Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (491)

Fitter/machinists Maxwell Matandaudyi and Courage Munyakari, Tamworth’s Apollo Engineering Managing Director Dave Errington, and first-class welders, Wellington Bigone and Komborero Anthony Chikonyera

Skilled migrants are an important part of our economy, allowing employers to fill skill gaps in their organisations to allow them to continue to grow and prosper.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (491) holders are eligible to stay in Australia for 5 years, however they must live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia, and cannot live in metropolitan areas such as Sydney. It provides for travel to and from Australia as many times as they want, while the visa is valid, keeping in mind COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Visa holders may apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time their visa is granted, and many continue to live in the region that supported them, making positive contributions to regional economies and communities.

Applicants for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (491) must be invited to apply by being nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area. 

As of the 2023-24 financial year, all applications for 491 Visa nomination in NSW will be assessed directly by the NSW Government. Further information is available on the 491 Visa section of the NSW Government website.

Skilled Migrant Ellen Iramu and Sandra Williams, who is the Team Leader, Agriculture & Food, CSIRO based at the Australian Cotton Research Institute, Narrabri.

Skilled Work Regional Visa holders are highly beneficial to businesses in our region as they bring skills that are needed in the region. 

To support skilled migrants to settle in our region, we have established the free Skilled Migration Jobs Board Northern Inland online group to facilitate connections between employers and skilled migrants and the Skilled Migration Settlement Support Group.

Our collection of Skilled Migration Case Study Videos provides further insight into the experience of skilled migration placements from the perspective of employers and migrants.

Helpful Information for 489 and 491 Visa Holders FInd out about living in the Northern Inland, working, health, transport and Permanent Resdiency. Read More

About the 489 and 491 Visas for Employers Find out about the 491 and 489 Visa incuding your obligations and how it can help your business. Read More