--- title: "Australia Skilled Regional 491 requirements 2026: 5-year stay" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/skilled-work-regional-491/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Australia · Talent schemes # Australia Skilled Regional 491 **First stay:** 5 yrs Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **First stay:** 5 yrs (Temporary visa for 5 years from grant; it cannot be extended. Permanent residence through subclass 191 can be applied for after 3 income years on the visa if its income and regional residence conditions are met.) - **Who can apply:** Any passport (Open to all nationalities.) - **Tax angle:** Tax relief (Temporary resident exemption for most foreign-source income: Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable.) ## Key facts Skilled Regional 491 is a talent schemes route for Australia. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source. - **Government fees:** AUD 6,140 ≈ $4,270 · +4 more - **First stay:** 5 yrs ## Cost, time and long term **Government fees: AUD 6,140 ≈ $4,270 · +4 more** - AUD 6,140 (≈ $4,270) Base application charge, main applicant. - AUD 5,035 (≈ $3,510) Base application charge for a primary applicant holding a Pacific-regional passport (concession from 1 July 2026). - AUD 4,890 (≈ $3,400) Second instalment for an applicant aged 18+ assessed as not having functional English, payable before grant. - AUD 3,070 (≈ $2,140) Additional applicant charge for each family member aged 18 or over. - AUD 1,535 (≈ $1,070) Additional applicant charge for each family member under 18. **Renewal: Renewal rules** The visa is granted for 5 years from the date of grant; the way to stay longer is permanent residence through subclass 191. [Federal Register of Legislation](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/2026-07-01/2026-07-01/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_2/document_2.html) **Permanent residence: After 3 years of residence** You can apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) once you have given tax assessment notices for 3 relevant income years, each with taxable income at or above the amount set by the Minister, and have complied with your visa conditions. [Federal Register of Legislation](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/2026-07-01/2026-07-01/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_2/document_2.html) **Citizenship: After 4 years of residence** Citizenship by conferral needs 4 years lawfully in Australia, including the last 12 months as a permanent resident, with no more than 12 months' total absence in the 4 years and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months. [Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2007A00020/2026-06-04/2026-06-04/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html) **Where to apply: Abroad or in-country** You can be inside or outside Australia when the visa is granted, as long as you are not in immigration clearance. [Federal Register of Legislation](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/2026-07-01/2026-07-01/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_2/document_2.html) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Can't be renewed - Only up to age 44 ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - The applicant is under 45 when invited to apply. - A state or territory agency nominates the applicant, or an eligible relative in a designated area sponsors the applicant. - The applicant has an occupation on the relevant skilled list and a suitable skills assessment. - The applicant has at least competent English at the time of invitation. - The applicant scores at least 65 points on the points test to be invited. #### What you must show - The base application charge is AUD 6,140 (≈ $4,270) for the main applicant. - The second instalment is AUD 4,890 (≈ $3,400) for an applicant aged 18+ without functional English. #### Steps 1. The applicant submits an expression of interest in SkillSelect and applies after receiving an invitation. #### After you arrive - The visa holder lives, works and studies only in a designated regional area of Australia. - The permanent Skilled Regional visa (subclass 191) needs tax assessment notices for 3 income years on the regional visa, each with taxable income at least equal to the amount the Minister sets, and compliance with condition 8579 to live, work and study only in a designated regional area. ## When you become tax resident How Australia decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **Up to 5 years in total** - **Tax residence:** Residence is determined by the resides, domicile, 183-day and Commonwealth superannuation tests. - **Foreign-source income:** **Temporary residents** Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable. - **Special regime:** **Temporary resident exemption** · Tax relief [All tax rules for Australia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026 **Full official text** Five-year provisional visa for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory government, or sponsored by an eligible relative, to live and work in a designated regional area. