Apiarist — Subclass 491 Pathway
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa · 5 years provisional → PR pathway via Subclass 191
At a glance
- Visa
- Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
- Points test
- Yes — points-tested via SkillSelect
- Sponsor
- State nomination or eligible family sponsor
- Eligibility list
- MLTSSLSTSOLROLCSOL
- Base fee
- from $4,640 (check immi.gov.au for current fee)
- Processing time
- ~8-15 months (median)
Skills assessment for this occupation
Assessing Apiarist for migration purposes is handled by: VETASSESS.
Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority — refer to the occupation page for the body that assesses it.
Apiarist × Subclass 491 — pathway overview
Apiarists (ANZSCO 121311) qualify for the Subclass 491 visa as they appear on the Regional Occupation List (ROL), which is specifically designed for this visa subclass. This occupation focuses on the management and operation of bee colonies for honey and other products. The Subclass 491 visa operates as a points-tested pathway requiring state sponsorship or nomination by an eligible regional family sponsor. Applicants must accumulate sufficient points through factors including age, English language proficiency, work experience, and qualifications. A positive skill assessment is mandatory for this occupation. The relevant skill assessment body for apiarists is the Australian Institute of Horticulture. Applicants typically need to demonstrate competency in bee management, hive maintenance, honey extraction, and pest control. English language requirements must be met at the specified threshold level. The visa requires applicants to work in a designated regional area for the sponsoring state. Successful applicants commit to residing and working in regional Australia for the visa period, contributing to local agricultural communities. For advice tailored to your individual circumstances, always consult a registered MARA migration agent.2026-06-26T10:18:49.818Z
Content last generated: 2026-06-26
Key requirements
High-level criteria for Subclass 491. Verify every requirement on immi.gov.au before applying.
- Under 45 years of age at invitation
- Competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
- Positive skills assessment in a nominated occupation
- State/territory nomination OR eligible regional family sponsor
- Live, work, and study only in a designated regional area
- Health and character requirements
Other visa pathways for Apiarist
- 186Details →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 190Details →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 482Details →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 494Details →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations for Apiarist
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.