Subclass 189
PR granted. Any occupation, anywhere in Australia. No ongoing occupation requirement. Complete flexibility.
189 · 190 · 491 · Post-Grant Flexibility
Can you change occupations after your skilled visa is granted?
Our skilled team Gurjeev Bhalla, Sourabh Aggarwal, and Pragya Gautam advises on post-grant flexibility across 190, 491, and 186. Mostly yes. Skilled independent and permanent visas give substantial career flexibility once granted. Regional and state-nominated visas can have commitments worth knowing. Here is the actual picture.
By visa type
Four different answers.
Post-grant flexibility varies by visa type. The 189 is most flexible; the 491 has the most structured commitments.
Subclass 190
PR granted. State nomination included a commitment to live/work in the state, but no enforcement mechanism. Most 190 holders stay; some move.
Subclass 491
Provisional visa with regional living and working requirement. Occupation flexibility within regional area. Stay regional to keep pathway to 191 PR.
Subclass 186
PR granted. Full flexibility. Can leave the sponsor that nominated and take any role.
190 state commitment
Moral but not legal.
The 190 state commitment is often misunderstood.
No legal enforcementThe Department cannot cancel a 190 visa for moving states. PR is PR.
State expectationsStates expect applicants to stay 2+ years. Breach of expectation can affect future state sponsorship.
Sponsor integrity concernsIf you apply for another state visa later, early departure from the nominating state can be raised.
Practical implicationsNo specific penalty for moving but community and state communication implications.
491 regional obligation
Legal requirement for PR pathway.
491 is different: regional living and working is genuinely required.
Live in designated regional area
Must live in designated regional area throughout. Moving to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne metro breaches.
Work in regional area
Work location must be regional. Remote work for metro employer from regional area is a boundary case.
Occupation within visa
Occupation generally flexible within regional area. Career change does not by itself affect the visa.
189 holders have the most flexibility of all skilled visas.
Once a 189 is granted, the holder is treated as a permanent resident with no ongoing skilled migration obligations. Career change, location change, and industry change are all unlimited. The skilled visa was the entry point; post-grant life is fully flexible.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For post-grant career planning, book with Gurjeev Bhalla.
Can my employer require me to stay in my nominated occupation?
Only through employment contract terms. Migration law generally does not require it for PR visas.
Does moving states within 2 years of 190 cause problems?
No legal issue. Community and future state sponsorship implications possible.
Can I change occupations if my 491 conditions allow it?
Yes within the regional area. Your work must still be in regional Australia.
Does changing occupation affect 191 eligibility?
The 191 income test applies regardless of occupation. Keep income above threshold and regional residence.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.