491 Visa Australia

A complete guide to Subclass 491 Visa Australia – By (Sidra Shahab)

 

Are you thinking of getting on track towards your Australian Permanent Residence (PR) dream?

The new Subclass “491 Visa Australia” may be the right path to achieve your desired goal.

This visa Subclass 491 is a relatively new visa introduced by the Australian Government Department of Home affairs.

It is also generally known as Subclass 491 Skilled Regional Visa or Subclass 491 skilled work regional visa.

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Table of Contents for Subclass 491

Table of Contents

Some Basic Info about 491 Visa

What is “Subclass 491 Skilled regional Visa” Or “Skilled work regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 Visa – Australia”?

Australian Visa 491 is a provisional visa (Temporary type) that may lead to the Permanent Residency upon fulfilment of specific requirements. It is for skilled workers and professionals who want to live and work in regional Australia.

Grant of Subclass 491 skilled regional visa is for five (5) years during which the Subclass 491 visa holder can live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia.

What are designated 491 Visa regional areas of Australia?

The Australian government wants to boost economic activities towards the smaller regions, town and cities of Australia. For the same reason, the Department of Home Affairs has prepared a list of regional areas that fall under the designated regional areas.

Additional points and the comparatively easy pathway is offered to the new immigrants and International graduates to get their visa approved under Subclass 491 stream.

More information about the designated 491 visa areas can be found and accessed at departments website on the following link:

Department of Home Affairs – Eligible Regional Areas

Good news is that whole of Australia comes under the designated regional area except Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. 

However, choosing the right designated area suitable to your profession could be a tricky task, and we advise the applicants to consult experienced migration agent for guidance in the right direction.

Why is Visa 491 Australia a popular pathway for many new applicants?

There are many Visa Subclasses under Australian Immigration system like 189, 190, 187, 407. However, these visas require the applicants to achieve a high score on the Points test table to get an invitation to apply.

As compared to the other visas, this “visa 491 Australia” provides an easy pathway to Australian immigration. Applicants who would choose the Visa 491 pathway for Australian migration would get 15 extra points on the Points test system.

 

Let’s dive into the 491 Visa details & Application process


Subclass 491 visa offers a better pathway for the immigrants to land in Australia with a valid visa. However, other details for 491 visa also requires attention while preparing for the regional visa Australia 491 application. The application process includes:

  • Understanding the eligibility criteria & requirements of visa 491.

     

  • Assessing your eligibility.

     

  • If the applicant is eligible, the next step is to understand the step-by-step 491 visa application process.
 
 

491 Visa requirements and who can apply ?

 

New rules for 491 Visa requires the applicant to meet various 491 visa requirements to be eligible to apply for this visa.

Before we dive deep into the 491 Visa requirements or 491 Visa conditions, we need to understand that the first step is to fulfil the Department of home affairs visa requirements or conditions.

Department of home affairs is the Australian federal government department that has the responsibility to look after the immigration process for the whole of Australia. All applicants need to fulfil the federal government’s (Department of home affairs) requirements at the first stage.

 

Because, this visa 491 is for the designated regional areas; and, the regional areas are under the state and territory governments. So, we need to look into the 491 Visa requirements of each state, territory for which we need to apply. It would be the second stage of understanding the Visa requirements for the 491 Visa.

Following are the steps to understand the 491 Visa requirements.

 

Step -1

Step 1: Understand the Federal Government “Department of home affairs” basic requirements.

Step-2 Find out

Step 2: Find out whether you meet the basic requirements of Department of home affairs.

Step-3 Prepare for Subclass 491

Step 3: If you meet the above mentioned basic requirements, you need to look into additional requirements of each state, territory or the region where you wants to apply.

Important Note
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Important Note

You need to fulfil the 491 visa requirements of both “Department of Home Affairs” and “State & territory” requirements.

Anyone who is living inside Australia or outside Australia and meets the visa 491 requirements of both the “Department of Home Affairs” and the respective “state & territory”, may be able to apply for this visa type.

Important Note

List of 491 requirements by the Department of Home affairs.


Following are the list of requirements by the Department of home affairs (Australia) for 491 Visa. 

You must check these list of requirements first. Click below rows to expand the requirements.

Eligibility Requirement No 1:

You must be “nominated or sponsored”.

The word “nominated or nomination” relates to Australian state or territory and “sponsored or sponsor” is related to relatives.

The first requirement by the Australian Department of Home affairs is that to be eligible for 491 Visa; you should be either:

  • nominated by the respective state or territory agency;

      OR

  • be sponsored by the eligible relative.

Nomination:

Each designated regional area would fall under one of the state or territory agency. Look for your desired designated regional area where you want to apply for 491 visa and then look for the state and territory that is responsible for processing nomination for your desired designated regional area.

