Australia has always been a dream land for skilled workers. If you’re one of them, you’ve probably heard about the 191 visa. It’s also called the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa Subclass 191. Bit of a long name, right? But this visa is a big deal if you’re living and working in regional Australia. Here’s why the 191 visa is on so many people’s radar right now. Simple, It’s designed to turn your temporary regional stay into a permanent one. That means more freedom. More security. And yes, a clear pathway to Australian citizenship later on. This guide is going to break it all down. I’ll explain who can apply, the 191 visa conditions, the income requirements, and how the whole application works. Think of this as your go-to guide.
The subclass 191 visa was introduced on 16 November 2022. It was designed as a pathway for skilled workers who first committed to regional Australia. Basically, the government says: live, work, and help our regional towns, and we’ll reward you with PR after 3 years.
With this visa, you’re not stuck in regional areas forever. Once approved, you can live and work anywhere in Australia.
Australia doesn’t want everyone crowding into metro cities such as Sydney or Melbourne. That’s why they made provisional visas like 491 and 494. You spend time in regional towns, bring your skills, and support local communities.
After proving yourself for 3 years, you can step up to skilled regional visa 191. It’s just a fair deal.
Here’s why the permanent residence skilled regional visa subclass 191 is popular:
Grants permanent residency.
Access to Medicare and some social benefits.
Allows you to sponsor family later.
Pathway to citizenship after a few years.
You can move, live and work anywhere in Australia once granted.
So it’s not just a “stay regional” visa. It’s your bridge to a stable life in Australia.
The visa subclass 191 is not open to all applicants directly. Instead, you must have previously held a qualifying regional provisional visa. Specifically, you may be eligible if you hold one of the following:
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional – Provisional)
Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Provisional)
You must have lived in regional Australia for at least 3 years on one of these visas before becoming eligible for the skilled regional visa 191.
To qualify, applicants must meet specific 191 visa criteria. Below are the subclass 191 visa requirements:
Hold an eligible visa – Held Subclass 491 or Subclass 494 for 3 years.
3 years in regional areas – You need to have lived in a designated regional area during your provisional visa period.
Income requirement – You must demonstrate that you earned a minimum taxable income for at least 3 years while holding the provisional visa.
Follow conditions – Applicants must follow all 191 visa conditions, such as restrictions on living and working only in designated areas.
Health and character checks – standard for all visas.
Functional English – usually covered already from your earlier provisional visa.
This one trips up some people. While you’re on your provisional visa (491 or 494), you need to follow rules. These are called 191 visa conditions.
Live in regional areas.
Work or study is designated regional areas.
Meet the yearly income requirement.
If you break these, your path to PR gets shaky. So it’s all about sticking to the rules for 3 years.
The 191 visa income requirement is very important. You need to show enough taxable income for 3 years while on your provisional visa. The income threshold changes over time. You prove it using tax documents from the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
Miss this, and your 191 visa application could be refused. So it’s smart to plan ahead, keep records, and file your taxes properly.
Family members can be included in your 191 visa application. Eligible family members may include:
Your spouse or de facto partner.
Dependent children.
Stepchildren who meet the dependency test.
Family members must also meet health and character requirements.
Choosing the permanent residence skilled regional visa subclass 191 comes with numerous benefits:
Permanent residency rights – live, work, and study anywhere in Australia.
Access to Medicare and social security benefits.
Travel rights – travel to and from Australia for 5 years.
Pathway to citizenship after meeting residence requirements.
Family sponsorship opportunities.
This makes the skilled regional visa 191 one of the most secure pathways for long-term settlement in Australia.
Okay, let’s go through the process.
Have you done 3 years in regional Australia? Met the income? Held 491 or 494? If yes, move on.
You’ll need:
Passport and ID.
Proof of residence in regional areas.
ATO tax assessment for 3 years.
Work evidence (contracts, payslips).
Health and character certificates.
Applications are done on the ImmiAccount portal. Make sure everything is attached before you hit submit.
Visa fees apply, and extra for family members.
Processing can take time. Usually around 12–18 months. Patience is part of the process.
Processing times for the 191 regional visa vary depending on:
Volume of applications.
Completeness of documents.
Individual circumstances (health, character checks).
On average, it may take 12–18 months for a decision.
The 191 visa updates are crucial to keep track of, especially regarding income thresholds and designated regional areas. For 2025, the government continues to emphasize regional development, making the permanent residence skilled regional visa a priority stream.
It’s always best to stay updated via the Department of Home Affairs website or consult a migration agent for the latest information.
While the pathway seems straightforward, many applicants face challenges, such as:
Not earning enough to meet the income requirement.
Not having complete tax records.
Living outside the regional area by mistake.
Missing supporting documents.
If you avoid these, your 191 visa application stands a much better chance.
How does it compare with other visas?
The skilled regional visa 191 is unique because it rewards those who have already proven their commitment to regional Australia.
The Australian gov wants to grow regional areas. More jobs. More skilled workers. Less pressure on big cities. For migrants, it’s also good news – more chances of getting a visa if you go regional.
1. What is the 191 visa?
It’s the permanent residence skilled regional visa subclass 191, for people who held 491 or 494 for 3 years.
2. Do I have to live in regional areas forever?
No. Once granted, you can move anywhere in Australia.
3. What’s the 191 visa income requirement?
You must show taxable income above the minimum set threshold for 3 years.
4. Can I include my family?
Yes, partners and dependent kids can be included.
5. How long does it take?
Most applications take about 12–18 months.
6. Can I apply for citizenship after?
Yes, after meeting residency rules.
Final Thoughts
The 191 visa is a solid pathway to permanent residency. It rewards people who chose to live and work in regional areas first.
Yes, the 191 visa criteria can feel strict. The 191 visa condition means you’ve got to stick to regional rules. The 191 visa income requirement means you must plan your finances well. But if you do, the outcome is worth it.
The skilled regional visa 191 gives you PR, Medicare, family sponsorship, and a path to citizenship. It’s stability for your future in Australia.
If you’re on a 491 or 494 right now, start preparing early. Keep your tax records, meet the income, and stick to your visa conditions. When the time comes, your 191 visa application will be much smoother.
