NSW Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
A provisional visa for skilled workers.
The NSW Government can nominate eligible skilled applicants who will commit to working in critical sectors in regional New South Wales.
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) allows skilled migrants to live, study and work in designated regional areas for a period of 5 years.
Nomination criteria of 491 Visa
You must meet all the criteria in one of the following three streams to be eligible to be invited to apply for NSW nomination.
Stream 1 — Currently living and working in Regional NSW
- hold a valid skills assessment for an occupation that appears on the Stream 1 Combined Occupation List.
- have been living in a designated regional area of NSW for at least the previous twelve months; and
- have been working in your nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation, in a designated regional area of NSW, for at least the previous twelve months
Stream 2 — Recently completed study in Regional NSW
- hold a valid skills assessment for an occupation that appears on your nominated region’s occupation list
- have completed study or education with an education provider, where:
- the study was completed within the previous 24 months
- the education provider is in a designated regional area in NSW
- the study meets the Australian study requirement (as determined by Home Affairs); and
- the qualification obtained from this study was assessed as closely related to your nominated occupation by the relevant assessing authority; and
- have lived in a designated regional area of NSW while completing your study
Stream 3 — Skilled in an occupation required in Regional NSW
- hold a valid skills assessment for an occupation that appears on your nominated region’s occupation list
- Be currently residing in an Australian state or territory
Nomination process of NSW Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
NSW nomination for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) is now by invitation only. Below are the steps to apply for NSW nomination:
- Ensure you are eligible for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
- Complete an EOI in SkillSelect
- Register your interest during a submission window
- Be invited to apply
- Apply to an RDA office where your skills are required within 14 days
Further information
2021-22 financial year Submission windows : August, October, January, and March.
Invitations to apply will be issued up to seven days of a submission window closing.
Participating regions
- Central Coast
- Central West
- Far South Coast
- Far West
- Hunter
- Illawarra
- Mid North Coast
- Murray
- Northern Inland
- Northern Rivers
- Orana
- Riverina
- Southern Inland
- Sydney*
*Designated regional postcodes within the RDA Sydney area available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Alternative migration options
NSW nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is just one of a number of visa options for prospective skilled migrants. There are a range of visas offered through the Department of Home Affairs, including both temporary and permanent employer nominated visas.