Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) IN NSW OPEN 

17 November 2020

Regional Development Australia (RDA) offices will soon begin assisting NSW Treasury in managing applications for NSW nominations for the subclass 491 visa once the allocations have been confirmed.

Each RDA will be responsible for setting their own eligible skilled occupations for nomination applications. More detailed information certain requirements and the occupations list will be available through participating RDAs.
​
Nomination Criteria for a 491 visa in NSW will remain consistent across all regions (see below).

NOMINATION CRITERIA

The 491 Visa holds certain requirements that must be met including:

• Hold a suitable skills assessment for your occupation
• Competent English at the time of applying (e.g. 6 IELTS each band or 50 PTE each band)
• Score a minimum of 65 points
• Be under the age of 45 when applying
• Be invited to apply
• Meet the health & character requirements

In addition to the above requirements, you must meet all criteria in one of the three following three streams to be eligible for NSW nomination:

Living & working in REGIONAL NSW

• ​living in a designated regional area in NSW for at least the previous 12 months; and
• working in your nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation, in a designated regional area of NSW, for at least the previous 12 months

Recently completed STUDY in REGIONAL NSW

• ​have completed study or education with an education provider within a certain criteria
• have lived in a designated regional area of NSW while completing your study

Living & working OUTSIDE of NSW

Job offer in regional NSW

• ​have an offer for ongoing employment that is:
  • in the Applicant's nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation; and
• for a minimum term of 12 months and 35 hours of work per week;
• have an offer for ongoing employment from an employer that is:
  • located in a designated regional area in NSW; and
  • registered in Australia

OR 
At least five years skilled employment experience (offshore Applicants)
(further information)

Family ties in regional NSW
(further information) 

SOURCE: 
​NSW Department of Industry. (2020). Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) - Live & Work in New South Wales. [online] Available at: https://www.business.nsw.gov.au/live-and-work-in-nsw/visas-and-immigration/skilled-visas/skilled-work-regional-visa-subclass-491.
Homeaffairs.gov.au. (2019). Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa - Main applicant. [online] Available at: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-work-regional-provisional-491/application#Eligibility.

---

---