Two new provisional visas will be introduced from 16 November 2019 to assist regional Australia:
–Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (SWR) visa (Subclass 491)
–Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (SESR) visa (Subclass 494)
And New Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (SWR) visa (Subclass 491) will affect the ability of states and territories to nominate and issue invitations for the subclass 489 visa and for intending migrants to lodge EOIs and lodge applications for this visa in accordance with the table below:
| Date | Action |
| 10 September 2019 | * LAST day for states and territory governments to nominate and for invitations to be issued to an intending migrant for a subclass 489 visa. * LAST day for intending migrants to lodge an EOI in SkillSelect for the subclass 489 visa. |
| 15 November 2019 | * LAST day for people who have been invited to apply for a subclass 489 visa to lodge a subclass 489 visa application. |
| From 16 November 2019 | Intending migrants can lodge an EOI for the subclass 491 visa.State and territory governments can nominate and invitations are able to be issued to an intending migrant for a subclass 491 visa. Visa applications can be lodged for the subclass 491 visa for intending migrants issued with an invitation to apply. |
Regional definition will be replaced with one simplified definition from November:
Regional will encompass all of Australia except:
- Brisbane and Gold Coast
- Melbourne
- Perth
- Sydney
The new Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa will have 673 eligible occupations (Over 450 more occupations than closest non-regional equivalent visa).
The new Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa will have 504 eligible occupations (77 more than closest non-regional equivalent visa).
What is the difference between the old and new regional visas?
- Applicants for the new Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa will have access to more points for regional nomination/sponsorship. Priority processing.
- Require the holder and their families to live, work and study in a regional area for three years.
- Report any change of circumstances to the Department within 14 days.
- May be required to attend an interview or provide supporting evidence to demonstrate that they are living and working in regional Australia.
- Migrants are more likely to stay in a regional area longer-term.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (SWR) visa (Subclass 491)
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
- Replaces the subclass 489 First Provisional stream
- Two invitation pathways –State / Territory nominated –Family sponsored
- Required to declare that all applicants have a genuine intention to live, work and study in a designated regional area
- 5 year grant period
- More rigorous regional compliance framework (conditions 8578, 8579, 8580 & 8581 imposed on all visa holders)
- Points test amended
Regional compliance framework
- 8578 – notify immigration of changes within 14 days
- 8579 – live, work and study only in a designated regional area
- 8580 – if requested to do so, provide evidence within 28 days
- 8581 – if requested to do so, attend an interview
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (SESR) visa (Subclass 494)
- The grant period will be 5 years
- Eligible for Medicare – health insurance not required
- GTE requirement does not apply
- Doctor registration requirement does not apply
- Regional compliance conditions + 8608 (similar to 8607)
Australia’s immigration law and visa system are very complicated. Any small mistake can waste your precious time and money, and may even lead to more serious refusal consequences. If you want to know the specific requirements of this visa, or whether your employer qualifies for the sponsorship, please contact our experienced immigration agent to help you.
Paul Taekhwan Kwon
MARN: 0701575
Paul migrated to Australia in 1999 as an international student. After completing his IT degree at the Queensland University of Technology in 2003, he began his career as an education consultant, going on to become a registered migration agent in 2007. His professional experience covers a range of visa areas, including business sponsorship, skilled migration, partner, parent and student visas.