Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494): Labour Agreement Stream
The 494 regional visa Labour Agreement stream offers a pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers whose employers hold a labour agreement with the Australian Government. If you’re working (or will work) under a labour agreement in regional Australia, this visa lets you build a future 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
What is the Labour Agreement Stream?
The Labour Agreement stream is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a labour agreement with the Australian Government. These agreements are developed to address specific industry or regional skill shortages that can’t be met through standard visa programs.
The agreement between your employer and the government sets out many of your eligibility requirements—including English levels, skills requirements, and other conditions.
With this visa, you 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 after 3 years
Eligibility Requirements
Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list. Not every skilled job qualifies—check the list before proceeding.
The nominated occupation must be subject to a labour agreement between the Commonwealth and your nominating employer.
Check the specific labour agreement under which you'll be working—it determines many of your eligibility criteria.
Your employer must hold a labour agreement and nominate you before you can apply.
Your occupation must be listed in the labour agreement as one that can be nominated.
You must have at least 3 years of relevant full-time work experience in your nominated occupation, at the required skill level.
Generally, experience should be gained within the last 5 years. It doesn't need to be continuous. Equivalent part-time may be considered; casual work is not.
If the labour agreement specifies a skills assessment, you must have your skills assessed as suitable for the nominated occupation by the relevant assessing authority.
If not required, you still need to provide other evidence demonstrating you have the necessary skills and qualifications.
Unless the labour agreement states otherwise, you must be under 45 years old when you apply.
You must have the level of English specified in the labour agreement. This may differ from standard requirements.
You and any family members must meet health and character requirements.
If 16 or older, read (or have explained) the Life in Australia booklet and sign the Australian Values Statement.
Any debts must be paid or under formal arrangement.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Before You Apply
If the labour agreement specifies a skills assessment, obtain one from the relevant assessing authority.
Ensure your results meet the level specified in the labour agreement.
Complete before or after you apply.
Your employer must submit the nomination first and provide you with the Transaction Reference Number.
If using assistance, ensure they're MARA-registered, a legal practitioner, or exempt.
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)
- Skills assessment from the relevant authority (if specified in labour agreement)
- Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
- Qualification certificates
- Employment references or proof of work experience
- Documents showing necessary registrations or licences (if required)
- Test results showing the English level specified in your labour agreement
- Australian Federal Police certificate (complete disclosure) if 12+ months in Australia 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)
- Identity documents
- Character documents
- Marriage certificate, OR evidence of 12+ months de facto relationship
- Proof of Functional English (or pay second instalment)
- Identity documents (under 5 don't need passport)
- Character documents (if applicable)
- Form 1229 consent from non-travelling parent, OR statutory declarationID with signature and photo of person who completed the form
- Identity documents
- Character documents
- Documents about other relationships (if applicable)
- Form 47a
- Proof of relationship
- Proof of financial dependency for 12+ months
- Proof of Functional English (or pay second instalment)
- Form 956A (to receive correspondence)
- Form 956 (for immigration assistance)
- Translate all non-English documents (NAATI-accredited in Australia)
- Scan 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 (not in immigration clearance).
If in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or Bridging visa A, B, or C.
- Log in or create ImmiAccount
- Complete the application
- Attach all documents
- Pay the visa application charge
- Note your TRN
Step 4: After You Apply
The Department can't provide updates within standard processing times.
If in Australia, you can travel during processing with a valid visa to return.
If required after lodgement, check ImmiAccount.
May be requested
Maintain valid visa status. Don't ask to cancel your current visa.
If applicable, invoiced after other requirements met.
Add a dependent child before decision. Report newborns immediately.
Tell the Department about contact, passport, relationship, or family changes.
Complete Form 1023 as soon as possible.
Step 5: Visa Decision
You can be in or outside Australia. Nomination must be approved first.
You can be in or outside Australia. Nomination must be approved first.
Reasons and review rights. Fee not refunded.
494 Visa Cost (Labour Agreement Stream)
- Applicant Type
- Cost
- Main applicant
- AUD4,910.00
- Dependent 18+
- AUD2,455.00 each
- Dependent under 18
- AUD1,230.00 each
- Second instalment (dependents 18+ without Functional English)
- AUD1,230.00 each
494 Visa Processing Time
Processing times vary. Check the Department’s guide for current estimates.
Factors affecting timing:
- Application completeness
- Response time to requests
- Verification of information
- External agency checks (health, character, security)
The Department may decide without requesting further information—ensure all evidence is attached.
Your Obligations
- Obey all Australian laws
- Begin employment within 90 days of entry (if granted offshore) or grant date (if 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: Unlimited while valid. Time outside doesn’t extend the visa.
Visa Label: Digitally linked to passport—no physical label.
After You Have This Visa
After 3 years on the 494, you may apply for permanent residence through the Subclass 191 visa if eligible.
Until you've held the 494 for 3 years, you cannot apply for certain visas including Partner (820) or be granted 186, 189, 190, 191, or 858 visas.
You can't extend this visa. If expiring:
- Your employer needs a new nomination
- You need a new visa application
Family can apply as subsequent entrants if not included originally.
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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.
Agreement Analysis
We assess your eligibility based on your specific labour agreement terms.
Documentation Alignment
We ensure your evidence matches what your agreement requires.