Sponsorship by Relative:

Sponsored by the eligible relative is another option for 491 Visa. Details about 491 visa that relies on eligible relative sponsorship is discussed in the following sections.

We will discuss more about the “nomination” or “sponsorship” for 491 visas later in this blog, but just note at this stage that you have to mention this in your visa 491 application whether you are nominated by the “state or territory” or sponsored by the “eligible relative”.

For the nomination process, you need to submit an expression of interest (EOI) first, to get an estimate of your points to score. If you score enough points, your nominated State or Territory might pick and “nominate” you as they can see your EOI applications on their systems.

You might need to apply for the nomination to the respective State/Territory after submitting EOI. Once the nomination is approved, you automatically receive an invitation to apply for the visa.

However, you do not need to apply for (EOI) if you want to apply 491 visa based on “eligible relative”. The Department might invite you to apply for 491 visa based on eligible relative in an invitation round if you are eligible.

Eligibility Requirement No 2:

Either, be nominated by an Australian state or territory agency.

As discussed above, to get the nomination, you need to fulfil the requirements of Department of Home Affairs as well as the specific requirements of the respective State or Territory where you want to apply for your 491 Visa.

There are different States and Territories which are willing to nominate you for this visa if you fulfil their requirements and specific criteria; apart from the additional requirements of Department of Home Affairs.

Specific requirements of each State/Territory and the general requirements of Department of home affairs are discussed below in this article. You can also contact the state or territory agency directly to find out more about their nomination process and what they want from you. Moreover, your occupation must be in the respective state/territory occupation list.

Different States/Territories of Australia are: Click each State/Territory to know its specific criteria

  • New South Wales
  • Victoria
  • Tasmania
  • Queensland
  • South Australia
  • Western Australia
  • Northern Territory
  • Australian Capital Territory

OR

Nothing to Display. This means either the option above or the one below. 

 

Sponsored by Eligible Relative:   

If any of your or your partner’s eligible relative lives in the designated regional area and willing to sponsor you, you can indicate this in your expression of interest (EOI). Your sponsor must be:

  • 18 years old or older
  • Usually resident in a designated regional area of Australia.
  • be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen
  • be your or your partner’s eligible relative.

Department will approve the sponsorship before granting the visa.

An eligible relative can be:

  • a parent
  • a child or step-child
  • a brother, sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, step-brother or step-sister
  • an aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle
  • a nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step-nephew or step-niece
  • a grandparent, or
  • a first cousin.

-nephew or step-niece

  • a grandparent, or
  • a first cousin

Eligibility Requirement No 4

Age requirement “Be this age”

To be invited in invitation round, your age must be under 45 for the visa. The good news is that you can still apply for the visa if you turn 45 after the Department invites you to apply. It is important to note here that you will not be invited after you turned 45 apart from the fact that your (EOI) is still in the skill-select system.

Eligibility Requirement No 5:

Have a suitable skills assessment

At the time of the invitation, one must have a suitable skill assessment for your application to be valid, you must declare that you have a suitable skill assessment at the time of invitation.

You should apply a copy of the skill assessment when you apply for this visa subclass. It must have been acquired in the three (3) years before the date of invitation to apply.

Some skill assessments are valid for two years so you must be mindful that your skill assessment is valid when you lodge your expression of interest and your SC 491.

Eligibility Requirement No 6

 

Be able to score minimum of 65 points or more.

 

The subclass 491 is a points-tested visa, but the GOOD NEWS is that if you select this visa subclass, you will be given 15 extra points on your point test.

When you submit an EOI in Skill Select, indicative point score based on below factors may be considered:

  • Your claims of your age.
  • Overseas/Australia work experience.
  • Partner’s skills & qualification.
  • Choice of visa subclass.
  • Accredited language.
  • Professional year and
  • English test.

To be able to be invited, you must achieve 65 points at the minimum, but please be mindful that the 65 points do not guarantee an invitation. We recommend applicants to try to gain as many points as possible to compete with other applicants in the pool.

When you lodge your application, you must provide evidence supporting your claims. For example, provide your valid passport to prove your age, a valid scorecard of your English test to verify your claimed points for English.

You can calculate your point score on the Department of home affairs website:

Points Test Calculator

Eligibility Requirement No 7

 

Have the required level of English language.

Having a level of Competent English is mandatory at the time of invitation. For more details on the English tests, check our blog on English requirements for an Australian visa.

If there is any other family member above the age of 18 is applying for the Subclass 491 with you, he/she must have functional English at the time of the decision of the visa. Otherwise, you have to pay the second instalment of the visa application. 

Eligibility Requirement No 8:

 

Meet Health Requirement

You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet the Australian immigration department’s health requirements.

