residency in regional Victoria
Commitment to living and working in regional areas
Submitting accurate information is crucial. False or misleading documents can lead to delays or refusal of your Subclass 491 visa nomination.

Nomination Application Assessment

Once you submit your application for the Victorian subclass 491 skilled work regional visa nomination, it goes through a thorough assessment process by the Victorian Government. This step is crucial because receiving state nomination is mandatory before you can be invited to apply for the 491 visa Australia.

he Victorian Government evaluate your nomination application based on several major factors to ensure you meet both the federal and state-specific requirements.While the 491 visa Australia processing time can fluctuate, the Victorian nomination assessment usually its takes 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the volume of applications and your occupation’s priority. Keeping your documents accurate, complete and well-organized helps speed up the review process.

What Happens During the Assessment?

Steps in the Assessment

  • 1
    Occupation must be on Victoria's Skilled Occupation List.
  • 2
    Work experience and qualifications must match regional needs.
  • 3
    Authorities verify that your EOI matches your documents.
  • 4
    Show genuine intention to live and work in regional Victoria.
  • 5
    Priority for applicants with high-demand sector experience.
  • 6
    Supporting documents checked for completeness and authenticity.

🔄 Processing Time Checklist

  • 1
    Ensure your EOI matches your application.
  • 2
    Check your skills assessment validity.
  • 3
    Include a strong commitment statement.
  • 4
    Submit only certified documents.
  • 5
    Keep English test results valid.

✔ Following this checklist reduces processing delays.

Priority Sectors

Applicants with skills in these fields often get faster consideration:

Health • ICT • Engineering • Construction • Agriculture

Nomination Application Outcome

You will receive one of the following outcomes:

  • Nomination approved – You will receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs to apply for the subclass 491 visa.
  • Nomination refused – If refused, you’ll be provided with a reason. You can reapply if eligible but cannot appeal the decision.
  • Once nominated, apply for your 491 visa within 60 days through your ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Need Help with Your Victorian Subclass 491 Visa?

Let our 491 visa Australia agent assist you in navigating the complex nomination and visa application process with ease. We provide end-to-end support, from checking your eligibility to submitting a complete application. Contact us today!

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frequently asked questions

You can learn more from our asked questions

The subclass 491 visa is a 5 year which is a provisional visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state. It permits you to live, work and study in australian areas while earning points toward permanent residency PR.

 

You can apply for 491 visa if you are under 45, have a positive skills assessment in an occupation on the regional list, fulfill English requirements, score at least 65 points and receive a state or territory nomination for the 491 regional visa.

Yes. You can include your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children in your visa 491 Australia application. Once granted, they all share the same rights to live, work, and study in regional Australia.

Processing times might differ, but most 491 visa AU applications are decided within 6 to 12 months. Your timeline depends on the completion of your documents, your occupation demand and current application volumes.

 

You can work full-time in any job within your regional area with the australia 491 visa. You are not tied to a single employer or role and giving you flexibility to explore different opportunities.

 

After living and working in Australia for at least 3 years and fulfilling income requirements then you can apply for the subclass 191 visa permanent residency under the Skilled Worker regional pathway.

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