New Changes to the Occupation List for Australia’s Subclass 491 Visa

Updates to State Occupation Lists and Their Impact on Applicants for Australia’s Regional Skilled Visa

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – Subclass 491 is one of Australia’s skilled migration pathways. It allows eligible skilled applicants to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia and, if they meet the relevant requirements, may provide a pathway to permanent residence in the future.

In recent years, the Australian Government and state and territory governments have placed greater emphasis on attracting skilled workers in sectors experiencing labour shortages. As a result, occupation lists and eligibility requirements for skilled migration pathways, including the Subclass 491 visa, may be reviewed and updated from time to time by the relevant Australian authorities and state or territory governments.

A New Focus on Occupations Experiencing Labour Shortages

Recent developments indicate that states and territories may give greater priority to occupations that play an important role in regional economies, including the following areas:

Healthcare and Medical Services

• Registered nurses
• Doctors and medical specialists
• Medical imaging professionals
• Occupational therapists and physiotherapists

Education

• School teachers
• Early Childhood Teachers
• Education specialists

Engineering and Construction

• Civil engineers
• Construction project managers
• Construction professionals and skilled trades

Information Technology

• Software professionals
• Systems analysts
• Cybersecurity and data specialists

Some states and territories, including New South Wales and Queensland, also publish their own occupation lists and nomination criteria for skilled visa pathways such as the Subclass 491 and Subclass 190 visas. Requirements and priorities may vary between jurisdictions.

Does the Removal or Addition of an Occupation Mean That Migration Opportunities Are No Longer Available?

Not necessarily. Having an occupation included on a relevant occupation list is only one of several factors that may affect eligibility for a skilled migration pathway.

Depending on the visa and pathway, applicants may also need to meet requirements relating to:

✔ A positive Skills Assessment
✔ The required level of English language proficiency
✔ Sufficient migration points, where applicable
✔ Relevant work experience
✔ The nomination requirements of the selected state or territory
✔ Age and other visa eligibility criteria

Why It Is Important to Review State and Territory Requirements Before Applying for a Subclass 491 Visa

One important consideration for Subclass 491 applicants is that occupation availability and nomination requirements can vary between states and territories.

For example, an occupation may be eligible for nomination under a Subclass 491 pathway in one state or territory but may have a lower priority, additional requirements, or different eligibility criteria in another.

For this reason, choosing the most suitable state or territory, carefully reviewing occupation requirements, and assessing the likelihood of receiving an invitation can play an important role in planning a skilled migration application.

Important Advice for Subclass 491 Applicants

Because Australian migration policies and state or territory nomination requirements can change, applicants should review the latest requirements before:

• Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI)
• Selecting a state or territory for nomination
• Completing a Skills Assessment
• Taking an English language test

The SilkVisa Australia team provides professional migration guidance to help eligible applicants assess skilled migration pathways, including the Subclass 491 visa, based on factors such as their occupation, work experience, migration points, and long-term migration goals.

SilkVisa Australia
Registered Migration Agent (MARA)
Professional Australian migration advice and services