Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494)

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) allows skilled workers to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years when sponsored by an approved employer to fill local skill shortages, with a pathway to permanent residence after 3 years.

Overview How to Apply

Duration

Temporary

Cost

AUD4,910.00

Processing Time

9-12 months

Pathway

Pathway to Permanent Residency

Overview

The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa helps regional Australian employers fill positions they cannot find suitable Australian workers for by sponsoring skilled migrants. This visa promotes regional development by directing skilled workers to designated regional areas outside metropolitan Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and other non-regional zones.

It includes the Employer Sponsored stream, Labour Agreement stream, and Subsequent Entrant option. Holders can live and work exclusively in regional Australia for up to 5 years and apply for permanent residence after 3 years (through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa). Eligible family members can also join the primary visa holder.

Do You Have What It Takes?

✔ You are nominated by an approved regional employer.
✔ Your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list.
✔ You hold a valid skills assessment in your nominated occupation.
✔ You are under 45 years of age (unless exempt).
✔ You meet English language requirements.

✔ You satisfy health and character checks.
✔ You meet the minimum income threshold (TSMIT).
✔ You intend to live and work only in a designated regional area.
✔ Your employer must be located in a regional area.
✔ You adhere to all sponsorship and visa conditions.

Why Choose This Path?

Live, work, and study in regional Australia for up to 5 years.
Bring eligible family members with you.
Access a pathway to permanent residence after 3 years.
Help support regional economic development.
Travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid.
Gain valuable Australian work experience.
Employers can fill genuine regional skill shortages.
Lower competition compared to metropolitan programs.
Opportunity to settle long-term in regional communities.
Qualify eventually for Medicare and citizenship after PR transition.

Your Roadmap to Success

Confirm your occupation is on the relevant regional skills list.
Secure nomination from an approved regional employer.
Undertake a skilled assessment for your nominated occupation.
Provide English test results meeting minimum thresholds.
Compile documents for identity, skills, and work history.
Employer lodges the nomination application.
Complete medicals and character checks.
Lodge visa application through ImmiAccount.
Pay the visa fee and submit supporting evidence.
Wait for the Department’s decision and follow regional visa conditions.

Visa Duration

Initial Duration

Temporary

Visa Pathways

Pathway to Permanent Residency

After living and working in regional Australia for at least three years on your Subclass 494 visa (or a combination of Subclass 491 and 494) and meeting the taxable income threshold for at least three of those years, you become eligible to apply for the Skilled Regional (Permanent) Visa Subclass 191. The Subclass 191 provides permanent residency with no expiry date, allowing you to live anywhere in Australia without regional restrictions.