Australia reveals details of ‘much-awaited’ new regional work visa (491 Visa)
491 visa (Skilled Work Regional)
The 491 visa will replace the 489 visa on 16 November 2019.
Like the 489 visa, a marks-tested visa sponsored by 491 applicants is:
1. A designated territorial area of an Australian state or territory, or
2. A qualified family member residing in the designated regional area of Australia
Which parts of Australia are "designated territorial territories"?
It is intended to be any part of Australia except Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. For the purposes of this program, cities such as Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Gold Coast, and Hobart are considered regional areas.
How will the marks be allocated for the 491 visas?
There is a revised points system for the 491 Visa so that you have new ways of earning points towards your score. You will find:15 marks for enrollment by a family member or regional part of the state or region
10 points for a Masters or Ph.D. level Australian qualification in specific fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics - STEM). This change is driven by the importance of STEM skills for Australia's ongoing innovation and economic success
10 partner points, if one of the following applies:
a. You have a skilled partner. This means that your partner is under 45 years old, receives a positive skills assessment in a job on the same deficiency list as you and is competent English; or
B. You are alone; or
C. You have a partner who is an Australian permanent resident or Australian citizen
5 digits if your partner who is competent can display English. The partner may be over 45 years of age and is not required to work in a skilled occupation
Marks will apply based on your age, qualifications, years abroad and/or Australian skilled work experience, Australian studies and English skills, as they do under 489 visas and other skilled visas.
The revised marks system will apply to all skilled migration visas.
Why are partner points changing?
The Productivity Commission found that secondary applicants (partners of skilled migrants) should also be assessed given their contribution to the Australian community, workforce, and economy. The current point system does not allocate proper weight to a partner's skills.When will I be invited to apply for a 491 visa?
491 is a ranking system for invitations to apply for visas. Rankings are:1. Equal First: Applicant with a skilled partner or an applicant without a partner
2. Second: Applicant with a partner who can demonstrate competent English (but does not have the skills for skilled partner points)
3. Third: Applicant with a partner who is ineligible for competent English or skilled partner points.
Can 491 visa holders get other visas?
491 visa holders cannot obtain certain visas unless they have completed the 491 visa (and its conditions) for three years. This includes skilled PR visas (189 and 190), business visas (124, 132 and 188), employer designated PR visas 186 and onshore partner visas (820). This need to live and work in a designated regional area is undermined by the need to support economic growth and population growth in regional areas.How does a 491 visa lead to permanent residency?
491 is a five-year visa. On getting the following, you can reach permanent residence through a Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) visa:1. You have lived, worked or studied in a designated regional area for at least three years while holding 491 visas and, while holding
2. You can show earnings of at least $ 53,900 annually for three years. If one of your partners is included in your 491 application, only three of you will have to show their annual salary (via tax return) at $ 53,900 or more. Your partner may be the main applicant for the 191 visa if they can demonstrate fulfilling this requirement.