The Skilled Work Regional 491 Visa has become a popular alternative to 482 TSS Work Visa and the Australian
Immigration now gives it priority processing.

Entire Australia is now considered Regional and visa holders are practically allowed to work anywhere except Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

It is worth noting that Regional classification now also includes major cities like Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Perth, Darwin, New Castle, Wollongong etc. These major cities are economic hubs and offer plenty of job opportunities for migrants.

It is worth noting that the 491 Visa offers more advantages as compared to 482 TSS Work Visa program.

In brief, the 491 Visa when granted is valid for 5 years and visa holders have complete freedom to change employers should they wish to since they are sponsored by an Australian State or Territory and not by an employer.

If a visa holder substantially complies with the conditions upon its grant, then after a period of 3 years they can directly apply for Permanent Residency.

Let’s have a look at the States of Queensland and Victoria that are currently accepting applications for this visa program.

Queensland (QLD)

The sunshine state of Australia is extremely popular amongst skilled migrants for the 491 Visa Program. Given its popularity as a preferred destination, this state has several restrictions on its migration program.

Offshore Applicants

There are 96 occupations available for the 491 State Nomination Program for Queensland. All applicants would need at least 2 years of post-qualification work experience and there are further nomination requirements for certain occupations.

Queensland occupation list for offshore candidates is mentioned below.

Onshore Applicants
Applicants must have lived and worked fulltime in their nominated occupation in Regional Queensland before they can lodge an application for the 491 program.

International Graduates
QLD currently only offers Masters Degree or PHD students who have studied from higher educational institutes within the state to apply for the 491 visa program. Masters Degree program students are also required to provide evidence of full time employment with QLD based employer and a job offer for ongoing employment in order to be eligible for the 491 Visa program.

Small Business Owners
Like the state of Tasmania, Queensland has also made the 491 State Nomination available for small business
owners who are based in the state, have purchased and operate a business and have the necessary qualifications to run it.

Victoria (VIC)

The state of Victoria has the highest number of occupations available for the 491 State Nomination as it utilizes the entire occupation list made available by Department of Home Affairs for this program.

This list can be accessed here.

All applicants i.e. onshore and offshore candidates and international graduates have access to the same list
and are required to provide proof of employment offer in order to lodge an application.

New South Wales (NSW)

This is the only state that is currently experiencing a delay in opening this program. However, it is anticipated that the program will open sometime in February. 

We urge the applicants to  keep all their documentation ready and to lodge the application as soon as it opens because based on recent trends popular states generally receive such a huge number of applications that they close their application intake very quickly, sometimes even on the same day of opening.

How Can We Assist You?

It might be easy to read through the requirements however it is difficult for an applicant to answer questions like which state or territory one should apply for to maximize their chances? How can one get more points? If one is thinking of coming to study in Australia, then what should one study?

We can answer these and many other questions that you may have, and we can help you develop a strategy that can ultimately get you your Australian Permanent Residency.

We would like to emphasize that before you consider this program as a suitable option, it is highly important to
get a positive outcome on Skills Assessment. Going through the Skills Assessment process can take about 2-3 months.

We have assisted hundreds of applicants to apply for this program and can assist you as well through all the involved stages including Skills Assessment.

Contact us or book a consultation today with our Registered Migration Consultant Sunny Soni.