If you have received a NSW subclass 491 grant (through RDA Sydney), you are generally required to live, work, and study within any of the Designated Regional Areas (DRA) of New South Wales. You may move between regional areas within NSW (such as Newcastle, Central Coast, Wollongong, or other DRA postcodes in NSW), but not to designated regional areas in other states unless you obtain permission or re-nomination from a different state government.
Key Points on Regional Movement
The 491 visa is designed to encourage skilled migrants to settle in specific regional areas nominated by the state or territory that sponsored them. For NSW 491 holders, your obligation is to remain within NSW's designated regional postcodes throughout your provisional residency period.
You may move freely between different eligible regional cities or towns within New South Wales, as long as you inform authorities of any change in address and continue to meet visa conditions regarding residence and employment.
Relocating to a designated regional area in another state (for example, moving from regional NSW to regional Victoria or Queensland) is not permitted without a formal release or re-nomination, which is typically difficult to obtain. Your visa nomination binds you to the state that sponsored you until you become eligible for permanent residency.
Compliance and Obligations
- Always update your residential and work address with the Department of Home Affairs whenever you move within NSW.
- Maintain clear records of residence and employment in designated regional postcodes for future permanent residency application requirements.
- Moving outside NSW regional boundaries without approval can affect your visa compliance and potentially your eligibility for permanent settlement.
In summary, NSW 491 regional visa holders must reside and work in regional NSW only and cannot move to a designated regional area in another state unless exceptional circumstances or permissions apply. Movement within NSW regional areas is permitted and commonly practiced.
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