Non-migrating family members could also be requested to undergo and meet the health examination 

Eligibility Requirement No 9

Meet the character requirement.

The principal applicant and any other secondary applicant (family members) who is above the age of 16 years and over must meet the character requirement.

These requirements are met by providing the police clearance certificate from each country in which you or your family member has lived collectively for 12 months in the last ten (10) years after turning 16.

Please note that the non-migrating family member must also fulfil the character requirements.

Eligibility Requirement No 10


Be invited to apply.

 

SC 491 can only be applied if the applicant gets an invitation to apply for the visa through Skill Select.

Submit an expression of interest (EOI) in Skill Select and nominate your desired State/Territory or mention a sponsoring eligible relative, if any.

How to apply for 491 Visa Step by Step ?

The most challenging part about applying any visa is to where and how to start the application process. We recommend the following steps that would help you to achieve your desired outcome.

Please be mindful that you would need to check many occupation lists

Step-1: 491 Visa Occupation List

Please be mindful that you would need to check many occupation lists before you are finally able to find out whether your relevant occupation is on any list or not for 491 Visa.

You should check MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL. You can find these lists on Department of home affairs website. Most states and territories also have their own 491 regional Visa occupation lists.

So In addition to MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL, you should also check the relevant state and territory occupation list for 491 Visa. You will find all the eligible occupations for 491 visa in these lists. Please read and understand these lists carefully to find out your desired occupation.

Step-2: Get your skill-assessment.

Skill assessment is the first and foremost step in the journey of getting Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia for any skilled Visa.

Applicants of SC 491 must have suitable and positive skill assessment at the time of submitting the expression of interest. The assessment must be undertaken by the skill assessment body listed against the skill assessment body in any of the relevant occupation lists.

Step-3: 491 Visa points calculator

Next step is to find out how much you could score on the points test table. You can test your score on the department website here:

Test Your Score

Sixty-five (65) points on the point table are mandatory but do not guarantee an invitation. The rule of thumb is that higher the points, higher are the chances to get an invitation to apply for the visa.

Once invited, all the claims made in the expression of interest must be substantiated with the valid evidence. Your visa application might get refused if you fail to provide valid evidence to prove your claims.

15 points
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What's great about 491 Visa

The most amazing thing about 491 visa is that if you have 50 points, applying for SC 491 will give you 15 extra points. Approval of your nomination from respective State/Territory does not mainly depend on the category of high scores on point test but the fulfilment of the specific requirements of Department and the respective Stare or Territory.

You get 15 points

Step-4: Check that you meet all the requirements of  Department of home affairs. 

At this stage, you should check that you meet all other basic criteria described above in the requirements section. 

If you haven’t checked the Department of Home Affairs basic requirements yet then just click below:

Click me to take you to Department of Home Affairs Requirements.

Step-5: Check that you meet State and Territory Requirements

After checking the Department of Home affairs basic requirements. Next, you should check whether you meet the requirements of the respective state or territory where you want to apply.

Step-6: Gather the documents required for 491 Visa

Once you know that you meet all the requirements, the next step is to start gathering your documents.

 

Step-7: Gather the documents required for 491 Visa

Assuming you have all the required documents, you should now proceed to apply for 491 visa Expression of Interest (EOI).

During the EOI application process, the system will estimate your points score based on the claims made in your EOI and may send you an invitation to apply for SC 491.

 

Important Note for Applicants who are already Inside Australia: Your submitted EOI is just an expression of interest, not a visa. Therefore, it will never result in a grant of Bridging visa, allowing you to stay in Australia lawfully if you are already in Australia. If your current visa is expiring, you might look into applying for any other suitable visa while you are waiting for an invite through skill select to let you live in Australia lawfully.

It is worth noting here that the EOI is valid for two (2) years means you can expect the invitation anytime in 2 years.

You can make changes to your EOI but be mindful that change in the claimed points will change its date of effect also. Important changes could be:

 

  • You want to apply for a different skilled visa.

  • Your circumstances change – for example, if you change your occupation or your family structure changes.

  • You could score more points – for example, you have completed a higher qualification or gained new work experience.

  • Your employment circumstances change, and you are no longer working at least 20 hours per week in your nominated occupation.

Step-8: Receive an Invitation to apply for a Visa. 

Once invited, you have 60 calendar days to apply for the visa. You have to be very careful with this time frame as there are no extension requests associated with it. There are also two invitations per (EOI) in case you miss the chance to apply for the first invitation. The (EOI) will be suspended automatically after the two invites.

Getting an invitation does not mean you will be granted the visa. This means you are eligible to apply for the final 491 Visa.

