Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
A provisional visa for points tested skilled workers to live and work in regional NSW.
About NSW nomination
NSW nomination for this visa allows skilled migrants to live, work and study in designated regional areas of NSW for a period of 5 years.
There are two pathways to NSW nomination for this visa:
- Pathway 1 – Apply directly to a Regional Development Australia (RDA) office
- Pathway 2 – Be invited to apply by Investment NSW
There are two nomination streams under Pathway 1, these are:
- Stream A – Established work history with a regional NSW-based employer
- Stream B – My skills are required in regional NSW
See our Common questions about skilled visas page for answers to a full list of our most commonly received questions.
Nomination criteria
To be eligible for NSW nomination, you must meet all eligibility requirements outlined by Home Affairs for this visa. This includes being skilled in an eligible occupation.
Additionally, you must also meet all eligibility for the nomination pathway and/or stream you are seeking nomination. These are outlined below.
Note: You are not eligible for NSW nomination for this visa if you have previously been nominated by NSW for any visa.
Pathway 1 – Apply directly to a Regional Development Australia (RDA) office
The nomination criteria for each nomination stream include:
Stream A – Established work history with a regional NSW-based employer
To apply under this stream, you must be currently living and working in a designated regional area of NSW, and have continuously done so for the past 12 months.
Your qualifying skilled employment in the twelve months immediately before applying must be:
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In your nominated (or closely related) occupation; and
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With the same regional NSW-based employer; and
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Deemed skilled by NSW; and
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Paid a minimum of the TSMIT salary level of $53,900 (prorated if under 38 hours per week) from your qualifying employer in your nominated (or closely related) occupation
Your nominated occupation must be eligible for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491).
See our Common questions about skilled visas page for further information about eligibility under this stream.
Stream B – My skilled are required in regional NSW
To be eligible to apply under this stream, you must:
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Be skilled in an occupation that is:
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within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the Stream B skills list, and
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is eligible for the visa
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Be currently residing in NSW, or offshore, and have continuously done so for a minimum period of three months
Pathway 2 – Be invited to apply by Investment NSW
To be considered for NSW nomination under Pathway 2 you must:
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Be skilled in an occupation that is:
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within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the Pathway 2 skills list, and
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is eligible for the visa
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Be currently residing in NSW, or offshore, and have continuously done so for a minimum period of three months
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Have submitted an EOI in SkillSelect seeking nomination for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) only and NSW only
Previously published points scores and work experience guides for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) have been removed for this visa due to increased availability of the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) by Home Affairs.
Pathway 2 invitation rounds
Invitation rounds occur ongoing throughout the financial year. There are no set dates, and rounds are not announced beforehand.
We cannot advise the date of upcoming NSW invitation rounds or the likelihood your SkillSelect EOI will be invited by contacting our office.
Meeting the minimum nomination criteria outlined above in no way guarantees you will be invited to apply for NSW nomination.
Because being invited to apply is competitive, we strongly encourage anyone seeking NSW nomination to explore all other migration pathways and do not wait to be invited by NSW.
If you are invited to apply for nomination, you must provide evidence for all claims in your SkillSelect EOI on the day you were invited to apply. If you have claimed points/employment in your SkillSelect EOI that you cannot provide evidence for, you cannot accept your invitation.
Nomination process
How to apply or be considered for NSW nomination is different for each nomination pathway:
Pathway 1 – Apply directly to a Regional Development Australia (RDA) office
To apply directly for NSW nomination under Pathway 1 you must:
- Confirm you are eligible for this visa with Home Affairs
- Confirm you meet all eligibility requirements for your chosen nomination stream outlined above
- Complete an EOI in SkillSelect ensuring that all information is accurate and that your EOI is seeking nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) only and NSW only
- Complete your application fee payment directly with the RDA office in your chosen nominating region
- Apply for NSW nomination using our online application form
- Wait up to eight weeks for your application outcome
Pathway 2 – Be invited to apply by Investment NSW
To be considered for NSW nomination under Pathway 2 you must:
- Confirm you are eligible for this visa with Home Affairs
- Confirm you meet all pathway eligibility requirements outlined above
- Complete an EOI in SkillSelect ensuring that all information is accurate and that your EOI is seeking nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) only and NSW only
- Wait to be invited to apply – because of the high demand for NSW nomination, most migrants seeking nomination will unfortunately not be invited
- If invited, apply for NSW nomination directly to Investment NSW using the link provided to you by email
- Wait up to six weeks for your application outcome
Participating RDA offices
Alternative migration pathways
NSW nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is just one of a number of visa options for prospective skilled migrants.
There are a range of visas offered by Home Affairs, including both temporary and permanent employer nominated visas. You may also wish to seek advice from a registered migration agent.