Small business owners (SBO) in regional Queensland
This pathway has enabled small business owners in regional Queensland to be nominated for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
Who is this pathway for?
If you are a migrant currently living and operating a small business in regional Queensland, that you started before 19 September 2025, this pathway may provide you an option for Queensland nomination.
Pathway 1 – Business purchase
Business Purchase pathway has now been closed.
Pathway 2 – Business start-up
To be eligible for this pathway, you must have started your own business and have continuously run that business for a minimum of 2 years.
Only submit your Registration of Interest (ROI) once your business is generating a profit and has a turnover of at least $200,000 in the 12 months prior to submitting.
Business start date
Business start date is the date the SBO business was first registered.
Businesses started after 19 September 2025
If your business was started after 19 September 2025, you are not eligible to apply for Queensland nomination under this pathway.
Businesses started between 1 June 2024 and 19 September 2025
Your business may be located in any subclass 491 eligible Queensland regional postcode.
You must submit your 491 SBO Registration of Interest (ROI) before 30 April 2027. If you started your business between 1 May 2025 and 19 September 2025 and cannot meet the requirement to operate your business for at least two years before submitting your ROI (by 30 April 2027), you will be given an exemption for the 2 years of operation requirement. You will still be required to be generating a profit and have a minimum turnover of $200,000 in the 12 months prior to submitting your ROI.
ROIs submitted after 30 April 2027 will not be eligible for Queensland nomination under this pathway.
Businesses started before 1 June 2024 are no longer eligible for this pathway.
Are you eligible?
To be considered for Queensland nomination, you must meet the eligibility criteria of both the Australian Department of Home Affairs and Migration Queensland.
Australian Government visa eligibility
Migration Queensland may nominate eligible applicants for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). Detailed eligibility requirements for this visa subclass are available on the Department of Home Affairs website:
Migration Queensland nomination eligibility
You may submit an ROI for Queensland nomination for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). You can only have one valid ROI at a time. Once submitted, an ROI cannot be updated. If your circumstances change or you need to amend information, you need to submit a new ROI. If you submit multiple ROIs, only your most recent ROI will be considered.
Migration Queensland’s nomination eligibility criteria are listed in the table below.
Requirement | Eligibility |
|---|---|
Occupation | Have an occupation on the Legislative Instrument 19/051 (LIN19/051). Your occupation does not have to be on the Queensland onshore skilled occupation list. |
Living in regional Queensland | Have evidence that you are living in an eligible regional Queensland postcode, including: 4019–4022, 4025, 4037, 4074, 4076–4078, 4124–4125, 4133, 4183–4184, 4207–4275, 4280–4287, 4300–4301, 4303–4498, 4500–4512, 4514–4519, 4521, 4550–4575, 4580–4895. |
Location of business | Own and operate your business in an eligible regional Queensland postcode. |
Ownership interest | Have evidence you own 100% of the business since it was started, or that the business is jointly owned with your spouse or de facto partner. Joint ownership with a business partner who is not your spouse or de facto partner is not accepted. |
Operation of business and turnover | Have evidence of operating a profitable start-up for a minimum of 2 years, with a turnover of $200,000 in the 12 months prior to submitting your 491 SBO Registration of Interest. |
Important notes for the 491 SBO pathway:
- Your business cannot be relocated or sold without first receiving approval from Migration Queensland. This applies after nomination, before visa grant, and after visa grant. Migration Queensland reserves the right to withdraw your state nomination if you do not follow this requirement.
- You must continue to operate your business until at least 3 years after the date your 491 visa is granted. Migration Queensland may monitor your business operation to ensure this condition is met.
- If you are considering starting a franchise business, you must have the approval of the Master Franchise (franchisor). The franchise must also be a new franchise for the postcode and must not already be operating in that location.
Businesses not accepted under the 491 SBO pathway include:
- Multiple businesses operating under the one ABN with combined financials/BAS. These businesses do not meet the requirements for this pathway.
- Passive investments (i.e. management rights).
- Home-based businesses (including those with virtual offices).
- Commission agents or leasing agents of franchises (such as petrol stations).
- Daigou businesses.
Nomination and approval
Correctly applying for nomination does not guarantee you will receive a Queensland nomination or be granted an Australian visa. Nomination is granted at the discretion of the State of Queensland.
Please note that approval of a Queensland nomination does not guarantee a successful visa outcome. All visa applications are assessed and decided by the Department of Home Affairs, which is responsible for determining whether applicants meet the relevant visa requirements.
Eligibility for Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191)
After holding a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) for at least 3 years, you may be eligible to apply for Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191). To be eligible, you must meet the requirements set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. These may include:
- Provide notices of assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for 3 income years out of 5 years of your eligible visa.
- Have complied with the conditions of the regional provisional visa, including that the holder and any dependants must live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia.
Please refer to the Home Affairs website for full eligibility criteria.
It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the conditions of the subclass 491 visa and the requirements for any future subclass 191 visa application.
Queensland nomination and the grant of a subclass 491 visa do not guarantee that you will meet the requirements for, or be granted, a subclass 191 visa. All subclass 191 visa applications are assessed and decided by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Document checklist
If you are invited to apply for Queensland nomination under the 491 Small Business Owners (SBO) pathway in Regional Queensland, you will be required to provide evidence supporting the claims made in your application within 14 calendar days of receiving your invitation.
Forms and personal identification documents
Please provide a high-quality colour scan of your passport bio page.
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The passport number must match the passport number provided in your ROI.
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If your passport has been renewed since submitting your ROI, provide both the old and new passport bio pages.
Please provide a valid skills assessment for your nominated occupation.
Some occupations must provide evidence of registration instead. Medical professionals and some allied health workers should provide evidence of current registration, such as registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Solicitors should provide a Certificate of Admission.
Please provide one of the following documents showing your name and current Queensland residential address:
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Residential lease agreement
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Utility bill (such as an electricity or water bill) issued within the last three months
Bank statements, phone bills and internet bills are not accepted.
If you cannot provide one of the documents listed above, please provide a Commonwealth statutory declaration made by the applicant confirming:
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your current residential address;
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the date you commenced residing at that address; and
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the reason you are unable to provide an accepted form of evidence of residential address.
Business evidence
Register your interest in Queensland nomination
If you meet the eligibility requirements and can provide the required supporting documents, you can register your interest in Queensland nomination.