ACT Skilled Regional Provisional Visa 491

Updated on 01 Mar 2025 

Updated on 20 Jan 2026

The Skilled Regional Work Visa (subclass 491) is a five year provisional visa for skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia. You must be nominated by a state or territory government. Nomination triggers the visa invitation from the Department of Home Affairs.

Two year commitment - If you are nominated by the ACT to apply for a 491 visa, you must live and work in Canberra for at least two years from visa grant, or if you are moving from overseas, date of arrival in Canberra.

There are two streams:

Canberra Resident Applicant Eligibility

If you want to apply for ACT nomination for a Skilled Regional Work (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) as a Canberra resident, you must meet the following criteria:

• Department of Home Affairs Criteria
• ACT Resident Pathway: you must meet one of the following:
  • Your nominated occupation is on the latest ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List;
  • You are the primary holder of a subclass 457/482 visa sponsored by an ACT employer. You must have worked in Canberra in your nominated occupation for your sponsoring ACT employer as the holder of a 457/482 visa for the last six months.
  • You are the majority owner of an eligible registered business located in the ACT and you are claiming Matrix points in the Small Business Owner category. 
    • The following business types are not eligible: sub tenancy, ride-share, taxi, delivery, courier services, or an on-sold business previously used to qualify for ACT nomination.
  • Residence in Canberra: you lived in Canberra for at least three months at date of Canberra Matrix submission and continue to do so until the date of invitation. Your bank statements / transaction history must record ACT banking activity for this period. You may also live within a 30-minute commuting distance in NSW e.g., Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, and Googong.
  • Employment in Canberra: You worked in Canberra for at least 13 weeks. You can work for more than one employer, be self-employed, and/or be a Small Business Owner. Employment types can be combined, provided you meet the criteria for each and that you meet the overall hourly or earnings requirements.
  • English: You meet the Department of Home Affairs requirement for 'competent' English unless a higher level is required by your assessing authority.
  • Commitment to Canberra: You must sign a declaration committing to living and working in Canberra while your visa is processed and for at least two years from date of visa grant.
  • If you have a Spouse / Partner, they must be a resident in Canberra for at least three months or living overseas.
  • Service fee: $300

Overseas Applicant Eligibility

Must meet the following criteria:

• Department of Home Affairs Criteria.
• Nominated occupation: your nominated occupation is on the latest ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
• Relevant overseas work experience: you have at least one year full time, post graduate work experience in your nominated occupation in the last five years. The work experience must be assessed as relevant by the assessing body
  • Your skills and experience in the nominated occupation are relevant to the ACT economy.
  • If required, you hold the relevant Australian registration or licence for your nominated occupation.
• English: You meet the Department of Home Affairs requirement for 'competent' English unless a higher level is required by your assessing authority.
• ACT employability: you have researched the ACT labour market and you are satisfied that you are employable in Canberra and that your background is relevant to the ACT economy.
• Commitment to Canberra: you have researched Canberra and you are committed to living in the ACT.
  • You must attach a commitment statement to the application, explaining in your own words why you want to live in Canberra.
  • You must sign a declaration committing to living and working in Canberra for at least two years from the date of arrival in Australia.
• Residency: you and any migrating dependents (except children enrolled at school in the ACT):
  • are living overseas.
  • have not lived in Australia for the last 12 months.
  • do not hold a current Australian visa (or bridging visa) with the exception of an Australian visitor visa.
• Settlement funds: you have access to sufficient money to fund your migration and settlement in Canberra.
• If you have a Spouse / Partner and you wish to claim Canberra Matrix points in a spouse or partner category:
  • You must have proof of the relationship.
  •  they must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirement for ‘competent’ English; or hold an Australian passport.
• Service Fee: $300

Contact Details:

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: 13 22 81

International :[phone]

Postal Address:

Skills Canberra
Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
ACT Government
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601