Form 80 for 491 Visa Applicants

Applicants for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa — subclass 491 — may be required to complete Form 80 as part of the character assessment component of their application. This guide explains what to prepare.

Is Form 80 required for the 491 visa?

Form 80 is not automatically required for all 491 visa applicants. The Department of Home Affairs requests it based on individual circumstances. Common triggers include:

• Having lived in certain countries for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
• Having a criminal history in any country
• Previous visa refusals or cancellations
• A case officer request during processing

Check your ImmiAccount dashboard or correspondence from the Department to see whether Form 80 has been requested for your 491 application.

Useful preparation areas for 491 applicants

For 491 visa applicants, the sections of Form 80 that are typically most substantial are:

Addresses and residential history

Part F requires all residential addresses since age 16 with no gaps. For skilled migrants who have lived in multiple countries — including Australia on a previous visa — this section requires careful attention to ensure dates and addresses are complete and consistent.

Work history

Part K requires a complete employment history covering all roles, self-employment, and gaps (unemployment, study, travel between countries). For skilled visa applicants, this must be consistent with the work experience you have nominated in your Expression of Interest and any skills assessment you have provided.

Travel history

Part I requires all international travel over the past 10 years — including travel between your home country and Australia and any other countries visited. See the Form 80 travel history guide for guidance on completing this section.

Criminal history

Part O requires disclosure of all criminal charges and convictions in any country, regardless of how minor or whether they are considered spent. See the Form 80 criminal history guide for what must be disclosed.

How to prepare

Use the Form 80 checklist to gather what you need before starting. Key items for 491 applicants:

• All current and expired passports
• Addresses since age 16 with move-in and move-out dates
• Employment history including employer names, addresses, and exact dates
• Travel history for the past 10 years
• Education records (secondary school onward)
• Details of any criminal history, even if minor or overseas