Subclass 491 visa: occupation list and eligibility basics

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a points-tested skilled visa that requires your occupation to be on the relevant skilled occupation list. The Department of Home Affairs uses the 2013 version of ANZSCO for the subclass 491 program, and your occupation must be included on the combined list of eligible skilled occupations for that visa. You also need to meet all other requirements, including a valid skills assessment and sufficient points, which you must verify on the official pages for the subclass 491 visa and the skilled occupation list before you apply.

Which occupation list applies to the subclass 491 visa

The subclass 491 visa is one of the skilled visas for which the combined skilled occupation list is used. The combined list specifies the ANZSCO code for each occupation, any caveats that exclude the use of the occupation in certain circumstances, the assessing authority for skills assessments, and whether the occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), or the Regional Occupation List (ROL).

For the subclass 491 visa, the Department uses the 2013 version of ANZSCO. This applies to all other skilled visa subclasses apart from the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) and the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), which use the 2022 version. If you have held another type of skilled visa and your occupation has been reclassified or split into multiple specialisations under a newer ANZSCO version, you must select an occupation code that aligns with the tasks and responsibilities of your position.

Where to find the current list of eligible occupations

The Department states that you can find a current list of eligible skilled occupations for the relevant visa program in its legislative instrument. The skilled occupation list page also notes that the combined list specifies the ANZSCO code, caveats, the list on which the occupation appears, and the assessing authority. You should check the legislative instrument linked from the skilled occupation list page to confirm that your occupation is included for the subclass 491 visa and to identify the correct assessing authority.

What happens if an occupation is removed from the list

If an occupation is removed from the skilled occupation lists, pending nomination and/or visa applications will not be adversely impacted by the subsequent removal. If you already hold a skilled visa, you will not be impacted by removed occupations unless there are changes in your circumstances and your employer needs to make a new nomination application. You may be impacted if you change your occupation or employer and your occupation is no longer on the combined list of eligible skilled occupations.

Points and other requirements

The official guidance does not provide a points calculator or a points table for the subclass 491 visa. It confirms that the subclass 491 visa is a points-tested skilled visa, and that you must be able to meet all other requirements to apply. To determine the points you may be eligible for, you must consult the official subclass 491 visa page and the points table published by the Department. The official guidance also does not state a minimum points score, so you should verify the current requirement on the official page.

Processing priorities for the subclass 491 visa

Nomination and visa applications for the subclass 491 visa are processed according to Government policy priorities set out in Ministerial Direction 119, which came into effect on 25 July 2026. This Direction replaced all processing priorities under Ministerial Direction 105 and applies to all on hand applications. Prioritisation is afforded according to both occupation and the location of applicants at the time of application.

The order of priority is as follows:

Priority	Category	Location of applicant
1	Law enforcement or defence interests	In Australia
2	Law enforcement or defence interests	Outside Australia
3	Construction, healthcare, and teaching occupations	In Australia
4	All other applications	In Australia
5	All other applications	Outside Australia

Occupations supporting Australia’s law enforcement and defence interests are afforded the highest priority, followed by those in construction, healthcare, and teaching. Applicants who are already in Australia have higher priority than those who are outside Australia. The subclass 491 visa is one of the visa subclasses covered by Ministerial Direction 119, along with the subclass 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 482, 489, 494, 887, and 888 visas.

How to apply for the subclass 491 visa

The official guidance does not set out the application process for the subclass 491 visa in detail. It does state that the subclass 491 visa is a points-tested skilled visa and that you must be able to meet all other requirements. The Department’s skilled visa pages provide guidance on how to lodge a complete application, including the “Check twice, submit once” and “Applying for a skilled visa” resources. You should review the official subclass 491 visa page for the step-by-step application process, the documents required, and the current fees.

What to verify before you apply

Before lodging an application for the subclass 491 visa, you should confirm the following on the official Department of Home Affairs pages:

• Your occupation is on the current combined list of eligible skilled occupations for the subclass 491 visa, as set out in the legislative instrument.
• You have identified the correct ANZSCO code for your occupation, using the 2013 version of ANZSCO.
• You have identified the correct assessing authority and obtained a skills assessment if required.
• You understand the points test and can calculate your likely points using the official points table.
• You have reviewed the current visa application charges, including any subsequent temporary application charge that may apply if you are in Australia and have previously held certain temporary visas.

The skilled occupation list page and the subclass 491 visa page are the authoritative sources for these requirements. The Department also advises that you should consult the Visa Pricing Table to verify which charges apply to you, as there are a number of variations in the fees and charges.