Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191)

*This visa does not commence until 16 November 2022.*

The 191 visa is the permanent residency pathway visa for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional 494 visa and the Skilled Work Regional 491 visa.

To apply for the permanent 191 visa, you must have held one of the following visas for at least 3 full financial years:

• SESR 494 visa
• SWR 491 visa

This is a regional permanent visa, for those who have lived and worked in regional Australia.

191 Visa Salary Requirements

This has been the big question for over six months.

I have made videos on the topic. I have contacted DHA and followed up with the peak professional body the Migration Institute of Australia.

More recently with the TSMIT announced as going up, the questions from 491 visa holders have been frequent and there have been lots of videos.

So now the Department of Home Affairs has clarified, by a post on their website on 21st June 2023.

It says:

"There is no minimum income requirement for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).

Primary applicants must provide notices of assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three income years out of the five years of their eligible visa. Primary applicants who have already lodged should ensure their application provides these three notices."

So this is a great relief for 491 holders.

It also will upset many, who have been struggling and doing multiple jobs to try and meet what they thought was the requirement of $53,900.

To repeat, there is currently no income requirement for the 191 visa.

We will keep you posted if the Department decides to put an income requirement in place in the future.

191 Visa Requirements

Income Year Requirement for 191 Visa

Applicants for the 191 visa need to show that while they held their SESR 494 visa or SWR 491 visa, they earned at or above the income threshold. 

This is where applicants, especially those on the SWR 491 visa, may run into trouble. On arriving in your regional area on your visa, you will need to find employment which pays at least the minimum salary for the 191 visa as soon as possible.

Visa holders may find themselves needing to work multiple jobs in their regional area to earn the required amount. You can work in any occupation, not necessarily just the one you were nominated for. 

Income year calculation for 191 Skilled Regional Permanent Residency Visa

An income year is a relevant income year for an applicant if:

1. the income year ended before the date of application; and
2. the applicant held a regional provisional visa (Visa 491 or visa 494) for all or part of the income year

Functional English requirement for 191 visa

While primary applicants will not be required to show any English language requirement, secondary applicants (that is spouse/de facto partner and children over 18) will need to show at least functional English. 

You may be required to pay a second visa application charge for those applicants for applicants who cannot show functional English. This charge is usually around $5,000.

Visa compliance requirement for 191 visa

To be eligible for the 191 visa, applicants need to show they have complied with their visa conditions for the duration of their visa.

The current conditions for the SESR 494 visa include:

• 8608 - 494 nominated work condition
• 8578 - notify the Department of certain changes in details
• 8579 - must live in a regional area
• 8580 - if requested, provide certain information
• 8581 - if requested, attend an interview with the Department

The current conditions for the SWR 491 visa include:

• 8578 - notify the Department of certain changes in details
• 8579 - must live in a Designated regional area
• 8580 - if requested, provide certain information
• 8581 - if requested, attend an interview with the Department

Visa conditions may change and it is important that you ensure you comply with the conditions on your particular visa. Conditions can be complex and may apply differently for different family members. 

You should seek professional advice to determine if your planned activities comply with your visa conditions.

For further information watch the video below:

Can the primary applicant change employment when applying for the 191 visa?

This is a hot question which has not been answered by the Department of Home Affairs as yet. While role-swapping was possible from the 489 visa transition to the 887 visa, it is not definite that this will be possible for the 191 visa. 

There is nothing in the available information, however, which expressly precludes this. More information to come. 

How can Work Visa Lawyers help?

Work Visa Lawyers is highly experienced in all parts of the General Skilled Migration visa application process. We are able to assist with all aspects of the application, and can also provide advice in relation to:

• your eligibility for a 191 visa

• documents to demonstrate the income requirement

• compliance with your visa conditions

Work Visa Lawyers will provide an eligibility assessment before advising you to proceed with a visa application.

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

Contact us on (08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Book an appointment with one of our experienced Immigration Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents here.

191 Visa Salary Requirements

This has been the big question for over six months.

I have made videos on the topic. I have contacted DHA and followed up with the peak professional body the Migration Institute of Australia.

More recently with the TSMIT announced as going up, the questions from 491 visa holders have been frequent and there have been lots of videos.

So now the Department of Home Affairs has clarified, by a post on their website on 21st June 2023.

It says:

"There is no minimum income requirement for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).

