Queensland 491 SBO Visa 2025–26: Updated Criteria, Deadlines & Eligibility

📌Published by Nationwide Migration & Education
👩‍💼Led by Registered Migration Agent Suman Dua (MARN: 1800859)

The Small Business Owner (SBO) stream under Queensland’s Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) continues to offer a practical and rewarding route to permanent residency for migrants who invest in regional businesses. But for 2025–26, there are strict new rules and deadlines you need to know — especially if you're thinking of buying or starting a business soon.

📌 Section 1: Department of Home Affairs (DHA) – Baseline Requirements

Before applying through Migration Queensland, you must first meet the basic Subclass 491 visa criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs:

• Be under 45 years of age

• Have at least 65 points, including state nomination points

• Have Competent English

• Hold a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation

👥 Section 2: Who Can Apply for the SBO Pathway?

This pathway is designed for migrants who are already living in regional Queensland and who started or purchased their business before 19 September 2025.

To be eligible, you must:

• Reside and operate in regional Queensland

• Hold 100% ownership of the business

• Meet all other SBO program requirements before submitting your Registration of Interest (ROI)

❗ Businesses purchased or started after 19 September 2025 are not eligible for the SBO program.

📋 Section 3: Common Criteria Across Both Pathways

Whether you start a business or purchase one, these rules apply to all SBO applicants:

• Your occupation must be on LIN 19/051

• You and your dependents must live, work, and study in eligible regional QLD postcodes

• The business must not be:

  • Home-based

  • A commission agency

  • A passive investment

  • A daigou (personal shopper/export) operation

• No vendor financing allowed and businesses cannot be bought from family members

• You must continue to run the business for at least 3 years after your 491 visa is granted

🛒 Section 4: Pathway 1 – Business Purchase

For those who purchased an existing business before 19 September 2025:

✅ Key Requirements:

• Minimum purchase price: $100,000

• Business must have operated in the same location for at least 2 years before purchase

• You must have operated the business for 6 months after settlement

• Submit 2 full quarterly BAS reports

• Employ at least:

  • 1 Australian resident for 20 hrs/week, or

  • 2 residents for 10 hrs/week each

  • Employees must not be family or subcontractors

📅 Submission Deadlines:

• Purchased between 14 Sept 2024 – 19 Sept 2025:

  • Must settle by 30 Sept 2025

  • Submit ROI by 30 May 2026

• Purchased before 14 Sept 2024:

  • Submit ROI by 31 Dec 2025 (if settled before July 2024),

  • Or within 18 months of settlement

🚀 Section 5: Pathway 2 – Business Start-up

For those who started their own business before 19 September 2025:

✅ Key Requirements:

• Business must have been operating for at least 2 years

• In the 12 months before ROI submission:

  • Must show profitability

  • Must have minimum turnover of $200,000

• Must be located in an eligible regional postcode

📅 Submission Deadlines:

• Businesses started 1 June 2024 – 19 Sept 2025:
  Submit ROI by 30 April 2027

• Started before 1 June 2024:
  Submit ROI by 30 May 2026

⚠️ Exemptions to the 2-year operation rule may apply if you started your business just before the deadline — but you still need to meet the turnover and profitability criteria.

🧾 Section 6: Summary – What You Need to Remember

🤝 Section 7: Need Help with Your 491 SBO Stream Application?

The Queensland SBO stream is a fantastic opportunity for migrants committed to building their future in regional communities. However, navigating the timeline, paperwork, and eligibility rules can be overwhelming.

💬 At Nationwide Migration and Education, we specialise in helping migrants and business owners successfully secure nominations under the 491 SBO stream. We’ll review your case, confirm your eligibility, and support you every step of the way.

📥 Book your consultation now and let’s secure your future together. https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/PFWPxsDv6jasVyJH5tJB

⚠️Disclaimer

Visa rules and eligibility criteria are subject to change. This blog is intended as general guidance only. For personalised advice based on your individual circumstances, please book a consultation with our Registered Migration Agent (MARN: 1800859).