Skilled work regional visa (subclass 491)

Applications now open

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Please note that RDA Sydney will communicate with applicants via email and messaging on our website.

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We encourage those considering an application to view the FAQs and other links provided on this website. RDA Sydney will not respond to enquiries where the information is supplied on this page, in the FAQs and relevant links.

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The only email address being monitored regarding migration enquiries is migration@rdasydney.org.au Please do not use alternate RDA Sydney email addresses as you will not receive a response.

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RDA Sydney does not provide a pre-assessment service and it is up to the potential applicant to research and consider the 491 eligibility criteria or seek the advice of a migration agent which may incur a cost.

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The RDA Sydney Designated Regional Area Postcodes fall within either the Hawkesbury or Blue Mountains Local Government Areas.

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The RDA Sydney Subclass 491 Occupational List includes:

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Occupation Code & Occupation

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  • 139912 Environmental Manager

  • 141111 Café or Restaurant Manager

  • 233211 Civil Engineer

  • 233212 Geotechnical Engineer

  • 233214 Structural Engineer

  • 233311 Electrical Engineer

  • 233512 Mechanical Engineer

  • 254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care)

  • 254499 Registered Nurse nec

  • 272511 Social Worker

  • 322211 Sheetmetal Trades Worker

  • 331111 Bricklayer

  • 331211 Carpenter & Joiner

  • 333411 Wall & Floor Tiler

  • 334111 Plumber (General)

  • 351311 Chef

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S48 bar

The section 48 bar applies to applicants who are holding a bridging visa, and have had a visa refused or cancelled, since their last entry into Australia.

If you are subject to a section 48 bar you need to leave Australia before you can reapply for a visa. NSW will not re-nominate applicants who are subject to a section 48 bar where their nomination has expired, and they are unable to leave  Australia. Nomination allocations provided by the Department of Home Affairs are limited and it is currently uncertain when border restrictions will be lifted. To ensure the limited nomination positions allocated to NSW go to support the economic recovery of the state, RDA Sydney will not re-nominate applicants subject to a section 48 bar.

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The 491 Visa Allocation for the RDA Sydney Region is very limited and highly competitive.

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RDA Sydney is not a Registered Certifying Body and does not deal with other visa inquiries.

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Relevant Links:

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https://www.nsw.gov.au/topics/visas-and-migration/skilled-visas/subclass-491

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https://www.business.nsw.gov.au/live-and-work-in-nsw/visas-and-immigration/skilled-visas/frequently-asked-questions

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https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-work-regional-provisional-491

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Steps to apply for a 491 visa nomination

Steps

Check Eligibility Criteria

First check if you are eligible to apply for nomination for a 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa through one of the following three streams: Stream 1 - Living and working in regional NSW Stream 2 - Recently completed study in regional NSW Stream 3 - Living and working outside of a designated regional postcode of NSW Click the image to check eligibility



Check the Occupation List

The skilled occupations for each region will be different, so it is important that you check that your occupation is currently being accepted for our region. This list is updated regularly, and sometimes needs to be changed without notice. Your occupation must be on this list when you submit your application. It is important that the skilled occupation on your application to the Hawkesbury or Blue Mountains matches the occupation that is entered into SkillSelect. If these do not match, you cannot be nominated to apply from the NSW Government. As the occupation list is updated regularly, there may be variances between the list below and the copy provided by the NSW Government. The list below is the current edition, and applications need to adhere to this list. Occupations that are on the copy provided by the NSW Government but not on this list will not be accepted. The RDA Sydney Subclass 491 Occupational List includes: 139912 Environmental Manager 141111 Café or Restaurant Manager 233211 Civil Engineer 233212 Geotechnical Engineer 233214 Structural Engineer 233311 Electrical Engineer 233512 Mechanical Engineer 254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care) 254499 Registered Nurse nec 272511 Social Worker 322211 Sheetmetal Trades Worker 331111 Bricklayer 331211 Carpenter & Joiner 333411 Wall & Floor Tiler 334111 Plumber (General) 351311 Chef. ​



Get to know the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury regions

As the region that is supporting you and providing you with the opportunity to gain a 491 visa and potentially permanent residency, we expect you to genuinely commit to the Blue Mountains or Hawkesbury regions by living and working here and to make a positive contribution to our communities. Therefore, it is important that you get to know the Blue Mountains or Hawkesbury region, and research whether the work and lifestyle opportunities it provides are suitable for you and any dependents you may have. Information on the Blue Mountains region: Link to Blue Mountains City Council: https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/ Link to Blue Mountains map: https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/visitor-information/blue-mountains-visitor-map Information on the Hawkesbury region: Link to Hawkesbury City Council: https://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/

Link to Hawkesbury map:

https://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/for-residents/mapping/hawkesbury-maps



Complete your application form and documentation

Important information: RDA Sydney will not be accepting offshore applications under stream 3b and 3c until further notice. This is due to the request from the Australian Government to prioritise on-shore applicants and the national border restrictions because of COVID-19. This will be reviewed in April and no exceptions can be made. General information: The application form and required documentation for each stream is different, so it is important that you select the correct stream to avoid delays in processing your application. Application forms and document checklists for each of the streams are available through the links below for: Stream 1 Living and Working in Regional NSW Download PDF document Download Word document Stream 2 Recently Completed Study in Regional NSW Download PDF document Download Word Document Stream 3 Living and Working Outside a Designated Regional Postcode of NSW Stream 3a - Job Offer in Regional NSW Download PDF document Download Word document Stream 3c - Family Ties in Regional NSW Download PDF document Download Word document



Make a Payment for your Application Assessment

Payment is required as part of your application, and we will not commence assessment of your application until your payment can be verified. Our assessment fees are: Skilled Regional State Nominated (491 visa) : AUD $800.00 Note that payment for your application assessment fee does not guarantee a positive outcome for your application.



Submit Your Application

All applications should be addressed to our Migration Officer. All applications must be submitted via email. Email applications, with all supporting documents clearly identified and in separate files to migration@rdasydney.org.au. You will receive an email to acknowledge receipt of your application.



Await the Outcome of Your Application

Applications will be processed in the order in which complete applications are received and will be completed within 6 weeks. Once we have assessed your application we will be in contact with you to request further information if required documents were not included in your application submission or to advise you on the outcome of your application. If your application is successful, we will provide you with information about the next steps in the process. Once we have advised the NSW Government that we have offered you nomination, it will take up to 5 working days (Monday to Friday, and excluding NSW public holidays) for the nomination to be processed and you will receive an invitation to apply from SkillSelect. Important information: Please do not call or email our office regarding the progress of your application if it has been less than 6 weeks. Attending to calls and emails such as these delays the process for everyone's applications, including yours.