Primary applicants must provide notices of assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three income years out of the five years of their eligible visa. Primary applicants who have already lodged should ensure their application provides these three notices."

So this is a great relief for 491 holders.

It also will upset many, who have been struggling and doing multiple jobs to try and meet what they thought was the requirement of $53,900.

To repeat, there is currently no income requirement for the 191 visa.

We will keep you posted if the Department decides to put an income requirement in place in the future.

Who needs this visa?

This visa is available to holders of a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) subclass 491 visa or  Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) subclass 494 visa and allows them to live in Australia permanently. The visa allows you toi live, work and study anywhere in Australia, sponsor eligible relatives for permanet residnecy, and apply for Australian citizinship once eligible.

What are the application requirements?

• hold an eligible visa (the subclass 491 or 494) and have complied with the conditions of that visa (this includes the main applicant and any dependents)

• both primary and secondary applicants have lived for at least 3 years in a location defined as regional Australia (anywhere in Australia except Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane) 

• the primary applicant has worked in a location defined as regional Australia for at least three years and has earned a taxable income of $53,900 or more per annum for at least three years

What is the application process?

Details are yet to be published, but the application process is expected to be similar to that for the Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887).

How can Work Visa Lawyers help?

Work Visa Lawyers is highly experienced in all parts of the Employer Sponsored visa application process.

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

Who should apply for 491 visa?

491 Visa is for skilled applicants that wish to live and work in regional Australia for up to five years and does provide a permanent residency pathway. Applicants are not required to have an employer to sponsor them, but do need to be nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member living in regional Australia.

The 491 Visa latest news can be checked here >>

Subclass 491 visa holders must live and work in a designated regional area of Australia for the duration of the visa (up to five years).

Where is regional area in Australia? Why should we study in regional Area?

A regional Area in Australia is any city that falls beyond Australia’s major capital cities areas of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane

Popular Cities or regional centres are Adelaide, Gold Coast, Perth, Newcastle or Hobart and Darwin.

If you start studying in regional area, you can receive a lot of benefits such as:

• Extra year on post study work visa 485
• Enjoy more straightforward nomination requirements for Australian Skilled Visa
• Extra 5 points for studying and living in regional area

491 Visa to Permanent Residency Visa 191 Australia

191 Visa is expected to be announced in November 2022. Anyone who has collected enough 3 years living and working and the income requirement will be eligible to apply for 191 visa.

In order to be eligible for permanent residency 191 visa the applicant must:

- Continue to live and work in regional Australia for at least three years before applying

- Meet the minimum employment and taxable income requirements (currently set at $53,900 per annum).

There are two visa types to choose from on your 491 visa pathway, the first being the main applicant and the second being what's called a Subsequent Entrant.
(This visa is for a member of the family unit of someone who holds a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)).

491 visa benefits and Why is it so popular?

More occupations available for 491 Visa Australia

For 189 Skilled independent Visa, you must work in an occupation that is listed in Medium and Long term strategic skilled list (MLTSSL).

190 visa applicants can access both MLTSSL and Short term skilled occupation list (STSOL).

491 visa applicants can get access to larger skilled occupation list which includes the above two plus occupations in Regional Occupation List (ROL).

491 visa holders are eligible to apply for Medicare Australia

Although 491 visa is only a temporary 5 year working visa with a pathway to Permanent Residency 191 Visa, all applicants who have applied for the visa may be eligible for Medicare, which helps with the costs of seeing a doctor, getting medicines and accessing other health services. Medicare does not cover all health related expenses and limits of coverage do apply.

Visa holders should understand these limitations and assess their private health insurance options before arrival. Visit the Medicare website for further information.

Regional 491 Visa nomination requirement is much easier than the visa 190

It is important that Australian Government is trying to push skilled migrants to live and work in regional area of Australia.

This makes the requirement for 491 nomination is a lot easier than 190 visa which people can get the 190 nomination by living and working in metro areas like Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.

So that, for whom who cannot get 190 in metro areas they might have to move to regional areas to seek for more permanent residency options in Australia.

491 visa NSW and 190 Visa NSW are quite straightforward.

Let's take 491 visa South Australia as an example: Chef in South Australia need 12 months work experience to get 190 visa. However, they only need to work 3-6 months depending on the location to get 491 visa as a chef.

