The Work Regional (sub 491) visa is a provisional residency visa available to skilled workers willing to live and work in a specified regional location. Work Regional (sub 491). This visa allows holders to live and work in regional areas of Australia while enabling them to apply for permanent residence after three years of living and working there.
All holders must meet this visa to qualify for eventual permanent residency, including maintaining employment within the designated region, adhering to relevant laws and regulations, not accessing social security benefits during their stay, and upholding their health insurance policies.
Things you can do with this visa
Once the Work Regional (sub 491) visa is granted, the visa holder can remain in a designated regional area of Australia for up to five years. This is part of the Australian Government’s Work Regional initiative, which provides skilled workers with the opportunity to live and work in areas outside of major cities. The program has been designed to help fulfill labour shortages across rural and regional Australia while providing eligible individuals with access to permanent residency pathways.
The sub 491 visa allows holders to travel in and out of Australia for up to five years from the date it was granted; however, only certain activities are permissible during this time. There are two streams available under this program – one for those nominated by an approved employer or state/territory government and another that requires applicants to have family ties or professional experience in their nominated region.
Who can apply
The Work Regional (sub 491) visa can be applied from within or outside Australia. Those already in Australia must hold a substantive visa or Bridging Visa A, B, or C when they apply. Before beginning their application process, those applying from outside Australia must have valid overseas health insurance coverage and demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency, as determined by an IELTS test.
Requirements for the visa
The Work Regional (sub 491) visa is a great option for individuals looking to work and live in regional areas of Australia. This popular visa requires that applicants meet certain qualifications to be eligible.
Applicants must be skilled in an occupation on the relevant State Government Occupation List to be eligible for this visa. They must also have an employer willing to sponsor them, with at least two years of experience working in their nominated occupation or a closely related one. In addition, they must demonstrate their commitment to living and work in the designated area by providing evidence of residential address, health insurance coverage, and local employment records.
Finally, all applicants must provide proof of identity and undergo police checks as part of the application process.
- You should be able to meet the following minimum requirements:
- Between the ages of 18 and 44, you’re eligible.
- Hold a positive performance assessment in the nominated profession.
- Have at least Competent English or more advanced, and their family members that are 18 or older have at least Functional English.
- Meet health requirements and character standards.
How to apply
The first step towards applying for this visa is lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, which gives you a chance to showcase your qualifications and skills to Australia’s Department of Immigration. If your EOI meets the criteria set out by the department, they will invite you to submit a formal visa application. The invitation form should include further information about what documents are required and how much evidence needs to be provided with your submission.
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