The Complete Guide to the 491 Visa: What You Need to Know

The Complete Guide to the 491 Visa: What You Need to Know

As we know, many people nowadays want to settle abroad for better lives. However, this process involves a lot of work and documentation. To settle in Australia, there are many options available, but visa 419 offers hope for those applicants who want to live, work, and explore different parts of the country. This blog will help you untangle all the complexities that arise while applying for the visa.

What is the 491 Visa

The subclass 491 visa is a type of visa that allows the applicant to live in regional Australia for work and residency purposes. The duration of this visa is up to five years. The applicant who has applied for this visa must be state-nominated or sponsored by a family member who is already a permanent resident in Australia.

491 Visa Occupation List

  • Construction project manager
  • Engineering manager
  • Child care centre manager
  • Nursing clinical director
  • Primary health organisation manager
  • Welfare centre manager
  • Arts administrator or manager
  • Environmental manager
  • Dancer or choreographer
  • Music director
  • Musician (instrumental)
  • Artistic director
  • Accountant (general)
  • Management accountant
  • Taxation accountant
  • External auditor
  • Internal auditor
  • Actuary
  • Statistician
  • Economist
  • Valuer
  • Management consultant
  • Architect
  • Landscape architect
  • Surveyor
  • Cartographer
  • Other spatial scientist
  • Chemical engineer
  • Materials engineer
  • Civil engineer
  • Geotechnical engineer
  • Quantity surveyor
  • Structural engineer
  • Transport engineer
  • Electrical engineer
  • Electronics engineer
  • Industrial engineer
  • Mechanical engineer
  • Production or plant engineer

491 Visa Requirements

  • Applicants should be nominated by government agencies of state or territory. 
  • Applicants should be sponsored by any eligible family member who is a permanent resident of Australia.
  • Applicants should have Occupation which is on Occupation list.
  • Applicants should have a skilled Assessment for Occupation.
  • Applicants should be under the age of forty five years at the time of application.
  • Applicants should satisfy the health and character examination.
  • Applicants should not owe any money from the Australian government.
  • Applicants should clear the English proficiency test.

Related Post: Partner Visa Australia Requirements: All You Need to Know

491 Visa Fees

Subclass 491 Visa (Skilled Work Regional) – Cost Breakdown

Applying for the Subclass 491 visa involves several fees, starting with the base application charge and additional costs for family members and required assessments.

Visa Application Charges:

  • Main Applicant: AUD 4,770

  • Additional Applicant (18 and over): AUD 2,385

  • Additional Applicant (under 18): AUD 1,190

Other Associated Costs:

  • Skill Assessment Fees: AUD 500 – AUD 1,000 (varies by assessing authority)

  • English Language Test (e.g., IELTS): Approximately AUD 400

  • Medical Examination: Around AUD 400 per adult and AUD 350 per child

  • Police Clearance Certificate: Roughly AUD 70 for WA; similar rates apply for other states or countries you’ve resided in recently

Keep in mind that fees may vary depending on the provider or your specific circumstances. It’s always best to plan ahead and consult a registered migration agent for the most accurate guidance.

This costs cover many things like:

  • Applicants should ensure health medical examination under Australian medical standards.
  • Character certificate after clearing the police clearance.
  • Fees related to applicant’s Occupation.
  • If an applicant includes their family member they should add the fees for that member.

491 Visa Processing Time

The processing time for the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa typically ranges between 9 to 19 months, depending on the complexity of the application and individual circumstances. Applications that are complete and meet all requirements are usually processed faster, while delays may occur if additional information or documentation is needed.

For 491 visa processing time may differ from one another. As there are many applications it depends on the number of applications, correctness of it, and further need of any documentation. It is advisable to provide all the documents on time so that delays may be avoided.

What is the 491 visa processing time offshore?

Processing times for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – Subclass 491 can vary based on individual circumstances. According to VisaEnvoy, approximately 25% of applications are processed within 6 months, 50% within 11 months, 75% within 16 months, and 90% are finalised within 17 months. Submitting a complete application with accurate documentation can help avoid unnecessary delays.

How to get PR after 491 visa

The applicant holds a 491 visa, which allows them to apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia. Applicants can apply for PR in Australia after living and working in the country for three years. Additionally, the taxable income of the applicants for each year should be at least $53,900.

