Australia Launches 5-Year Regional Visa for Skilled Workers

The Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs has announced the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa, a five-year visa aimed at skilled workers willing to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. This visa permits holders to live, work, and study in these regions, travel in and out of Australia during its validity, and apply for permanent residency after three years.

The base application fee starts at AUD 6,140 (approximately ₦6.1 million), with potential cost concessions for eligible citizens of Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste from July 1, 2026. Processing times vary based on applicant categories and locations, with priority given to applications under Ministerial Direction No. 119.

Applicants must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative in a designated regional area. After three years on the Subclass 491 visa, holders can apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa if they meet the necessary income and residency conditions.