Regional visas are an increasingly important part of Australia's migration program. The government allocates a growing share of skilled migration places to regional areas, and regional visa holders get access to larger occupation lists and additional points.
For Queensland, "regional" means everywhere outside the Greater Brisbane area. That includes the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Ipswich (parts of it), Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Mackay and everything else outside the Brisbane metropolitan boundary.
Is this your situation?
You do not have enough points for a 189. Or your occupation is not on the standard lists for the 189 or 190. Or you have an employer in regional Queensland who wants to sponsor you but is not sure how. Or you are already on a 491 or 494 and you want to know when you can apply for the permanent 191.
Regional visas are the pathway many people overlook, but for a lot of occupations they are the most realistic route to permanent residence.
Subclass 491 - Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
The 491 is a five-year provisional visa. You can get it through state or territory nomination (adding 15 points to your score) or sponsorship by an eligible family member living in a regional area.
You need your occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, a positive skill assessment, at least 65 points including the 15 nomination points, and an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect.
The 491 occupation lists are broader than the 189 lists. Occupations that are not available for the 189 may still be available for the 491.
Subclass 494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
The 494 is for people sponsored by an employer in a regional area. It grants five years. Like the 491, it leads to the permanent 191 after three years.
Subclass 191 - Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)
The 191 is the permanent visa for 491 and 494 holders. You can apply after living and working in a regional area for at least three years and earning above a minimum taxable income threshold for at least three years.
DAMA - Designated Area Migration Agreements
DAMAs allow employers in specific regional areas to sponsor workers in occupations not on the standard lists, often with concessions on English, age and salary requirements. Queensland has DAMA arrangements covering various regions. These are relevant for hospitality, meat processing, agriculture, healthcare and aged care. See our DAMA Queensland blog post for more detail.
Not sure whether your area counts as regional?
The definition of "regional" for migration purposes is specific and does not always match what you would expect. Some areas that feel suburban (parts of the Gold Coast, for example) are classified as regional. Others that feel regional are not. Contact us and we can check your specific postcode.
Already on a 491 or 494 and worried about the 191 income requirement?
The income threshold for the 191 is published by the Department. You need to have earned above it for at least three of the five years on your provisional visa. If you are not meeting the threshold, talk to us before the deadline approaches. There may be options, but waiting until the last minute limits them.
How Robbie Toor (MARN 1170356) helps
Robbie works with both regional applicants and regional employers across Queensland. He handles state nomination applications, employer sponsorship, DAMA applications and the visa lodgement. If you are an employer in regional Queensland looking to sponsor workers, he can advise on the most suitable pathway.