If the applicant is outside Australia and has been granted PR, they must enter the country by the specified entry date. This entry date is 12 months from the date of their medical and police checks and is not changeable.

491 Visa Benefits

The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa provides skilled migrants and their families with the opportunity to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years. It also offers a clear pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa after meeting certain requirements.

491 visa centrelink benefits:

  • Live and Work in Regional Australia: Stay in designated regional areas for up to 5 years, enjoying a relaxed and affordable lifestyle.

  • Pathway to PR: Become eligible for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after 3 years, if you meet income and residency requirements.

  • Include Family Members: Bring your spouse and dependent children under the same application.

  • Access Medicare: You and your family can benefit from Australia’s public healthcare system.

  • Travel Flexibility: Enjoy multiple entries in and out of Australia during the visa’s validity.

  • Boost Your Points: Receive 15 additional points with a state/territory nomination, increasing your chances of visa approval.

  • Family Sponsorship Option: Get sponsored by an eligible family member living in a regional area.

  • Affordable Lifestyle: Regional locations often offer lower living costs and a better work-life balance compared to major cities.

Recent Blog: Partner Visa Australia Requirements: All You Need to Know

Conclusion

In conclusion, the immigration agents in Perth are experienced in their respective fields. They are well-trained and can help applicants with visa approval.

Visa 491 provides wide opportunities and benefits for those who dream of living in Australia. It is a way to fulfill the professional and adventurous lives of applicants and their families.

FAQ

What is the typical waiting period to receive an invitation for the 491 visa?

We can say that an average waiting time will be several Months but it can approximately takes 16 months for regional government and 29 months for regional family sponsored.

What is the process for including a newborn baby in a 491 visa application?

To add newborn in visa 491:

  • Give notification to Department of Home Affairs.
  • To ImmiAccount upload the documents. Like Form 1022, colour
  • print of baby birth certificate and baby passport page.
  • Post the above mentioned documents to Departmental office.
  • Send all the documents by Registered post.

What happens if I separate from my partner while on a 491 visa?

If such thing happens the Applicants should notify the Department of Home Affairs.

How does the 491 visa differ from the 190 visa?

There is a difference Between both the visa as visa 491 is traditional visa in which applicant can get PR after staying for three years. And visa 190 is an application for Permanent residency.

 

about the author

Migration Agent Perth specialist in Spouse, work and family visas as well as Visa Refusal and cancellation. Get quality assistance with their visa and migration issues with us.

admin

Get in touch with us Speak with your migration agent in perth
Migration Agent Perth

5.0

  • I was looking for a credible immigration agent on the Internet because I found the visa process to be intimidating and complex. I contacted Migration Agent Perth, WA on the recommendation of a friend. If there was one thing I liked best about Migration Agent Perth, it was their unwavering support.As a complete stranger, the expert team guided me through the process in simple language and assisted me in organising my paperwork. I will be eternally grateful to the visa consultant Perth team for their assistance in making my dream of studying in Australia a reality. I wholeheartedly endorse their services.

    Vandana Tiwari
  • I’ve been using Migration Agent Perth, WA for Visa concerns for a long time. Me and my partner recently went to their office to enquire about our partner visa. Their team was really professional and informed about our needs, and their guidance with visa applications made things much easier for us.I agree that the processes are unpleasant, tedious, and involve a lot of red tape, but I have to applaud Migration Agent Perth’s employees with keeping us on schedule and ensuring that we received our visa. I would recommend them because they are both cost-effective and the best immigration agents in Perth. If you want to get any kind of visa without any hassle, you must go there at least once.

    Nisha Nayak
  • I’d highly recommend Migration Agent Perth, WA if you are applying for an Australian visa. Most of the Australian visas are much costly and have a complex process to apply. I went their office due to my visa application process and they listened me with patience. The Whole team of their visa consultant Perth, is trained under MARA. The staff was extremely positive from the beginning. I would like thank their team of migration experts for genuine care and support throughout visa process. I was very impressed with their positive and calm behavior towards our visa application. They are the highly rated and appreciated Immigration Agent in Perth by their customers. Thanks again for providing me best migration services at affordable rates.

    Nandni Vyas
Inquire Now
Call Us Now