Overview
Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence — Skilled Regional) is the permanent stage of the regional skilled pathway. It is not points-tested and needs no sponsor — it rewards three years of compliant regional residence on a subclass 491 or 494 visa.
Defining features:
- The exit to PR for both 491 (state/family nominated) and 494 (regional employer sponsored).
- 3 years holding the provisional visa, complying with its conditions.
- 3 years of tax records: ATO notices of assessment for 3 income years while holding the visa. Currently no minimum income threshold applies (the AUD 53,900 instrument was withdrawn in June 2023) — but without tax returns there are no notices to provide.
- Low visa charge (AUD 630) — the investment was made at the provisional stage.
The income requirement can change via a new legislative instrument — verify the current rules before applying. Book a consultation to map your 191 timeline.
Key eligibility
- Hold a subclass 491 or 494 visa, granted at least 3 years before applying
- Complied with the conditions of that visa (incl. condition 8579 regional residence)
- Provide ATO notices of assessment for 3 income years while holding the visa — currently NO minimum income threshold applies (the instrument specifying AUD 53,900 was withdrawn in June 2023; policy can change)
- Meet health and character requirements
Process
- 01
Hold 491/494 for 3+ years
Live, work and study only in a designated regional area, keeping evidence of residence and employment throughout.
- 02
Lodge tax returns for 3 years
Lodge a return each year — ATO notices of assessment for 3 income years are mandatory documents for the 191, even though no minimum threshold currently applies.
- 03
Lodge subclass 191
Apply once you have 3 years on the visa and 3 notices of assessment. Grant confers permanent residence (PR).
Estimated cost
| Department of Home Affairs fee (per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) | AUD 630 |
| VisaAffairs service fee | Quoted after initial consultation |
| Third-party costs (health, AFP check, translations, etc.) | Varies by case |
How VisaAffairs helps
Clear eligibility assessment
VisaAffairs reviews your full situation against current rules — no boilerplate templates.
Document set reviewed item-by-item
Every piece of evidence is checked before lodgement — minimising the risk of request for further information.
Case officer tracking
VisaAffairs monitors ImmiAccount and responds to case officer requests on time.