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Home » Employer-Sponsored Visas » Subclass 494 Labour Agreement Stream

Your Pathway to Skilled Work in Regional Australia

The Subclass 494 Labour Agreement Stream visa enables skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years, filling critical skill shortages. This visa offers a potential pathway to permanent residency.
️ 🧮 Check My Eligibility

🔎 Visa Snapshot

PR Status: Provisional visa with a pathway to permanent residency (Subclass 191)

Eligibility: Nominated by an employer with an approved labour agreement, occupation on the Skilled Occupation List.

Work Rights: Full-time work for up to 5 years in a regional occupation.

Family Members: Partner and dependent children can be included.

Salary: Must meet regional salary requirements for the occupation.

English: Minimum IELTS 6.0 or equivalent required.

Processing Time: Typically 6 months to 1 year.

Visa Overview & PR Benefits

The Subclass 494 Labour Agreement Stream visa enables skilled workers nominated by an employer with a labour agreement to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years. After this period, visa holders may be eligible for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa. Benefits include: 

Full Work and Study Rights: Live and work in designated regional areas.

Access to Medicare: Australia's public health insurance system.

Pathway to Citizenship: Eligible for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements

Family Inclusion: Ability to include family members in your application.

Why Apply for Subclass 494 Labour Agreement Stream Visa?

Critical Skill Shortages: Allows employers to sponsor skilled workers for positions in regional areas that cannot be filled locally.

Pathway to Permanent Residency: Opportunity to transition to permanent residency via Subclass 191 after meeting regional work requirements.

Work in Regional Australia: Live and work in designated regional areas for up to 5 years.

Family Inclusion: Partner and dependent children can be included in the application.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Subclass 494 Labour Agreement Stream visa, you must meet these eligibility requirements: 

Employer Nomination: Be nominated by an employer with a labour agreement.

Skilled Occupation: Have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.

Skills: Have at least 3 years of relevant work experience

English: Meet English language proficiency requirements.

Age: Be under 45 years old at time of application.

Health & Character: Satisfy health and character criteria.

🧮 Download Eligibility Checklist

Steps to Apply for Subclass 494 – Labour Agreement Stream

1
Check eligibility for the visa stream.
2
Secure employer sponsorship with a labour agreement.
3
Employer submits nomination for the position.
4
Gather required documents (ID, skills, English, health).
5
Lodge visa application online.
6
Pay visa application fee.
7
Wait for visa processing and outcome.

Common Mistakes ✅ Tips to Strengthen Your Application​

Common Mistakes to Avoid ​​

Not verifying occupation eligibility on the Skilled Occupation List.

Failing to secure an approved employer nomination.

Missing required documents like skills assessments or English test results.

Overlooking salary requirements for regional occupations.

Applying under the wrong visa stream.

Not including eligible family members in the application.

Failing to meet health and character requirements.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application:

Confirm your occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List.

Ensure the employer’s labour agreement is valid before applying.

Prepare all required documents early (skills, English, health).

Double-check the salary threshold for your regional occupation.

Apply under the correct visa stream based on your situation.

Include all eligible family members in your application.

Ensure you meet health and character assessments before submitting.

Required Documents What You’ll Need

For your Subclass 494 Labour Agreement Stream visa application, you will need:

Primary Applicant:

Passport Copy

English language test results

Skills assessment (if applicable)

Health and character documents

Police clearance certificates

Partner / Dependents:

Proof of Relationship to Applicant (e.g., Birth Certificate, Adoption Papers)

Health & character documents

📥 Download Visa Requirement Checklist

Family Members You Can Include

After you receive your Subclass 494 Labour Agreement Stream visa, you can include the following family members in your application: 

Family Members

Spouse or De Facto Partner

Dependent Children under 18 

Children over 18 (if dependent)

Adopted or declared dependents 

All family members must meet health and character criteria.

Rights and Benefits

Full-time Work in a regional occupation for up to 5 years.

Pathway to PR through Subclass 191

Family Members can join (partner and dependent children).

Live and Work in designated regional areas

Address Regional Skill Shortages.

Travel in and out of Australia for 5 years.

Visa Fees & Processing Time

TypeDetails & Fee (AUD)
🧾 GovernmentFees Main ApplicantApprox. AUD 4,910
👥 SecondaryAUD 2,455
👥 DependentAUD 1,230
⏳ Processing Time8 to 13 Months (50% to 90% Application)

🧰 Tools & Downloads

Download Complete Subclass494 LA Visa Pack
Download Complete Subclass494 LA Visa Pack
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❓Frequently Asked Questions

The Subclass 494 Labour Agreement Stream visa allows skilled workers nominated by an employer with a labour agreement to live and work in Australia for up to 5 years.

You must be nominated by an approved employer with a labour agreement, have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, hold a skills assessment, have at least 3 years of relevant work experience, and meet English language proficiency standards. 

Yes, eligible family members can be included in your application. 

Once granted, you’ll receive provisional residency status with work rights in regional areas. After 3 years, you can apply for permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa.

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Disclaimer
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not guarantee visa approval. All visa applications are subject to the discretion of the Australian Department of Home Affairs. For personalized guidance, please contact a registered migration agent at Visa Advisor.