Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 487)
The department is not accepting any new applications for this visa.
The following information applies to you, if you lodged an application for this visa subclass on or before 31 December 2012.
If you are interested in the Points Tested skilled migration you must use SkillSelect to submit an Expression of Interest for a skilled visa. You are able to submit an Expression of Interest from anywhere in the world.
See: SkillSelect
If you are a provisional visa holder and you want to apply for a second provisional visa or add a family member to your application you may be eligible to apply for the Skilled Regional (Provisional) subclass 489 visa.
See: Skilled – Nominated or sponsored (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa
About this Visa
This visa is a three year provisional visa for overseas students and certain visa holders who are unable to meet the criteria for a permanent skilled visa. You will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after you have lived for two years, and worked at least 12 months, in a Specified Regional Area of Australia.
See: Specified regional areas
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 the skills and attributes in the Australian labour market.
Who is this visa for?
This visa is for you if you are in Australia and you are one of the following:
- an overseas student or former overseas student
- a holder of a Skilled – Graduate visa (subclass 485) or a Skilled – Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476)
- a holder of a Trade Skills Training visa (subclass 471)
- a holder of a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
- a holder of an Occupational Trainee visa (subclass 442).
This visa is also for existing holders of a provisional skilled visa who have abided by the conditions on their visa and who need further time to meet the residence and/or employment criteria to apply for a permanent visa.
See: Existing provisional visa holders
You must:
- be under 50 years of age
- have competent 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 of high value to the Australian labour market.
See: Skilled Occupation List
How much does this visa cost?
You must pay the relevant visa application charge when you lodge your visa application.
See: Visa Charges ( 84KB PDF file)
What does this visa let me do?
This visa:
- allows you to remain in Australia for up to three 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.
See: Pathways to permanent residency