Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494): Employer Sponsored Stream
The subclass 494 visa gives skilled workers a genuine pathway to permanent residency through regional employer sponsorship. Live, work, and study in regional Australia for 5 years—then apply for permanent residence after just 3 years.
If you’ve got the skills regional Australia needs and an employer willing to sponsor you, this visa could be your ticket to building a life here.
Key Facts
Stay
5 years (provisional)
Cost
From AUD4,910.00
Work Rights
Work only for your sponsor in designated regional areas
Family
Include partner and dependent children
PR Pathway
Apply for Subclass 191 after 3 years
Location
Designated regional areas only (all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane)
What is 494 Visa in Australia?
The 494 visa Australia is a 5-year provisional visa that lets regional employers sponsor skilled workers they can’t find locally. It’s not a permanent visa—but it leads directly to one.
Here’s what you need to understand upfront: this visa is specifically for designated regional areas. That’s everywhere in Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane metropolitan areas.
After holding this regional employer sponsored visa for 3 years and meeting the requirements, you can apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191). That’s the 494 visa to permanent residency pathway.
With this visa, you can:
- Live, work, and study only in designated regional areas for 5 years
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while valid
- If eligible, apply for permanent residence after 3 years
Occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list. Not every skilled job qualifies—check the list before proceeding.
You must have at least 3 years of relevant full-time work experience in your nominated occupation, at the skill level required.
Generally, you should have gained this experience within the last 5 years. It doesn't need to be continuous. Equivalent part-time work may be considered, but casual work is not.
You must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority before lodging. This proves you have the skills to work in your nominated occupation.
Note: A skills assessment obtained for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is NOT valid for this visa.
You're exempt from skills assessment if:
- You're nominated as an academic (University Lecturer or Faculty Head at Academic Level A, B, C, D or E) by an Australian university
- You held a Special Category (subclass 444) or NZ Citizen Family Relationship (subclass 461) visa for the last 3 years and worked for your nominating employer in the nominated occupation for at least 2 years during that time
- You held a subclass 457 or 482 visa for the nominated occupation and were required to provide a skills assessment to be granted that visa
You must be under 45 years old when you apply.
Exemptions apply if:
- You're nominated as an academic by an Australian university
- You're nominated as a medical practitioner who worked in a designated regional area for 2 years in the last 3 years on a 457/482 visa, and the nominated position is regional
- You're nominated as a scientist, researcher, or technical specialist at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2 by an Australian government science agency or university
- You held a subclass 444 or 461 visa for the last 3 years and worked for your nominating employer for at least 2 years during that time
- As a 457/482 holder, you've worked for the nominating employer in the nominated occupation for at least 2 years in the last 3 years, earning at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold each year
You must have at least Competent English:
- IELTS: 6.0 in each component, OR
- PTE Academic: 50 in each component, OR
- Other approved tests at equivalent scores
You and any family members must meet health and character requirements.
Any debts must be paid or under formal repayment arrangement.
If 16 or older, you must read (or have explained) the Life in Australia booklet and sign the Australian Values Statement.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Before You Apply
Unless exempt, obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority. This must be done BEFORE you lodge.
Ensure your results are current. You must have at least Competent English.
You can complete these before or after you apply.
Your employer must submit their nomination application first. They'll receive a Transaction Reference Number (TRN)—you need this to apply.
If using assistance, ensure they're a MARA-registered migration agent, legal practitioner, or exempt person.
Your rights and your employer's responsibilities
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
- Passport (photo page, personal details, issue/expiry dates)
- National identity card (if applicable)
- Proof of name change (marriage certificate, divorce certificate, deed poll, or documents showing other names you've been known by)
- Evidence supporting your exemption claim as specified in legislative instruments
- Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority (if required)
- Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
- Qualification certificates
- Employment references or proof of work experience
- Documents showing you hold (or can meet) necessary registrations or licences
- IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT, OET, or other approved test results showing Competent English
- Australian Federal Police certificate (complete disclosure) if you've spent 12+ months in Australia in the last 10 years since turning 16
- Overseas police certificates from every country (including home country) where you've spent 12+ months in the last 10 years since turning 16
- Military service records or discharge papers (if applicable)
- Australian Federal Police certificate (complete disclosure) if 12+ months in Australia since turning 16
- Overseas police certificates from countries where you spent 12+ months in the last 10 years since turning 16
- Military records (if applicable)
- Identity documents
- Character documents
- Marriage certificate, OR evidence of 12+ months de facto relationship (joint bank accounts, billing accounts in joint names, joint leases/mortgages, proof of same address)
- Proof of Functional English (or be prepared to pay second instalment)
- Identity documents (children under 5 don't need a passport)
- Character documents (if applicable)
- Form 1229 consent from any parent not travelling, OR statutory declaration with their consent
- Include ID with signature and photo of person who completed the form (passport or driver's licence)
- Identity documents
- Character documents
- Documents about other relationships (if applicable)
- Form 47a (Details of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over)
- Proof of relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate)
- Proof of financial dependency for at least 12 months (proof they live with you, tax records, proof of current study)
- Proof of Functional English (or be prepared to pay second instalment)
- Form 956A (to receive correspondence)
- Form 956 (for immigration assistance)
- Translate all non-English documents into English (NAATI-accredited in Australia)
- Scan/photograph in colour, clearly legible
- Combine multi-page documents into single files
Step 3: Apply Online
Submit through ImmiAccount. You can be in or outside Australia (but not in immigration clearance).
