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What is the 5 year work visa in Australia?

The Subclass 491 or the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa allows skilled migrants to reside, study, and work in Australia for up to 5 years. Subclass 491 is one of the most preferred pathways for skilled workers looking to live and work in any of the designated regional areas of Australia. To qualify for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa, you must have a valid nomination from the Australian territory or state government, score the required points in the points test, and have a valid skills assessment, along with other criteria. Along with the 491 visa, there are also other provisional work visas, such as the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494), with a validity of 5 years. Both visa pathways allow you to apply for PR in Australia after meeting the residency requirements.

*Looking to work in Australia? Get in touch with experts at Y-Axis to assist you with the steps.
 

Types of 5-year work visas in Australia

Many work visa options are available in Australia; however, there are only two major 5-year work visas for individuals looking to reside in Australia for up to 5 years.

The two different types of 5-year work visas in Australia are:

• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491): The 491 visa is particularly for skilled workers looking to live, work, and even study in Australia for up to 5 years. An eligible family member in Australia must invite you or have a state nomination to qualify for the visa. The 491 visa also allows you to apply for permanent residence through the Subclass 191 visa pathway after living in the country for at least 3 years.
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494): The 494 visa is for skilled workers who have received sponsorship from a regional Australian employer. It is a type of temporary visa that allows you to stay for a maximum of 5 years in the country.

Note: Both the provisional visas allow individuals to stay in Australia for up to 5 years, providing a pathway to PR, upon eligibility.

Also, read…

What is the difference between Subclass 491 and 494 visas?
 

Who can apply for a 5-year work visa in Australia?

To be eligible for a 5-year work visa in Australia, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have a valid and original passport
• Have an occupation that is listed on the eligibility List
• Must have an Invitation to apply for the visa
• Be under 45 years of age to receive an invitation to apply
• Have a valid skills assessment
• Have English language proficiency  
• Meet the given health requirement
• Have a criminal clearance record (character requirement)

*Want to know more about Australian visas? Get in touch with experts at Y-Axis to guide you with the process. 
 

How to choose the right Australian 5-year work visa?

You can follow the simple steps given below to pick the right Australian 5-year work visa:

Step 1: Check your visa eligibility pathway

Check if you have a sponsoring employer visa (subclass 494 visa), have a nominated occupation in the skilled list (subclass 189 visa), or if you qualify for the Working Holiday visa.

Step 2: Check your occupation for the visa

After completing the above step, you must check if your occupation is listed on the eligible skilled occupations list.

Step 3: Skills Assessment

Get a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation from any registered authorities.

Step 4: Points-test (if required)

You must score at least 65 points to qualify for skilled visas. The points-based system is only required to be taken if applicable.

Step 5: Meet the other eligibility criteria

Once you have completed all the above steps, you must also ensure that you meet the required eligibility criteria based on the visa you are applying for (Age, English language, sponsorship, nomination, health requirements, etc.).

Step 6: Apply for the visa

As the last step, after eligibility, you must gather all the necessary documents, pay the application fee, and submit your visa application.
 

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance with Australian immigration? Contact Y-Axis, the world’s No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy, for end-to-end assistance!
 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is the 5-year work visa in Australia?

Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa) is a 5-year work visa in Australia. The 491 visa allows skilled workers to reside, study, and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years. The Subclass 494 or the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa is another pathway that allows you to stay in Australia for 5 years. However, before applying for the 5-year work visa in Australia, it is advised to check which visa type suits your profile the best.

2. Which Australian visa offers a 5-year stay?

The two main Australian visas that offer a 5-year stay are as follows:

• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491): You must be nominated by an Australian state government or territory to qualify for this visa. The 491 visa allows you to apply for permanent residency via Subclass 191 after spending at least 3 years in Australia.
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494): To qualify for this visa, you must be sponsored by an employer from a regional Australian area. The Subclass 494 visa also offers a pathway to PR.

Note: Both visa types are provisional visas for skilled workers looking to live and settle in designated regional areas of Australia.

3. Can the 5-year work visa lead to Australian PR?

Yes, a 5-year work visa, such as the Subclass 491 visa, can lead to Australian PR. With a Subclass 491 visa, you can qualify for permanent residency after staying in Australia for 3 years. You must have spent at least 3 years in Australia and fulfil specific other eligibility requirements to be eligible for Australian PR. After completing at least 3 years of residence with a 5-year work visa, you can apply for a PR with a Subclass 491 or Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.

