Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

Once you are selected to apply for a visa nomination for a Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 491), you can submit your visa nomination application through the Live in Melbourne website.

To receive a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa nomination from Victoria, you will need to meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

Age

Be below age 45 to submit a nomination application for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa.

English language

You must have a Competent level of English (or equivalent).

Competent level is equivalent to a score of at least six (6) in each band score of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or equivalent results in accepted alternative tests. You can obtain the IELTS equivalent in any of the following Department of Home Affairs’ accepted language tests: OET, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE).

You must upload a scanned copy of your English language test result as part of the online nomination application. Please ensure that your English test result is valid for at least 12 weeks at the time of submitting a visa nomination application.

Please note: If you are a citizen of the USA, UK, Canada, Republic of Ireland or New Zealand you are not required to submit English language test results. You must submit a copy of your passport bio page.

Residency

You must have lived and worked in regional Victoria for at least the past 3 months.

You will be required to provide evidence of your residency with your application form. For example, you may wish to provide:

• a current real estate lease or bond agreement
• a bill or documentation evidencing your ongoing residence in regional Victoria over the past 3 months.

To check if your postcode is considered as regional for migration purposes, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Employment and occupation

You must be currently employed in regional Victoria in a highly skilled occupation in the health, medical research, life sciences, agri-food or digital sectors, and your role must either have been supporting Victoria’s economic recovery and/or health response for at least the past 3 months.  International student graduates and PhD applicants who meet the eligibility criteria are also encouraged to apply. Applicants with a track record of commercialising innovative ideas and bringing them to market will also be highly regarded.

Your occupation must also be on one of the Department of Home Affairs’ eligible lists for nomination applications.

You will need to provide evidence of this work experience by providing:

• a signed copy of your current employment contract
• the past 3 months payslips
• evidence of superannuation contributions from your employer for the past 3 months
• your current position description
• your current employer's details (including telephone number).

Please note, the business where you are working must be:

• active and operating in regional Victoria for at least two years
• located in a designated regional area of Victoria.

Skills assessment

You must provide a skills assessment that matches the occupation you have nominated on your visa nomination application and EOI. Please ensure that your skills assessment is valid for at least 12 weeks at the time of submitting a visa nomination application.

To find out where you can have your skills assessed, go to the skills assessment and assessing authorities section on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Finances

There are no financial requirements as all applicants must already be living and working in regional Victoria.

Genuine intention to Live, Work and study in a designated regional area in Victoria

You and your dependents must demonstrate that you are committed to living, working and/or studying in a designated regional area for the length of the visa period.

Declaration

You and your Migration Agent (if applicable) must both read, understand and sign the Victorian Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa nomination declaration form in order to be considered for Victorian visa nomination.  This completed and signed declaration must be provided with your application at the time of lodgement.

Detailed resume or curriculum vitae (CV)

Your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is a critical document used to assess your suitability for Victorian visa nomination. It must provide evidence of skills and work experience and a detailed, chronological list of all relevant employment.

You should take the time to ensure your CV is professionally presented and details your skills, work readiness and work experience. You should explain any gaps in employment.

Your CV should be no more than four pages long and must include:

• detailed description of relevant tasks and responsibilities performed within all employment
• dates of employment (including month and year)
• dates of education and training.

See the sample CV for a guide on preparing your CV.

Department of Home Affairs requirements

Successfully gaining Victorian visa nomination does not guarantee you will be granted an Australian visa. You must also meet the Department of Home Affairs eligibility requirements for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). Please see the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.

Continue to meet your Department of Home Affairs requirements

You must agree to continue to meet your Department of Home Affairs' visa conditions while you are in Australia.

Notification of Visa Grant

You must notify us of:

• the outcome of your visa application
• when you are granted a permanent visa from the Department of Home Affairs
• when your contact information changes (including but not limited to phone number, email addresses, residential address and migration agent information).

Live, Work and Study in a designated regional area in Victoria for the period of the visa

A primary obligation of the Victorian visa nomination process is that you and all of your dependents must live, work and study in a designated regional area in Victoria, as defined by the Department of Home Affairs, for the period of the visa.  This period begins when your visa is granted by the Department of Home Affairs.

Complete up to 7 email surveys

There are up to 7 short surveys that you must complete over the first 3 year period of visa grant.  These surveys will be emailed to you.  You will receive your first survey when you arrive in Australia or when your Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa is granted.  You will then receive one survey every 6 months.

The responses and feedback in the survey are used to evaluate and improve the Victorian Government’s Skilled and Business Migration Program.

Find out more

More information on the visa eligibility requirements and visa application process is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.