Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
A points-tested provisional visa for skilled workers to live and work in regional NSW.
About NSW Nomination
NSW nomination for this visa allows skilled migrants to live, work and study in designated regional areas of NSW for a period of 5 years.
There are three pathways to NSW nomination for this visa:
- Pathway 1 – Apply if you’re currently employed with a regional NSW employer [Currently Closed]
- Pathway 2 – Be invited to apply by Investment NSW
- Pathway 3 – Apply if you recently graduated from a Regional NSW institution
NSW nomination for this visa under 'Pathway 2' is exceptionally competitive. We strongly encourage anyone considering NSW nomination under 'Pathway 2' to consider all other migration pathways on the Home Affairs website and not wait to be invited to apply for NSW nomination.
See our Common questions about skilled visas page for answers to a full list of our most commonly received questions.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for NSW nomination under all pathways, you must meet the basic eligibility criteria for this visa as required by Home Affairs.
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 NSW Regional Skills List; and
is eligible for this visa.
Be currently residing:
in NSW and have continuously resided in NSW for a minimum period of three months; or
offshore and have continuously resided offshore for a minimum period of three months.
Apply if you recently graduated from a Regional NSW institution
To apply under this pathway, you must have completed a bachelor's degree or above from an institution located in a designated regional area of NSW.
Your qualifying study must:
Be related to your nominated (or closely related) occupation; and
Have been completed within the 2 years immediately before applying for NSW nomination; and
Qualify you to claim points for 'Study in regional Australia'. These points must appear in your SkillSelect EOI.
Additionally, you must:
- Be skilled in an occupation that is:
within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the NSW Regional Skills List; and
is eligible for this visa.
Be currently residing:
in NSW and have continuously resided in NSW for a minimum period of three months; or
offshore and have continuously resided offshore for a minimum period of three months.
Key Steps for Securing NSW Nomination
The NSW nomination process involves several crucial steps that are different for each nomination pathway:
Be invited to apply by Investment NSW
To be considered for NSW nomination under 'Pathway 2' you must:
- Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet both the visa and NSW nomination eligibility requirements before submitting an EOI.
- Submit Your EOI: If you meet the criteria, submit an EOI in SkillSelect. Should you be invited to apply, you will need to support every point claim in your EOI with valid (i.e. non-expired) documentation.
- Be Invited: NSW holds invitation rounds throughout the financial year. All valid EOIs in occupations within ANZSCO unit groups identified on the NSW Regional Skills List are eligible for NSW nomination. Important: because of the exceptionally high demand for NSW nomination, we strongly encourage anyone considering NSW nomination to explore all other migration pathways and not wait to be invited.
- Respond Promptly if Invited: You will have 14 days to complete your application for NSW nomination after being invited. When you apply, you will need to provide valid documents to substantiate every claim made in your EOI. This 14-day window will not be extended.
- Wait For Your Nomination Assessment: Your application will typically be assessed within six weeks after payment. To help us stick to this timeline, please refrain from contacting us for updates during this period.
Apply if you recently graduated from a Regional NSW institution
To apply directly for NSW nomination under 'Pathway 3' you must:
- Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet both the visa and NSW nomination eligibility requirements before applying.
- Submit Your EOI: If you meet the criteria, submit an EOI in SkillSelect. Note: You must be eligible to claim points for 'Study in regional Australia' based on your qualifying study and these points must be listed in your EOI.
- Apply For Nomination: Apply for NSW nomination using our online form.
- Wait For Your Nomination Assessment: Your application will typically be assessed within six weeks after payment. To help us stick to this timeline, please refrain from contacting us for updates during this period.
Understanding Invitation Rounds and the NSW Regional Skills List
Invitation rounds are an integral feature of the NSW nomination process under 'Pathway 2'. Here are the essential points:
Invitation Rounds
- Timing: Invitation rounds occur throughout the financial year. There are no predetermined or publicly announced dates for invitation rounds.
- Selection: NSW considers multiple factors when selecting EOIs including age, English language proficiency, education, points score, and total years of skilled work experience. The highest ranking EOIs within an ANZSCO unit group are invited to apply.
- Discretion: Being invited to apply for NSW nomination is at the sole discretion of the NSW Government.
- Submission Date: The date you submit or amend your SkillSelect EOI does not affect your likelihood of being invited.
NSW Regional Skills List
The NSW Regional Skills List identifies occupations that are in shortage across the Regional NSW at the ANZSCO unit group level. These occupations align with NSW's target sectors and key government priorities, helping address workforce needs in critical industries.
To be eligible for NSW nomination, you must have a valid skills assessment in an occupation that both falls within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the NSW Skills List and is also eligible for this visa.
Read our 'Common questions about skilled visas' page for more information about invitation rounds and NSW target sectors.
Exploring Alternative Migration Pathways
The Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) is just one visa option available for skilled workers to migrate to New South Wales.
Further Opportunities
The Home Affairs website provides a comprehensive list of visa options, which include visas for those with specific job offers or sponsorships.
Professional Guidance
Navigating the various visa options can be complex. For specialised guidance, consider consulting our 'Using a migration agent or legal practitioner' page.
We strongly encourage you to explore all pathways and seek professional advice to maximise your chances of successful migration.
Nominations Are Subject to the Discretion of Investment NSW
Investment NSW reserves the right to refuse an application for nomination if the application does not meet the published criteria, if the nomination is not in the best interests of NSW, or if our allocation is fully committed.
Note: Due to limited allocation, places for Pathways 1 and 3 are restricted. Investment NSW may close these pathways once all available places are filled.