4. Who can apply for a 5-year work visa in Australia?

Skilled foreign workers can apply for a 5-year work visa in Australia. Work visas such as the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) allow you to stay, study, and work in Australia for up to 5 years. You must also meet specific eligibility criteria, such as:

• Have an occupation on the relevant skills list
• Have a positive skills assessment
• Sponsorship from an Australian family member or employer in Australia
• Nomination from the Australian state or territory government
• Must be proficient in the English language
• Be under 45 years of age
   

5. Do I need to meet the Australian points test to get a 5-year Australian work visa?

You must meet the Australian points test for a 5-year Australian work visa only if you are looking to apply for a skilled migration visa (Subclass 189, 190, or 491 visa). One of the requirements for a skilled migration visa is to get at least 65 points in the Australian points test, which can get you an Invitation to Apply. It is also important to note that the points-based test does not guarantee an invitation; you must also meet other eligibility criteria to get a 5-year work visa in Australia.

6. How do I choose the right 5-year Australian work visa?

To choose the right 5-year Australia work visa, you must first check your eligibility, skills, and qualifications for regional migration. You can also follow the steps below to help you choose the right 5-year Australian work visa:

Step 1: Check if your occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List

Step 2: Get a skills assessment

Step 3: Check if you are eligible for regional migration

Step 4:  Get a nomination

Step 5: Arrange the requirements

Step 6: Fill out the visa application form and pay the required fee

Step 7: Apply for the visa

7. How long can I stay on these 5-year Australian work visas?

You can stay for a maximum of 5 years on these 5-year Australian work visas. The 5-day period starts from the date the visa is issued, allowing you to reside, study, or work in a designated regional area of Australia. With a 5-year work visa, you can also qualify for permanent residence after residing in the country for at least 3 years. You can also travel in and out of Australia without any restrictions during your visa validity.

Can I get an ITA through Express Entry over age 40 without a provincial nomination?

Yes, while you can get an ITA through Express Entry over 40 even without a provincial nomination, the process may be challenging. The Express Entry system uses the CRS points calculator to analyse an applicant's eligibility. Points are assessed through age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and adaptability. Age is one of the major factors considered while evaluating the candidate’s eligibility; the older you are, the fewer the CRS points.

Candidates can usually score a maximum of 110 (without a spouse or common-law partner) and a minimum of 100 points (with a spouse or common-law partner) for the age category. While having a provincial nomination can get you 600 additional points, securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) without one is still possible, by focusing on other aspects such as higher language scores, an impressive educational background, and skilled Canadian work experience, etc.

*Want to apply for Express Entry? Let Y-Axis assist you with the process.
 

What are the maximum points allotted for “Age” in the Express Entry Program?

The maximum points allotted for the “Age” factor through the Express Entry system are 110 points if you are applying without a spouse or common-law partner and 100 points if you are applying with a spouse or common-law partner. Candidates between 20 and 29 years of age have better chances of scoring the highest points, while those at the age of 30 onwards start seeing a decrease of 5 points with every passing year.
 

*Want to check your eligibility for Canada PR? Try the Y-Axis Canada Immigration points calculator to get an instant score!
 

How to improve your chances of securing an ITA without a provincial nomination?

Here are some ways through which you can increase your chances of getting an ITA even without a provincial nomination:

• Boost your language proficiency:  Strong English proficiency can increase your CRS scores. You can get up to 136 points if you score a CLB 9 or 10 in IELTS.
• Completing and improving your ECAs: You can increase your CRS scores by getting your foreign educational credentials verified and by pursuing additional education, such as a higher degree.
• Getting work experience: Having work experience (both foreign and Canadian) can improve your CRS scores, bringing you up to 50 additional points under skill transferability.
• Additional points through spouse: If your spouse applies with you, you can increase your CRS scores. You can get up to 40 additional points through the spouse factor in categories like Education, language proficiency, Canadian work experience, etc.
• Additional factors (Siblings in Canada, French language proficiency, Canadian education): Candidates with siblings living in Canada, or those with French language proficiency, and those who have completed their higher education in Canada can get up to 15-50 points under additional factors.
   

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance with Canada immigration? Contact Y-Axis, the world’s No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy, for end-to-end assistance!
 