Step-8: Apply for 491 Visa

Apply your visa online after you receive your invitation to apply.You can be in or outside Australia.

You have 60 days from the date of your invitation to apply for the visa.

5 years grant
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Yaaayy!!!!

If you are granted an SC 491, you can come/stay in/to Australia.
The visa is valid for five (5) years from the date it is granted.

On this visa you can:

• Live, work and study in the designated regional area of Australia in line with your visa conditions.

• Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid.

• Apply for permanent residency, if eligible, through the Sc 191 (Permanent Residence Skilled Regional visa).

• Work in any occupation and for any employer in line with the work and residence conditions attached to your visa.

05 Years

Documents checklist for 491 Visa.

The most challenging part about applying any visa is to where and how to start the application process. We recommend the following steps that would help you to achieve your desired outcome.

Please be mindful that you would need to check many occupation lists

Identity Documents

Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.

Also, provide:

  • a national identity card, if you have one.
  • proof of a change of name.

Documents that prove a change of name include:

  • a marriage or divorce certificate.

  • change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority.

  • documents that show other names you have been known by.

Relationship Documents

If you are or have been married, widowed, divorced or permanently separated, provide proof such as divorce documents, death certificates, separation documents or statutory declarations.

Character Documents

Provide an Australian police certificate if you have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last ten (10) years since you turned 16.

Also, provide:

  • An overseas police certificate from every country, including your home country, where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last ten (10) years since you turned 16.
  • military service records or discharge papers if you served in the armed forces of any country.

English test results

Provide the scorecard of your English test. Please check the expiry date on it. Make sure that it should be on the competent level.

Partner’s Documents

If you have a partner or a spouse provide his/her identity and proof your relationship with him/her. 

Provide:

  • identity documents and photos
  • character documents
  • marriage certificate, if applicable
  • documents about other relationships, if applicable.

For de facto relationship provide either:

  • evidence that an Australian State or Territory registers your relationship.
  • enough documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship with your partner for at least 12 months before you apply.

For both married and de facto applicants you must provide evidence that you are in a genuine and continuing relationship. Evidence can include but is not limited to:

  • joint bank account statements.
  • billing accounts in joint names.
  • joint leases or mortgages.
  • documents that show your partner has lived at the same address as you.

Proof that your partner has functional English.

Your partner or other secondary applicants who are above the age of eighteen (18) should have at least functional English. If not, the second installment of the visa application must be paid in lieu of that.

Dependents UNDER 18 documents.

For every dependent 18 years old or younger who is applying with you, provide:

  • copies of birth certificates or the family book showing the names of both parents of all your dependent children
  • Copies of the adoption paper, if applicable. 

Dependents OVER 18 documents.

To include your child who is over 18 in your visa application, they must be:

  • over 18 years of age but not yet turned 23, and dependent on you or your partner, or
  • over 23 years of age and unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations and dependent on you or your partner.

If your child is likely to turn 23 while your application is being processed, you will need to provide evidence they are dependent on you due to disability.

Provide:

  • identity documents
  • documents about their other relationships, if applicable.

You must also provide proof the child is dependent on you.

  • evidence of your relationship with the dependant such as a birth certificate or adoption papers
  • a completed Form 47a Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over (241KB PDF)
  • proof of financial dependency such as bank statements, money transfers and rent receipts
  • if the child is aged 23 or is likely to turn 23 while your application is being processed, you must also provide a report from a qualified medical practitioner that states they are dependent on you or your partner due to the total or partial loss of their bodily or mental functions.

Skill assessment documents

You must provide the assessment outcome letter stating its validity and the reference number.

Other documents regarding claims made in (EOI)

Evidence of

  • Australian and/or overseas skilled employment (if applicable)
  • Educational qualifications (if applicable)
  • Accredited community language (if applicable)
  • Study in regional Australia (if applicable)
  • Partner skills and/or competent English score (if applicable)
  • Professional Year in Australia (if applicable)

Sponsor documents (if the invitation is based on the family sponsored stream SC 491)

If you are being sponsored, provide:

  • Sponsorship declaration form.
  • proof that your sponsor is an eligible relative.
  • proof that your sponsor has turned 18.
  • proof that your sponsor is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
  • proof that your sponsor is usually resident in a designated area of Australia.

To prove that your sponsor is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen, provide:

  • citizenship certificate, or
  • passport bio-data page.

To prove your sponsor is usually resident in a designated area of Australia, documents you can provide include, but are not limited to:

  • drivers licence.
  • mortgage/tenancy agreements.
  • utility bills.

