Queensland 491 State Nomination
If you want to migrate to Queensland on a skilled migration 491 visa, then you must first obtain a nomination from the state of Queensland. State migration is managed by the Queensland Government, through Migration Queensland, which is a business unit of Trade and Investment Queensland. State nominated regional subclass 491 visa allow you to live and work permanently in Queensland. This is a 5 year, points tested visa that leads to permanent residency and requires nominated skilled workers to live and be employed in regional Queensland. Subclass 491 visa holders are eligible for Medicare. You can apply under four main categories:
- Graduates of a Queensland University
- Skilled Workers Living in Queensland
- Skilled Workers Living Offshore
- Small Business Owners operating in regional Queensland
If you are a current holder of a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 visa, or have applied for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 visa, you will not be eligible for nomination for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) Subclass 190 visa. This restriction also applies to the Skilled Regional (Provisional) Subclass 489 visa.
Applicable Regions for 491 Queensland State Nomination
You must live and work within one of the following post codes to be eligible for this visa:
4019–4022, 4025, 4037, 4074, 4076–4078, 4124–4125, 4133, 4183–4184, 4207–4275, 4280–4287, 4300–4301, 4303–4498, 4500–4512, 4514–4519, 4521, 4550–4575, 4580–4895.
Graduates of a Queensland University
This pathway is for high performing graduates, who have graduated from a Queensland university in a PhD or Doctorate, Master’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree; and are currently onshore in Queensland. Migration Queensland criteria requires Graduate applicants to:
- Have a point test result of 65 points or higher (for the subclass 491 visa Queensland nomination), inclusive of state nomination;
- Provide evidence of employment with a Queensland employer registered in Australia in their nominated occupation (or a closely related occupation) (excludes PhD and Doctorate Graduates);
- Meet the minimum English language requirement of PROFICIENT;
- Meet the additional criteria for qualification level detailed below.
Invitations will go to the highest points per occupation (other requirements may be considered where there are a large number of EOI’s for certain points ie regional location, years of work experience etc). EOI’s will remain in departmental queue based on the points when they were originally lodged.
PhD and Doctorate Graduates 491 Nomination
Applicants must:
- Be living onshore in Queensland
- Have completed 100% of the PhD or Doctorate at a Queensland-based institution
- Have had a decision on thesis and graduated in the last 2 years
- Have an occupation on LIN 19/051
- No job required
Masters 491 Nomination Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be living onshore in Queensland
- Have completed 100% of Master’s degree (by research or coursework) at a Queensland-based institution
- Have graduated in the last two years
- Have an occupation on 'Skilled Occupation List'.
- Be employed full time (35 hours per week minimum) in Queensland in the nominated or closely related occupation in a regional area.
Bachelor Graduates 491 Nomination only
Applicants must:
- Be living onshore in regional Queensland.
- Have completed 100% of the Bachelor’s degree at a Queensland-based institution.
- Have graduated in the last two years.
- Have a grade point average of 5.5 (or equivalent) or higher.
- Have an occupation on LIN 19/051.
- Be employed full-time (35 hours per week minimum) in regional Queensland in the nominated or closely related occupation.
Skilled Workers Living in Queensland
You may undertake employment through:
- Work for one or more employers,
- Work at two part-time jobs, or
- Work in your own business as an owner operator.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a Visa 491 Australia Queensland nomination, you must meet both the Australian Department of Home Affairs criteria and Migration Queensland criteria for your chosen visa category.
Home Affairs criteria requires you to:
- Have a points-test result of 65 or higher, inclusive of state nomination points;
- Have a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation;
- Be under 45 years of age;
- Meet the minimum English language requirement of competent, unless a higher level is required by your assessing authority; and
- Submit additional documents, if invited to lodge an application for 491 visa.
Migration Queensland criteria requires you to:
- Have a points-test result of 65 or higher for the 491 Queensland state nomination.
- Have an occupation on Home Affairs’ relevant list of eligible skilled occupations (LIN 19/051)
- Have Proficient English or higher (except for Trades occupations*, which require Competent English).
- If you are lodging an Expression of Interest for a 491 visa: Ensure that you can provide evidence that you have been living in regional Queensland and undertaking full-time post-qualification employment (minimum of 35 hours per week) over the past 3 months in your nominated occupation immediately prior to submitting your EOI.
If you are lodging an Expression of Interest for a 491 visa: Ensure that you can provide evidence that you have been living in regional Queensland and undertaking full-time post-qualification employment (minimum of 35 hours per week) over the past 3 months in your nominated occupation immediately prior to submitting your EOI.
You must be ready to commit to living and working in Queensland for 3 years for 491 Queensland state nomination after visa grant.
Caveats for Selected Occupations
Accountants (General)
- Only applicants employed in an accounting firm will receive an invitation.
- Must be a CPA, CA or IPA, or are studying towards becoming a CPA, CA or IPA.
Internal and External Auditors
- Must have a job as an Auditor (not an Accountant).
Cooks and Chefs
- No takeaway or fast-food businesses.
Migration Queensland has been inviting ‘decision ready applications’ who have registered through our recent ‘consideration for priority processing’ campaigns. A new registration campaign will open from Monday 3 April - Monday 10 April 2023, and you or your migration agent will be able to register your existing SkillSelect EOI and details through our website.
