Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) - Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 Are Open for Applications!

The NSW Government has announced the opening of the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) for Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 for the 2024-25 program year. Below are the key updates:

Subclass 491 Visa Pathway 1 - Work in Regional NSW

• Eligibility: All occupations eligible for the Skilled Work Regional visa can apply.
• Requirements:

1. Applicants must be currently employed in their nominated (or closely related) occupation in a designated regional area of NSW.
2. Employment must have been continuous for the past six months with a single employer based in regional NSW.
3. Applicants must meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold salary rate.

• New Update: The requirement to live in NSW has been removed, offering greater flexibility for applicants in border towns.

Subclass 491 Visa Pathway 3 – Regional NSW Graduate

• Eligibility: Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree or higher from an education institution in a designated regional area of NSW.
• Requirements:

1. The qualifying study must be eligible for points under the Points table for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
2. The study must relate to the nominated (or closely related) occupation and be completed within the two years prior to applying.

Limited Places Available

• Due to limited allocations, places for these pathways are restricted. Investment NSW reserves the right to close pathways once available places are filled.
• Nominations are at the discretion of Investment NSW and may be refused if the application does not meet the published criteria or if the nomination is not in the best interests of NSW.

Important Updates from the NSW Government

• Changes to Enrolment Policy for Dependents of Temporary Visa Holders:

1. All students on a temporary resident visa can now enroll in local schools based on their residential address.
2. Enrolment fees will be waived for families in regional areas holding Temporary Skills Shortage visas (subclass 482) starting January 1, 2025.

• NSW Growing Regions of Welcome (GROW):

1. This lifestyle and employment program connects migrants and refugees in Western Sydney with opportunities in the Murray and Riverina regions of NSW.