To prove the sponsor’s relationship with you, documents you can provide include, but are not limited to:

  • birth certificate
  • marriage certificates
  • death certificates
  • adoption certificates
  • family status certificates or family books if officially issued and maintained

State & Territories and their specific criteria to be eligible for SC 491

As stated earlier in this blog that you have to meet the Departments of Home affairs basic criteria first and then need to move on to the State & Territories specific requirements. 

Below are the list of State and Territories and their relevant list of requirements. Click the buttons below to reach out to specific State or Territory.

491 Visa VICTORIA (VIC)

Eligibility Criteria for 491 Visa Victoria

Age Requirement

The main applicant must be below the age of 45.

English Language Requirement for 491 visa Victoria:

The primary applicant must have a competent level of English (or equivalent).

Alternative English language tests are accepted.  Applicants can obtain the IELTS equivalent in any of the following Department of Home Affairs’ accepted language tests: OET, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE).

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

At least six (6) for each of the four (4) components

Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)

At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)

At least 50 for each of the four (4) components

Occupational English Test (OET)

At least B for each of the four (4) components

Cambridge C1 Advanced test

At least 169 in each of the four (4) components

Please note: If you are a citizen of the USA, UK, Canada, Republic of Ireland or New Zealand you are not required to submit English language test results. You must submit a copy of your passport bio page.

Occupation list for 491 Visa Victoria

To apply for Victorian nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa, your occupation must be listed on the skilled occupation lists. There is no specific list for SC 491 for Victoria. If your occupation falls in any list like MLTSSL, STSOL or ROL, you are eligible to apply for the SC 491 nomination to the State of Victoria. Moreover, you must fulfil all the other requirements of the Department and the specific requirements of the State of Victoria.

Finances requirement for 491 visa Victoria

Financial resource requirements are in place to ensure you can support yourself and your family on arrival in Victoria.

ONSHORE APPLICANTS

Working in the nominated occupation  

A$20,000 

Not working in the nominated occupation

OFFSHORE APPLICANTS

If you are a single applicant = A$ 30000.

If you have 1 dependent = A$ 35000

If you have 2 dependents = A$ 40,000

If you have 3 dependents = A$ 50,000

If you have 4 dependents = A$ 60,000

If you have 5 dependents = A$ 70,000

If you have 6 or more dependents = A$ 80,000

Offer of employment for 491 Visa Victoria

You must provide evidence of a current offer of employment in a position located in the regional area of Victoria if you wish to apply for Victorian nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa.

To demonstrate you have a current employment offer, you are required to provide the offer letter, its acceptance and a summary of your main tasks.

The employment offer must be in your nominated occupation and must be for full-time work for a period of at least 12 months. Full-time work in Australia is defined as 38 hours per week.

Genuine intention to Live, Work and study in a designated regional area in Victoria

A demonstration of genuine intention to live in Victoria is required from the principal applicant and its dependents.

Skills Assessment

A valid and positive skill assessment should be attained before applying for the nomination application as it must be attached to the online application form.

CV

Your CV should be no more than four pages long and must include:

  • Detailed description of relevant tasks and responsibilities performed within all employment
  • Dates of employment (including month and year), and
  • Dates of education and training.

Step 1: Lodge your Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Home Affairs through Skill Select

Skill Select is the Australian government’s online system that enables skilled workers interested in migrating to Australia to submit their details to be considered for a skilled visa through an EOI.

You must lodge your Expression of Interest before applying for the Victorian nomination, as you will require your EOI number to submit your application form.

Step 2: Prepare your documents

When you lodge your online application, you must provide:

  • a detailed resume or CV
  • a skills assessment
  • English language test results or if exempt a copy of your passport bio page
  • an offer of employment located in a designated regional area of Victoria.

Step 3: Lodge your nomination application through the Live-in Melbourne website

You can lodge your application for Victoria nomination and submit all supporting documents through their online application system.

Fees and Charges

There is no application fee for Victorian visa nomination.

Family members and dependents

Include any dependents in the visa nomination application that you intend to include in your visa application.

Step 4: Lodge your visa application with the Department of Home Affairs

Once you have received your Victorian Government nomination, you are then able to lodge your visa application.  

Step 5: Notify the State of your visa outcome

PROCESSING TIME for 491 VISA Victoria: 

The average processing time for the Victorian Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa nomination is currently 12 weeks.  

 

Some have to wait
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If you are not in ICT, ENG or NURSING

If your occupation is not related to Engineering, ICT or Nursing, you do not have to wait for the invitation to come through skill select. You can directly apply to the State of Victoria for the nomination. Once the VIC approves the nomination, you automatically receive an invite to apply for the visa from the Department of Home Affairs through Skill Select.

Some may apply

491 Visa (NT) Northern Territory

Eligibility criteria in respect to age, English and point test is same as of the general requirement of Department of Home Affairs i.e. must be below the age of 45, competent English and 65 points along with the positive skill assessment in your nominated occupation.

