The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191) is the permanent step after holding an eligible Subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years, having complied with its conditions. Unlike most skilled visas, this one isn't points-based, and — unlike what's sometimes assumed — there's no minimum income requirement either. Instead, you need to provide ATO Notices of Assessment for 3 of the 5 income years of your eligible visa, whatever your income level was. As of 1 July 2026 the visa application charge is from AUD 630.00, with a concession available to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens. The critical documents are those proving you actually held and complied with the eligible visa for the required period, not a single certificate that settles the question by itself.
Prior regional visa evidence
- Your Subclass 491 or 494 visa grant letter
- A VEVO visa history printout confirming your visa status and history
Regional residence evidence (3 years)
You need to prove you lived in a designated regional area for the required period while holding your provisional visa. This is assessed across multiple document types spanning the full period — one document type alone is usually not sufficient.
- Lease agreements or mortgage statements showing your regional address across the period
- Utility bills at your regional address
- Official correspondence at your regional address, if available (rates notices, government mail)
Regional employment evidence (3 years)
- Employment reference letters from your regional employer(s), confirming role and location
- Payslips covering the full 3-year period
- Superannuation statements, if available, as supporting evidence of ongoing employment
Tax evidence
There's no minimum income requirement for this visa — you don't need to earn above any threshold. What you do need is documented proof of your income for 3 of the 5 income years of your eligible visa, submitted as ATO Notices of Assessment, regardless of what those figures show.
- ATO Notices of Assessment covering 3 of the 5 income years of your eligible visa
- Individual tax returns, if requested in addition to the ATO notices
Identity documents
- Passport bio-data page
- Birth certificate
- Change of name document, if applicable
Health and character
- Health examination, generally required again if more than 12 months have passed since your last one
- Police clearance certificates, generally required again if more than 12 months have passed since your last ones
- Form 80 — Personal Particulars
- Evidence that any debt owed to the Australian Government (by you or any family member, whether or not they're applying with you) has been repaid or an arrangement made to repay it
Australian values statement
If you're 16 or older, you need to have read (or had explained to you) the Department's Life in Australia booklet and sign an Australian Values Statement confirming you'll respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws. Family members aged 16 or older applying with you need to do the same.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Having gaps in regional address evidence — a missed utility bill period or an address change not reflected in official correspondence
- Relying on only one type of residence evidence instead of layering lease, utility, and correspondence evidence together
- Missing an income year's Notice of Assessment, especially after a job change mid-period
- Assuming there's an income threshold to meet — there isn't, but the ATO Notices of Assessment still need to be provided
- Letting a health examination or police clearance lapse past 12 months without checking whether a new one is required
Frequently asked questions
Does time on a bridging visa count toward the 3 years?
Generally the 3-year period relates to time held on the qualifying provisional visa (491 or 494) specifically. Check current Department guidance for how any bridging visa periods are treated in your specific circumstances rather than assuming they count automatically.
What if I moved between regional areas during the 3 years?
Moving between different designated regional areas is generally fine, provided each address qualifies as regional at the time and you can evidence the full period across both locations. Keep documentation for each address rather than only your most recent one.
Start gathering your regional evidence well before the 3-year mark rather than reconstructing it afterwards. Gaps in documentation — a missing payslip period, an address change that wasn't updated with utilities — can delay or complicate the application. Update your records every 6 months so nothing is missing when you're ready to lodge.