Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)

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. 

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: 

• In your nominated (or closely related) occupation; and

• With the same regional NSW-based employer; and

• Deemed skilled by NSW; and

• 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: 

• Be skilled in an occupation that is: 

  • within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the Stream B skills list, and 

  • is eligible for the visa 

• 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:  

• Be skilled in an occupation that is: 

  • within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the Pathway 2 skills list, and 

  • is eligible for the visa  

• Be currently residing in NSW, or offshore, and have continuously done so for a minimum period of three months  

• 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.