To apply for Northern Territory nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa, your occupation must be listed on the skilled occupation lists. There is no specific list for SC 491 for NT. If your occupation falls in any list like MLTSSL, STSOL or ROL, you are eligible to apply for the SC 491 nomination to the Northern Territory. Moreover, you must fulfil all the other requirements of the Department and the specific requirements of the Northern Territory.

In addition to above, you must meet the specific requirements of the Northern Territory government if you want them to nominate you for SC 491. The requirements mainly depend upon your location, i.e. offshore (outside Australia) or onshore (inside Australia).

If you are already in Australia on any substantive visa other than SC 491

  • you must be living and working in your nominated occupation in NT for the last six months
  • If you are NT graduate, you must have successfully completed at least two years of study at the college or university in NT and show your employment prospect in NT.

 

If you are applying from outside Australia

  • Offshore applicants must have been employed in their nominated occupation for at least 12 months out of the last 24 months prior to your application, or have relevant Australian qualifications.
  • Offshore applicants must have an offer of full-time relevant employment in the NT, if the NT migration occupation list requires it.
  • You must provide strong evidence of good employment prospects in the NT either in your skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation.

 

Employability

You can show you have good employment prospects by providing:

  • an offer of employment letter from an NT employer
  • a submission describing how your skills and experience meet NT employer needs
  • evidence that your occupation has been advertised in the NT multiple times and an explanation of how your qualifications and experience match the job vacancy
  • Evidence of feedback from potential NT employers.

Financials

You can show the financials in the form of bank statement, jewellery, asset or shares. The table below gives you detail on the assets you need and the summary you have to provide.

 

Minimum value of net assets against Family composition

Individual applicant

AU$35 000

Applicant and spouse

AU$50 000

Applicant and spouse plus one child

AU$60 000

Applicant and spouse plus two children

AU$65 000

GOOD NEWS:

You can directly apply to the Northern Territory for the nomination if you fulfil their requirements. Once the NT approves the nomination, you automatically receive an invite to apply for the visa from the Department of Home Affairs through Sill Select.

Apply Direct
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Northern Territory

You can directly apply to the Northern Territory for the nomination if you fulfil their requirements. Once the NT approves the nomination, you automatically receive an invite to apply for the visa from the Department of Home Affairs through Skill Select.

Directly Apply

491 Visa South Australia (SA)

Eligibility criteria in respect to age, English and point test is same as of the general requirement of Department of Home Affairs, i.e. must be below the age of 45, competent English and 65 points along with the positive skill assessment in your nominated occupation.

To apply for South Australia nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa, your occupation must be in the list of state Nominated occupation list of South Australia.

South Australia has its own skilled occupation list which is of course extracted from the major occupation lists of MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL.

Broadly, South Australia has two main lists named State Nominated Occupation List and Supplementary Skilled List. Against each occupation, SA mentions its specific criteria which should be fulfilled along with the general requirements of the Department of Home Affairs.

There is also red, blue and green label against each occupation. Red indicates that there are special conditions attached to the particular occupation, blue indicates that there is low availability of your occupation in South Australia and green indicates that the nominations are available and your occupation is high in demand in South Australia.

If you are already in Australia on any substantive visa other than SC 491

  • You must be living and working in your nominated occupation in SA for the last twelve months if in Greater Adelaide and six months if in any region farther away from Greater Adelaide.

Financials

Family composition

Offshore Applicant:

Combined cash & assets requirement

Onshore Applicant:

Combined cash & assets requirement

Main applicant only

Total figure between AUD $ 20,000 – 25,000

Total figure between AUD $5,000 – 10,000

Main applicant plus one (1) dependent

Total figure between AUD $25,000- 30,000

Total figure between AUD $ 10,000 – 15,000

Main applicant plus two (2) dependents

Total figure between AUD $30,000 – 35,000

Total figure between AUD $15,000 – 20,000

Main applicant plus three (3) dependents

Total figure between AUD $35,000 – 40,000

Total figure between AUD $20,000 – 25,000

 

South Australia 491
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Directly Apply

You can directly apply to South Australia for the nomination. Once they approve the nomination, you automatically receive an invite to apply for the visa from the Department of Home Affairs through Sill Select.

South Australia

491 Visa Western Australia

Western Australia has its own lists called Western Australia Skilled Migration List and Graduate Occupation List. The second list is only applicable to Western Australia Graduates. These lists provide the exhaustive requirements mentioned against each occupation regarding its availability.

At present Western Australia is entertaining nomination only for their local graduates. If you want to go to Australia on a student visa, then Western Australia could be your best option.

