You must live and work in a designated regional area for at least three years and meet all income and visa compliance requirements before applying for the Subclass 191 visa.
Permanent Residence Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 191)
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191) allows migrants who have lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least three years to permanently reside in Australia.
Applicants must have held an eligible regional provisional visa during this period and must meet all income, residency, and compliance requirements.
With This Visa You Can:
Stay in Australia permanently
Work and study anywhere across Australia
Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residency
Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
Core Requirements for the Subclass 191 Visa
Hold a regional provisional visa (Subclass 491 or 494) when applying, and have held it for at least three years
Show minimum taxable income for at least three income years while holding their provisional visa
Have lived, worked, and studied only in a designated regional area
Have complied with all visa conditions
Core Requirements for the Subclass 191 Visa
Application Eligibility
Applicants must:
• Hold a Subclass 491 or 494 provisional visa
• Have held their provisional visa for at least three years
• Meet taxable income requirements for a minimum of three income years
• Have lived, worked, and studied exclusively in a designated regional area
• Have complied with all provisional visa conditions
Visa Validity & Obligations
The Subclass 191 visa grants permanent residency.
However, regional provisional visas (491/494) are valid for five years and include strict conditions:
• Condition 8579 – Live, work, and study only in regional areas
• If employer-sponsored, work only in the nominated role
• Movement between regional areas is allowed, but relocation to Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane is prohibited during the qualifying period
Designated Regional Areas
Most areas of Australia except major metropolitan cities are regional.
Eligible locations include:
• Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra
• Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Wollongong
• Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Illawarra, and more
Holders of 491/494 visas generally cannot apply for other skilled visas until completing three years in a regional area, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
Start Your Journey Toward Permanent Residency Through the Subclass 191 Visa
Book an Appointment →Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Eligibility
1) Hold an Eligible Regional Provisional Visa
- • Minimum 3-Year Requirement: Applicants must have held a qualifying regional provisional visa for at least three years.
- • Eligible Visas:
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
- Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)
2) Comply With Regional Visa Conditions
- • Living Requirements: You must have lived only in a designated regional area during the qualifying period.
- • Work Requirement: You must have worked only in a designated regional area.
- • Study Restriction: Any study undertaken must have been completed in a designated regional area (regional areas are defined by postcode).
Popular Migration Services
Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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1. How long must I stay on a 491 or 494 visa before applying for the 191 visa?
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2. What is the minimum income threshold for the 191 visa?The Department has not released the official figure, but it is expected to be at least AUD $53,900 per annum for three completed income years based on current visa benchmarks.
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3. Do I need a new employer nomination for the 191 visa?No. The Subclass 191 visa does not require employer nomination, unlike the 494 or 482 visa programs.
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4. Can I live anywhere in Australia after receiving the 191 visa?Yes. Once granted the Subclass 191 visa, you may live, work, and study anywhere in Australia without restrictions.
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5. Do I need a new skills assessment for the 191 visa?No. A skills assessment is not required when applying for the Subclass 191 visa.
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6. Can my partner be the main applicant for the 191 visa?Yes. If your partner meets the income and eligibility requirements, they may apply as the primary applicant for the Subclass 191 visa.
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7. Am I restricted from applying for other skilled visas while holding a provisional regional visa?Yes. Most provisional regional visa holders cannot apply for other skilled visas until completing three years in a designated regional area, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
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8. What happens if my employer becomes non-compliant?Sponsor non-compliance may impact your pathway to PR. Similar to the 482 and 494 visa systems, ensuring timely migration advice is essential to avoid complications.