Lower EOI points required for 491 visa

Another good thing for 491 visa appliant is you only  need to get 50 points on your own because state gives you 15 points as being nominated for 491 visa application.

There are still arguments about 491 and 190 visa. Each visa has its own benefits like 190 visa a direct Permanent residency while 491 visa is only temporary and the waiting time to Australian PR could be up to 4  years or more (3 years maintaining income threshold required and processing time for 191 Visa).

However, with someone who is struggling with NSW state nomination, Victoria State Nomination or QLD state nomination because they are living and working in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, they might be interested in getting a 491 visa in regional area of Australia.

Skilled Visa Backlog post-pandemic - Visa 491, Visa 489 and Visa 190

Because of its exceptional popular plus the pandemic happened in 2020 to mid 2022 that makes the 491 visa processing time longer than initial expectation.

There is a huge backlog for skilled visa as of now in July 2022 which has been addressed as skills crisis by the labor government. 

The Department of Home Affairs has redirected resources and brought on new staff to address its visa backlog, as concerns persisst over the impact on applicants and businesses

What are the main Visa 491 Requirements?

The subclass 491 visa, like other Australian general skilled migration visas, is points tested with a minimum pass mark of 65, but there are some minimum requirements you need to meet. Some of the key ones are:

• Be under 45 years of age at the time of the visa application

• Be nominated by a State or Territory government (this is the most popular pathyway) or sponsored by an eligible family member living in regional Australia. They must be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen

• Obtained a positive skills assessment for an occupation on the relevant list:

  • For State or Territory government nomination your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) OR the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
    Your occupation must also be available in the state or territory you apply to for nomination.Visit the ANZCO list here to find out if your occupation is listed.
  • For family sponsorship your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

• Have at least competent English - e.g. IELTS 6.0 for all bands or equivalent (higher scores may be required to be awarded additional points)

• Score at least 65 points from the Point Test. While this is the minimum score, it is important to keep in mind that some popular occupations are extremely competitive and difficult to receive a state nomination for example Accounting now has a point requirement of 90. You can keep up to date the latest nomination news and adjust

It is important to remember that each state application criteria is different so it is essential that you research the requirements for each state before making your decision. 

Each state nomination requirement for 491 Visa is coming soon. All states are waiting for their allocations from the Federal Government in order to kick start their new Skilled Migration program.

Skilled Occupation List and Skills Requirements for the 491 Visa

All 491 visa applications require a POSITIVE skills assessment.

It does not matter how many work experience you are required to apply for state nomination. These are two different criteria before you apply for the visa 491 skilled regional.

Each occupation has its own Skill assessing authorities.
With the number of skills assessment programs and bodies currently available, it is important that you ensure you obtain the correct skills assessment for your occupation and for the application you are pursuing.
Notably, a provisional skills assessment, such as would be provided for a 485 visa, is not suitable for a 491 visa application.

Australian PR Points Calculation 

What are the 491 visa conditions that might be attached?

• You must not marry or enter into a de facto relationship before entry
  The Department of Home Affairs might cancel your visa if they find out that you were engaged, married or in a de facto relationship before we granted you the visa but did not disclose this information in your application. You need to notify the department if your circumstances change.
  
  
• Notify the department of home affairs if your passport or contact details change
  You are required to update your contact information with the department if any of your contact details change.ie. Home and work address, contract email, phone number, passport information, your employer. 
  
  
• Live, study and work in a designated regional area
  While you are in Australia, you must live, study and work in an area that is on the list of designated regional areas within the state that provided you nomination. For more information regarding Designated Area Migration Agreement Zones click here.
  
  
• Provide evidence of your live, study or work address if requested
  If the Department sends you a letter requesting you to providing proof of your contact information ie. home address, your employers's address, your work address, education institution address.
  You will have 28 days to return this documentation to the department.
  
  
• You must attend an interview if we ask you to in a letter
  If you are invited to attend an interview with the Department are a require to attend.

How much is a 491 visa application fee?

The current application charges for a 491 visa are:

Application charges are adjusted at the beginning of each financial year and tend to increase by a modest amount each time.

Each State charges is a varying amount to process an application for state/ territory nomination.

At time of publication, these can be summarised as follows:

What is the application process?

