Victoria 491 Visa Program

In this article, we will explain to you the requirements and application process for 491 Visa Victoria.

The Skilled Work Regional 491 visa allows points-tested skilled workers and their families to live, study and work in designated regional areas for a period of 5 years. This visa is for people with skills that are in high demand in Australia’s labour market to settle in regional Australia.

 

Victoria is the most sought-after state in Australia and offers the best education and employment opportunities in Australia.

 

General Overview for 491 Visa Victoria

In order to apply for the Victoria 491 visa, you will need to be nominated by the Victoria Government or an eligible family member. This provisional visa will allow you and your dependant family to live, work and study in the regional Victoria for 5 years. You will be expected to live in the regional Victoria for at least 3 years before satisfying the requirement for applying for permanent residency.

491 Visa Victoria Application Process

Step 1 – Seek Professional Assistance

Seeking professional migration advice about your eligibility for Australian immigration and the action plan.

Step 2 – EOI for Victoria 491

You must submit a valid EOI (Expression of Interest) for Victoria 491 and ensure the information in the EOI is accurate and up to date.

Step 3 – Registration of Interest for Victoria 491

You must also to submit an application for Registration of Interest (ROI) for the Victorian 491 program. This is a new requirement introduced by the state government in 2020.

Step 4 – State Nomination Application for Victoria 491

Once the Victorian Government accepts your ROI, you will receive an invitation to apply for the Victoria 491 state nomination. Please note, this is not the visa application, but an extremely critical step in getting the invitation for the later on 491 visa application.

Step 5 – Apply for 491 Visa

Once your state nomination application is approved, you will receive the approval letter and also the invitation to lodge an application for the 491 skilled visa.

Step 6 – Respond to any RFI requests by the Immigration

When Department of Home Affairs assess your visa application, they may send a number of RFI (Request for Further Information) to ask for more information for verification before making a decision on your visa application. It is critical that you fully understand the 491 visa requirement before you lodge the application.

Eligibility for Victoria 491 Visa

Age (under 45) Requirement

You will need to be under 45 to be able to submit a nomination application for the Victoria 491 visa. In addition, you need to allow time for the Victorian state to process your application. Please keep in mind that the Federal Government will require you to be invited before you turning 45 in order to be eligible for the visa application.

You must have a Competent level of English or above. You will need to provide evidence to prove that in the 3 years before being invited to apply for the visa, you have obtained satisfying scores on one of the following test:

Test	Score
International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training)	At least 6 for each of the 4 components
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)	At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)	At least 50 for each of the 4 components
Occupational English Test (OET)	At least B for each of the 4 components
Cambridge C1 Advanced test	At least 169 in each of the 4 components

If you hold a valid passport from the following countries, you will be deemed as having competent English and you will not need to take an English exam. The countries are the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, and Republic of Ireland.

Competent English is the minimum threshold for applying general skilled visas. If you can score higher grade, you will receive more points when lodging your Expression of Interest (EOI). For instance, if you are at proficient level, you will receive 10 points. If you are at superior level, you will receive 20 points.

Residency Requirements

You are currently living in regional Victoria.

Employment in a Target Sector using STEMM Skills

You must be currently employed in regional Victoria in a highly skilled occupation in one of the target sectors using your STEMM skills.

 

The health sector in Victoria consists of professionals providing medical services to Victorians as well as those involved in related education and research and development.

You do not necessarily need to be working in a health occupation (e.g. Nurse) to be considered working in the health sector. For example, a software developer working on software for hospitals is considered to be working in the health sector.

• Medical Research

In addition to medical research conducted in universities and research institutes, Victoria’s medical research includes activities such as drug development, clinical trials, health product manufacturing, medical devices and digital health.

If you are using your STEMM skills to support medical research in Victoria, you are considered to be working in the medical research sector.

• Life Sciences

Victoria’s life sciences sector is composed of many industries such as the medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Companies involved in food processing, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals may also be considered to form part of the life sciences sector.

If you are using your STEMM skills to support Victoria’s life sciences sector, you are considered to be working in the life sciences sector. For example, a lecturer in biotechnology working in a university is considered to be working in life sciences.

• Digital

The digital sector makes use of technology and innovation to drive economic growth, productivity and competitiveness in Victoria.

• Agri-Food

The agri-food sector in Victoria includes highly skilled people working to develop food growth and production as well as the modernisation of Victoria’s agri-food sector. To be considered for selection to apply for nomination, applicants must be using their STEMM skills to innovate within the sector, which could include research and development or advanced manufacturing.

• Health

• New energy, emissions reduction and circular economy

This sector includes industries such as clean energy, renewables, bioenergy, carbon capture and energy storage. Applicants could be using their STEMM skills to support efforts to reduce waste, cut pollution and protect the environment.

Skills Assessment Requirement

You must have a positive skills assessment that matches the occupation for which you are seeking the nomination from Victorian Government.

Finance Asset Requirement

There are no specific requirements required for Victoria 491 nomination application.

Genuine intention for settlement in Regional Victoria

You and your family must demonstrate that you are genuinely committed to settling in Regional Victoria during the time you hold stated nominated 491 visa.

Satisfying the minimum points score

You will need to score at least 65 points or higher on the skilled migration point test

How does the 491 Visa Grant Letter look?

The following file is a sample 491 visa grant letter (privacy information removed) which shows the information included in the grant letter, especially the rights and conditions associated with the 491 visas.

IMMI Grant Notification – 491 Visa – Sample

Ausdirect Migration for 491 Visa Victoria

Our team at Ausdirect Migration is very experienced in managing migration programs in relation to Victoria Visa applications. We have provided top quality migration services to onshore and offshore clients to support them study in Victoria and apply for migration through Victoria. We look forward to hearing from you and the opportunity to assist you in managing your immigration journey.