The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494) allows regional employers to sponsor skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia.
The 494 visa is designed for applicants sponsored by an approved regional employer, where local skilled Australian workers are unavailable, and provides a direct and reliable pathway to supporting businesses and addressing labour shortages in regional Australia.
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The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) is a regional employer-sponsored visa that allows skilled overseas workers to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years.
This visa is designed to help regional Australian businesses address genuine skill shortages when suitably qualified Australian workers are not available. Under this visa, an approved Australian employer located in a designated regional area can nominate a skilled overseas worker for an eligible occupation.
The Subclass 494 visa includes three streams, with the Employer Sponsored stream being the most common pathway for skilled workers seeking regional employment opportunities in Australia. The Labour Agreement stream is for workers sponsored under a labour agreement. And the third Subsequent Entrant stream is for eligible family members of 494 visa holders.
Apply for Subclass 191 permanent residence after 3 years
Live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia
Eligible for Australia's public healthcare system upon visa grant
Include partners and children in the 494 visa application
Guaranteed job offer at a market-rate salary upon arrival
Unlimited trips to and from Australia for 5 years
Faster processing times compared to other skilled visas
| Feature | Employer Sponsored Stream | Labour Agreement Stream | Subsequent Entrant Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Skilled workers nominated by a regional employer unable to source an appropriately skilled Australian worker. | Skilled workers nominated by employers who hold a labour agreement with the Australian Government. | Family members of a primary 494 visa holder applying separately to join them in Australia. |
| Stay Duration | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
| Cost | From AUD 4,910.00 | From AUD 4,910.00 | From AUD 4,910.00 |
| Nominated Occupation | Must be on the relevant skilled occupation list. | Must be a specified occupation under the terms of the labour agreement. | Not applicable. |
| Work Experience | Minimum 3 years relevant experience in nominated occupation. | Minimum 3 years relevant experience in nominated occupation. | Not required. |
| Skills Assessment | Required, unless an exemption applies. | Required only if specified in the labour agreement. | Not required. |
| Work Restriction | Must work only for sponsor or associated entity, unless an exemption applies. | Must work only for sponsor. | Must live and work in designated regional areas only. |
| Age Requirement | Under 45 years of age, unless an exemption applies. | Under 45 years of age, unless the labour agreement states otherwise. | Under 45 years of age. |
| English Requirement | Must meet minimum English language proficiency standards. | Must meet minimum English language proficiency standards. | Must meet minimum English language proficiency standards. |
| What You Can Do | Live, work, and study in designated regional areas and travel to and from Australia. | Live, work, and study in designated regional areas and travel to and from Australia. | Join the primary visa holder and live in designated regional areas of Australia. |
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The Subclass 494 is a 5-year provisional visa that allows approved regional Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers when no suitable Australian worker is available. Holders must live and work in a designated regional area and can transition to Permanent Residency via Subclass 191 after 3 years.
Yes, you can apply for the 494 visa onshore (from within Australia) as long as you meet all eligibility requirements and hold a valid visa at the time of application. You must not be in Australia on a Bridging Visa B without return conditions or hold a visa with a no-further-stay condition.
You must be under 45, hold a positive skills assessment, have at least 3 years of full-time work experience in your nominated occupation, meet Competent English requirements, and be nominated by an approved employer in a designated regional area of Australia.
No - you must hold the 494 visa for a minimum of 3 years while living and working in a designated regional area and earn a taxable income of at least AUD 53,900 per year before you are eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 permanent residence visa.
The 494 visa is granted for up to 5 years with multiple-entry travel rights. It cannot be extended, but after 3 years of qualifying regional work you may apply for the Subclass 191 permanent residence visa.
Common refusal reasons include insufficient full-time work experience, a negative or invalid skills assessment, failing to meet Competent English, the nominated occupation not being on the skilled occupation list, the employer not meeting sponsorship obligations or labour market testing requirements, and failing health or character checks.
If your sponsoring employer ceases operations or withdraws your sponsorship, you will need to find a new approved regional employer to sponsor you and lodge a fresh nomination. You are allowed a grace period to make these arrangements before your visa conditions are breached, consulting a Registered Migration Agent immediately in this situation is strongly advised.
The 494 visa is a regional-only provisional visa requiring the applicant to live and work in a designated regional area, with a pathway to PR via Subclass 191. The 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa allows work anywhere in Australia, is not restricted to regional areas, has no direct PR pathway, and is available for shorter durations (2 or 4 years depending on the stream).
Yes, indirectly. The 494 visa leads to the Subclass 191 permanent residence visa after 3 years of qualifying regional work. Once you hold PR via Subclass 191, you can apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the standard residency requirement of 4 years in Australia, including at least 1 year as a permanent resident.
No - you must work only in your nominated occupation with your sponsoring employer for the duration of the 494 visa. If you wish to change your occupation, a new nomination must be lodged by an approved regional employer for the new role. Changing occupation without a valid nomination may result in a visa breach, so always consult a Registered Migration Agent before making any changes.
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