491 Visa Australia Capital Territory (ACT)

ACT has its own lists called ACT Occupation List. This list provides the exhaustive requirements mentioned against each occupation regarding its availability, special conditions and requirements.

Apart from fulfilling the general requirements of the Department of Home Affairs regarding age, points, English requirement and skill assessment, ACT has its own matrix system. Higher the points you score on their matrix system, higher is the probability of getting the nomination of ACT.

ACT
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Australian Capital Territory

You can directly apply to the ACT for the nomination if you have enough score on their matrix. Once they approve the nomination, you automatically receive an invite to apply for the visa from the Department of Home Affairs through Skill Select.

ACT Matrix System

491 Visa (NSW) New South Wales

There are two occupations lists for NSW nomination for this visa. The relevant occupation list depends on which nomination criteria an applicant is applying under.

 

 

 

 

From 16th of November 2019, the 491 visas will be managed entirely within the NSW Government and applications can be made directly to NSW Treasury. Before, every regional area of NSW has its own set of requirements which were additional to that of the requirements of NSW government. There are streamlined requirements for the SC 491 in NSW.

 

NSW nomination requirements

Before submitting an EOI, please review the NSW nomination criteria relevant to your circumstances to confirm your eligibility.

· I’m living and working in regional NSW

· I’m offshore

· I’ve recently completed study in regional NSW

Your situation

Requirements

I’m living and working in regional NSW

1.  Your nominated occupation is on the NSW LIST.

and;

2.  You have been working in a designated regional area in NSW in your nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation*,

for at least the last 12 months

and;

3.  You have been living in a designated regional area in NSW, for at least the last 12 months.

 

I’m offshore (outside of Australia)

1.  Your nominated occupation is on the NSW Skills list

and;

2.  You are residing outside Australia, and;

a)  You have an offer for ongoing employment in a designated regional area in NSW, from an employer who is registered in

 Australia, and;

·                 the offer of employment is in your nominated, or a closely related occupation*, and;

·                 the offer of employment is for a minimum of 12 months and for 35 hours per week.

or;

b)  You have at least five years of skilled employment in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation*

or;

c)  You have an immediate family member living in  NSW regional Areas.

 

I’ve recently completed study in regional NSW

1.  Your nominated occupation is on the NSW Skills List

and;

2.  You have completed study at an education provider, or education providers, located in a regional NSW,

and;

·                 the study was continuous and met the Australian study requirement, and;

·                 you have lived in a designated regional area in NSW while completing this study, and;

·                 the study was completed within the last 12 months, and;

·                 the qualification from your study has been assessed as closely related to your nominated occupation* by the relevant

·                 assessing authority

491 Visa Queensland (QLD)

The requirements depend upon your individual circumstances. First and foremost, you should fulfil the Department of Home Affairs Requirement.

If you are currently employed onshore full-time in Queensland

  1. Your occupation must be on QSOL
  2. Minimum of 35 hours per week of employment in your nominated occupation in regional QLD.

If you are living and working overseas

  1. Your occupation must be on QSOL offshore list
  2. you have a minimum of 2 years post-qualification work experience in your nominated occupation. More experience may be required for certain occupations.


Please note, if you are an overseas PhD graduate, you may be eligible for a work experience requirement waiver if you have a minimum 12-month job offer with a Queensland employer registered in Australia. The job offer must be related to your occupation, and evidence is required showing acceptance of the offer.

If you are a Master’s or PhD Alumni of a Queensland University

  1. Your occupation must be on QSOL Masters Graduate List
  2. Australian Study Requirement of at least 2 Academic years offshore list
  3. Ongoing employment offer for 12 months/ 35 hrs per week

 

If you are operating a small business in regional Queensland

  1. Your occupation must be in the list of DoHA
  2. have prior business experience or qualifications to successfully run the business (or have previously been involved in a family-run business)
  3. be on a visa that allows full-time work and operation of the business for a minimum of 35 hours per week
  4. have purchased an existing business in regional Queensland (Note: not available for start-ups or home-based businesses)
  5. paid a minimum of $100,000 for the business
  6. have 100% ownership of the business (partnerships or joint ventures not eligible)
  7. be trading in the business for six (6) months prior to application
  8. employ one (1) employee who is an Australian resident working a minimum of 20 hours per week
  9. Provide evidence of sufficient settlement funds.

 

Nomination QLD
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Queensland

You can directly apply to the QLD for the nomination in SC 491 if you think that you fulfil their criteria. Once the nomination is approved by them, you automatically receive an invite to apply for the visa from the Department of Home Affairs through Skill Select.

Nomination for QLD

491 Visa Tasmania

Tasmania

The requirements depend upon your individual circumstances. First and foremost, you should fulfil the Department of Home Affairs Requirement.

