Remote Work and Travel Now Clearer for 491, 494 and 489 Regional Visa Holders

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has released updated policy advice clarifying how Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa holders (subclass 491), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa holders (subclass 494), and Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa holders (subclass 489) can meet their regional living and work requirements.

The updated advice aims to resolve long-standing uncertainty around remote work, working for metropolitan or overseas employers, and travel outside designated regional areas (DRAs) in the course of employment.

1. Remote work from a regional area is generally compliant

The Department now recognises that remote work is a normal part of the Australian labour market. Visa holders living in a designated regional area who routinely perform their work duties from a location within that area can be compliant with Condition 8579 — even if their employer is based in a metropolitan area or overseas.

Compliance is met where:

• The visa holder lives at a residential address in a DRA, and

• Usually performs work duties from a location in a DRA (e.g., a home office), and

• If working for an overseas employer, remuneration is paid in Australia and income tax is payable in Australia.

2. “Frequently and routinely” replaces previous 60/90-day absence rules

Earlier internal policy guidelines referenced arbitrary timeframes (e.g., no more than 60 consecutive days or 90 total days outside the DRA). These have now been replaced with the more practical standard of whether work duties are performed “frequently and routinely” outside a regional area.

3. Transport industry workers receive specific exemptions

Transport workers (e.g., truck drivers or delivery drivers) may travel between regional and non-regional areas in the course of their duties, without breaching visa conditions, provided they live and primarily work in a DRA. This recognises the nature of transport roles where crossing regional boundaries is unavoidable.

4. Non-compliance occurs when work is routinely performed outside regional areas

The policy states visa holders will not meet Condition 8579 if:

• They live in a regional area but frequently and routinely perform work duties outside a DRA, or

• Their work duties are split between regional and metropolitan areas in a way that is regular and ongoing.

5. Evidence visa holders may need to show

To demonstrate compliance, visa holders may need to provide:

Proof of living in a DRA:

• Rental agreements or utilities,

• Mortgage or title documents,

• School or tertiary enrolment evidence.

Proof that work is performed within a DRA:

• Employment contracts,

• Payslips,

• ATO assessments,

• Employer support letters.

6. Common scenarios clarified

The Department confirms that visa holders are generally compliant when:

• Working from home in a DRA for a metropolitan-based employer,

• Working remotely for an overseas employer paying income into an Australian bank account,

• Changing employers (including to metropolitan or overseas employers) while continuing to live and work from a DRA.

However, weekly interstate travel for work may risk non-compliance if work duties are performed frequently outside the regional area.

7. Clearer pathway to permanent residency (subclass 191)

Compliance with regional residency and work requirements is essential for eligibility for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191). This update helps visa holders plan their pathway with greater certainty.

What This Means for Regional Visa Holders

✔ More flexibility — Remote work and non-local employers are acceptable if you live and work from a regional area.
✔ Modern work patterns recognised — Remote work is officially supported.
✔ Occasional travel is fine — Regular out-of-region work is not.
✔ Clearer PR pathway — Reduced risk of accidental breaches affecting subclass 191 eligibility.

Related VisaEnvoy Resources 

All links below work and contain no tracking / UTM parameters:

• 491 Visa (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional))
  https://visaenvoy.com/491-visa/

• 494 Visa (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional))
  https://visaenvoy.com/494-visa/

• 491 Visa Assessment
  https://visaenvoy.com/491-visa-assessment/

• 494 Visa — Labour Agreement Stream
  https://visaenvoy.com/494-visa/labour-agreement-stream/

• VisaEnvoy Home Page
  https://visaenvoy.com/

Need Help With Your Regional Visa?

VisaEnvoy can help assess your employment arrangement, confirm compliance with regional work conditions, and assist with your transition to permanent residency. Contact us for tailored advice.