1. Check eligibility against points test

2. Obtain positive skills assessment and required English test results

3. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect

4. Apply for State or Territory government nomination (if applying through this pathway)

5. Submit visa application within 60 days of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and include all supporting documents for the application

Do note that this is a simplified overview of the steps involved. Preparing and providing the right documents and information as required is an important factor in ensuring your application is processed smoothly.

How can Work Visa Lawyers help?

Work Visa Lawyers is highly experienced in all parts of the General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa application process. We are able to assist with all aspects of the application, and can also advise on complications in relation to:

• skills assessments

• nominating the appropriate ANZSCO code

• state/territory nomination applications

• difficulties in obtaining documents to demonstrate work experience or family relationships

• upcoming deadlines which will affect your points total, such as age or expiring documents. We prepare your application efficiently to enable your visa application to be submitted as quickly as possible

Work Visa Lawyers will provide an eligibility assessment before advising you to proceed with a visa application.

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

Who needs this visa?

This visa is for skilled applicants that wish to live and work in regional Australia for up to four years and does provide a permanent residency pathway. Applicants are not required to have an employer to sponsor them, but do need to be nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member living in regional Australia.

Subclass 489 visa holders must live and work in a designated regional area of Australia for the duration of the visa (up to four years). The definition of regional Australia will be expanded and simplified to include all areas of Australia except the metropolitan areas of; Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the Central Coast, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Perth.

In order to be eligible for permanent residency (the subclass 887 visa) the applicant must continue to live and work in regional Australia for at least two years before applying.

What are the application requirements?

• be under 45 years of age

• have a nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) or Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL)

• obtained a positive skills assessment

• have at least competent English - e.g. IELTS 6.0 for all bands or equivalent (higher scores may be required to be awarded additional points)

• score at least 65 points from the Point Test

• Be nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member living in regional Australia

What is the application process?

1. Check eligibility against points test

2. Obtain positive skills assessment and required English test results

3. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect

4. Apply for State or Territory government nomination

5. Submit visa application within 60 days of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and include all supporting documents for the application

Do note that this is a simplified overview of the steps involved. Preparing and providing the right documents and information as required is an important factor in ensuring your application is processed smoothly.

How can Work Visa Lawyers help?

Work Visa Lawyers is highly experienced in all parts of the General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa application process. We are able to assist with all aspects of the application, and can also advise on complications in relation to:

• skills assessments

• nominating the appropriate ANZSCO code

• state/territory nomination applications

• difficulties in obtaining documents to demonstrate work experience or family relationships

• upcoming deadlines which will affect your points total, such as age or expiring documents. We prepare your application efficiently to enable your visa application to be submitted as quickly as possible

Work Visa Lawyers will provide an eligibility assessment before advising you to proceed with a visa application.

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

Who needs this visa?

This visa is for skilled applicants that wish to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident. Applicants are not required to have an employer to sponsor them, but do need to be nominated by a State or Territory government.

What are the application requirements?

• be under 45 years of age

• have a nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) or Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL)

• obtained a positive skills assessment

• have at least competent English - e.g. IELTS 6.0 for all bands or equivalent (higher scores may be required to be awarded additional points)

• score at least 65 points from the Point Test

• Be nominated by a State or Territory government

What is the application process?

1. Check eligibility against points test

2. Obtain positive skills assessment and required English test results

3. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect

4. Apply for State or Territory government nomination

5. Submit visa application within 60 days of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and include all supporting documents for the application

Do note that this is a simplified overview of the steps involved. Preparing and providing the right documents and information as required is an important factor in ensuring your application is processed smoothly.

PR points calculation

How can Work Visa Lawyers help?

Work Visa Lawyers is highly experienced in all parts of the General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa application process. We are able to assist with all aspects of the application, and can also advise on complications in relation to:

• skills assessments

• nominating the appropriate ANZSCO code

• state/territory nomination applications

• difficulties in obtaining documents to demonstrate work experience or family relationships

• upcoming deadlines which will affect your points total, such as age or expiring documents. We prepare your application efficiently to enable your visa application to be submitted as quickly as possible

Work Visa Lawyers will provide an eligibility assessment before advising you to proceed with a visa application.

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

What is 189 Visa - Skilled Independent ?

Visa 189 is one of the most popular visa for Medium and Long Term Skilled Occupations. This is a Points-tested based permanent residency visa. Applicants are not required to have an employer to sponsor them or be nominatetd by a State or Territory government.

