About this visa

This visa is a three (3) year provisional visa for skilled workers who are unable to meet the criteria for a Skilled - Independent visa. You will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after you have lived for two (2) years and worked at least 12 months in a Specified Regional Area of Australia.

This visa requires you to be either:

• nominated by a participating State or Territory government agency, or
• sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia.

This visa uses a points test to select visa applicants with characteristics needed in the Australian labour market.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for you if you are:

• outside Australia, or
• a New Zealand citizen who holds a Special Category visa (subclass 444)

You must:

• be under 50 years of age
• have good English language skills
• have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

The SOL is a list of skilled occupations that are in need in Australia. Each occupation listed on the SOL is allocated a points value for use in the visa assessment process.

How much does this visa cost?

You must pay the relevant visa application charge when you lodge your visa application.

What does this visa let me do?

This visa:

• allows you to remain in Australia for up to three (3) years and requires you to live and work in a Specified Regional Area in Australia
• allows accompanying secondary applicants to work and study, but only in a Specified Regional Area of Australia
• provides a pathway to permanent residence.
• This visa allows you to live and work or study in a Specified Regional Area in Australia for up to three (3) years.

Social security

In general, as a temporary visa holder you will not qualify for Australian social security payments. You will only be eligible for limited JobSearch assistance to find employment after your arrival. It is very important that you understand that you should have enough money to support yourself (and your dependants) until you are able to gain employment.

Medicare

Generally temporary visa holders do not have access to Medicare. Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa holders from countries with which Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement will have restricted access to Medicare. People without access to Medicare are responsible for all health costs incurred in Australia. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you arrange suitable private health insurance. You may be able to lodge your application for private health insurance before you arrive in Australia. However, you should also be aware that health funds impose a waiting period before a contributor is eligible for some health fund benefits and pre–existing health conditions may not be covered.