Please note, only those that meet Queensland’s minimum criteria will be considered for invitation. Applicants who are invited must have their documents ready and uploaded within 7 days of being invited, and no extensions will be granted. Your patience is appreciated throughout this busy processing period, and processing times are currently at 4 – 6 weeks from the date of your invitation.
Labour Hire Employment
If you are employed through a labour hire company, make sure that they are registered in Queensland. All labour hire providers operating in Queensland must be licensed under the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017, including those based interstate or overseas who supply workers in Queensland.
You will be required to provide evidence that your labour hire company complies with these registration requirements. Your Statement of service must be written by the company you have been placed within.
Skilled Workers Living Offshore
Subclass 491 Nomination Queensland Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for a Queensland nomination, you must meet both the Australian Department of Home Affairs criteria and Migration Queensland criteria for your chosen visa category. The Department of Home Affairs criteria requires you to:
- Have a points-test result of 65 or higher, inclusive of state nomination points;
- Have a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation;
- Be under 45 years of age;
- Meet the minimum English language requirement of competent, unless a higher level is required by your assessing authority; and
- Submit additional documents, if invited to lodge an application for a 491 visa.
Migration Queensland criteria requires you to:
- Have a points-test result of 65 or higher for the 491 (unless another score is specified).
- Have an occupation on the Offshore Queensland Skilled Occupation List (QSOL).
- Have Proficient English or higher (unless specified otherwise).
- Have a minimum of 3 years of post study work experience (except where otherwise specified). You must be employed in your nominated or closely related occupation immediately prior to submitting an EOI.
Migration Queensland has been inviting ‘decision ready applications’ who have registered through recent ‘consideration for priority processing’ campaigns. A new registration campaign will open from Monday 3 April - Monday 10 April 2023, and you will be able to register your existing Skillselect EOI.
Only those that meet Queensland’s minimum criteria will be considered for invitation. Applicants who are invited must submit their documents within 7 days of being invited, and no extensions will be available. Processing times are currently at 4 – 6 weeks from the date of your invitation.
Small business owners operating in regional Queensland
Eligibility criteria for 491 Queensland state nomination
To be eligible for a Queensland nomination, you must meet both the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Eligibility Criteria and Migration Queensland criteria for your chosen visa category. The Department of Home Affairs criteria requires you to:
- Have a points-test result of 65 or higher, inclusive of state nomination points;
- Have a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation;
- Be under 45 years of age;
- Meet the minimum English language requirement of competent, unless a higher level is required by your assessing authority; and
- Submit additional documents, if invited to lodge an application for a 491 visa.
Migration Queensland criteria requires you to
- Have an occupation on the Legislative Instrument (LIN 19/051);
- Be on a visa that allows full-time work and operation of the business (minimum of 35 hours per week);
- Have purchased an existing business in regional Queensland; This is not available for home-based businesses. All businesses must have been operating for at least 2 years prior to purchase in the current location (including franchises).
- Purchased a business for a minimum of $100,000, OR have been operating a profitable start-up for a minimum of 2 years with a turnover of $200,000 in the year directly prior to application.
- Have 100% ownership of the business – partnerships or joint ventures are not eligible;
- Have been trading in the business for 6 months before application (the full cost of the business must be paid in full before the 6-month trading period begins);
- employ 1 employee who is an Australian resident, working a minimum of 20 hours per week, or 2 employees working 10 hours a week. An Australian resident in this situation is an Australian permanent resident, Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen on a Special Category visa (subclass 444).
- Provide evidence of sufficient settlement funds.
Sufficient Settlement Funds
Onshore Skilled Applicants
- Primary applicant: A$5,000; A$5,000; Total = A$10,000
- Primary +1 dependent: A$5,000; A$10,000; Total = A$15,000
- Primary +2 dependent: A$5,000; A$15,000; Total = A$20,000
- Primary +3 dependent: A$5,000; A$20,000; Total = A$25,000
- Primary +4 dependent: A$5,000; A$25,000; Total = A$30,000
- Primary +5 or more dependent: A$5,000; A$30,000; Total = A$35,000
Offshore Skilled Applicants
- Primary applicant: A$15,000; A$15,000; Total = A$30,000
- Primary +1 dependent: A$15,000; A$20,000; Total = A$35,000
- Primary +2 dependent: A$15,000; A$25,000; Total = A$40,000
- Primary +3 dependent: A$15,000; A$30,000; Total = A$45,000
- Primary +4 dependent: A$15,000; A$35,000; Total = A$50,000
- Primary +5 or more dependent: A$5,000; A$40,000; Total = A$55,000
Criteria Clarification
- No vendor financing.
- No share transfer (must have a contract of business sale).
- Cannot purchase business from family member.
- Cannot purchase a business previously owned by a 491-SBO applicant.
- Commission agents or leasing agents of franchises (such as petrol stations), and home-based businesses (including those with virtual offices) will not be considered.
- Applicants must operate their business for at least 3 years in a regional area (and may be subject to monitoring) after the grant of the visa.
Disclaimer: ‘Atlantis International Pty Ltd’ and its associates are independent consulting entities which are not associated in anyway with the Australian ‘Department of Home Affairs’ (DOHA). Information on this website does not constitute personal migration advice. For a customized migration advice based on your personal circumstances, please call and talk to one of our Immigration Consultants or register your interest with our Associates.
