Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa | Subclass 494
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) allows regional employers to address identified labour shortages by sponsoring skilled workers when an appropriately skilled Australian worker is unavailable. This 5-year provisional visa provides a secure pathway for you and your family to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia. The subclass 494 has two primary streams; the Employer Sponsored stream and the Labour Agreement stream however, there is a third attributed stream whereby family members of a subclass 494 visa holder can apply as “subsequent entrants” to join their family member in Australia who is already on a subclass 494 visa.
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa – At a Glance
| FEATURE | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Provisional Visa |
| Stay | 5 Years |
| Cost | From $6,140 AUD1 |
| Processing Time | Visa Application timeframes are: Employer Sponsored stream Approx. 8 – 11 months; Labour Agreement stream 8 – 9 months2 |
| Key Requirement | Regional Employer Nomination |
Fees are subject to change by the Department and other concession fees may apply.
To view our professional services fees click here.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 494 visa, you must meet several key criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs, specifically designed to support regional Australian communities.
1. Regional Employer Nomination
You must be nominated by an employer whose business is lawfully operating in a designated regional area – essentially everywhere in Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. The employer must generally obtain advice from a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) to confirm the position is genuine and meets local labour standards.
2. Occupation & Skills Assessment
Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list (such as the MLTSSL or the ROL). You must provide a positive skills assessment from the correct authority before the application is lodged to prove you possess the necessary credentials for the role.
To view the MLTSSL and ROL (Legislative Instrument 19/219) lists click here.
To view the Relevant Assessing Authorities for occupations on the lists (Legislative Instrument 19/260) click here.
3. Work Experience Requirements
Unlike some other employer-sponsored visas, the subclass 494 requires you to demonstrate at least 3 years of relevant full-time work experience in your nominated occupation. This experience should typically have been gained within the last 5 years and at the required skill level.
4. Age, English, and Health
You must be under 45 years of age when you apply, although limited exemptions may exist for specific academic, medical, long-term sponsorship cases or for those applying under the labour agreement stream. You must demonstrate Competent English proficiency and meet Australia’s strict health and character standards.
How to Apply for the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
A Step-by-Step Guide
Please note: The application process for regional sponsorship involves rigorous verification of both the employer’s needs and the applicant’s skills.
Step 1: Employer Sponsorship & RCB Approval
The first step is for your employer to become an approved work sponsor. Simultaneously, they must often seek RCB advice to confirm the local regional need for the role.
Step 2: Nomination Application
Your employer lodges a nomination for the specific skilled position. This stage includes Labour Market Testing (LMT) to prove no local worker was found and confirmation that the salary meets the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR).
Step 3: Individual Visa Application
Once the nomination is lodged, you submit your full visa application. This includes providing your positive skills assessment, English results, and extensive evidence of your 3 years of skilled employment.
Step 4: Health and Character Clearances
After lodgement, you and any included family members must undergo medical examinations and provide police clearances from every country lived in for 12 months or more.
Step 5: Visa Grant & Regional Commencement
Upon grant, you receive a 5-year provisional visa. You must commence work with your sponsor within 90 days and strictly adhere to regional living conditions.
Being on a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa means…
What You Can Do on the 494 Visa
As a provisional resident, you and your family have the right to:
- Live, work, and study for 5 years in designated regional areas.
- Enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.
- Travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
- Transition to permanent residency after 3 years.
Your Visa Obligations
The subclass 494 is subject to Condition 8579, meaning you must live, work, and study only in designated regional areas. You must also work only in your nominated occupation for your sponsoring employer unless a transfer to another regional sponsor is approved.
The Pathway to Australian Citizenship
After holding your 494 visa for at least 3 years and meeting specific income thresholds, you can apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191). Once permanent residency is granted, you can later apply for citizenship after meeting the general residency requirements.
Your Best Chance of Success with Visa Advisory Australia
The regional employer sponsorship path is complex, and a single error in RCB advice or LMT can lead to a refusal. Our expert team navigates these technicalities for you.
Our Subclass 494 Services include:
Comprehensive Eligibility Assessment to ensure your 3 years of work experience meet strict Skill Level standards.
Regional Certifying Body (RCB) Strategy to help your employer secure the mandatory regional endorsement.
Labour Market Testing (LMT) Support to ensure your sponsor’s recruitment evidence survives Departmental scrutiny.
Decision-Ready Application lodgement to minimize delays and maximise your chances of a fast grant.
Full Management of all communication with the Department and regional authorities.
And much, much more.
Don’t risk your future in regional Australia. Talk to an expert today.
Related Visas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
Q: Can I change employers on my 494 visa?
A: Yes, but it is not automatic. You must find a new regional employer who is an approved sponsor, and they must lodge a new nomination for you.
Q: Does the 494 visa grant immediate Medicare access?
A: Yes. One of the primary benefits of the 494 over other provisional visas is that holders are eligible to enrol in Medicare.
Q: What happens if I move to Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane?
A: Moving to these major cities would breach Condition 8579, which could lead to your visa being cancelled. You must remain in regional Australia until you obtain permanent residency.
Q: Is there a points test for the subclass 494?
A: No. Unlike the 189, 190, or 491 visas, the subclass 494 is an employer-sponsored visa and is not based on a points score.
Q: What happens if my visa is refused?
A: If your visa is refused, you may have rights to appeal the decision to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Our firm is highly experienced in representing clients at the ART for partner visa matters. Our firm specialises in ART appeals for family visas – click here for further details.
- Base application charge only. Prices are subject to change. Source: Department of Home Affairs. ↩︎
- Visa processing time current as of 04 May 2026. For the latest processing time click here. ↩︎
