Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Provisional) – Subclass 494
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Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Provisional) – Subclass 494
The Subclass 494 visa lets employers in regional Australia sponsor skilled overseas workers to fill genuine positions they can’t fill locally — offering a 5-year provisional visa with a dedicated pathway to permanent residency.
At a Glance
| Points | Description |
|---|---|
| Length of stay | Permanent residency, granted immediately on approval |
| Where you can live | Designated regional areas of Australia — everywhere outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane (Perth, the Gold Coast, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Newcastle, Geelong and many other cities all count as regional) |
| Family | Partner and dependent children can be included |
| PR pathway | After 3 years of living and working in a regional area, you can apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa |
The Three Streams
- Employer Sponsored stream
for skilled workers nominated by a regional employer with a genuine, demonstrated labour shortage.
- Labour Agreement stream
for workers sponsored by employers operating under a regional labour agreement, including a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).
Eligibility
- Nominated in an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- At least 3 years of relevant, full-time skilled work experience (generally within the last 5 years)
- A positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation (unless exempt)
- Competent English — generally IELTS 6.0 or equivalent
- Under 45 years of age (exemptions apply)
- Nominated by an approved regional sponsor, with the employer demonstrating the position is genuine and cannot be filled locally
- Salary meets the applicable income threshold and market salary rate
How the Process Works
- Your sponsoring employer becomes an approved sponsor (or holds a labour agreement)
- Your employer lodges a nomination, including labour market testing evidence
- You lodge your visa application with evidence of your skills assessment, work experience, English ability and health/character clearances
- Once granted, you live and work only in your designated regional area for the life of the visa
Around 75% of applications are processed within 3 months, and 90% within 4 months, though this varies by case.
Your Pathway to Permanent Residency
After 3 years living and working in a designated regional area, and meeting the relevant income threshold, Subclass 494 holders (and their families) become eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa — a genuine, structured route to settling permanently in regional Australia.
🔗 Department of Home Affairs — official visa page: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-employer-sponsored-regional-494
Let Us Help
Regional visas come with their own rules around designated areas, occupation lists and employer obligations. Our migration agents can help confirm your eligibility and guide your application from start to finish.