Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 489

There are three pathways available within this visa subclass for skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia. This visa opens up your path to getting the permanent visa subclass 887, even for the subsequent entry pathway. 

Overview of Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 489

As a skilled worker, you can apply for any of the streams available within this subclass to live and work in regional Australia. Regional Australia means any of the areas enlisted here. The biggest benefit is that you can bring your family over too (the family member’s visa type is also included within this subclass). Let’s take a look at the three pathways, their eligibility criterias and benefits. The biggest advantage for all three streams is that you can bring dependents with you and that the 489 visa to permanent residency path is very much possible. 

Opportunities and benefits of Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 489

Invited pathway

• You can stay in Australia for 4 years 
• This temporary visa lets you live, work and study in a regional area in Australia 
• Travel to and from Australia during your stay 

The 489 visa processing time is 48 months 

Extended stay pathway

• As the name suggests, it is an extension of the previous visa (which could be subclass 475, 487, 495 or 496 visa) that lets you stay for exactly 4 years, starting from the date when your previous visa was granted 
• You can live, work and study in a specified Australian region 
• Travel to and from Australia during your stay 

The processing time for this stream is not specified 

Subsequent entry pathway

• This visa is for the family member of anyone who is in Australia on the Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa subclass 489 or any of the following subclass visas

-475

-487

-495 

-496 

• The duration of the stay is dependent on the primary visa holder
• It allows the visa holder to work, live and study in regional Australia
• The family member can also travel to and from Australia during this time 

Eligibility requirements for Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 489

Invited pathway

• You can apply for this visa by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) on SkillSelect. You will then receive an invitation to submit documents within 60 days
• Before the submission of the EOI, you need to check if you fulfil the requirements- that is having an occupation on the skilled occupation list and having a minimum of 65 points)
• Either specify whether you will have an eligible relative (either yours or your spouse’s) to sponsor you or you want an Australian state or territory government agency to nominate you
• Be under the age of 45 
• Skill assessment that was conducted not more than 3 years from the date of invitation 
• English language proficiency should be at Competent level

Extended stay pathway

• This visa can not be extended after its expiration 
• There is no age limit, requirement for nomination or sponsorship again because this is an extension of your previous skilled visa 
• You can apply for this visa from outside or inside Australia. If you are inside, you must hold a substantive visa or a bridging visa 

Subsequent entry pathway

• Depending on the sponsorship or nomination of the primary visa holder, you will be required to live in a specified regional area (if the visa was granted before 16 November 2019)
• This visa can not be extended 
• You can apply for this visa from outside or inside Australia. If you are inside, you must hold a substantive visa or a bridging visa

Conditions and restrictions for Skilled Regional (Provisional) – Subclass 489 visa Australia

For all three streams of visa, you have to: 

-Submit health and character certificate 

-Must have adequate health insurance 

-Sign the Australian values statement 

-Not owe any debt to the Australian government 

-Not have any cancelled or rejected visa during your stay in Australia 

The application process for Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 489

Invited pathway

As mentioned above, you need to submit an Expression of Interest to get an invitation. For the Expression of Interest, you should do the following: 

• Get all the required health exams 
• If you are going to have a relative sponsor you, you should check if they are eligible
• If you are a medical or legal practitioner, you will require a relevant registration from an authority to be able to fulfil the skill assessment 

After you receive the invitation, you will be required to submit the following documents: 

• Identity documents like National ID, marriage and birth certificate, etc. 
• Australian police certificate, Form 80 and Form 1221
• Proof of English proficiency 
• Sponsor or nomination documents 
• ID and relationship documents for dependents 

Extended stay pathway: 

You will have to submit the following scanned and translated (if needed) documents by making an ImmiAccount: 

• ID and relationship documents 
• Character documents as the ones mentioned in the Invited pathway section 
• Proof that your English proficiency is at the functional level
• Documents to prove identity, relationship and English language skills of dependents  

Subsequent entry pathway

All the documents required for this stream are the same as in the application process for the ‘Extended stay pathway’ type. 

The costs associated with Skilled Regional (Provisional) – Subclass 489 visa Australia

Invited pathway visa processing fee: AUD 4,240 and added fee for family members

Extended stay pathway visa processing fee: AUD 375 and more for added family members 

Subsequent entry pathway visa processing fee: AUD 4,240 and added fee for family members 

Frequently asked questions about Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 489

What is an Expression of Interest? 

It is a document submitted to the Department of Home Affairs to express your unique value as a professional. You can read more about it here

Who can be an eligible sponsor? 

Parent, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, nephews and nieces, first cousins or grandparents 

What is the Australian values statement? 

It is a document to familiarise applicants with life in Australia and make them sign an agreement to act in accordance with their values so that there is no disruption. You can read more about it here.