Overview

With this visa you can:

stay in Australia for 4 years from the date the visa is granted
live, work and study in a specified region of Australia
travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid
apply for permanent residence, if eligible, through the Skilled—Regional (Residence) visa (subclass 887)

Specified Region

Applicants nominated by a State or Territory government agency

If a State or Territory government agency nominated you for this visa, and your visa was granted before 16 November 2019, you will need to live work and study only in a regional and low population growth metropolitan area. This applies to members of your family unit who are also holders of the visa.

If your visa was granted on or after 16 November 2019, you will need to live, work and study in a designated regional area.

Your nomination must not be withdrawn or you will not be granted the visa.

Applicants sponsored by an eligible relative

If an eligible relative sponsored you for this visa, you will need to live, work and study only in a specified area of Australia, even if your visa was granted after 16 November 2019. This applies to members of your family unit who are also holders of the visa.

This postcode list is different to the designated regional area postcode list that apply to regional visas from 16 November 2019.

The Minister must accept your sponsorship or you will not be granted the visa.

How long can you stay?

This is a temporary visa. You can stay in Australia for 4 years from the date the visa is granted.

Stay longer?

You can’t stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. Explore your visa options.

Include family

You can include members of the family unit in your application. You can:

include them when you submit your visa application
add a dependent child after you submit but before the decision on your visa application is made.

Cost

From AUD4,045 for the main applicant.

There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you.

To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account the second instalment or other costs.

You might have to pay an extra charge for any applicant 18 years old or older who has less than functional English. This charge is called the second instalment. Pay it only when you are asked to. You are asked for the charge only if the visa is to be granted.

The second instalment charge for family members is AUD4,890.

The Visa Pricing Estimator does not include the second instalment or other costs. You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.

Fast-tracking your application costs AUD1,000 in addition to the visa application charge.

Apply from

You can be in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance when you apply for the visa and when DoHA decides on your application.

If you apply in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a subclass 010 Bridging A visa, a subclass 020 Bridging B visa or a subclass 030 Bridging C visa, otherwise your application will not be valid.

Processing Times

Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances including:

whether you have lodged a complete application, including all necessary supporting documents
how quickly you respond to any requests for additional information
how long it takes to perform required checks on the supporting information provided
how long it takes to receive additional information from external agencies, particularly in relation to health, character, and national security requirements

Your obligations

You and your family must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws.

Health Insurance

We recommend you take out health insurance to cover any unforeseen medical treatment you might need in Australia. You are personally liable for all your healthcare costs while you are in Australia. Insurance can help limit your financial liability.

See what is considered adequate health insurance.
Learn more about health insurance for overseas visitors.

Travel

You can travel out of Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid.

The time you spend outside Australia does not extend the visa