Designated Regional Areas
Where Regional Visa Pathways Apply

• +All of Western Australia
• +All of South Australia
• +All of Tasmania
• +All of the Northern Territory
• +All of the Australian Capital Territory (including Canberra)
• +Queensland — all areas except Brisbane metropolitan
• +New South Wales — all areas except Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong metropolitan
• +Victoria — all areas except Melbourne metropolitan

• -Sydney metropolitan area (NSW)
• -Melbourne metropolitan area (VIC)
• -Brisbane metropolitan area (QLD)
• -Newcastle metropolitan area (NSW)
• -Wollongong metropolitan area (NSW)

These are regional areas with populations broadly equivalent to larger cities. The 491 regional points bonus (15 points) applies to both categories — there is no points difference between the two categories. However, Category 1 areas may be subject to different state nomination occupation lists and requirements.

Smaller regional centres and rural/remote areas. Some occupations and DAMA pathways are only available in Category 2 areas. Regional Australia also has specific programs (such as the Regional Occupation List for 494) that may apply differently based on the remoteness of the location.

State and territory nomination for the subclass 491 adds 15 points to your SkillSelect score. This can be the difference between receiving an invitation and waiting indefinitely in the pool, especially for applicants in the 80-90 point range.

The 494 and some 491 pathways use the Regional Occupation List, which includes occupations not available on the Core Skills Occupation List for the 482. This opens employer-sponsored pathways for some healthcare, trade, and hospitality occupations not available through standard metropolitan sponsorship.

The subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa is available after 3 years of regional living and working on a 491 or 494 visa. This is a direct permanent residence pathway that does not require re-competing in the points system.

Many regional areas have DAMAs — negotiated agreements between regional governments and the Australian Government that allow sponsorship of workers in occupations and at salary levels not available under standard 482 or 186 pathways. DAMAs are particularly used in hospitality, primary industries, and small business.

Students who complete at least two academic years of study at an Australian institution in a designated regional area may be eligible for additional points under the regional study component of the points test. This incentivises regional study as a path to a more competitive EOI score.

Both the 491 and 494 require you to actually live in a designated regional area. This means your primary residence — not just a postal address. Living in a metropolitan area while maintaining a regional mailing address does not satisfy the requirement.

For the 494, you must also work in a designated regional area and for your sponsoring employer. For the 491, you must work in a regional area, but you are not tied to a specific employer. Both visas prohibit relocating your work to an excluded metropolitan area.

To apply for the subclass 191, you must have lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least three years while holding the 491 or 494. The three years do not need to be continuous, but periods outside a regional area generally do not count.

Extended absences from Australia generally do not count toward the three-year qualifying period. Maintain records of your entries and exits and minimise long overseas stays during the qualifying period.