Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) Checklist

Applicants must be under 45 years of age when the invitation to apply is issued. Some limited exceptions may apply depending on the specific occupation and nomination stream.

The applicant's occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List, the Short-term Skilled Occupation List, or the Regional Occupation List. A positive skills assessment for this occupation is mandatory.

Applicants must meet character requirements, which include providing police clearances from every country they have lived in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years. This ensures the applicant is of good character.

Applicants must either be nominated by a state or territory government or be sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area. This sponsorship is a core component of the 491 visa structure.

Visa holders are required to live, work, and study in a designated regional area of Australia for the duration of the visa. This is a mandatory condition for future eligibility for permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa.

Applicants receive a 15-point bonus toward their migration points test score for being nominated by a regional state or territory. This bonus helps applicants meet the minimum 65-point threshold for invitation.