Employer Coordination
We work with your employer to align nomination and visa timelines.
Application Lodgement
We submit complete applications meeting agreement-specific criteria.
Processing Support
We monitor your application and respond to requests promptly.
PR Pathway Planning
We map your route from 494 to Subclass 191 permanent residence.
Your Questions Answered
What is a labour agreement?
The Subclass 494 is a 5-year provisional visa allowing skilled workers nominated by regional Austr
A formal arrangement between an employer and the Australian Government allowing sponsorship of overseas workers when standard visa programs don’t meet specific industry or regional needs.
alian employers to live, work, and study in designated regional areas. It provides a pathway to permanent residence (Subclass 191) after 3 years.
How is the Labour Agreement stream different from Employer Sponsored?
The Labour Agreement stream requirements are set by the specific agreement between your employer and the government—English levels, skills requirements, and other criteria may differ from standard rules.
Do I need a skills assessment?
Only if specified in the labour agreement. If not required, you still need other evidence of your skills and qualifications.
What English level do I need?
The level specified in your labour agreement. This may differ from standard Competent English requirements.
Can I apply for PR with this visa?
Yes, after holding the 494 for 3 years, you can apply for the Subclass 191 permanent residence visa if eligible.
What is the Labour Agreement Nomination Process?
As a party to a labour agreement, you can nominate skilled workers for positions covered by your agreement. The occupation must be listed in your agreement as one you can nominate.
Key points:
- You must have a labour agreement in place with the Australian Government
- The agreement must include provision for this visa program
- The position must be in a designated regional area
- You nominate the worker BEFORE they can submit their visa application
What the Applicant Gets
When successfully nominated and granted the visa:
- Live, work, and study only in designated regional areas for 5 years
- Travel freely to and from Australia while valid
- If eligible, apply for permanent residence (Subclass 191) after 3 years
Are You Eligible to Nominate?
Your business must:
- Have no adverse information known about it or associated persons (or reasonable to disregard)
- Have complied with Australian immigration and workplace relations laws
- Pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy when submitting the nomination
You must:
- Currently have a labour agreement in place with the Australian Government
- Have met any nomination requirements specified in the agreement
- The occupation you're nominating must be listed in the agreement
Note: Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa access is only available if included in your labour agreement.
Your Obligations
You must:
- Employ the worker under the terms and conditions agreed in the labour agreement
- Ensure conditions are no less favourable than for Australian workers doing the same work
- Pay the worker the Annual Market Salary Rate
- Comply with Australian immigration and workplace relations law
How to Nominate: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Before You Apply
Organise Your Labour Agreement Ensure you have a labour agreement in place and the occupation is listed as one you can nominate.
If your needs align with current industry agreements, you can use the relevant agreement.
Check Nominee Eligibility Confirm your employee meets all eligibility requirements per the labour agreement.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
- Evidence your business is registered and operating in Australia
Refer to your labour agreement for specific requirements, which may include:
- Contract of employment
- Employment terms and conditions
- Labour market testing evidence
- Genuine position evidence
- Documents for occupations with caveats
Step 3: Apply
Submit through ImmiAccount.
- Log in or create ImmiAccount
- Attach documents
- Pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy (won’t be processed until paid)
- Note the TRN—your nominee needs this
Step 4: After You Apply
Withdraw Nomination You can withdraw any time before a decision. Advise in writing.
Note: Removing from ImmiAccount does NOT withdraw the nomination.
Report Changes Attach any new information in ImmiAccount. You can also upload Form 1022.
Step 5: Nomination Outcome
The nomination must be approved before the visa can be granted.
Letter with nomination approval number.
Reasons and review rights. Levy not refunded.
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Nomination Costs
- Component
- Cost
- Nomination application fee
- $0
- Skilling Australians Fund levy
- Required
How Long Do Nominations Last?
Approved nominations last 12 months and cease on the earliest of:
- Written withdrawal notification received
- 12 months after approval (unless visa application pending)
- Visa application finally determined or withdrawn
- Visa granted
- Labour agreement ceases
Your nomination must be approved at the time the Department decides on the nominee’s visa application.
Why Work With The Migration?
Agreement Review
We analyse your labour agreement to confirm nomination eligibility.
Requirement Mapping
We identify exactly what documentation your agreement specifies.
Evidence Preparation
We prepare documents aligned with your agreement's conditions.
Employee Coordination
We work with your employee to ensure their visa application aligns.
Nomination Lodgement
We submit complete, agreement-compliant nominations.
Compliance Guidance
We advise on ongoing sponsor obligations throughout the visa period.
FAQs for Sponsors
Is there a nomination fee for the Labour Agreement stream?
No application fee, but you must pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
Does my labour agreement allow 494 visa sponsorship?
Only if the agreement specifically includes provision for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) visa program.
What documents do I need?
Requirements are specified in your labour agreement. Typically includes employment contract, terms and conditions, and potentially labour market testing evidence.
How long does nomination processing take?
Processing times vary. Check the Department’s guide for current estimates.
What happens if my labour agreement expires?
If your agreement ceases, the nomination ends. This could affect pending visa applications.
Ready to Start Your Regional Journey?
Your Labour Agreement Pathway Awaits
Let’s make sure your application meets every requirement of your employer’s agreement.
