Regional Visa Agent (491 & 494): Do You Need One?

### Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)

This is a points-tested visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia. You can be nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member living in a regional area. Key features:

• - 5-year provisional visa with a pathway to permanent residency (Subclass 191)
• - You must live, work, and study in a designated regional area
• - Points-tested: you need at least 65 points (use our points calculator guide to check)
• - Gives you 15 extra points just for being a regional visa
• - Requires a positive skills assessment

### Subclass 494 — Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)

This one's for workers sponsored by an employer in regional Australia. It's similar to the standard employer-sponsored visa but with regional conditions:

• - 5-year provisional visa with a pathway to permanent residency (Subclass 191)
• - Your employer must be in a designated regional area
• - No points test required, but you still need a skills assessment
• - Your employer handles the nomination

On the surface, regional visas look straightforward. In practice, they have layers of complexity:

State nomination is competitive. Each state and territory has its own occupation lists, criteria, and quotas. What works in South Australia might not work in Tasmania. An agent who understands the nuances of each state's program can target the right nomination for you.

Regional designation keeps changing. What counts as "regional" isn't always obvious. Most of Australia outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane is designated regional, but the boundaries and eligible postcodes can change.

The 191 pathway has conditions. Getting the 491 or 494 is step one. To convert to permanent residency via the Subclass 191, you need to meet income thresholds and residency requirements. An agent helps you plan for this from day one.

Skills assessments vary by occupation. Different assessing bodies have wildly different requirements. Getting this wrong costs time and money. Read our guide to skills assessments.

State-specific requirements. Some states require you to commit to living in specific regional areas, have job offers, or meet additional financial requirements beyond the standard visa criteria.

A good agent for regional visas will:

• - Assess your eligibility across multiple states and identify the best nomination strategy
• - Calculate your points and advise on how to maximise them (English test choice, partner skills, etc.)
• - Guide your skills assessment to the right assessing body with the right documentation
• - Prepare your state nomination application — Each state has different forms, evidence requirements, and assessment criteria
• - Lodge your visa application with properly prepared documentation
• - Plan your 191 pathway — Advise on meeting the income and residency requirements for permanent residency
• - Handle complications — Health issues, character concerns, or previous visa refusals

For the Subclass 494, your agent can also work with your employer to ensure the nomination is done correctly.

Not all agents have deep experience with regional visas. When searching for an agent:

• - Look for regional visa specialists — Ask specifically about their experience with 491/494 applications
• - Check their knowledge of your target state — An agent familiar with South Australia's nomination program is more useful than one who mainly handles NSW applications if you're targeting SA
• - Consider agents based in regional areas — They often have better knowledge of local conditions and employer networks
• - Verify their registration — Always check MARA registration first

Use our agent search to find agents who specialise in regional visas. You can filter by location and visa type expertise.

Here's something worth considering: regional Australia isn't just a visa pathway. Many migrants who move to regional areas for their visa end up staying because they genuinely love it. Lower cost of living, less congestion, strong communities, and often better work-life balance.

Popular regional destinations include: - Adelaide and South Australia — Strong nomination programs, affordable living - Tasmania — Active migration program, stunning environment - Queensland (outside Brisbane) — Cairns, Townsville, Toowoomba - Regional NSW — Newcastle, Wollongong, Central West - Regional Victoria — Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo - Western Australia (outside Perth) — Mining and agriculture regions

A good agent can help you match your skills and preferences with the right regional area.

Expect to pay:

• - Migration agent fees: $3,000–$6,000 for a 491 application, similar for 494
• - Skills assessment: $500–$3,000 depending on the assessing body
• - English test: $300–$400
• - Government visa application charge: $4,640 (primary applicant, 2025)
• - State nomination fee: $0–$400 depending on the state
• - Health checks and police clearances: $300–$500

For a more personalised estimate, try our cost estimator. And for a broader look at agent fees, see our migration agent cost guide.