Skilled Regional Pathway (491, 191, 489, 887)

Eligibility is split between the initial provisional stage (getting into the country) and the permanent stage (staying indefinitely).

Subclass 491 (The Provisional Stage)

To qualify for the initial 5-year visa, you must meet several high-level thresholds:

• Age: You must be under 45 years old when you are invited to apply.
• Points Test: You must score at least 65 points on the Australian points grid. This includes a mandatory 15-point bonus granted for being nominated by a state or sponsored by a relative.
• Skills Assessment: You must have a valid, positive skills assessment in an occupation found on the Skilled Occupation List.
• English Language: You must demonstrate Competent English (e.g., an IELTS score of 6 in all components or equivalent).
• Nomination/Sponsorship: You cannot apply independently. You must either be nominated by a State or Territory government (which often have their own specific "priority lists" for healthcare, teaching, or trades) or be sponsored by an eligible relative living in a regional area.

Subclass 191 & 887 (The Permanent Stage)

Once you are in Australia on a provisional visa, you must "earn" your permanent residency:

• Regional Compliance: You must prove you lived, worked, and studied exclusively in designated regional areas for at least 3 years (for Subclass 191) or 2 years (for Subclass 887).
• Income and Tax: For the Subclass 191, there is currently no minimum income dollar amount, but you must provide three years of Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Notices of Assessment.
• Work Requirement (Subclass 887 only): If you are on the legacy 489 visa, you must prove you worked full-time (35 hours/week) for at least 1 year in a regional area.