The Skilled Regional (Provisional) Subclass 489 visa is a 4-year provisional visa which requires holders to live and work in a regional area to obtain permanent residence. To qualify, you would need be sponsored by either a relative living in a designated area or a State or Territory Government.
The applicable occupations list if sponsored by a relative is the same as the list for the Skilled Independent visa. The state sponsored 489 occupations list can be seen here.
If you are sponsored by a relative, you will need to live for 2 years and work full time for 12 months in a regional or low population growth area to qualify for permanent residence through the Skilled Regional Subclass 887 visa.
The applicants can either be in Australia or overseas to lodge this visa.
If the applicant is in Australia:
Must hold a Substantive Visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa
SkillSelect Only Application
1. In order to apply for a Skilled Nominated or Sponsored (Provisional) Subclass 489 visa, you must first lodge an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect and be invited by the Department of Immigration to apply.
2. Once you are invited to apply for a skilled visa, you must lodge your application within 60 days, otherwise the invitation lapses.
Accordingly, it is very important that you have all required documentation prepared to lodge as soon as possible after receiving the invitation.
| Visa Criteria | In order to qualify for a Subclass 489 visa, you would need to:
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| Sponsorship by a Relative Living in a Designated Area | You can apply for a Subclass 489 visa if you are sponsored by a relative living in a Designated Area.The relative must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or Eligible New Zealand Citizen. The following relatives can sponsor for the Subclass 489 visa:
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| Including Family Members | You can include the following types of family members in your application:
It is possible to include partners and dependent children after lodgement of the application, but other dependent family members must be included at lodgement. |
| Duration and Conditions | The visa is a 4-year provisional visa. Whilst in Australia you and your included family members can only live, work and study in an approved regional area. The approved regional areas vary depending on whether you are sponsored by a relative or by a State or Territory Government:
Designated areas are wider than Regional or Low Population Growth areas – in particular the major cities of Melbourne, Canberra, and the Gold Coast are considered Designated Areas. If you are outside Australia when the visa is granted, you and your family members will need to enter Australia for the first time prior to expiry of your health and police clearances. |
