New Skilled Regional Visas

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

  1. Priority Processing of regional applications
  2. Incentives for migrants to stay in regional areas long term as they build ties through the workforce and community participation
  3. More points available to subclass 491 visa applicants
  4. Expanded and consistent classification or regional areas

Source: Immi.homeaffairs.gov.au