You can enter Australia as a skilled worker under the many subclasses provided, you meet the eligibility requirements. The skilled work regional (provision) 491 visa for Australian skilled migration is a category most suited for skilled workers. Skilled people who have the necessary skills to get a state or territory nomination or who have a relative willing to sponsor them to Australia can apply under this visa subclass.

What is Subclass 491?

This is a point-based visa wherein you submit your application to get nominated by a state or territory government agency. If you have a relative in Australia willing to sponsor you then also you can enter the country under this visa subclass. Once your application is submitted through SkillSelect you get points based on the skills and information you provided. If you score the necessary points, you will receive a nomination to immigrate to Australia. The biggest attraction point of this visa is that whoever successfully receives a nomination gets to stay in Australia for 5 years. They can also travel to and from Australia till the time of their visa validity.

The only conditions that a candidate needs to fulfill out of all are:

• Get nominated by the state or territory government agency

• Have a relative sponsor you

• Qualify under one of the Skilled Occupation List

• Score necessary points

491 Visa Requirements

• Must have a positive skills assessment by a verified skill assessing authority

• Successful submission of Expression of Interest following a point allocation

• Get nominated by a relative residing in Australia

• Candidate must be under 45 years of age

• Score minimum required points to show English Language Proficiency

• Meet the Australian Government's skills, health, and character requirements

Application Process

1. Receive an invitation

After submitting an Expression of Interest you will receive certain points based on which you will receive an invitation to permanently migrate to Australia. This invitation is very important to live or work in Australia under this visa subclass.

2. Get a positive skill assessment

Obtaining a positive skills assessment means classifying your job as an eligible occupation in Australia. For this, you need to check if your work or job profile falls under the skilled occupation list of Australia.

3. Be a certain age

To apply for this visa subclass, you need to be less than 45 years of age. Any applicant crossing the 45 years mark will be deemed ineligible to apply or receive a nomination.

4. Score 65 points

Based on the information that you have provided at the time of submitting your application, you will be given certain points. If you can receive at least 65 points then you have a good chance of receiving a positive nomination.

5. Meet the English language requirements

The test for language proficiency cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation. You also need to score a minimum level of points to apply for visa 189.

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training): At least 6 for each of the 4 components
• Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT): At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing, and 18 for speaking
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): At least 50 for each of the 4 components

6. Obtain a positive health and character certificate

Apart from fulfilling other requirements, you must also submit a positive health report and pass on their character test to get a successful nomination to permanently live and work in Australia.

Who can Sponsor?

Not everyone who resides in Australia is eligible to sponsor someone living outside Australia. You must meet certain requirements to be eligible to sponsor. These are:

• Be 18 years or older

• Reside in a designated region of Australia

• The person must be an Australian Citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen

• An eligible relative of the person being sponsored

If you have any queries regarding Australia Immigration or the visa application process you can book a free consultancy session today to get your profile assessed by one of our experts.