This is a worked case study for a Fruit or Nut Grower migrating to Australia. We track the two open pathways — Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional → Subclass 191 PR, and Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional → 191 PR — month by month, with verified Home Affairs fees.
The case profile
Anonymised composite based on real engagements.
- Candidate: 38, bachelor in horticulture, 12 years orchard management experience in South Africa
- Family: Spouse + two children under 18
- Target region: Goulburn Valley (VIC pome and stone fruit), Riverland (SA citrus and almonds), or Tamar Valley (TAS apples and cherries)
- Pathway A: 491 with state nomination → 191 PR after 3 years
- Pathway B: 494 with a regional orchard operator → 191 PR after 3 years
Both pathways viable. All major Australian fruit and nut producing regions sit in regional postcodes — the entire industry qualifies for 491 and 494 channels.
Pathway A — Subclass 491 → 191
Month-by-month timeline
Months 0-3: VETASSESS skills assessment lodged with full evidence pack. Cost: AUD 1,096 (offshore standard).
Months 3-6: Skills assessment outcome received. EOI lodged in SkillSelect. State nomination application to Live in Melbourne, Move to South Australia, or Migration Tasmania.
Months 6-9: State nomination granted. Subclass 491 visa application lodged with family.
Months 9-15: 491 grant typically arrives 6 to 12 months from lodgement. Verify the current band on the global visa processing times.
Months 15-51: Family relocates to the chosen orchard region, candidate starts work. Three years of regional residence and work begin.
Months 51-54: Subclass 191 PR application lodged after meeting the income threshold continuously.
Months 54-60: 191 PR grant.
Total wall-clock time: ~60 months from start to PR.
Fees (primary + spouse + 2 children)
| Item | AUD |
|---|---|
| VETASSESS assessment | 1,096 |
| 491 primary applicant base charge | 4,890 |
| Additional applicant 18+ (spouse) | 2,445 |
| Additional applicant under 18 (per child × 2) | 2,450 |
| State nomination fee (varies) | 200-800 |
| Health examinations (4 people) | 600 |
| Police clearances | 200 |
| English test | 400 |
| 191 visa fees (family of 4) | 1,210 |
| Total applicant-side | ~13,491 - 14,091 |
No employer SAF levy applies to the 491 channel. Decisive factor: living in regional Australia continuously and meeting the income threshold for three years.
Pathway B — Subclass 494 → 191
Month-by-month timeline
Months 0-3: VETASSESS skills assessment lodged in parallel with the employer's sponsorship preparation.
Months 0-3: Employer applies for or refreshes Standard Business Sponsorship.
Months 3-6: Employer lodges nomination citing ANZSCO 121213 in a regional postcode. Candidate lodges 494 visa application.
Months 6-12: 494 grant typically arrives 6 to 12 months. Family relocates.
Months 12-48: Three years of regional work meeting the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold.
Months 48-54: Subclass 191 PR application lodged.
Months 54-60: 191 PR grant.
Total wall-clock time: ~60 months from start to PR.
Fees (primary + spouse + 2 children)
| Item | AUD |
|---|---|
| VETASSESS assessment | 1,096 |
| 494 primary applicant base charge | 5,180 |
| Additional applicant 18+ (spouse) | 2,590 |
| Additional applicant under 18 (per child × 2) | 2,590 |
| Health examinations (4 people) | 600 |
| Police clearances | 200 |
| English test | 400 |
| 191 visa fees (family of 4) | 1,210 |
| Total applicant-side | ~13,866 |
Employer carries the SAF levy — large business AUD 5,000/year on 494 (so AUD 25,000 on a 5-year nomination). Small business pays AUD 1,200/year (AUD 6,000 on 5 years).
Side-by-side
| Path | Applicant cost | Employer cost | Wall-clock to PR | VETASSESS required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 491 → 191 (state nominated) | AUD ~13,500 | AUD 0 | ~60 months | Yes |
| 494 → 191 (employer sponsored) | AUD ~13,866 | AUD 25,000+ | ~60 months | Yes |
For deeper visa-by-visa coverage see the Fruit or Nut Grower pathway guide and the VETASSESS skills assessment guide.
Things that frequently surprise people
Regional residence is strict for both pathways. You and all visa-holding family members must live in a regional postcode for the full three years before 191 conversion. Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are the only excluded zones.
SAF levy is non-refundable. If the visa is refused or the employee leaves early, the employer cannot recover the SAF money.
Health examinations expire after 12 months. If your visa takes longer than 12 months to grant, expect to redo them.
Tax residency starts on arrival. The Australian tax year runs 1 July to 30 June. See ATO residency rules before signing.
MARA registration is mandatory for paid migration assistance. Verify any agent at the MARA register.
Tools
- Visa fee calculator — model your specific stream + dependants
- Document checklist — for the VETASSESS and visa stages
- ANZSCO search — confirm 121213 is the right code
- Eligibility wizard — quick scan of options
- Invitation rounds tracker — for state nomination round context
Where to verify the numbers
Next step
Want to model the cost and timeline against your specific offer and target orchard region? Book a 30-minute free strategy call. We will walk through your VETASSESS readiness, the employer's sponsorship status, and a working timeline.