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) #### What you must show and pay - A fee of AUD 6,140 (≈ $4,270) · Base application charge, main applicant. (source 2) - A fee of AUD 5,035 (≈ $3,510) · Base application charge for a primary applicant holding a Pacific-regional passport (concession from 1 July 2026). (sources 2, 1) - A fee of AUD 3,070 (≈ $2,140) · Additional applicant charge for each family member aged 18 or over. (source 2) - A fee of AUD 1,535 (≈ $1,070) · Additional applicant charge for each family member under 18. (source 2) - A fee of AUD 4,890 (≈ $3,400) · Second instalment for an applicant aged 18+ assessed as not having functional English, payable before grant. (source 2) #### Requirements - The applicant is under 45 when invited to apply. (source 1) - A state or territory agency nominates the applicant, or an eligible relative in a designated area sponsors the applicant. (sources 1, 2) - The applicant has an occupation on the relevant skilled list and a suitable skills assessment. (source 1) - The applicant has at least competent English at the time of invitation. (source 1) - The applicant scores at least 65 points on the points test to be invited. (sources 1, 4) - The base application charge is AUD 6,140 (≈ $4,270) for the main applicant. (source 2) - The second instalment is AUD 4,890 (≈ $3,400) for an applicant aged 18+ without functional English. (source 2) - The applicant submits an expression of interest in SkillSelect and applies after receiving an invitation. (source 1) - The visa holder lives, works and studies only in a designated regional area of Australia. (source 1) - The permanent Skilled Regional visa (subclass 191) needs tax assessment notices for 3 income years on the regional visa, each with taxable income at least equal to the amount the Minister sets, and compliance with condition 8579 to live, work and study only in a designated regional area. (source 6) #### Stay - Temporary visa for 5 years from grant; it cannot be extended. Permanent residence through subclass 191 can be applied for after 3 income years on the visa if its income and regional residence conditions are met. - Initial permitted stay: 60 months. - Visa validity: 60 months. Validity is the window to use the visa, not the length you may stay. - Not renewable according to our source. #### Nationality Open to all nationalities. #### Work Live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia for the full 5 years. #### Family Members of the family unit can be included in the application; a dependent child can be added before the decision. #### Fine print The taxable income amount for subclass 191 is set by ministerial instrument; the current amount could not be confirmed on an official page when last checked on 12 October 2026. Checked 2026-10-12 ## Official sources 1. [Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491): application and eligibility](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-work-regional-provisional-491/application) · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Migration Regulations 1994 (compilation current at 1 July 2026): Part 1 definitions, Schedule 1 visa application charges](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/2026-07-01/2026-07-01/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html) · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2 (points system notes: pass marks set by ministerial instrument under section 96)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/2026-07-01/2026-07-01/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_2/document_2.html) · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-07-01 4. [SkillSelect Expression of Interest: points threshold of 65 for subclasses 189, 190 and 491](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect/expression-of-interest) · Department of Home Affairs, Australia · checked 2026-10-12 5. [Points table for Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189/points-table) · Department of Home Affairs, Australia · checked 2026-10-10 6. [Migration Regulations 1994, Compilation No. 288 (1 July 2026), Volume 2: Schedule 2 clauses 191.221 and 191.222](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/2026-07-01/2026-07-01/text/original/pdf/2) · Office of Parliamentary Counsel, Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-07-01 7. [Australian Citizenship Act 2007, section 22 (general residence requirement)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2007A00020/2026-06-04/2026-06-04/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html) · Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government · checked 2026-10-11 ## Skilled Regional 491 and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Skilled Regional 491 | – | 5 yr | – | | [National Innovation 858](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/national-innovation-858/) | – | – | Yes | | [Skilled Independent 189](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/skilled-independent-189/) | – | – | Yes | | [Skilled Nominated 190](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/skilled-nominated-190/) | – | – | – | | [J-Find](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/j-find/) Japan | – | 2 yr | – | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Skilled Regional 491? A fee of AUD 6,140 (≈ $4,270). Base application charge, main applicant. A fee of AUD 5,035 (≈ $3,510). Base application charge for a primary applicant holding a Pacific-regional passport (concession from 1 July 2026). A fee of AUD 3,070 (≈ $2,140). Additional applicant charge for each family member aged 18 or over. A fee of AUD 1,535 (≈ $1,070). Additional applicant charge for each family member under 18. ### How long can I stay on the Skilled Regional 491? Temporary visa for 5 years from grant; it cannot be extended. ### Can I work on the Skilled Regional 491? Live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia for the full 5 years. ### Can I bring my family on the Skilled Regional 491? Members