Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
A visa for skilled people nominated by a state or territory government to live and work in regional Australia
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At a glance
- Base application charge
- A$6,140
- Checked with the Department on 22 October 2026
- Primary applicant only. The Department publishes five further charges per row.
- 90% decided within
- 18 months
- Slowest of 2 streams - see below
- Age limit
- Under 45
- English
- Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band, or equivalent PTE/TOEFL/CAE/OET)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| State/Territory Government Nominated Regional | 5 months | 18 months |
| Family Sponsored Regional | 4 months | 7 months |
Captured from the Department of Home Affairs on 16 October 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa - Main applicant This is a provisional visa. It is for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia | 5 years | A$6,140 Subclass charge | |
State/Territory Nominated Nominated by a state or territory to live and work in regional Australia. Nomination adds 15 points. Valid 5 years, pathway to 191 permanent visa. Regional only | 5 years | A$6,140 Subclass charge | MLTSSLSTSOLROL Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band, or equivalent) Pathway to subclass 191 |
Family Sponsored Sponsored by an eligible family member living in regional Australia. Family member must be an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen in a regional area. Regional only | 5 years | A$6,140 Subclass charge | MLTSSLSTSOLROL Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band, or equivalent) Pathway to subclass 191 |
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – Subsequent entrant This visa is for a member of the family unit of someone who holds a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) | Varies | A$6,140 Subclass charge |
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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