190 or 491
Choosing between Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 has always been the most agonising question for skilled migrants.
Subclass 190 grants permanent residency in one step,while Subclass 491 is a ‘near-PR’ ——— afive-yearvisa that allows you to apply forMedicare; holders must continuously live and work ina designated regional area (anywhere outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane); and must submit threeNotice of Assessment Notice of Assessment documents — one for each of three financial years — to show that pre-tax gross income met the $53,900 threshold in each year before applying for Subclass 191 permanent residency. Pre-tax income is not limited to salary; it can also include ABN self-employment income, small business income, interest, and other income sources.
Holding out for the best of both worlds often leaves you with nothing.
The reason applicants avoid applying for Subclass 491 state nomination usually comes down to the feeling that 491 is not a true permanent residency visa and carries too much uncertainty. However,for certain highly competitive occupations, insisting on Subclass 190 is a tremendous waste of time and money.For accountants, translators, cooks, and even some ICT and engineering applicants not based in regional areas, many hold nothing more than a skills assessment. No matter how high their EOI score, without skilled employment — and without a sufficiently long work history — it is very difficult to attract the favour of state governments.
Takeyesterday’s New South Wales Subclass 190 policy changeas an example,accountants, auditors, and ICT professionals— all highly competitive occupations — were suddenly subject to a mandatory three-year relevant work experience requirement with just a few lines of text, instantly extinguishing the hopes of many who had been waiting patiently.
As Subclass 190 grows harder step by step, Subclass 491 is gradually becoming Plan A.
Setting aside the federal government’s stated policy of encouraging population and talent flows away from the three major cities,the decline of Subclass 189 has also pushed more applicants toward Subclass 190 — which is likewise a direct path to permanent residency.Our competition is not only the fellow countrymen we can see — it includes applicants from South Asia with strong technical and language backgrounds. Not to mention the enormous number of students near graduation both onshore and offshore, as well as those who entered after the borders reopened with migration as their goal.Take New South Wales again:a state government that was previously very laid-back — sitting back and watching applicants compete, simply picking the best — has now suddenly raised the bar.
When all is said and done,the quota is fixed, competition for Subclass 190 has reached fever pitch, and it is increasingly inevitable that state governments will use hard policy requirements to filter out a portion of applicants.
Furthermore, looking across all states, eastern metropolitan areas select applicants using high scores, high skill levels, and exacting standards — natural advantages that draw in talent from all fields,meaning Subclass 190 will be reserved for truly critical & skilled applicants, with local graduates favoured in the eligibility conditions.
The migration trend will therefore continue to shift towards regional-area conditional permanent residency as the mainstream pathway.
Subclass 491 — whether actively chosen or reluctantly accepted — is gradually becoming Plan A for many applicants.
Given this shift, are you still burning through your temporary visa time and your best years in a major city?
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As you can see, Subclass 491 generally has a shorter work-hours requirement,but even for Subclass 491, preference goes to applicants who are employed and whose skills in the nominated occupation are endorsed by an employer — particularly inVIC, QLD and WA.
TASThe work requirement is primarily about assessing your contribution to the state’s local labour market.
ACTassess applicants’ overall capabilities through a matrix scoring system,NSWfavour regional living as the primary criterion, but give preference to experienced applicants.
NTonly offer Subclass 491 to those who fall short of Subclass 190 requirements, but also consider occupational growth potential.
Highly recommended: SA (South Australia)!
I want to emphasise again just how welcoming South Australia is to interstate applicants!
South Australia — once more!
– No points race
– No English score cutoff
– No full-time work rights requirement
– Low investment, fast results!
Applications are assessed purely on whether requirements are met; applicants pay and lodge directly; processing is extremely fast, with invitations issued within hours in some cases. In South Australia’s regional areas, the skill level of your work is not considered — even restaurant work is acceptable!
South Australia echoes Tasmania’s era of ‘study and get invited’ from a few years ago:
for some occupations, completing one year of higher education (such as a Graduate Diploma)and achieving GPA 5 / overall English score of 8 may be sufficient for a Subclass 491 invitation.
If you or your spouse completes a one-year Certificate course,then lives in the region for three years and accumulates one year of work at Skill Level 3, you may be eligible for Subclass 491!Qualifying roles include cook, bookkeeper, restaurant manager, and various care worker positions!
It’s also perfect for those who have exhausted themselves in other states and fancy a slower pace of life in South Australia (laughs).
Value your time, plan ahead, and keep the bigger picture in mind — Subclass 491 is far more acceptable than you might think. Be clear on your ultimate goal, and do not miss opportunities by waiting indefinitely, only to end up with nothing.
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Study abroad / Migration
Practical insights
Videos
Past articles
NSW Subclass 190 opens to offshore applicants — multiple engineering and trades occupations eligible! Accounting/ICT and other in-demand fields require 3 years’ work experience!
NSW Subclass 190 opens to offshore applicants — multiple engineering and trades occupations eligible! Accounting/ICT and other in-demand fields require 3 years’ work experience!
Department of Home Affairs refines visa grant wait time estimates — employer-sponsored and temporary visas moving faster!
Year-end processing and holiday arrangements from state governments and related bodies! Newstars office holiday hours included.
Year-end Student Centre holiday hours at universities across Australia!
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2021 Australia migration — annual summary and outlook across all pathways!Click ‘original article link’to watch the video summary!
