Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191)
The permanent-residence finish line for 491 (and old 494) holders who have lived and earned in regional Australia for three years.
Official Australia pageWho this route is for
Holders of a regional provisional visa (subclass 491, or 494) who have met the regional residence and income-evidence requirements and now want full permanent residence.
Eligibility requirements
- Have held an eligible regional provisional visa (491 or 494) for at least 3 years.
- Have lived in a designated regional area while holding that provisional visa and complied with its conditions.
- Provide ATO Notices of Assessment showing you met the minimum taxable income requirement for at least 3 income years during the provisional period (the three years need not be consecutive).
- Meet health and character requirements.
Requirements reviewed June 2026. They change frequently — confirm the current rules on the official page before relying on them.
Recent changes & caveats
Correcting a common misconception: the Department has confirmed there is currently no legislative instrument setting a hard dollar minimum income for the 191 itself - applicants instead evidence their taxable income for the qualifying years via ATO assessments. Verify the current requirement on the Home Affairs page before applying.
Check your points first
Use the free Skilled Migration Points Calculator to see if you're likely to qualify before you start.
Other Australia routes
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) - Points-tested stream
PermanentThe flagship 'no sponsor needed' permanent visa: score enough points, get invited, then live and work anywhere in Australia.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
PermanentPoints-tested permanent residence with a state/territory nomination that adds 5 points and can rescue a borderline score.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
ProvisionalA 5-year regional provisional visa worth a big +15 points, designed as a stepping stone to PR via subclass 191.
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) - Core / Specialist / Essential streams
TemporaryThe renamed and rebuilt TSS visa (since Dec 2024): employer-sponsored work for up to 4 years with a faster, more portable path to PR.