Australia has long welcomed skilled workers through its regional visa programs, which are meant to help the economy grow and fill job openings outside of major cities. The Australia PR 489 and Subclass 491 visas are two of the most talked about. Both are meant to bring skilled workers to rural areas, but there are important differences that applicants should know about, especially since one has taken the place of the other. We help our clients figure out which of these complicated immigration options is best for them based on their eligibility and long-term goals at Croyez Immigration.
Understanding the Basics of Each Visa
What is the Australia PR 489 Visa (Skilled Regional Provisional)?
The Subclass 489 visa was a skilled regional provisional visa that let skilled workers live and work in some parts of Australia for up to four years. It was a points-based visa that required a state or territory government to nominate you or a relative living in a regional area to sponsor you, and you had to meet certain requirements. As of November 2019, though, new applicants can no longer get this visa. People who already have a 489 visa are not affected, but this stream is no longer taking new applications.
What is the 491 Visa (Skilled Work Regional – Provisional)?
The Subclass 491 visa is an improved version of the 489 visa. This is a temporary visa for a specific area. It is good for five years and lets skilled people live and work in some areas, which makes it easier for them to become permanent residents. It still needs a nomination or sponsorship and uses a points-tested system, but the requirements for eligibility are stricter and more specific, especially for PR transition.
Key Differences Between 489 and 491 Visas
1. Visa Duration and Validity
You can stay for up to four years with the 489 visa. The 491 visa, on the other hand, lasts for five years. This gives applicants more time to meet the requirements for permanent residency while living and working in regional Australia. A longer duration also makes families and employers feel safer.
2. Points System and Eligibility
The 491 visa is now a little more competitive because it has a higher points threshold than the 489 visa. The 491 also has more thorough job evaluations and stricter nomination processes, which makes it more in line with what national and state-level job markets need.
3. Dependent Visa Benefits
Both visas let the main applicant bring dependents, such as spouses and children, with them. But the 491 makes it easier for dependents to get Medicare and state services, depending on where they live and the rules in each state.
4. Regional Work Requirements
The 489 visa set up certain areas in Australia where people could live and work. The 491 visa added more postcodes to the list of places where people could live and work, making it easier for them to move to more parts of the country. Both require holders to live and work only in certain parts of the country, but the 491 framework is clearer and easier to understand.
5. Pathway to Permanent Residency
The 489 visa led to permanent residency through the Subclass 887 visa. It took two years of living in a certain area and at least one year of full-time work. The Subclass 191 visa will be the way to get PR for the 491 starting in November 2022. When you need to know "How long should I stay on 489 before I apply for PR?" To be eligible, you must have lived in the country for three years and have proof of taxable income above a certain level. The 491 PR route takes a little longer, but it is more accurate and in line with policy.
Benefits of Choosing the 491 Visa Over the 489
Improved PR pathway
One of the main reasons to choose the 491 visa over the 489 visa, which is no longer available, is that it gives you a clearer and more direct path to permanent residency. The next step after the 491 visa is the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence visa. It looks at how long applicants have lived in the area and how much money they make that is taxable. The older 887 visa transition from the 489 stream was more chaotic and less structured than this one. This clarity makes a big difference for skilled migrants who want to live in Australia for a long time.
More regional sponsorship opportunities
The Australian government added more regions to the list of places where people can apply for a 491 visa. This lets states and territories choose skilled immigrants based on what they need more easily. The 491 visa has allowed more people from both smaller towns and bigger regional hubs to get involved than the 489 visa, which was limited to a smaller area. This gives applicants who may not have had good state nomination options before the 489 stream more chances.
Higher points priority
The Skilled Migration Points Test gives the 491 visa more points, which greatly increases an applicant's chances of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA). People are more likely to choose regional migration pathways over metro-based visas because of these extra points. This edge can mean the difference between a long wait and a quick way to get a visa for many skilled workers.
Government incentives for regional migration
The Australian government keeps encouraging people to move to regional areas by giving them different benefits, such as state-based occupation lists, priority processing, and access to community support services in those areas. The 491 visa is a better choice for long-term success and integration because it has more ways to get help than the 489 visa.
How Croyez Immigration Can Help You Choose the Right Visa
Free eligibility assessment
It can be hard to figure out what kind of visa you need, especially since immigration laws are always changing. At Croyez Immigration, we start by giving you a free eligibility assessment. This checks your profile against the most recent state nomination requirements, job demand, and visa rules. When you ask, "Can I apply for PR after 489 visa in Australia?" this will help you make the best choice.
Personalized guidance on state nomination
Our team keeps a close eye on the changing requirements, nomination quotas, and deadlines for each state in Australia. We can help you find the best state pathways for you, whether you live in South Australia, Tasmania, or another area. This personalised help makes it more likely that you will get a nomination and go through the application process quickly.
Document preparation and visa filing
To get a 491 application approved, you need to have the right documents. Croyez handles all the paperwork with great care and accuracy, from checking your EOI to working with the assessing authorities and sending in your nomination request. We help you with every part of your application, from your work history and education to language tests. This makes sure that it is strong and free of mistakes.
Post-landing support and PR application planning
We will still be here to help you even after you get your visa. Croyez can help you get used to your new home, find a job in a rural area, and plan your PR application under Subclass 191 in a lot of detail. We don't just want to help you move; we also want to make sure that every step you take towards getting permanent residency and long-term stability in Australia gets you closer to your goal.
FAQs: 489 vs. 491 Visa Australia
How to get PR from Australia 489 visa?
You can't apply for a Subclass 489 visa anymore. In November 2019, the Australian government officially closed this stream and replaced it with the better Subclass 491 visa. But people who got a 489 visa before it closed can still get permanent residency through the 887 visa pathway. If you want to move right away, the 491 visa is probably your best bet. It has clearer rules, benefits that are specific to certain areas, and a stronger way to get PR. If an agency says something different, it's probably wrong or out of date. Be careful and check with a licensed consultant again.
What makes the 491 visa more PR-friendly?
The 491 visa was created to make it easier for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia to move there. The Subclass 191 visa is a more organised way to get permanent residency than the older 489 visa. You must live in a certain area for three years and show proof of taxable income to get this visa. The point system also favours 491 applicants, which gives them an advantage over other applicants when it comes to getting chosen. The 491 is a great option for skilled immigrants because it covers more areas, has more jobs available, and is focused on regional development.
How long to stay on 489 before applying PR?
If you want to get permanent residency through the 491 visa pathway, you have to live and work in a certain part of Australia for at least three years. During this time, you must make a certain amount of money each year that is subject to taxes (currently about AUD 53,900, but this amount may change) and follow the rules of your visa. These residency and income requirements are meant to make sure that you are really helping communities in the area and making your case for permanent residency in Australia stronger. Your move to PR may be delayed or at risk if you leave the area or don't meet the income requirements.
It's important to know the differences between the 489 and 491 visas before you move to Australia. The 489 visa worked well in the past, but the 491 is a newer option that focusses on public relations and fits with Australia's goal of regional growth. It is now a better strategic choice because you can stay longer, get more points, and have a clear path to permanent residency. It's more important than ever to get professional help when making choices because immigration laws are always changing. Get in touch with Croyez Immigration to make sure you know how to get your regional visa. Schedule your eligibility check for today and start making plans for your future in Australia.
