Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)
The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa allows employers in regional Australia to sponsor skilled workers for a 5-year temporary visa. After living and working in a regional area for at least 3 years, visa holders can apply for the Subclass 191 permanent residence visa. The 494 is designed to address skill shortages in regional areas where employers struggle to attract Australian workers. It covers a broader range of occupations than metropolitan employer-sponsored visas.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Visa subclass | 494 |
| Duration | 5 years |
| PR pathway | Subclass 191 after 3 years |
| Salary threshold | $73,150 (TSMIT) |
| Age limit | Under 45 |
| English | Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band) |
| Skills assessment | Required |
| Visa cost | $4,640 (primary applicant) |
| Regional requirement | Must live and work in designated regional area |
What Is a Regional Area?
For the Subclass 494, "regional" means anywhere in Australia outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. This includes:
- All of South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, ACT
- Regional New South Wales (everywhere except Greater Sydney)
- Regional Victoria (everywhere except Greater Melbourne)
- Regional Queensland (everywhere except Greater Brisbane)
- All of Western Australia (including Perth)
Perth's inclusion as a regional area is notable — it's Australia's fourth-largest city but qualifies as regional for immigration purposes.
How It Works
Employer Nomination
Your employer must be located in a regional area and nominated you for a position that genuinely exists. The employer must:
- Be an approved sponsor
- Demonstrate a genuine need for the position
- Meet labour market testing requirements
- Offer terms and conditions no less favourable than an equivalent Australian worker
- Pay at least the TSMIT ($73,150) or market salary rate, whichever is higher
Your Requirements
- Occupation: Must be on the relevant skilled occupation list for the 494
- Skills assessment: Positive assessment from the relevant authority
- Age: Under 45 at time of application
- English: Competent English — IELTS 6.0 in each band (or equivalent)
- Experience: At least 3 years of relevant work experience
- Health and character: Standard requirements
Visa Conditions
Condition 8579: You must live and work in a designated regional area. Moving to Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane is a visa breach.
Condition 8607: You must work in your nominated occupation (or a closely related occupation) and only for your approved sponsor (unless you change sponsors).
Pathway to Permanent Residence (Subclass 191)
The 494 visa's main attraction is the Subclass 191 permanent visa.
Requirements for the 191
After 3 years on a 494 visa, you can apply for PR if:
- You've lived in a designated regional area for at least 3 years
- You've earned a minimum taxable income of $53,900 per year for 3 years
- You haven't breached any 494 visa conditions
- You meet health and character requirements
The income threshold is significantly lower than the TSMIT, meaning even if your salary drops (within legal limits), you can still qualify for PR.
Timeline
| Year | Status |
|---|---|
| Year 1-3 | On 494 visa, living and working regionally |
| Year 3 | Eligible to apply for Subclass 191 |
| Year 3-4 | 191 processing (6-12 months) |
| Year 4+ | Permanent resident |
494 vs SID Visa (Skills in Demand)
| Feature | 494 Regional | SID (Core Skills) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Regional only | Anywhere in Australia |
| Duration | 5 years | 4 years |
| PR pathway | 191 after 3 years | Direct after 2 years |
| Occupation list | Broader regional list | Core Skills List |
| English | IELTS 6.0 each band | IELTS 5.0 overall |
| Age | Under 45 | Under 45 |
| Visa cost | $4,640 | $2,770 |
The 494 has a broader occupation list (more occupations qualify regionally) but stricter English requirements and a longer pathway to PR. The SID visa offers faster PR but with a narrower occupation list and metropolitan availability.
Advantages of Regional Sponsorship
Broader occupation list: Many occupations that don't qualify for metropolitan employer sponsorship are available regionally. This opens doors for workers in occupations not on the Core Skills list.
Lower competition: Regional employers face less competition for skilled workers, making sponsorship offers more common. Employers in cities can be selective; regional employers are often eager to sponsor.
Potentially lower cost of living: Regional areas generally have lower housing costs than Sydney or Melbourne, meaning your salary goes further.
State nomination support: Some states actively support regional employer-sponsored migration with streamlined nomination processes and additional settlement support.
5-year visa validity: The 494's 5-year duration provides more stability than the SID's 4 years, and gives you 2 additional years of runway if the PR application takes time.
Application Process
Step 1: Skills Assessment
Obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. This takes 4-12 weeks and costs $300-$1,000.
Step 2: English Test
Achieve at least IELTS 6.0 in each band (or equivalent in PTE, TOEFL, or Cambridge).
Step 3: Employer Sponsorship and Nomination
Your employer lodges the sponsorship application (if not already approved) and nominates you for the position. The nomination includes evidence of:
- The genuine need for the position
- Labour market testing
- Terms and conditions of employment
- The regional location of the business
Step 4: Visa Application
Lodge your visa application through ImmiAccount with:
- Passport and identity documents
- Skills assessment
- English test results
- Employment references
- Qualification documents
- Police clearances
- Health examination
Step 5: Wait for Processing
Processing times typically range from 3-9 months. A bridging visa is granted if you're applying from within Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change employers on a 494 visa?
Yes, but the new employer must be in a regional area, become an approved sponsor, and nominate you. You have 60 days to find a new sponsor if your employment ends.
Can my family work and study?
Yes. Partners and dependent children on a 494 visa have full work and study rights. They must also live in a regional area.
What happens if I move to Sydney or Melbourne?
You'd be breaching Condition 8579, which could result in visa cancellation. If you need to relocate to a non-regional area, you'd need to transition to a different visa.
Is Perth really considered regional?
Yes. Perth is designated as a regional area for immigration purposes, despite being a major city. This makes it an attractive option for those who want regional visa benefits with big-city amenities.
Can I apply for 191 PR before 3 years?
No. The 3-year regional living and working requirement is mandatory. There are no shortcuts or exemptions.
