The Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa is a factors examined utility, giving the holder a 5-year non permanent visa to dwell, work, and examine in a delegated regional space – with pathways to everlasting residency.
Though anybody can submit an expression of curiosity by means of SkillSelect, it’s an invite solely utility the place it’s essential to both (a) be sponsored by an eligible Australian relative or (b) be nominated by an Australian State/Territory.
What are the levels of a Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa utility?
There are typically 4 key levels of a Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa utility:
- abilities evaluation, the place the applicant obtains a optimistic abilities evaluation in an occupation on the related occupation checklist;
- expression of Curiosity (EOI), the place the applicant submits a factors evaluation by means of Ability Choose;
- if pursuing the State/Territory nominated pathway, apply for State/Territory nomination; and
- if invited to use for the visa, submit a legitimate visa utility inside 60 days of the invitation and with proof to help the factors claimed.
What are the eligibility necessities of the Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa?
Typically talking, the necessities for a profitable utility are:
- be invited to use for this visa and both (a) sponsored by an eligible Australian relative or (b) be nominated by an Australian State/Territory;
- be underneath the age of 45;
- have an acceptable abilities evaluation for the occupation on the related occupation checklist;
- fulfill the factors take a look at (rating 65 factors or extra, although pragmatically the minimal rating is larger);
- have competent English on the time of invitation; and
- meet well being and character necessities.
You may learn a extra detailed abstract of the eligibility necessities at our Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa web page.
What paperwork are required for the Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa?
The particular paperwork required for a Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa utility will rely upon the person and their members of the family distinctive circumstances. Further paperwork could also be required for the talents evaluation or State/Territory nomination utility, which aren’t addressed right here.
For a basic Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa guidelines, confer with the desk under:
| Doc required | Major applicant | Secondary candidates |
| Passport | ✔ | ✔ |
| CV | ✔ | ✖ |
| Related change of identify paperwork | ✔ | ✔ |
| Marriage certificates / de facto proof (companion) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Delivery certificates (kids) | ✖ | ✔ |
| Related qualification certificates and tutorial transcripts (notably in relation to factors claimed) | ✔ | ✖ |
| Related abilities evaluation in relation to the nominated occupation) | ✔ | ✔ (if claiming factors on your companion’s abilities evaluation) |
| Earlier employment cost proof (in relation to factors claimed) | ✔ | ✖ |
| Earlier employment contracts (in relation to factors claimed) | ✔ | ✖ |
| Earlier employment references (in relation to factors claimed) | ✔ | ✖ |
| Group Credentialed Language certification (if claiming factors) | ✔ | ✖ |
| Skilled yr certification (if claiming factors) | ✔ | ✖ |
| Australian examine certification (if claiming factors) | ✔ | ✖ |
| Proof of regional Australian examine comparable to certifications and lease agreements (if claiming factors) | ✔ | ✖ |
| Related registration or licenses | ✔ (relying on occupation) | ✖ |
| Police clearances from each nation you will have spent 12 months or extra previously 10 years (since turning 16 years of age) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Well being assessments | ✔ | ✔ |
| Proof of English language proficiency (you will want to exhibit not less than a “competent” degree of English however seemingly extra relying in your factors claimed) | ✔ | ✔ (if claiming factors on your companion’s English) |
If making use of underneath the “sponsored eligible relative” pathway, confer with the desk under for extra paperwork that could be required:
| Proof required | Steered paperwork |
| Sponsor’s id and age |
|
| Sponsor’s Australian standing |
|
| Proof sponsor is often resident in a delegated regional space |
|
| Proof the sponsor is said to the applicant |
|
| Proof the sponsor has agreed to sponsorship |
If making use of underneath the “State/Territory Nomination” pathway, confer with the desk under for extra paperwork that could be required:
| Proof required | Steered paperwork |
| State/Territory Invitation |
|
The above are basic checklists so additional data could also be required.
Who can I embrace in my Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa utility?
Family members unit may be included in your Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa as secondary candidates. This contains your partner or de facto companion, kids underneath 18 years of age, and dependent kids 18 years of age or over in sure circumstances.
To incorporate dependents over 18 years of age (as much as 23 years of age) who aren’t your partner / de facto companion, it’s essential to present further proof that they’re financially depending on you or your companion. ‘Dependency’ refers to your little one being considerably reliant on you to fulfill their primary wants. To exhibit dependency, your Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) dependent visa doc guidelines ought to embrace proof that:
- they dwell with you (payments / lease agreements);
- they’re a full-time pupil (course enrolment, cost of charges);
- you ship them cash (financial institution statements)
In restricted circumstances a dependent little one over 23 years previous may be included along with your Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa (e.g. if they’ve a recognised incapacity).
You may as well learn our weblog “Member of the Household Unit” – Who can I embrace in my Australian visa utility?” which explains this in additional element.
I’ve lodged my Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa – what occurs now?
In case you are on a substantive visa in Australia and have validly lodged a Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa utility, you can be granted a bridging visa A (BVA) to permit you to stay in Australia whereas a choice is made. A BVA utility is often submitted alongside your Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa utility concurrently (and robotically). Please observe that you’ll not be allowed to re-enter Australia in case you depart on a BVA. You have to to use for a special kind of bridging visa in case you want to journey.
You may be taught extra about bridging visas and what they imply on your immigration standing right here.
In case you are outdoors Australia once you apply on your Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa utility, you will want to attend for it to be granted earlier than getting into Australia (or in any other case acquire one other visa to permit you to first journey).
Do you require additional help?
In case you require help along with your Expert Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa utility, or have another immigration associated queries, get in contact with our skilled staff. Contact us by e mail at [email protected] or by cellphone at +61 3 9016 0484.
You may as well subscribe to our publication to remain updated with the most recent in immigration information.

