491 Visa For Australia

The Australia immigration is getting very exciting day by day. There are many opportunities in the immigration business to create a bright future. The most popular immigration program to Australia is the Australia visa. The Australian immigration department is thinking of having a new program that will be very beneficial for the future migrants who are aspiring to make a new life in Australia. It is named as, Senior Contributory Parent Visa or also known as 491 Visa For Australia.Australia’s primary skilled immigration program, the Skilled Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 489) visa for Australia requires applicants to be under 50 years old and have at least three years of relevant work experience. Applicants must have a genuine commitment to regional Australia and intend to live there. Proving that commitment can be challenging and employers should keep this in mind when offering employment. Genuine Temporary Entrant: All applicants from overseas must be genuine temporary entrants into Australia and they must meet lodge an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. The expression of interest process is managed by the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC). 

Named after its section in the Commonwealth Migration Act of 1958 as well as its numerical position within the list of visas, Australian visa subclass 495 is a temporary visa for individuals who want to work in Australia.

The visa validity period is 5 years. Conditions, namely 8579 will be imposed which will enforce the government’s intentions that visa holders live, work and study only in regional areas. Visa holders may move between regional areas. Regional areas are defined as any area excluding Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Important change: Perth and Gold Coast are classified as regional areas. You may work in any occupation and for any employer in line with the work and residence conditions attached to your visa.

Holders of the new provisional visas will also be unable to apply for most other skills based visas in Australia unless they have completed at least three years in a designated regional area, unless exceptional circumstances exist. Additionally, similar to current arrangements for the subclass 457 and 482 visa program, holders of the new provisional visas can be negatively impacted by sponsor non-compliance.

The new 491 visa permanent pathway will be:

• Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional): To meet the requirements of the permanent visa (from November 2022) applicants must have held a subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years, have complied with the conditions on that visa and have met minimum taxable income requirements. You must show earnings of at least $53,900 per annum for three years. Your partner can also be the main applicant for the 191 visa if they can demonstrate this criteria.

Effect on current 489 visa to 887 visa pathway:

The Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 489) is now closed to new applicants. Transitional arrangements are put in place for applications which have been lodged and are undecided, as well as applicants whose pathway currently targets the permanent Skilled Regional Visa (subclass 887).

Skilled Migration Changes:

The skilled migration points test will change from November 16, 2019. The changes will affect subclass 491 applicants as well as applications for other skilled migration visas that have not been assessed at that time (but only in a way that is beneficial for applicants, by providing additional points). Other points for age, qualifications, overseas and Australian work experience, Australian study and English points will apply. The new points details are:

• 15 points for nomination by a State or Territory government agency or sponsorship by a family member residing in regional Australia, to live and work in regional Australia;
• 10 points for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) qualifications;

Partner Points

• 10 points, if one of the following apply:
  • skilled spouse or de facto partner (Skills assessment and Competent English); or
  • applicants without a spouse or de facto partner (single) or

• 5 points:  if your partner has Competent English. Your partner can be over 45 years of age and does not need a Skills Assessment.

Nomination or Sponsorship

You must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or be sponsored by an eligible relative.

Score 65 points

You must score 65 points in order to receive an invitation to apply for this visa. Calculate your points

Age

You must be aged under 45 to be invited to apply for the visa, meaning, you can still apply for the visa if you turn 45 after receiving the invitation.
If you turn 45 after submitting your EOI and you haven’t received an invitation, you will not one.

Skill Assessment

You must have a positive Skill Assessment, in your nominated occupation, from the relevant assessing authority unless you are exempt.

Some applicants may be exempt if you are a medical or legal practitioner*.

English

You must have at least Competent English to apply for this visa.

Health & Character

You must meet the health and character requirements (Unless you are exempt)