491 State Requirements

The Subclass 491 visa is a skilled regional visa that allows skilled workers and their families to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years. Here's an overview of the key state requirements for the Subclass 491 visa:

1. Eligible Occupation: Applicants must nominate an occupation that is on either the relevant state or territory's skilled occupation list or the Combined Occupation List for Regional Australia. Each state and territory maintains its own list of occupations in demand, and these may differ from the national skilled occupation list.
2. Skills Assessment: Applicants must have their skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority for their nominated occupation. The skills assessment confirms that the applicant’s qualifications and work experience meet the standards required for the nominated occupation.
3. State Nomination: To be eligible for the Subclass 491 visa, applicants must be nominated by a state or territory government in Australia. Each state and territory has its own nomination criteria, which may include occupation demand, work experience, and ties to the region.
4. Commitment to Live and Work: Applicants must demonstrate a genuine intention to live, work, and study in the designated regional area where they are nominated. This may involve providing evidence of current or potential employment in the region.
5. Expression of Interest (EOI): Before applying for the Subclass 491 visa, applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Australian Government’s SkillSelect system. State and territory governments can then review and potentially nominate applicants from the EOI pool.
6. Health and Character Requirements: All applicants and accompanying family members must meet Australia’s health and character requirements. This generally includes completing medical examinations and providing police clearance certificates.
7. Minimum Points Requirement: Applicants must score a minimum number of points on the General Skilled Migration (GSM) points test. Points are awarded for factors such as age, English proficiency, skilled work experience, and education qualifications.
8. Regional Residence Requirement: Once granted, Subclass 491 visa holders must live, work, and study only in designated regional areas. To apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa, holders must demonstrate that they have lived and worked in a regional area for at least three years and met minimum income requirements.