of the family unit can be included in the application; a dependent child can be added before the decision. ### Does the Skilled Regional 491 lead to permanent residence in Australia? Time on the Skilled Regional 491 counts toward permanent residence in Australia, which the rules allow after 3 years of residence. Time on the Skilled Regional 491 counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 4 years of residence. ### Is there a tax break for Skilled Regional 491 holders in Australia? Temporary resident exemption for most foreign-source income: Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions. ## Tax Special regime ### [Temporary resident exemption for most foreign-source income](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/tax/#tax-au-temporary-resident-foreign-income) Tax relief Foreign-source income: Temporary residents **Details** - On: Most foreign-source income (exempt) - Who: Hold a temporary visa Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable. #### Taxed on Most foreign-source income (exempt); Australian-source income and capital gains on taxable Australian property remain taxable. #### Who it applies to - Hold a temporary visa. - Neither the individual nor their spouse (if any) is an Australian resident under the Social Security Act 1991 (not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or protected Special Category visa holder). #### Exclusions - Income from employment or services performed overseas while a temporary resident can still be taxed in Australia, depending on facts and any tax treaty. - Not available to someone who has at any time after 6 April 2006 been an Australian resident without a temporary visa and with an Australian-resident spouse. #### Tax residence A temporary resident can be an Australian resident or a foreign resident for tax purposes; the four statutory residency tests (resides, domicile, 183-day, Commonwealth superannuation) decide residence separately. #### Visas Requires a temporary visa; no particular subclass carries the exemption itself. #### Other taxes Foreign tax paid on income declared may qualify for a foreign-source income tax offset; foreign-source income and deductions are converted to AUD. Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/tax/) ## More in Australia [Work and Holiday 462](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/work-holiday-462/) [Working Holiday 417](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/working-holiday-417/) [Employer Nomination 186](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/employer-nomination-186/) [Employer Regional 494](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/employer-sponsored-regional-494/) [Skills in Demand · Core](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/skills-in-demand-482-core/) [Skills in Demand · Labour deal](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/skills-in-demand-482-labour-agreement/) [Skills in Demand · Specialist](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/skills-in-demand-482-specialist/) [Student visa 500](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/student-500/) ## Special talent visas elsewhere [🇮🇩 Golden Visa · Talent](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/indonesia/e33b-special-talent/) [🇦🇪 Blue Residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/blue-residency/) [🇸🇬 ONE Pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/one-pass/) [🇰🇷 Top-Tier · science](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/f2t-top-tier-science/) [🇹🇼 Employment Gold Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/taiwan/employment-gold-card/) [🇭🇰 QMAS](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/qmas/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-12 against 7 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491): application and eligibility](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-work-regional-provisional-491/application) · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Migration Regulations 1994 (compilation current at 1 July 2026): Part 1 definitions, Schedule 1 visa application charges](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/2026-07-01/2026-07-01/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html) · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2 (points system notes: pass marks set by ministerial instrument under section 96)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/2026-07-01/2026-07-01/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_2/document_2.html) · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10 4. [SkillSelect Expression of Interest: points threshold of 65 for subclasses 189, 190 and 491](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect/expression-of-interest) · Department of Home Affairs, Australia · checked 2026-10-12 5. [Points table for Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189/points-table) · Department of Home Affairs, Australia · checked 2026-10-10 6. [Migration Regulations 1994, Compilation No. 288 (1 July 2026), Volume 2: Schedule 2 clauses 191.221 and 191.222](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/2026-07-01/2026-07-01/text/original/pdf/2) · Office of Parliamentary Counsel, Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-12 7. [Australian Citizenship Act 2007, section 22 (general residence requirement)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2007A00020/2026-06-04/2026-06-04/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html) · Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.