Australian 491 Visa Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide for Nepalese Students

Australia is a dream for many Nepalese Students, a medium to achieve their dreams, live life independently, see the world, and more. 

As an international student, there are visa options available with many benefits that you may not be aware of. Goreto Educational Consultancy is here to help you navigate your path. 

Nepalese students face the common challenge of finding a clear pathway to long-term settlement after completing their studies in Australia. 

An excellent solution is the Australian 491 visa. It provides a pathway for students to study and work, and also paves the way for permanent residency through regional migration. 

Here’s a quick guide to everything about the Subclass 491 visa.

About the 491 Visa

The Subclass 491 visa is a Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491). 

It is a provisional visa, allowing holders to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years. 

It may lead to permanent residency after three years if the specific criteria are met.

The main goal of this visa is to develop regional areas by welcoming skilled and educated individuals. 

Main Features of the 491 Visa 

• Validity: 5 years 
• Pathway to PR: Apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence visa after 3 years. 
• Work and Study: Allowed in regional areas only. 
• Travel: You can travel in and out of Australia freely while the visa is valid.  
• Family Inclusion: You can include family members (partner and children) in the application. 

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply for the 491 Visa, you have to meet the following requirements: 

• Nomination or Sponsorship: 

You must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government OR sponsored by an eligible family member living in a designated regional area.

• Occupation List

Your Occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List relevant to the 491 visa. 

• Skills Assessment

You need a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation. 

• Points Test 

A score of at least 65 points in the points test is mandatory.

The points are assigned on the following basis: 

• English Language Requirement 

A minimum IELTS 6 is required. 

• Age Limit 

The applicant must be under 45 years at the time of application. 

• Health & Character 

You and your included family members must pass medical and police checks.

The DOs of the 491 Visa 

Some do’s on the 491 VISA are: 

• Live, work, and study only in regional Australia.
• Keep your contact and address details updated with the Department of Home Affairs. 
• Meet the minimum income requirement for 3 years to apply for PR- approximately AUD $53,900 per year. 
• Abide by all visa conditions, such as work, travel, and reporting. 

The DONT’s 

On the 491 Visa, refrain from doing these things:

• Do not live or work in non-regional areas; you have to stick to approved regional areas. 
• Do not ignore visa conditions. 
• Do not rely only on part-time work; you will need a full-time, skilled job to meet PR income requirements. 
• Do not apply without checking the state-specific nomination requirements, as each state/territory has its own rules. 

Why should you consider the 491 visa?

Some of the aspects of the 491 visa that prove beneficial for Nepalese Students and Graduates are: 

• Clear Pathway to Permanent Residency (PR)

A major benefit of the 491 Visa is that it offers a direct route to PR.

After 3 years of living and working in a regional area with the required income, you are eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence visa. 

• Extra Points for Regional Nomination

The 491 visa provides you with an additional 15 points on the points test if nominated by a state or territory. 

• Regional Areas house more opportunities 

Regional areas, though lacking the shine of bigger cities, house more opportunities for skilled workers and are less expensive. 

Also, regional areas have lower living costs. So, even if you might earn a little less than you would in the bigger cities, you will be spending less and saving more. 

• Work and Study rights 

You will be able to work full-time in your field and also further your studies, which gives additional benefits for PR. 

• Family Inclusion

Your partner and children can be included in your visa application, who will also have the rights to work, study, and live in regional Australia. 

• Strong Nepali Community Support

As of recent times, many Nepali students are moving to regional areas under the 491 visa. 

With a closer connection to the community, you are less likely to feel homesick and find it easier to adjust, find housing, and access support networks. 

• Flexibility and Travel Rights 

The 491 visa allows you to travel to and from Australia freely during its 5-year validity. 

You are also allowed to work multiple jobs, as long as you meet the income threshold. 

How to Apply for the Australian 491 Visa? 

So, you’ve concluded that you should be applying for the Australian 491 Visa after you’ve learned of its benefits. 

Now here’s a breakdown of the application process: 

• Check the eligibility criteria

Be sure you meet every one of them. 

• Get a Skills Assessment

Apply to the relevant skills assessment authority for your occupation.

The skill assessment will confirm that your qualifications and experience are recognized in Australia. 

• Sit for an English Proficiency Test

Take an English proficiency test: IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL. 

Your score will determine the points you get: 

IELTS 6 – Competent English (minimum requirement) 

IELTS 7- Proficient English (+10 points)

IELTS 8 -Superior English (+20 points)

• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) 

Lodge your EOI and mention your interest in the 491 visa through SkillSelect and select the state/territories you want to apply for.

• Apply for state/territory nominations. 

Each state/territory in Australia has its own requirements and occupation list. 

You will have to submit an application for nomination, which, if approved, will receive an invitation to apply for the 491 visa. 

• Receive Invitation to Apply (ITA)

• Prepare and Lodge a Visa Application 

Gather the required documents and apply online through the ImmiAccount portal.

The visa processing time is usually 6-12 months. 

After 3 years, you can apply for permanent residency if you meet the eligibility requirements.

The process of applying for higher education and future stay can get overwhelming, confusing, and you might feel lost. 

To help you navigate this process, Goreto Educational Consultancy is here to help you. 

How Goreto can help

Goreto is one of the leading educational consultancies in Nepal, helping students achieve their dream of studying abroad and especially in Australia. 

With experienced and skilled counselors, Goreto will help you with choosing your degree and also help you understand the regional and metro-based options and plan ahead after you graduate. 

We will guide you with your planning structure for 485 visas and keep you updated with real experience from real graduates. 

Check out Study in Australia, and you can also get a consultation for free!