SKILLED WORK REGIONAL VISA (subclass 491)

RDA Far West  – ARE CLOSED FOR 491 VISA APPLICATIONS as of today 5 June 2023

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) allows skilled migrants to live, study and work in designated regional for a period of 5 years.

Regional Development Australia (RDA) offices across NSW assist the NSW government in assessing nomination applications for the 491 visa.

The Federal Government retains ultimate responsibility for Australia’s migration program, including the allocation of available places across program streams and making decisions on visa applications.

APPLICATION PATHWAYS

There are TWO pathways to NSW nomination for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491):

PATHWAY 1 – Apply directly to a Regional Development Australia (RDA) Office.

Stream A – Established work history with a regional NSW based employer

To apply under this stream, you must be currently living and working in a designated regional area of NSW, and have continuously done so for the past 12 months.

Your qualifying skilled employment in the twelve months immediately before applying must be:

• In your nominated (or closely related) occupation; and

• With the same regional NSW-based employer; and

• Deemed skilled by NSW; and

• Paid a minimum of the TSMIT salary level of $53,900 (prorated if under 38 hours per week) from your qualifying employer in your nominated (or closely related) occupation

Your nominated occupation must be eligible for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491).

 

Stream B – My skills are required in regional NSW

To be eligible to apply under this stream, you must:

• Be skilled in an occupation that is:

  • within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the Stream B skills list, and

  • is eligible for the visa

• Meet the minimum point score and years of skilled work experience for your ANZSCO unit group

• Be currently residing in NSW, or offshore, and have continuously done so for a minimum period of three months

Minimum point scores and years of skilled work experience are outlined for each ANSZCO unit group on the Stream B skills list.

Regional NSW study exemption

You are exempt from the minimum work experience requirement under Stream B if you:

• Completed study in regional NSW within the most recent 24 months before applying; and
• Your study is related to your nominated (or closely related) occupation; and
• Your study in regional NSW makes you eligible to claim points for Study in regional Australialaunch.

 

PATHWAY 2 – Be invited to apply by Investment NSW

To be considered for NSW nomination under Pathway 2 you must:

• Be skilled in an occupation that is:

  • within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the Pathway 2 skills list, and

  • is eligible for the visa

• Be currently residing in NSW, or offshore, and have continuously done so for a minimum period of three months

• Have submitted an EOI in SkillSelect seeking nomination for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) only and NSW only

COMMON QUESTIONS

Answers to common questions about skilled visas are also available.

 

ALTERNATIVE MIGRATION PATHWAYS

NSW nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is just one of a number of visa options for prospective skilled migrants.

There are a range of visas offered by Home Affairs, including both temporary and permanent employer nominated visas. You may also wish to seek advice from a registered migration agent

 

HOW TO APPLY

NOTE: Payment to your chosen RDA must be made immediately prior to lodging your application with them. Evidence and receipt of such payment must be included in your zip-files at the time you submit your application to the relevant RDA.

 

STEP ONE: Complete Application and Submit Documentation

Apply on line by going to the NSW 491 Application webpage at this site you will complete the application form and be asked to provide relevant documentation that addresses your EOI claims, this should be provided in Zip File Format. As part of this process, you will be asked which RDA you are applying for, you can only apply for one RDA Region.

 

STEP TWO: Get to Know Your Region

As the region that is supporting you and providing you with the opportunity to gain a 491 visa and potentially permanent residency, we expect you to genuinely commit to the Far West Region by living and working here and to make a positive contribution to our communities.

Therefore, it is important that you get to know the Far West region, and research whether the work and lifestyle opportunities it provides are suitable for you and any dependents you may have.

www.lovethefarwest.com.au

www.rdafarwestnsw.org.au

RDA Far West Welcome Pack

 

STEP THREE: RDA Confirmation of Receipt of Documentation

The application and Zip file will be forwarded to your nominated RDA.

Your RDA will send a confirmation email of receipt of documentation and provide details regarding payment of your fee.

 

STEP FOUR: Assessment Fee Payment Instructions

Payment is required as part of your application, and we will not commence assessment of your application until your payment can be verified.

Our assessment fees are:
Skilled Regional State Nominated (491 visa): AUD $800.00 including GST

Note that payment for your application assessment fee does not guarantee a positive outcome for your application.

MAKE A PAYMENT

Broken Hill Community Credit Union

BSB 802-377

Account Number 377 376 73

Account Name Regional Development Australia Far West

 

STEP 5: RDA Assessment Process

Applications will be processed in the order in which complete applications are received and will be completed within 8 weeks.

Once we have assessed your application, we will be in contact with you to request further information if required documents were not included in your application submission or to advise you on the outcome of your application.

 

STEP 6: Await Outcome of your Application

Once we have referred your application to the NSW Government for nomination, it will take up to 5 working days (Monday to Friday, and excluding NSW public holidays) for the nomination to be processed and you will receive an invitation to apply from SkillSelect.

 

Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) Program – RDA Far West Refund Statement

There are limited circumstances under which RDA Far West will refund an applicant their application fee, for the Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) Program, these circumstances include:

Applicant turns 45 years of age during assessment process:

1. 1. The applicant has paid the application fee of $800 (incl. GST) and supplied proof of payment to RDA Far West and
   2. The applicant turns 45 years of age during the assessment process being conducted by RDA Far West, and
   3. Accordingly, RDA Far West is obliged to cease its assessment, deem the application unsuccessful and refuse nomination.

Clerical billing error:

1. 1. RDA Far West discovers, or it is brought to the attention of RDA Far West that a clerical error in its billing system has occurred, and
   2. Accordingly, where an applicant has been invoiced incorrectly and therefore made payment to RDA Far West for an amount that is considered to be incorrect.

The above circumstances are the only circumstances in which RDA Far West will refund an applicant their application fee or part thereof. All permitted refunds will be returned to applicants in the manner in which the original payment was made and to the same corresponding bank account.

*Note: Under no circumstances are refunds available to applicants for having a change of mind concerning the Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) Program or being materially non-compliant with the application criteria set out by the NSW Government and the Department of Home Affairs.

**All refunds are at the discretion of RDA Far West or at the direction of the NSW Government.