Skilled Work Regional (491)
Five years in regional Australia, with permanent residence through the 191 after three. A nomination adds 15 points — often the difference between waiting and being invited.
- Category
- Regional
- Type
- Points-tested provisional visa, 5 years
- Nominated by
- A state or territory, or an eligible relative in a regional area
- Government charge
- A$6,140 main applicant
- Leads to
- 191 PR after 3 years
- Our fee
- From A$3,300
Start here
Do this
- Check the exact postcode is a designated regional area
- Track your income from year one
- Keep every lease and bill
- Plan a 190 alongside
Avoid this
- Moving to a capital city on the visa
- Lodging tax returns late
- Assuming the 491 is PR
- Relying on regional places alone this year
What a wrong turn can cost: Breaking the regional conditions can cost you the 191 — and with it, your path to PR.
Are you on the right track?
- Is your town a designated regional area?
- Will you earn above the 191 income threshold each year?
- Do you have a state or relative to nominate you?
Unsure about any of these? Talk it through on a free call — you're not alone in this.
Is this you?
- Your points are 10–15 short of a 189 or 190.
- You already live or work outside a capital city.
- You have a relative living in regional Australia.
What changed
2026–27 Regional places were reportedly cut sharply. Plan a 190 alongside.
13 Oct 2026 Victoria published its 2026–27 Victorian Points Test (VPT) and new fees ($66 ROI, $198 nomination incl. GST). Registrations from earlier years must be resubmitted when the program opens.
Who qualifies
- State nomination or eligible relative sponsorship.
- A skills assessment, Competent English, under 45, and 65+ points including the +15.
- Live, work and study only in designated regional areas.
Step by step
- Regional points auditPoints, occupation, states or relative sponsorship.
- Skills assessment and EnglishDone before applying.
- State applicationOr the relative's sponsorship.
- Lodge within 60 daysDecision-ready.
- 191 trackerIncome, addresses and tax returns tracked from day one.
Document checklist
Your ticks are saved on this device only.
Common problems
Myths and facts
How we help you with Skilled Work Regional
- 1UnderstandA regional points audit.
- 2PlanA written plan with states or relative sponsorship.
- 3PrepareEverything prepared and tracked.
- 4LodgeVisa lodged within 60 days.
- 5DestinationA 191 tracker from your first day.
What you'll receive
How we keep in touch: Updates during the application, then a yearly 191 check-in each July.
Three ways to do it
An honest look at your options. Some people do this themselves, and that can work well.
| Topic | With Omar Nafiz | Doing it yourself | With another provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional check | Exact postcode confirmed | Assumed | Varies |
| 191 planning | Tracked from day one | Remembered at year 3 | Rarely |
| Backup plan | 190 planned alongside | 491 only | Varies |
| Conditions | Explained at grant | Learned later | Varies |
| Cost | Fixed fee; charge separate | Charge only | Varies |
A situation like yours
An illustrative situation, in Omar's words. Names and details are fictional. See all situations.
Ten points short, living in Bendigo
- Age 35
- English Proficient
- 🌿 Skilled Work Regional
The situation. Samira is 35, lives in Bendigo and works as an accountant. Her points are 10 to 15 short of a 189 or a 190 invitation.
How I'd approach it
What I check first. A nomination for the 491 adds 15 points, against 5 for the 190. It is often the difference between waiting and being invited. I check her occupation against the regional lists first.
The options. Five years in regional Australia, with permanent residence through the 191 after three. Plan a 190 alongside, because places and rules change every year.
Age and English. At 35 her age scores 25 federally and 210 in Victoria. Proficient English scores 10 and 100. Superior would add 10 and 100. At her age, English is where I would put the effort.
My caution. The 491 is a provisional visa, not permanent residence. PR comes later, through the 191. The government charge is A$6,140 for the main applicant (as at 1 July 2026).
Illustrative situation. The names and details are fictional.
Questions people ask
Can my relative sponsor me?
If they're an eligible relative who is a citizen or PR living in a designated regional area.
Can I move to Melbourne later?
Not while on the 491.
Pricing
Consultation
A full review of your situation and a written plan.
Expression of interest to grant
Points audit, state applications and visa.
Government visa charge (Department of Home Affairs, as at 1 July 2026)
| Visa | Main applicant | Extra 18+ | Extra under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Work Regional (491) | A$6,140 | A$3,070 | A$1,535 |
Checked 22 October 2026. Official pricing table · Estimate for your family
Our prices as at 22 October 2026. Packages are paid in stages, only after you sign a written service agreement. All services and fees.
Book
Talk to us about Skilled Work Regional
Start with a free 15-minute phone call. If you need full advice, book a A$110 consultation — it comes off your package.
Often considered alongside
Official sources
Figures checked 8 October 2026. Visa rules and charges change — we confirm everything for your situation before you pay for a package.