Subclass 491 SA nomination – the SA or South Australia government can nominate you for a temporary visa (Subclass 491) and a permanent visa (Subclass 190 – click here to learn more).
You should note that there is a permanent residence pathway for Subclass 491 via the Subclass 191 (click here to learn more) if you meet the minimum taxable income level ($53,900 as at 2020-2021) for at least 3 years in the last 5 years.
The Subclass 491 is a Skilled Work Regional visa allowing the holder to live and work in SA for up to 5 years.
Subclass 491 SA nomination, if you are nominated you will receive an additional 15 points toward the 65 points required by the Department. Click here to calculate your score.
Subclass 491 SA nomination criteria
To be eligible for the Subclass 491 SA nomination, you must be under 45 at the time of nomination. Your occupation must be listed on SA’s Skilled Occupation List. In addition, you must also meet the following mandatory requirements:
- satisfy the Department’s English levels
- have a valid and positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
- worked in SA for at least 3 months in your nominated occupation or closely related occupation; worked at least 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight; and the work must be undertaken post-qualification completion and you are paid at the appropriate rate for the skill level. If you have completed a PhD or Masters by research from a SA education institution, you do not have to satisfy the work experience requirement
Preferred requirements
- have Proficient English or higher
- score at least 90 points (including the extra 15 points for Subclass 491 SA nomination)
- currently working in SA for at least the last 1 year in your nominated occupation or closely related occupation and claiming points for this work experience
- currently working and living in outer regional SA
- meet the critical skills listed for Travel Exemption Requirements.
Meeting of Subclass 491 SA nomination guarantee a visa?
You should note that even if you satisfied all the nomination requirements, there is no guarantee that you will be nominated. This is due to an annual quota allocated to the SA government. However, if your occupation is listed in the critical sectors, you will be given priority.
If you are living and working in outer regional SA, you should notify the SA government in an email advising that your EOI has been lodged.
If you identified as having met the critical skills, the SA government will send you an invitation to submit a nomination application. You will be given 14 days to lodge your nomination application. You will be required to include evidence to substantiate the points you claimed in your EOI. There must not be any discrepancies, including your nominated occupation. Once you have submitted your nomination application, you are not permitted to provide additional documentation, unless requested.
Processing time
Once you have invited to lodge a nomination application, it will take between 6 to 8 weeks to process the returned application.
Combined Subclass 190 and 491 SA nomination
When applying for Subclass 491 SA nomination, you should also select Subclass 190 SA nomination. The SA government may offer you a Subclass 491 if they are unable to nominate you for Subclass 190.
Subclass 491 SA nomination streams
The SA government is looking at introducing the following in the near future:
- Employment stream – for local businesses employing or seeking to employ highly talented skilled overseas workers
- Independent talent stream – for high calibre applicants
- Small business and start up stream – for skilled overseas migrants who have started their own business.
If you are granted a Subclass 491 visa, visa condition 8579 will be imposed and you must live, work or study in a specified or designated area (click here to learn more).
Click here to learn more about Subclass 491 visa for Victoria or click here for ACT or click here for NSW.
Australian migration law is complex and difficult to understand, contact our immigration lawyer for a consultation (fee applies) to help you understand Subclass 491 SA nomination or click here to find other visas.
041 222 4020 or WeChat: AUDvisa
This article is not intended to be or taken as migration legal advice. The author of this article disclaims any liability for any action or omission on the information provided or not provided in this article. You should always consult an immigration lawyer or a registered migration agent to form an informed opinion on your immigration matter.