Who needs Visa 189 Australia?

This visa is for eligible skilled workers who wish to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident. 

The nomination requirement is quite simple and most people with eligible occupations can apply.

If you are granted a 189 visa, you can:

- Live and work in any part of Australia permanently (Not like 491 Visa or 190 visa that you are obliged to live in a designated regional area or state that nominated you)

- Have Medicare card cover most medical and health benefits

- Sponsor your immediate family unit members for Australian PR

- Apply Australian citizenship once you meet certain requirements.

What are the application requirements?

• be under 45 years of age 

• have a nominated occupation on the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skilled List (MLTSSL)

• have an eligbile positive skills assessment of the nominated occupation

• have at least competent English - e.g. IELTS 6.0 or PTE 50 for all bands or equivalent (higher scores may be required to be awarded additional points)

• score at least 65 points from the Point Test

• Be nominated by the Federal Government to apply for the 189 Visa
• Meet health and character requirements

How to increase your EOI Points for 189 Visa applications?

In the 189 Visa process, you must meet minimum 65 points to be able to lodge an expression of interest (EOI).

However, there are many applicants who can reach 65 points or even higher in the pool, that makes some of the occupations becoming more competitive.

This way, you may wish to gain more points by considering those key factors:

• Partner Skills and English - Your partner has positive skills assessment and minimum competent English : maximum 10 points 
• Obtained NAATI for extra 5 points
• Professional Year program for Engineering, IT and Accounting applicants: 5 points
• Higher English proficiency test for a maximum additional 20 points
• Gain more work experience in Australia

What is the application process?

1. Check eligibility with EOI points test calculator

2. Obtain positive skills assessment and required English test results

3. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect

4. Submit visa application within 60 days of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and include all supporting documents for the application

Do note that this is a simplified overview of the steps involved. Preparing and providing the right documents and information as required is an important factor in ensuring your application is processed smoothly.

Benefit of 189 Visa and why it is so popular?

Although there are fewer occupations available for 189 visa than the others in the skilled migration stream, the visa applicants may have their exclusive rights that makes them want to obtain it.

Direct Grant Permanent Residency for 189 Visa holders

Like 190 state nominated visa, 189 visa is a direct grant Permanent Residency of Australia.

Besides that, main applicants can bring eligible family members to apply for visa 189 together in the same application. 

This benefits the applicants who want to purchase property in Australia (No FIRB at around 7-8% of the property value)

No residential obligation or condition post Visa 189 granted

Another benefit of 189 visa is that holders do not need to stay in a desginated area or be attached by a condition.

All holders of 189 visa will be able to live, work and study anywhere and anytime in Australia or make a decision to leave Australia and work in another country.

This is not like other visas such as 491 or 190 when you may be obliged to stay in the nominated state or stay in regional areas of Australia.

No skilled employment required and less difficult criteria than other subclasses

As mentioned, there are not many requirements to apply for 189 visa Australia.

The primary criteria is you must be les than 45 years of age, have a skill assessment of a nominated occupation that is in the MLTSSL and score a minimum of 65 points.

In fact, recently, there has been a lot of invitation to applicants who are scoring 65 points.

There is no working experience or high English score required, however, it is recommended to gain more points by those factors to increase chance of being invited.

Visa 189 Application Cost

Visa 189 application fee for main applicant: $4,240 AUD

For each additional applicant who is over 18+: $2,120 AUD

For each additional applicant who is under 18+: $1,060 AUD

How can Work Visa Lawyers help?

Work Visa Lawyers is highly experienced in all parts of the General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa application process. We are able to assist with all aspects of the application, and can also advise on complications in relation to:

• nominating the appropriate ANZSCO code

• Lodgement of skills assessments 

• difficulties in obtaining documents to demonstrate work experience or family relationships

• upcoming deadlines which will affect your points total, such as age or expiring documents. We prepare your application efficiently to enable your visa application to be submitted as quickly as possible

Work Visa Lawyers will provide an eligibility assessment before advising you to proceed with a visa application.

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

Book an Appointment

Who needs this visa?

The General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa is the most common visa programme for overseas professionals, managers, tradespersons and international graduates in Australia to apply for residency. The most common visa subclasses are:

subclass 189 Skilled Independent
subclass 190 Skilled Nominated
subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional)*