Before applying, you have to check which category you fall in.

Category 1 – Tasmanian graduate

  1. you must have completed and graduated from CRICOS and must be a degree (bachelor or any higher degree), a diploma (standard, advanced, associate or graduate) or a trade qualification)
  2. must have a minimum duration of one academic year (40 weeks)
  3. must be full time and on-site in Tasmania
  4. you have lived in the state for at least (one) 1 year during your period of study
  5. you and your dependents are currently living in Tasmania and can provide evidence of your ongoing genuine commitment.
  6. If your study has been in an area that is not related to an occupation on the TSOL, you need to include with your application your CAREER PLANthat explains how your studies have increased your ability to find skilled work in Tasmania. This may include areas unrelated to your Tasmanian study.

 OR

Category 2 – Working in Tasmania

To be considered for this category, you must meet all of the following criteria:

  1. you must have been working in Tasmania for six months immediately prior to your application for state nomination. GOOD NEWS is that you do not have to be working in your nominated occupation. Your employment needs to: be at least 35 hours per week in one full-time job or in two or more part-time jobs, and you are able to provide evidence of your employment claims
  2. fill a genuine, ongoing skill shortage in Tasmania
  3. you and your dependents must currently be living in Tasmania.
  4. your employer must have a well-established business that has been actively operating in Tasmania for the past 12 months
  5. there must be a genuine need for your position within the business.
  6. Good news is that internships, stipends, scholarships and volunteer positions are not considered employment for the purpose of this category.

There are areas of non-skill shortage in Tasmania that are NOT supported for visa state nomination under the ‘Working in Tasmania’ category. This includes employment relating to:

  • supermarkets
  • service stations
  • limited-service restaurants** (cooks, chefs and café / restaurant managers)
  • massage clinics
  • taxi/uber driving

 

OR

Category 3A – Overseas applicant (TSOL)

To be considered for this category, you must be living overseas and meet all of the following criteria:

  1. your nominated occupation must be listed on the TSOL
  2. you or any of your dependents have not lived in another Australian state or territory within the last twelve months
  3. you have achieved the English requirement specified on the TSOL for your nominated occupation.
  4. you have read and met the ‘other requirements and notes column’ specified on the TSOL for your nominated occupation
  5. provide evidence that there are sufficient employment opportunities (at least five and not more than eight opportunities) in your nominated occupation in Tasmania

 

OR

Category 3B – Overseas applicant (Job offer)

To be considered for this category, you must be living overseas and meet all of the following criteria:

  1. have received a formal job offer for a job that is based in Tasmania that is in your nominated occupation
  2. you or any of your dependents have not have lived in another Australian state or territory within the last 12 months
  3. your employer must have a well-established business that has been actively operating in Tasmania for the past 12 months. There needs to be a genuine need for your position within the business. This may be satisfied if there is:


OR

Category 4 – Family in Tasmania

To be considered for this category, you must have an IMMEDIATE family member (direct relationship not in-laws) who meets all of the following criteria:

  1. has been an Australian Permanent Resident or an Australian Citizen for a minimum of 12 months prior to the lodgement of your application
  2. is currently residing in Tasmania and has been for a minimum of 12 months
  3. is a parent, brother, sister, child, aunt, uncle, or grandparent
  4. agrees to support and assist you in the process of gaining employment in Tasmania upon your arrival in Tasmania.

OR

 

Category 5 – Small Business Owner

To be considered for this category, you must be living in Tasmania at the time of lodgement of your application and meet the following criteria:

  1. demonstrate that you have established and operated your business (solely owned) in Tasmania for at least six (6) months
  2. demonstrate that the business is highly likely able to give you a personal income that would meet the minimum taxable income requirement set by Home Affairs for the subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa. Currently, that is AU$53,900 per year for at least three (3) years in the next five (5) years.
  3. A comprehensive business plan
  4. evidence of thorough research into, and understanding of, the target market
  5. research and understanding of relevant industry conditions, licensing and/or registration requirements for the business in Tasmania
  6. realistic market opportunities for the proposed business in Tasmania, particularly where the business would be competing with other similar existing businesses already established in Tasmania.
  7. Additional considerations include the applicant’s prior business ownership or business management experience and also the nature of the business and its long-term benefit to Tasmania.

** Franchise and share-owned businesses are not acceptable under this category.

** Service stations, massage clinics and taxi/uber related businesses are not supported under this category. 

 

 

 

Tasmania Nomination
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Tasmania (TAS)

You can directly apply to Tasmania for the nomination in SC 491 if you think that you fulfil their criteria. Once the nomination is approved by them, you automatically receive an invite to apply for the visa from the Department of Home Affairs through Sill Select.

TAS Nomination