This is a worked case study for a Livestock Farmer NEC 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 animal science, 11 years alpaca and llama farm management experience in Peru running a 600-head fibre and breeding operation
- Family: Spouse + one child under 18
- Target region: VIC Western District, NSW Southern Tablelands, or TAS Midlands — temperate regions suited to camelid production
- Pathway A: 491 with state nomination → 191 PR after 3 years
- Pathway B: 494 with a regional camelid operator → 191 PR after 3 years
Niche-livestock operations 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 — explicitly naming the species. Cost: AUD 1,096 (offshore standard).
Months 3-6: Skills assessment outcome received. EOI lodged in SkillSelect. State nomination application to the chosen state.
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, 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 + 1 child)
| Item | AUD |
|---|---|
| VETASSESS assessment | 1,096 |
| 491 primary applicant base charge | 4,890 |
| Additional applicant 18+ (spouse) | 2,445 |
| Additional applicant under 18 (child × 1) | 1,225 |
| State nomination fee (varies) | 200-800 |
| Health examinations (3 people) | 450 |
| Police clearances | 200 |
| English test | 400 |
| 191 visa fees (family of 3) | 940 |
| Total applicant-side | ~11,846 - 12,446 |
No employer SAF levy applies to the 491 channel.
Pathway B — Subclass 494 → 191
Fees (primary + spouse + 1 child)
| Item | AUD |
|---|---|
| VETASSESS assessment | 1,096 |
| 494 primary applicant base charge | 5,180 |
| Additional applicant 18+ (spouse) | 2,590 |
| Additional applicant under 18 (child × 1) | 1,295 |
| Health examinations (3 people) | 450 |
| Police clearances | 200 |
| English test | 400 |
| 191 visa fees (family of 3) | 940 |
| Total applicant-side | ~12,151 |
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).
Total wall-clock time: ~60 months from start to PR.
Side-by-side
| Path | Applicant cost | Employer cost | Wall-clock to PR | VETASSESS required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 491 → 191 (state nominated) | AUD ~12,000 | AUD 0 | ~60 months | Yes |
| 494 → 191 (employer sponsored) | AUD ~12,151 | AUD 25,000+ | ~60 months | Yes |
For deeper visa-by-visa coverage see the Livestock Farmer NEC pathway guide and the VETASSESS skills assessment guide.
Things that frequently surprise people
Code selection matters. If your species has a dedicated 1213 code, use it instead of 121399. Specific codes typically result in cleaner assessments.
Special-species permits may apply. Crocodile, kangaroo, and other wildlife-derived production attract additional state and federal licensing. Reference letters should mention compliance with these regimes.
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.
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 121399 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 niche-livestock offer and target region? Book a 30-minute free strategy call. We will walk through your VETASSESS readiness, the employer's sponsorship status, and a working timeline.