Why Regional Visas Exist

Australia's major cities — Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane — are under significant population pressure. To encourage skilled migration to regional Australia, the government created regional visa pathways with more accessible invitation scores and a dedicated permanent residency pathway.

If you are open to living in regional Australia, these visas can be significantly easier to obtain than the metropolitan alternatives.

Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)

The Subclass 491 is a points-tested provisional visa that requires nomination from either a state or territory government, or sponsorship from an eligible relative living in a designated regional area.

Key details:
  • 5-year visa (provisional)
  • Allows you to live, work, and study in designated regional areas
  • Pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 after 3 years
  • Adds 15 points to your points score (compared to 5 for state nomination via Subclass 190)
  • Must live and work in a designated regional area for 3 years to be eligible for the 191
Designated regional areas: Regional Australia broadly — including cities and towns outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Importantly, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, and the Gold Coast are classified as regional for visa purposes.

Subclass 494 — Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)

The Subclass 494 is employer-sponsored, for skilled workers in regional areas. Unlike the 491 which is points-tested, the 494 requires an approved regional employer to sponsor you.

Key details:
  • 5-year provisional visa
  • Must work for your sponsoring employer in their regional business
  • Pathway to permanent residency through Subclass 191 after 3 years
  • No points test — employer nomination is the pathway

The 191 — Your Permanent Residency Goal

The Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence — Regional) is the permanent residency visa for holders of 491 and 494 visas.

To be eligible:

  • Hold a 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years
  • Have lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least 3 years
  • Have earned at least the minimum taxable income (approximately $53,900 per year) during those 3 years
  • Have complied with all conditions of your provisional visa

Points Score Advantage of the 491

The 491 offers a significant points advantage over the standard state-nominated 190:

VisaPoints from nomination/regional
Subclass 190 (state nominated)+5 points
Subclass 491 (state/territory nominated)+15 points
This 10-point difference can be decisive. An applicant who cannot get a 189 invitation with 70 points may easily secure an invitation through the 491 stream.

Trade-offs to Consider

Advantages:
  • More accessible invitation scores
  • Larger 15-point boost (491)
  • Perth, Adelaide, and other cities qualify as "regional"
  • Permanent pathway via 191 after 3 years
Disadvantages:
  • Provisional visa only — not immediate permanent residency
  • Must genuinely live and work in regional areas for 3 years
  • Income requirement for the 191 ($53,900+ taxable income per year)
  • Employer options may be more limited than major cities
  • Must check that your occupation is on the state/territory's nominated list

Who Should Consider Regional Visas?

  • Applicants with 65–79 points who cannot secure a 189 invitation
  • Applicants whose occupation is on the regional list but not the 189 list
  • Applicants willing to live in Perth, Adelaide, or regional Queensland/NSW/Victoria
  • Workers with employer opportunities in regional areas
Use our Points Calculator to estimate whether regional nomination would put you over the invitation threshold. Compare MARA-registered migration agents who specialise in regional visa pathways →