- Log in or create an ImmiAccount
- Complete the application accurately
- Attach ALL documents
- Pay the visa application charge
- Note your Transaction Reference Number (TRN)
Important: The Department will not process your application until you pay.
Step 4: After You Apply
The Department cannot provide updates within standard processing times. Check ImmiAccount for requests.
If in Australia, you can travel during processing. Ensure you have a valid visa to return. You may be granted a Bridging Visa if your current visa expires before a decision.
If not completed before applying, check ImmiAccount for instructions.
You may be asked for fingerprints and photos.
If in Australia, maintain a valid visa. Do NOT ask the Department to cancel your current visa—you'll become unlawful and ineligible for a Bridging visa.
If applicable (for family members 18+ without Functional English), the Department will send an invoice after other requirements are met. Do not ask for the invoice.
You can add a dependent child after you submit but before a decision. If you have a baby, tell the Department immediately—if you don't, your child may be unlawful.
Tell the Department about changes to contact details, passport, relationship status, or family composition.
If you made an error, complete Form 1023 (Notification of incorrect answers) as soon as possible.
Step 5: Visa Decision
You can be in or outside Australia when the decision is made. Your employer’s nomination must be approved before the visa can be granted.
You'll receive written notification with:
- Visa grant number
- Visa start date
- Visa conditions
You'll receive reasons and information about review rights. The application fee is not refunded.
494 Visa Cost
- Applicant Type
- Cost
- Main applicant
- AUD4,910.00
- Dependent 18 years and over
- AUD2,455.00 each
- Dependent under 18 years
- AUD1,230.00 each
- Second instalment (dependents 18+ without Functional English)
- AUD9,800.00 each
494 Visa Processing Time
The 494 visa australia processing time varies. Use the Department’s Visa Processing Time Guide for current estimates.
Processing times can vary due to:
- Whether you lodged a complete application with all documents
- How quickly you respond to requests for additional information
- Time needed to verify supporting information
- Time to receive information from external agencies (health, character, national security)
Important: The Department may make a decision on the information provided without requesting further documents. It’s your responsibility to ensure all relevant evidence is attached.
Your Obligations After Grant
This visa comes with conditions. Break them and you risk cancellation:
- Obey all Australian laws
- Begin employment within 90 days of entry (if granted offshore) or visa grant date (if granted in Australia)
- Work only in your nominated occupation for your nominating employer in regional Australia
- Live, work, and study only in designated regional areas
Travel: You can travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid. Time outside Australia does NOT extend your visa.
Visa Label: No physical label—your visa is digitally linked to your passport.
After You Have This Visa
- Work for your sponsor only in regional Australia for up to 5 years
- Live and study only in regional Australia for up to 5 years
- Travel freely while the visa is valid
- If eligible, apply for permanent residence
Yes. After holding your 494 visa for 3 years, you can apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191) if eligible.
Can I apply for PR after 2 years of 494 visa? No. The minimum requirement is 3 years. There are no shortcuts.
Important restriction: Until you've held the 494 for 3 years, you cannot:
- Make a valid application for a Partner visa (subclass 820)
- Be granted visas including: 132, 186, 188, 189, 190, 191, or 858
You can't extend this visa. If it's expiring and you want to keep working:
- Your employer must submit a new nomination
- You must apply for a new visa
Family members can apply as subsequent entrants if they weren't included in your original application.
Before leaving, ensure you have a valid passport. Check your visa conditions and expiry in VEVO.
If you're leaving permanently and worked in Australia while 18+ and earned AUD450+/month, you may have superannuation to claim.
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Why Work With The Migration?
We’ve helped skilled workers navigate the skilled employer sponsored regional visa pathway for years. From complex skills assessments to employer coordination, we understand what makes applications succeed—and what causes refusals.
Eligibility Assessment
We confirm you qualify before you invest in documents and fees.
Skills Assessment Guidance
We advise on timing, assessing authority, and documentation strategy.
Document Preparation
We review and organise your evidence to meet Department standards.
Employer Coordination
We liaise with your employer and RCB to align nomination timelines.
