NSW Government Announced Latest Nomination Criteria and Process (Visa 491)

A Subclass 491 is a provisional visa for skilled aspirants. The NSW Government will nominate eligible enthusiasts interested in working in critical sectors in various parts of NSW. The visa 491 allows everyone to study, live, and work for up to five years.

Nomination Criteria For Skilled Work Regional Visa Subclass 491

Candidates applying for this visa must attain the eligibility criteria of one of the three streams. They are:

Stream 1: When A Student Is Working And Living In Regional NSW

• Must hold a valid skill assessment as per the occupation appearing on the “Stream 1 Combined Occupation List.”
• Have been working in a closely related occupation or working in the nominated occupation for at least a year in NSW.
• Have been in NSW for a minimum of twelve months.

Stream 2: When A Student In An Occupation Needed In NSW

• Presently, staying in the Australian territory or state. Must hold a skills assessment appearing on the “nominated region’s occupation list.”

Stream 3: Students Who Have Completed Studying In NSW

Have finished studying with an education provider where:

• The course was completed within the past two years.
• The students must attain the requirements of Australian study as mentioned by Home Affairs.
• The education provider is staying in the designed area in NSW.
• The relevant assessing authority must assess the qualification obtained from the study to your nominated occupation.
• Must live in the designated area of NSW while studying
• Must hold a skill assessment that’s valid for the occupation appearing on the “nominated region’s occupation list.”

Nomination Process

The NSW nomination is through invitation only, and the steps are:

• Check if you’re eligible for a visa 491 and complete an EOI present in the SkillSelect.
• During the submission window, you must register your interest and be invited to apply for it.
• Apply to an RDA where skills must be attained within 14 days.

Other Information
For the financial year 2021-22, the submission windows are October, August, March, and January. The invitations will be given within seven days of the submission closing window.

Participating Regions
The names of participating regions are:

• Central West
• Central Coast
• Far South Coast
• Illawarra
• Far West Hunter
• Murray
• Northern Rivers
• Northern Inland
• Orana
• Southern Inland
• Riverina
• Mid North Coast
• Sydney

The designated regional postcodes in the RDA Sydney area are available on the Home Affairs site.

Alternate Options
A Subclass 491 is one of the visas as several other options are present. If required, you can ask for a piece of advice from One of the best Registered Migration Agent at ISA Migrations and Education Consultants.