One of the ways for skilled international students to approach permanent residency in Australia is by securing a skilled work regional (Provisional) visa or the 491 visa. There are two types of skilled work regional (Provisional) visa, one is for the Main applicant and the other is for a Subsequent entrant. As the name suggests the main applicant is a skilled worker who wants to live and work in regional Australia and the latter is a member of the family unit of someone who holds a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
So, this visa allows skilled workers as well as their family members to reside in the regional areas of Australia to study, live and work. 491 visa holders can apply for a PR after three years from the visa grant date. Read More