Applying for a 491 Visa Nomination

Please be advised that RDA Murray is not receiving any new 491 Visa applications as it has reached its assigned allocation.

You may refer to the NSW Government website to identify alternate NSW regional options.

RDA Murray does not send messages by WhatsApp and will not contact you via SMS texts to your phone.

 If you receive a text or WhatsApp message that looks like it is from RDA Murray please:

  • be careful

  • do not click on any links

  • do not reply to a text, email or WhatsApp request for further information.

If you have made a payment to RDA Hunter do not make another payment.

Please report any dubious contact to RDA Murray

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) allows skilled migrants to live, study and work in a designated regional area for a period of 5 years.

Regional Development Australia (RDA) offices across NSW assist the NSW government in assessing nomination applications for the 491 visa.

The Federal Government retains ultimate responsibility for Australia's migration program, including the allocation of available places across program streams and making decisions on visa applications

Nomination Pathways

There are now 2 distinct pathways (updated 9 Dec 2022)

  1. Pathway 1 has 2 streams administered by the RDAs:
  • Stream B - My skills are required in regional NSW – Using the NSW Government skills list
  1. Pathway 2 – Is the NSW Government Invitation Only Pathway

Information regarding these pathways are outlined on the NSW Regional Skilled Migration webpage.

Common Questions

Answers to common questions about skilled visas are also available. 

Alternative Migration Pathways

NSW nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is just one of a number of visa options for prospective skilled migrants. There are a range of visas offered by Home Affairs, including both temporary and permanent employer nominated visas. You may also wish to seek advice from a registered migration agent

How to Apply

Step One: Complete Application, Make Payment and Submit Documentation

Apply online by going to the NSW 491 Application webpage.

At this site you will complete the application form and be asked to provide relevant documentation that addresses your EOI claims.  This documentation should be provided in Zip File Format. As part of this process, you will be asked which RDA you are applying for, you can only apply for one RDA Region.

Assessment Fee Payment Instructions

Payment to your chosen RDA must be made immediately prior to lodging your application with them. Evidence and receipt of such payment must be included in your zip-files at the time you submit your application to the relevant RDA.

We will not commence assessment of your application until your payment can be verified.

Our assessment fees are:
Skilled Regional State Nominated (491 visa): AUD $800.00 including GST

Note that payment for your application assessment fee does not guarantee a positive outcome for your application

Payments to RDA Murray can be made by direct debit/EFT/Bank Transfer to:

Account Name: RDA Murray

BSB: 082 406

Account: 16 012 5208

Reference: 491 Your name

BIC/SWIFT: NATAAU33XXX

Step Two: Get to Know Your Region

As the region that is supporting you and providing you with the opportunity to gain a 491 visa and potentially permanent residency, we expect you to genuinely commit to the Murray region by living and working here and to make a positive contribution to our communities. 

Therefore, it is important that you get to know the Murray region, and research whether the work and lifestyle opportunities it provides are suitable for you and any dependents you may have.  RDA Murray have many resources on our website to help you learn about our region.

Step 3: RDA Confirmation of Receipt of Documentation

The application and Zip file will be forwarded to your nominated RDA.

RDA Murray will send a confirmation email of receipt of documentation.

Step 4: RDA Assessment Process

Applications will be processed in the order in which complete applications are received and will be completed within 8 weeks.

Once we have assessed your application, we will be in contact with you to request further information if required documents were not included in your application submission or to advise you on the outcome of your application.

Step 5: Await Outcome of your Application

Once we have referred your application to the NSW Government for nomination, it will take up to 5 working days (Monday to Friday, and excluding NSW public holidays) for the nomination to be processed and you will receive an invitation to apply from SkillSelect.

Data Collection Notice

The personal information you provide to RDA Murray is subject to the Privacy & Personal Information Act 1998. It is being collected by RDA Murray and will be used for the purposes related to NSW nomination under the NSW Business and Skilled Migration Program.

RDA Murray may share the personal information provided by you in connection with your application for nomination with the NSW Government, the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs and RDA Sydney for the purposes of verification and processing of your nomination and subsequent visa application. RDA Murray will not disclose your personal information to anybody else unless authorised by law. The provision of your personal information is required to be supplied for the purposes of assessing your eligibility for NSW nomination for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). If you choose not to provide any requested personal information, we may not be able to assess your application for nomination.

You have the right to request access to, and correct the details of, your personal information held by us. For further information concerning the management, storage, and privacy of your information, please refer to the NSW Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade website. 

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) - RDA Murray Refund Statement

There are limited circumstances under which RDA Murray will refund an applicant their application fee, for the Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) Program, these circumstances include:

  1. Applicant turns 45 years of age during assessment process:
    1. The applicant has paid the application fee of $800 (incl. GST) and supplied proof of payment to RDA Murray, and
    2. The applicant turns 45 years of age during the assessment process being conducted by RDA Murray, and
    3. Accordingly, RDAMurray is obliged to cease its assessment, deem the application unsuccessful and refuse nomination,
  1. Clerical billing error:
    1. RDA Murray discovers, or it is brought to the attention of RDA Murray that a clerical error in its billing system has occurred, and
    2. Accordingly, where an applicant has been invoiced incorrectly and therefore made payment to RDA Murray for an amount that is considered to be incorrect.

The above circumstances are the only circumstances in which RDA Murray will refund an applicant their application fee or part thereof.  All permitted refunds will be returned to applicants in the manner in which the original payment was made and to the same corresponding bank account.  

*Note: Under no circumstances are refunds available to applicants for having a change of mind concerning the Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) Program or being materially non-compliant with the application criteria set out by the NSW Government and the Department of Home Affairs.

**All refunds are at the discretion of RDA Murray or at the direction of the NSW Government.