Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)
This visa allows workers who hold an eligible visa and meet an income requirement to live and work in Australia permanently.
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At a glance
- Base application charge
- A$630 to A$6,135
- Depending on stream: Regional Provisional stream A$630, Hong Kong stream A$6,135
- Checked with the Department on 22 October 2026
- Primary applicant only. The Department publishes five further charges per row.
- 90% decided within
- 15 months
- Slowest of 2 streams - see below
- Age limit
- No limit
- English
- Not separately required (assessed at 491/494 stage)
Processing times
How long the Department took to decide recently finalised applications. Each figure is a percentile, not an average or a promise.
| Stream | 50% decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| All applications | 8 months | 15 months |
| Regional Provisional Visa | 8 months | 10 months |
Captured from the Department of Home Affairs on 14 April 2026. The Department does not state a reporting period for this source. Check the Department's tool for the figure as it stands today.
Streams
Each stream has its own eligibility, duration and charge. Read them alongside the Department's page before lodging.
| Stream | Duration | Base fee | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
From Subclass 491 For 491 holders who have lived, worked, and earned at least $53,900/year in regional Australia for 3 years. | Varies | A$630 Primary applicant | Not separately required (assessed at 491 stage) |
From Subclass 494 For 494 holders who have lived, worked, and earned at least $53,900/year in regional Australia for 3 years. | Varies | A$630 Primary applicant | Not separately required (assessed at 494 stage) |
As published by the Department of Home Affairs on 22 October 2026
Data verified from immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Charges and processing times are published by the Department of Home Affairs and change from time to time. Each figure on this page carries its own capture date - the page has no single “as at”, because the charge and the processing times are captured separately.
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