Subclass 491 - Skilled Regional (Provisional)

Subclass 491 - Skilled Regional (Provisional)
Two streams - State/Territory sponsored and family member residing in designated area sponsored

State/Territory sponsored stream
Must be nominated by State/Territory Government
Review rights for refusal to grant this visa to an offshore applicant will extend to State/Territory authorities under Part 5 - reviewable decisions

Family member sponsored stream
Must be sponsored by a family member who is over 18 and is an Australian Citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
Sponsor must be usually resident in a designated regional area
Sponsor must be related to the primary applicant or their spouse or defacto partner
Family member is defined as parent, child or step-child, brother, sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, step brother or step sister; or an aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step aunt or step uncle; or a nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step nephew or step niece; or a grandparent; or a first cousin.
Obligation to assist visa holder to the extent necessary, financially, with accommodation and to participate in AMEP English language program for 2 years

Applicant requirements
Schedule 6D points test applies
Must have been invited to apply
Must not have turned 45 at time of application
Must have skilled occupation on an applicable list and have a valid, suitable skills assessment
Primary applicant must have competent English at time of application
Must declare genuine intention to live, work and study in designated regional area
Health PIC 4005 and character PIC apply to all primary applicants and members of family unit, whether applicants or not
May apply and be granted inside or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance
Must be holder of substantive visa or BVA, BVB or BVC to apply onshore
Temporary visa - five years validity
Conditions 8578, 8579, 8580 and 8581 must be imposed
VAC - Base application charge: primary applicant $3,755; additional applicant over 18 years: $1,875; under 18 years: $940
Second VAC instalment if required - Less than functional English over 18 years: $4,890; any other applicant: nil
Safe Haven Enterprise Visa holders or past holders, may apply for a Subclass 491 visa, subject to meeting prescribed requirements.