Permanent Residence Skilled
Regional Visa (Subclass 191)
Live and work permanently in regional Australia after provisional visa completion.
Transition from a regional provisional visa to permanent residency with full work and study rights.
Secure Your Permanent Future in Australia. Having contributed to regional Australia, the next step is making your stay permanent. The Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 191) allows you to convert your provisional visa into Permanent Residency. At Career Education Consultancy Australia (CECA), we assist you through this essential transition, helping you move from temporary conditions to the freedom to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia.
Key Benefits
Permanent Residency: Live, work, and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely.
Flexibility: After visa grant, you are not restricted to regional areas — you can relocate anywhere.
Family Inclusion: Include your spouse/partner and dependent children (if eligible) in the application.
Healthcare & Social Services: Access Australia’s public health system (Medicare) and other benefits.
Travel Rights: International travel freedom for 5 years from visa grant — then you may renew via Resident Return Visa.
Pathway to Citizenship: Eligible to apply for Australian citizenship once residency requirements are met.
Key Eligibility Requirements
Have held a Subclass 491 or 494 visa continuously for at least 3 years.
Have lived, worked and/or studied only in designated regional areas during that time.
Provide at least 3 years of income evidence (ATO taxable‑income records) for the period you held the provisional visa.
Comply with all visa conditions and requirements (regional residence, work/study commitments, etc.).
Meet the standard health and character requirements for all applicants (primary and dependents).
ℹ️ Note: The Subclass 191 visa is not points‑tested — unlike earlier General Skilled Migration visas (Subclass 189/190/491) — eligibility is based on your residence, work history, compliance, and income history.
Application Process
Confirm you satisfy all eligibility criteria (3‑year provisional visa, income, regional residence, compliance).
Gather necessary documents (ATO notices, proof of regional residence/employment/study, health/character certificates, passport, identity, family‑member documents if applicable).
Submit your 191 visa application while you are in Australia.
Wait for the Department’s decision. Once granted — you become a permanent resident.
FAQs About Subclass 191
When can I submit my application for the Subclass 191 visa?
You are eligible to apply once you have held your eligible regional provisional visa (Subclass 491 or 494) for at least three years. You do not need to wait for your current visa to expire; as soon as you reach that three-year milestone—provided you have met your regional residence conditions—you can commence your application for permanent residency.
Is there a minimum income requirement for this visa?
Here is the good news: currently, there is no minimum income threshold for the Subclass 191 visa itself. You do not need to earn a specific high salary (like the TSMIT) to qualify. The Requirement: You simply need to prove you have had a taxable income in Australia. To do this, you must provide Notices of Assessment (NOA) issued by the ATO for three income years while you held your provisional visa.
CECA Tip: Ensure you file your tax returns on time every year. Those three notices from the ATO are your evidence for PR!
Will I need to provide a new skills assessment?
Generally, no. The Subclass 191 is a pathway based on your residence and compliance with your previous visa, not a re-assessment of your skills. Since you already proved your skills to obtain your 491 or 494 visa, you typically do not need to undergo a new skills assessment when transitioning to the 191.
Am I permitted to change employers during my provisional visa period?
Yes, but the rules vary depending on which provisional visa you hold:
For Subclass 491 holders: You have full work rights. You are free to switch employers or jobs as often as you like, provided you continue to live and work in a designated regional area.
For Subclass 494 holders: You are tied to your sponsor. However, you can switch employers if your new employer submits a new nomination for you. Recent changes allow you up to 180 days to find a new sponsor if you cease employment with your current one
Can I include my family members in the application?
Absolutely. The Subclass 191 visa allows you to include eligible family members (such as your partner and dependent children) in your application. This is a permanent visa, meaning once granted, your family also secures their future in Australia permanently, gaining access to Medicare and social security benefits.
