Two new skilled regional visas will open to applications on 16th November 2019. These new visas will promote regional migration and replace two existing subclasses:
| New | Previous |
| Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) | Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 489) – First Provisional Stream |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) | Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (Subclass 187) – Direct Entry Stream |
Benefits of New Visas
- Priority Processing of regional applications
- Incentives for migrants to stay in regional areas long term as they build ties through the workforce and community participation
- More points available to subclass 491 visa applicants
- Expanded and consistent classification or regional areas
Source: Immi.homeaffairs.gov.au