Application Lodgement
We submit complete, compliant applications to avoid unnecessary delays.
PR Pathway Planning
We map your route from 494 to Subclass 191 permanent residence.
Your Questions Answered
What is subclass 494 visa in Australia?
The Subclass 494 is a 5-year provisional visa allowing skilled workers nominated by regional Australian employers to live, work, and study in designated regional areas. It provides a pathway to permanent residence (Subclass 191) after 3 years.
Who is eligible for a visa 494?
You need: nomination by an approved regional employer, occupation on the skilled list, positive skills assessment (unless exempt), at least 3 years work experience, Competent English, age under 45 (unless exempt), and clear health/character checks.
What are the requirements for the 494 visa?
The 494 visa requirements include: employer nomination, eligible occupation, 3+ years relevant work experience, skills assessment, Competent English, under 45 years, health and character clearance, and signing the Australian values statement.
What is the 494 visa processing time?
The 494 visa processing time varies based on application completeness and individual circumstances. Check the Department’s processing time guide for current estimates. Complete applications typically process faster.
Can 494 visa lead to PR?
Yes. After holding the 494 visa for 3 years and meeting requirements, you can apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191).
Can I apply for PR after 2 years of 494 visa?
No. You must hold the 494 visa for at least 3 years before applying for permanent residence. There are no exceptions to this timeline.
What is the difference between visa 482 and 494?
The 482 is a temporary skilled visa (2-4 years) that lets you work anywhere in Australia. The 494 is a provisional visa (5 years) restricted to regional areas only, with a clearer pathway to permanent residence after 3 years.
Can I change employers on a 494 visa?
Generally no—you must work only for your sponsoring employer. If your employment ends, you’ll need a new employer willing to sponsor you and lodge a new nomination.
What happens if my nomination is refused?
If the nomination is refused, the Department cannot grant your visa. You may need to find another employer willing to sponsor you.
What is the Employer Nomination Process?
As a regional sponsor, you’re nominating a skilled worker for the 494 visa Australia. Your role is to demonstrate that your business genuinely needs this employee, can’t find an Australian worker, and will employ them under fair conditions in a designated regional area.
Key points:
- You must be (or have applied to become) a standard business sponsor
- You nominate the skilled worker BEFORE they can submit their visa application
- Accredited sponsors receive priority processing
- The position must be in a designated regional area (all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane)
What the Applicant Gets With This Visa
When you successfully nominate someone and their visa is granted, they can:
- Live, work, and study only in designated regional areas for 5 years
- Travel to and from Australia freely while valid
- If eligible, apply for permanent residence (Subclass 191) after 3 years
Are You Eligible to Nominate?
You must be, or have applied to become, a standard business sponsor before you can nominate someone. Your sponsorship must be approved for your nomination to be approved.
Accreditation: Standard business sponsors can apply to become accredited. Accredited sponsors receive priority processing for 494 nominations and visa applications.
The occupation you nominate must be on the relevant skilled occupation list. The position must be:
- In a designated regional area
- Full-time
- Likely to exist for at least 5 years
You must demonstrate you can't find an Australian citizen or permanent resident with the skills and experience for the position.
Labour market testing is required (unless an exemption applies) to show you've genuinely tried to recruit locally.
If the employee will earn less than AUD250,000 per year, you must pay at least the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the position.
A Regional Certifying Body must also assess and confirm the AMSR.
The position must be genuine—it must actually exist and be what you say it is. The Department considers:
- Whether skills and duties are consistent with the occupation in ANZSCO
- Whether the position fits the nature and scale of your business
- Whether the position was created just to help the nominee migrate
Your nominee must be engaged under a written contract of employment to work only for your business (or an associated entity), unless the occupation is exempt.
The contract must be signed by both parties and cannot expressly exclude the possibility of extending employment.
Conditions must not be less favourable than those applying to an Australian worker doing equivalent work at the same location.
You must not engage in discriminatory recruitment practices. All allegations of misconduct are investigated seriously.
There must be no adverse information known about your business or associated persons, unless it's reasonable to disregard.
How to Nominate: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Before You Apply
Become a Standard Business Sponsor If you’re not already approved, apply to become a standard business sponsor first. Consider applying for accreditation to receive priority processing.
Check Nominee Eligibility Confirm your nominee meets all eligibility requirements for this stream.
Conduct Labour Market Testing Unless an exemption applies, complete labour market testing to demonstrate you can’t find an Australian worker.
Determine and Get RCB Assessment of AMSR Determine the Annual Market Salary Rate and submit a request for assessment with a Regional Certifying Body (unless exempt).
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
You need to prove two things: your status and your relationship.
