Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
Please be advised that RDA Sydney is not receiving any new applications for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), as it has
reached its assigned allocation.Please refer to the NSW Government website to identify
alternate NSW regional options.
RDA Sydney does not send messages by WhatsApp and will not contact you via SMS texts to your phone.
If you receive a text or WhatsApp message that looks like it is from RDA Sydney please:
- be careful
- do not click on any links
- do not reply to a text, email or WhatsApp request for further information.
If you have made a payment to RDA Sydney do not make another payment.
Please report any dubious contact to migration@rdasydney.org.au
Steps to Apply
Regional Development Australia (RDA) offices across NSW assist the NSW government in assessing nomination applications for the 491 visa.
The Federal Government retains ultimate responsibility for Australia’s migration program, including the allocation of available places across program streams and making decisions on visa applications.
Nomination Pathways
There are two pathways to NSW nomination for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491):
Information regarding these pathways are outlined on the NSW Regional Skilled Migration webpage.
Common Questions
Answers to common questions about skilled visas are also available.
Data Collection Notice
The personal information you provide to RDA Sydney is subject to the Privacy & Personal Information Act 1998. It is being collected by RDA Sydney and will be used for the purposes related to NSW nomination under the NSW Business and Skilled Migration Program.
RDA Sydney may share the personal information provided by you in connection with your application for nomination with the NSW Government and the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs for the purposes of verification and processing of your nomination and subsequent visa application. RDA Sydney will not disclose your personal information to anybody else unless authorised by law. The provision of your personal information is required to be supplied for the purposes of assessing your eligibility for NSW nomination for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). If you choose not to provide any requested personal information, we may not be able to assess your application for nomination.
You have the right to request access to, and correct the details of, your personal information held by us. For further information concerning the management, storage, and privacy of your information, please refer to the NSW Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade website.
RDA Sydney Refund Statement
There are limited circumstances under which RDA Sydney will refund an applicant their application fee, for the Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) Program, these circumstances include:
- Applicant turns 45 years of age during assessment process:
a. The applicant has paid the application fee of $800 (incl. GST) and supplied proof of payment to RDA Sydney, and
b. The applicant turns 45 years of age during the assessment process being conducted by RDA Sydney, and
c. Accordingly, RDA Sydney is obliged to cease its assessment, deem the application unsuccessful and refuse nomination, - Clerical billing error:
a. RDA Sydney discovers, or it is brought to the attention of RDA Sydney that a clerical error in its billing system has occurred, and
b. Accordingly, where an applicant has made payment to RDA Sydney for an amount that is considered to be incorrect.The above circumstances are the only circumstances in which RDA Sydney will refund an applicant their application fee or part thereof.
All permitted refunds will be returned to applicants in the manner in which the original payment was made and to the same corresponding bank account.
*Note: Under no circumstances are refunds available to applicants for having a change of mind concerning the Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) Program or being materially non-compliant with the application criteria set out by the NSW Government and the Department of Home Affairs.
**All refunds are at the discretion of RDA Sydney or at the direction of the NSW Government.