If you’re considering migrating to Australia and want to bring your family along, the 491 visa for regional work might be the right option. The 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa is a pathway that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia’s regional areas. It also provides a route for family members to accompany you, making it an ideal choice for families planning to relocate together.
The 491 visa is a provisional visa designed for skilled workers who wish to live and work in regional Australia. The visa is a key component of the Australian Government’s initiative to address regional skill shortages and encourage skilled workers to settle in regional areas.
This visa allows individuals to live and work in regional Australia for up to five years. Furthermore, it offers a pathway to permanent residency through the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, which can later lead to the 187 visa.
In this detailed blog post, we will explore how the 491 visa works, its requirements, and, most importantly, how you can bring your family to Australia with this visa. Additionally, we will discuss the steps for transitioning from the 491 visa to permanent residency through the 187 visa requirements in Australia.
Book a Consultation with Our Expert Immigration Lawyers Today!
*Our Expert Migration Lawyers Offer 15-minute General Advice Or 45-minute In-depth, Tailored Consultations To Suit Your Needs.
The 491 visa is points-based, meaning you need to meet specific criteria such as age, skills, qualifications, and English proficiency. To apply for this visa, you must either be sponsored by a relative living in a designated regional area or be nominated by a state or territory government.
One of the key conditions of this visa is that you must live, work, and study in regional areas of Australia. The definition of regional Australia includes all areas outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. After holding the 491 visa for three years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency via the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 187), which we will explore later.
The 491 visa for regional work allows applicants to bring their family members along. If you are the primary applicant, you can include your immediate family members, such as your spouse or partner and dependent children, in your application. This makes the visa a great option for skilled workers who wish to move to Australia with their loved ones.
The 491 visa allows for the inclusion of various family members. However, there are specific requirements for each category of family member:
To bring your family to Australia with the 491 visa, you will need to include them in your application. This means that when you submit your application, you must list all your family members who are accompanying you. Each family member will need to undergo health and character checks, including police clearances and health assessments, as part of the application process.
Just like the primary applicant, family members included in the 491 visa application will be required to meet specific health and character requirements. This includes undergoing medical exams to ensure they meet the Australian Government’s health standards. They will also need to provide police checks to demonstrate that they do not have any serious criminal convictions.
If any of your family members fail to meet the health or character requirements, your entire application may be delayed or refused. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that all family members are eligible to accompany you on the 491 visa.
One of the primary benefits of the 491 visa is the potential to transition to permanent residency after meeting certain requirements. Once you have held the 491 visa for at least three years, you may become eligible for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 187), which can lead to permanent residency in Australia.
The 187 visa is designed for skilled workers who are employed by an eligible employer in a regional area. This visa provides a pathway to permanent residency for workers who have lived and worked in regional Australia for at least three years under the 491 visa.
To transition to the 187 visa, you will need to meet several requirements, including:
The 187 visa is employer-sponsored, meaning you must have an employer in a regional area willing to sponsor you. Your employer must meet the requirements, including operating in a regional area and having a genuine need for your skills.
Additionally, your employer will need to demonstrate that they have tried to recruit local workers for the position before offering the job to an overseas worker. This ensures that the employer is meeting the Australian Government’s requirements for sponsoring skilled workers.
The 491 visa offers several benefits that make it an attractive option for skilled workers. Some of these benefits include:
Before you apply for the 491 visa and bring your family to Australia, there are several steps you need to take:
The 491 visa for regional work offers skilled workers an opportunity to live, work, and bring their families to Australia. It provides a pathway to permanent residency through the 187 visa and allows individuals and their families to settle in regional Australia. Understanding the application process, eligibility requirements, and the benefits of the visa can help you plan your migration journey effectively.
At CMI Legal, we are committed to helping skilled workers navigate the complexities of the Australian immigration system. Our team of immigration law experts is here to provide you with the guidance you need to successfully apply for the 491 visa, transition to permanent residency, and bring your family with you.
Yes, under the 491 visa for regional work, you can bring your spouse, dependent children, and in some cases, other dependent family members, provided they meet health and character requirements.
To apply for the 491 visa, you must be nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by a relative in a regional area and meet skill, health, and character requirements.
After holding the 491 visa for three years, you may be eligible for the 187 visa by securing employer sponsorship, meeting skills requirements, and working in regional Australia for at least three years.
Yes, the 491 visa is a provisional visa that offers a pathway to permanent residency through the 187 visa after meeting the work and residency requirements for three years.
The 491 visa is for regional work with a pathway to permanent residency, while the 187 visa requires Australia to offer permanent residency for skilled workers sponsored by employers in regional Australia.
Is your regional work visa expiring soon? Learn how to apply for the 190 visa and secure permanent residency in Australia. Find out the key steps to take today!
Curious if a regional work visa can lead to PR in Australia? Explore the requirements, process, and benefits of transitioning from a regional visa to permanent residency.
Wondering how to apply for the 491 Visa and secure PR in Australia? Learn about eligibility, family sponsorship, and the benefits today with our lawyers.
Looking to live and work in regional Australia? Learn how to secure the 187 Visa, access permanent residency, and enjoy the benefits of living in regional areas.
Our Happy Clients
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tina was a great help in guiding us through our first home buying experience. She gave us a lot of great explanations and advice from initial discussion of the process through every step until successful settlement. Communication and resolution of issues was prompt and professional.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tina is a fantastic lawyer. her responses to my queries were thorough and timely, and impeccable organizational skills! Truly appreciated her clear and consistent communcation througout the entire property-purchasing process. she handled everything with profressionalism and expertise, making what could have been a stressful experience much smoother. Highly recommend!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had the pleasure of working with Tina as our solicitor for our first home purchase, and we couldn’t have been in better hands. She carefully explained every step of the process, guiding us through what initially felt overwhelming and unfamiliar. Buying off the plan made us particularly cautious, especially when it came to reviewing legal documents. Tina’s meticulous approach put us at ease—she ensured we both clearly understood each aspect, taking the time to highlight and reorganise information to make it more accessible. Her dedication and professionalism made the entire experience far less daunting, and we’re truly grateful for her support.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. John and Tina have provided great professional legal service since 2017 for me.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I realised that I hadn’t left a review for my dealings with CMI legal. I had dealt with them a few months ago, but an epiphany made me come and leave a review. 5 stars is insufficient to express their work. We were working Dee and she is an amazing and thorough professional. She goes above and beyond and explains matters that makes you understand things really well. Thank you Dee for your amazing work.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. CMI legal where helpful in answering my questions and giving me clarity in regards to my matter. They are really friendly and helpful! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tina demonstrated not only her legal professional knowledge in my business, she shared my urgency, understanding my need from inside out, and more importantly provided proactive and thorough advices throughout the processes and procedures. I highly recommend Tina and her team at CMI Legal for professional legal services.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 10/10 for Professionalism, Due diligence and very easy to deal with. Definitely recommended 😊 Tina does whatever she could to ensure your best interest is represented 👍🏻 The CMI Legal team is a team you can trust. There is nowhere else I’d rather be going to for legal advice, you soon will learn why, too.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tina Tang is doing excellent service job as a profesional lawer and provide valued information about property purchase issue.Thank you so much,we are appreciated to your skilled help and hope to cooperate with your esteemed company,current residential living apartment 506/2-4 Culworth Ave Killara should be put in market,we hope Tina Tang will provide support as well.thank you so much. Joe Shi
Our expert migration lawyers offer paid consultations to suit your needs—choose a quick 15-minute session for general advice or a comprehensive 45-minute session for in-depth discussion and tailored guidance.
