Visa 491 Requirements

To meet visa 491 requirements, you should be able to achieve a minimum of 65 points in the points test for skilled migration visas. The actual score required for your occupation might be higher than 65 to get invited to apply for 491 visa.

Subclass 491 Visa Requirements

EOI for 491 Visa

You can apply for this visa only if you have been invited to apply for this visa. To be invited you will need to lodge a Skilled Regional (Provisional) 491 visa EOI (Expression of Interest). You can submit an EOI for 491 visa to let the Australian Department of Home Affairs know that you would like to apply for Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa 491.

You can use SkillSelect to lodge EOI visa 491. You will also need to include the following:

• Given name and family name.
• Date of birth
• Country of birth
• Gender
• Passport and citizenship details
• Place of residency
• Relationship status

SkillSelect will ask you to confirm the information you have provided and then create an account by providing an email address and password. SkillSelect system will email you an expression of interest (EOI) identification number, which you will need to log in to complete an EOI and submit it.

Skills Assessment for 491 Visa Requirements

To make a valid application for Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa 491 you must declare that you have a suitable skills assessment obtained from the skills assessment authority as specified in Occupations and Assessing Authorities Instrument. You will need to have positive skills assessment outcome letter before you lodge EOI, and provide the skills assessment outcome letter when you lodge visa 491 application.

Your positive skills assessment must have been obtained in the 3 years before the date of your invitation. However, If the assessment was for a shorter period then that period must not have passed. If your positive skills assessment outcome was assessed on the basis of a qualification you got in Australia when you held a student visa, then that qualification must be from studying a CRICOS registered course.

For legal and medical practitioners, the Department of Home Affairs will also accept the following as proof of a skills assessment:

• Admission to practice law in the relevant state or territory.
• Full or unconditional or general medical registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
• Conditional specialist registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, that only allows you to practice in your specialty, where you need no further training or supervision.

Meet Health Requirements for 491 Visa

You and your dependent family members who apply for the visa with you must meet Australia's health requirement. The Department of Home Affairs may request health examination for family members not accompanying you to Australia.

Meet Character Requirements for 491 Visa

You and your dependent family members who apply for the visa with you must meet Australia's character requirement. The Department of Home Affairs may request character examination for family members not accompanying you to Australia.

Have Paid Your Debt to Australian Government

If you or any of your dependent family members including those who do not apply for the visa with you, owe the Australian Government money, you or they must have paid it back or arranged to pay it back.

Sign the Australian Values Statement

If you are 18 years of age or older, you must have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia booklet and confirm you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws when you sign or accept the Australian Values Statement.

Not Have had a Visa Cancelled or Refused

You might not be eligible to apply for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused while you last entered Australia.

Subclass 491 Visa English Requirements

Competent English as Minimum Requirement

To prove you have Competent English, you will need to provide evidence that:

• You are a citizen of and hold a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland, with your application. British National (Overseas) passports are not acceptable as evidence of competent English.
• At least 6 for each of the 4 components in IELTS.
• At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking in TOEFL iBT.
• At least 50 for each of the 4 components PTE Academic.
• At least B for each of the 4 components in OET.
• At least 169 in each of the 4 components in Cambridge C1 Advanced Test.

Test must have been undertaken within 3 years before the date of invitation.

Proficient English to Claim 10 Points in Points Test

To prove you have Proficient English, you will need to provide evidence that:

• At least 7 for each of the 4 components in IELTS.
• At least 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking in TOEFL iBT.
• At least 65 for each of the 4 components PTE Academic.
• At least B for each of the 4 components in OET.
• At least 185 in each of the 4 components in Cambridge C1 Advanced Test.

Test must have been undertaken within 3 years before the date of invitation.

Superior English to Claim 20 Points in Points Test

To prove you have Superior English, you will need to provide evidence that:

• At least 8 for each of the 4 components in IELTS.
• At least 28 for listening, 29 for reading, 30 for writing and 26 for speaking in TOEFL iBT.
• At least 79 for each of the 4 components PTE Academic.
• At least A for each of the 4 components in OET.
• At least 200 in each of the 4 components in Cambridge C1 Advanced Test.

Test must have been undertaken within 3 years before the date of invitation.

491 Visa Partner English Requirements

Your partner will need only minimum competent English to satisfy the partner English requirements for 491 visa.

Subclass 190 Visa Work Experience Requirements

You don't need any work experience to apply for Skilled Regional (Provisional) 491 visa. However you may need employment experience for skills assessment purposes, and you can claim additional points in points test. You must be able to prove your work experience with evidence such as Job offer letter, employment contract, payslips, tax returns and superannuation records.

Overseas Experience

Your overseas experience except the one deducted by skills assessment authority for your skills assessment, can be used to claim additional points in points test. With an overseas 3 years experience you can claim 5 points, 10 for 5 years experience, and 15 for 8 or more years of experience.

Australian Experience

Your Australian experience except the one deducted by skills assessment authority for your skills assessment, can be used to claim additional points in points test. With 1 year of Australian experience you can claim 5 points, 10 points for 3 years experience, 15 for 5 years experience, and 20 for 8 or more years of experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Subclass 491 visa is granted with nomination from a state or territory. Therefore State or Territory Governments have specific additional requirements.

What are 491 Visa Requirements for Victoria?

Victoria requires following additional requirements from the prospective applicants:

• Have a valid Skills Assessment in an occupation on the Victoria's eligible skilled occupation list for this subclass 491 visa.
• If you have indicated in your Registration of Interest (ROI) that you are currently working in Victoria, you will also need to provide employment contract, payslips of most recent four weeks, superannuation statement, and position description.

What are 491 Visa Requirements for NSW?

New South Wales requires additional requirements from the prospective applicants:

• Have a valid Skills Assessment in an occupation on the New South Wales's eligible skilled occupation list for this subclass 491 visa.
• If you are resident in Australia then you must show proof of residence in New South Wales in the last 6 months such as lease agreement, bank statements, utility bills, job contract or payslips, and license or registration details.

What are 491 Visa Requirements for WA?

Western Australia requires additional requirements from the prospective applicants:

• Have a contract of employment for full time employment for at least 6 months in the nominated or closely related occupation in Western Australia.

What are Chef 491 Visa Requirements?

To receive an invitation to apply 491 visa for chef you will need minimum of 65 points in points test.

How to apply EOI for 491 Visa?

You can use SkillSelect to lodge eoi for 491 visa.

Is Form 80 Required for 491 Visa?

Yes, completely filled and signed form 80 is required for each applicant of visa 491.

‍

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.