Provide the nominee's:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Transaction Reference Number (TRN), Application ID, or Visa Grant Number for all visas they hold or have applied for
- Postcode where the position will actually be performed (not head office location)
- Names of all known family members who will accompany them
- Copy of the employment contract signed and dated by both parties (unless occupation is exempt per legislative instrument)
Provide evidence you will pay:
- The Annual Market Salary Rate for the position, AND
- At least the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)
- OR an annual salary of AUD250,000 or more
- Why there's any difference between the AMSR and proposed salary
- If paying at the lower end of a salary range, explain why
- If no equivalent Australian worker exists, how you determined the AMSR
- If the salary package includes significant allowances/non-monetary benefits
- If market salary evidence shows a wide range of inconsistent data
Important: Unclear explanations of how you determined the rate may result in refusal.
Provide evidence in accordance with the legislative instrument. The application will be refused if you don't provide this evidence (no international trade exemptions apply to the 494 program).
Show the position exists and is what you say it is. Evidence could include:
- Duty statement of responsibilities (should substantially align with ANZSCO tasks, but not just copied)
- Organisational structure chart showing how the position fits, with names of current employees and visa details
- Brief description of business nature and how the position fits
- Proof the position existed before nomination, or expansion plans if new
- Information about who previously performed these tasks
- Evidence of transparent recruitment process, including candidates interviewed and why unsuitable
- Nominee may undertake broader duties—show position is at appropriate skill level
- Position doesn't seem to fit your business scope—explain why it's consistent
- Business size doesn't appear to support the position—show how it fits
Evidence should be independently verifiable where possible: contracts, leases, purchase orders from third parties.
Provide:
- Detailed organisational chart
- Detailed position description with tasks/duties
- Statement explaining how the position continues to fit business activities
Step 3: Apply
Submit through ImmiAccount.
- Log in or create an ImmiAccount
- Attach all documents
- Pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy (application won’t be processed until paid)
- Note the Transaction Reference Number (TRN)—your nominee needs this for their visa application
Step 4: After You Apply
Withdraw Nomination You can withdraw any time before a decision on the nomination or the nominee’s visa. Advise in writing.
Note: Removing from ImmiAccount does NOT withdraw the nomination.
Report Changes Attach any new information or a submission explaining changes in ImmiAccount. You can also upload Form 1022 (Notification of changes in circumstances).
Step 5: Nomination Outcome
The nomination must be approved before the visa can be granted.
You'll receive a letter with your nomination approval number. Keep the decision record.
You'll receive reasons and review rights information. The Skilling Australians Fund levy is not refunded.
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Nomination Costs
- Component
- Cost
- Nomination application fee
- $0
- Skilling Australians Fund levy
- Required (amount varies by business turnover)
How Long Do Nominations Last?
Approved nominations last 12 months from approval and cease on the earliest of:
- Written withdrawal notification received
- 12 months after approval (unless visa application pending)
- Visa application finally determined or withdrawn (if after the 12-month mark)
- Visa granted to the nominee
- 3 months after your standard business sponsorship ceases (unless reapplied)
- Your standard business sponsorship is cancelled
Your Obligations as a Sponsor
You must meet all standard business sponsor obligations. You’re responsible even if you appoint someone (like a migration agent) to act for you.
Sponsorship lasts as long as the visa holder holds a valid 494 visa and continues working for you.
Tell the Department if:
- You terminate the visa holder’s employment or they stop working for you
- You change their hours, duties, or pay
- Their visa is expiring
Why Businesses Work With The Migration
Sponsorship Applications
We help you become an approved standard business sponsor.
Labour Market Testing
We prepare compliant LMT evidence meeting legislative requirements.
AMSR & RCB Coordination
We determine market salary rates and coordinate Regional Certifying Body assessment.
Genuine Position Evidence
We build compelling proof that the role is essential and genuine.
Nomination Lodgement
We submit complete nominations to avoid delays and refusals.
Compliance Guidance
We advise on ongoing sponsor obligations throughout the visa period.
FAQs for Sponsors
Is there a nomination fee for the 494 visa?
No application fee, but you must pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy. The amount depends on your business turnover.
How long does nomination approval take?
Processing times vary based on whether you’re an approved sponsor, application completeness, and how quickly you respond to requests. Check the Department’s processing time guide.
Do I need to be an approved sponsor before nominating?
You need to be, or have applied to become, a standard business sponsor. Your sponsorship must be approved for the nomination to be approved.
What is labour market testing?
You must demonstrate you’ve genuinely tried to recruit an Australian worker for the position. Evidence must be provided in accordance with legislative requirements.
What happens if my nomination is refused?
You’ll receive reasons and review rights information. The Skilling Australians Fund levy is not refunded.
Can I nominate for any occupation?
The occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list and the position must be in a designated regional area.
Ready to Start Your Regional Journey?
Your Skills Deserve Recognition in Regional Australia
If you’ve got the skills and an employer ready to sponsor you, let’s make sure your application is bulletproof.