Frequently Asked Questions:
 

1. Can I receive an ITA through Express Entry if I am over 40 without a provincial nomination?

Yes, you can get an ITA through Express Entry without a provincial nomination if you are over 40, but the process can be complicated. Age is crucial in the CRS points calculator that the Express Entry program uses to assess applicants. Maximum points are awarded to candidates within 20 to 29 years of age, after which the points decrease with every passing year. While those in their 40s cannot get any points for the age factor, they can still increase their points by focusing on other factors like language proficiency, gaining work experience, completing their ECA, etc.
 

2. How does age affect CRS points in Express Entry?

Age is a very important factor in the CRS points calculator used for the Express Entry program. A maximum of 110 points is awarded for the age factor if you are between 20 and 29 and are applying without a spouse. Points awarded in the CRS points calculator keep reducing by 5 points as you cross the age of 29. While applicants over 29 can still qualify, they will be required to score points in other factors, as the points given for “age” decrease until 45.
 

3. What are the best ways to increase CRS without a PNP?

You can increase your CRS even without a PNP by focusing on the Core Human Capital Factors, Skills Transferability, and Adaptability Factors. Some of the best ways to increase your CRS score are improving your language proficiency scores, getting skilled work experience, obtaining a valid Canadian job offer, and pursuing higher education.
 

4. Do category-based Express Entry draws help older candidates?

Yes, category-based Express Entry draws tend to help older candidates by setting low CRS scores compared to regular Express Entry Draws. Category-based Express Entry Draws generally focus on and prioritize high-demand occupations such as French language skills. This process mostly focuses on specific skills, giving older applicants a chance of getting selected in the draw.
 

5. How much can a valid job offer add to my CRS score?

As per the latest update on March 25, 2025, Express Entry applicants with a valid job offer can no longer get additional CRS points. Before this update, applicants could get up to 200 bonus points for having a valid job offer in Canada.
 

6. Will Canadian work or study experience improve my chances?

Canadian work or study experience can improve your chances of getting permanent residency. Work or study experience in Canada can improve your CRS points, directly impacting your chances of getting an ITA. You can apply for a Post-Graduation work permit (PGWP) if you have graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). This can give you the relevant Canadian work experience along with study experience.
 

7. Can my spouse or partner help increase our CRS score?

Yes, your spouse or partner can help increase your CRS score. While having a spouse or partner apply with you can negatively affect your CRS scores in the human capital factors, it can help increase your CRS score through the Spouse / Common-law partner factors.
 

8. Is a provincial nomination the only realistic route over age 40?

No, a provincial nomination is not the only route or pathway to getting Canada PR for people over 40. You can also explore other immigration pathways, such as the federal pilot programs, the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), and the Family Sponsorship pathway.
 

9. Do I need proof of funds if I do not have a Canadian job offer?

Yes, most Canadian immigration applications require you to have sufficient proof of funds even without a Canadian job offer. The only exception is when you are applying through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program, wherein you do not need proof of funds, but would be required to submit an official letter to the government of Canada explaining your eligibility under the CEC program. Immigration pathways such as the Quebec Nominee Program or the Atlantic Immigration Program also do not require you to have proof of funds.
 

10. How do I calculate my CRS accurately?

The best way to calculate your CRS accurately is by using the official CRS Tool provided on the Canadian website.  You will be given points based on age, language proficiency, work experience, education, spousal factors, etc. The CRS tool assesses candidates in the Core Human Capital factors, Spouse factors, Skill Transferability factors, and Additional Points. You can also calculate your CRS score using the Y-Axis CRS point calculator, which gives you a score within seconds.
 

11. What documents should I prepare early to improve timelines?

The list of documents that you should be prepared with to improve your timeline and speed up the process in the Express Entry system is as follows:

• Proof of identity
• Passport
• Language proficiency test results (IELTS, CELPIP)
• ECA (Educational Credential Assessment)
• Proof of funds
• Proof of work experience
• Criminal clearance certificate
• Medical test results

12. How can Y-Axis support candidates over 40 aiming for an ITA?

At Y-Axis, we have experienced immigration consultants and counsellors who can help candidates over 40 aiming for an ITA. Some of the services we can offer to help candidates increase their CRS scores are:

• CRS points assessment: Our experts can guide you through the CRS points assessment process and suggest ways to improve your CRS score despite your age factor.   
• Y-Axis coaching services: We offer dedicated IELTS and CELPIP language services to help you improve your English language test results.
• ECA: We will orient you about the ECA, verify your credentials, and suggest pursuing further education in Canada to boost your CRS scores.
• Work experience: Our experts will guide you on how to score points in the CRS tool for Canadian and foreign work experience by focusing on the skill transferability factor.