How this visa works
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This visa allows you to live and work or study in a Specified Regional Area in Australia for up to three (3) years.
See: Specified regional areas
This is a 'provisional' visa. After you have lived in a Specified Regional Area in Australia for at least two (2) years, and worked full time for periods totalling at least one (1) year, you can apply for permanent residence.
See: Pathways to permanent residency
Note: If you need more time to meet the residence and/or employment criteria for a permanent visa, you may be eligible to apply to extend your visa.
See: Existing Provisional Visa Holders
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–existng health conditions may not be covered.
See: Medicare
Sponsorship or nomination
To be eligible for this visa you must be either:
- nominated by a participating State or Territory government
or - sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia.
See: Eligibility
Points test
This visa has a points test designed to select visa applicants who have characteristics that will help them find a full time job in an occupation that matches their skills and is required in Australia.
See: What is the points test?
General Skilled Migration definitions
The following terms are used for General Skilled Migration visas.
See: General Skilled Migration definitions