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Your Pathway to
Regional Australia

The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional-Provisional visa allows skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years. This visa has three streams to cater to different needs.

️ 🧮 Check My Eligibility

🧾 Visa Snapshot

Type: Provisional Visa

Pathway to PR: Eligible for Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence – Skilled Regional visa) after 3 years.

State Nomination Required: No (but you must be nominated by an employer in a regional area)

Points Test Required: No

Processing Time: Varies; refer to the Visa Processing Times guide

Family Inclusion: Yes |spouse, dependent children

Common Use: For skilled workers nominated by regional employers under one of the three streams:

Employer Sponsored Stream: For workers sponsored by an eligible employer in a regional area.

Subsequent Entrant Stream: For family members of Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) visa holders

Labour Agreement Stream: For workers nominated under a labour agreement between their employer and the Australian Government.

🧭 Visa Overview & PR Benefits

Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa enables skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years. After this time, they may be eligible for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.

Benefits include:

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

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

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

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

Why Apply for Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional |Provisional Visa?

Pathway to PR: Eligible for permanent residency (Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa) after 3 years of living and working in regional Australia.

No Points Test: Eligibility based on employer nomination.

Family Inclusion: Bring your immediate family members.

Regional Living: Contribute to regional Australia's growth.

Access to Medicare: Australia’s public healthcare system.

Work Rights: Full work rights with your sponsoring employer.

494 Skilled Employer

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional | Provisional visa, you must meet the following eligibility requirements: 

Labour Agreement or Employer Nomination: Be nominated by an approved employer in a designated regional area (for the Employer-Sponsored stream or the Labour Agreement stream).

Skills: Have at least 3 years of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation.

English Language: Meet the English language proficiency requirements.

Age: Be under 45 years old at the time of application - unless the labour agreement states otherwise

Health & Character: Satisfy health and character criteria.

📥 Download Eligibility Checklist

🔍 Step-by-Step Application Guide

1
Labour Agreement or Nomination:
Ensure your employer has a valid labour agreement or nomination from a regional area.
2
Visa Application:
Submit your visa application with all required documents.
3
Health & Character Checks:
Complete necessary health examinations and provide police certificates.
4
Wait for Decision:
Processing times may vary depending on the completeness of your application and volume of applications.
5
Visa Grant:
If approved, you will be granted a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa.

Common Mistakes ✅ Tips to Strengthen Your Application

Common Mistakes to Avoid​

Incorrect ANZSCO Code: Ensure that your occupation is correctly matched to the ANZSCO code.

Incomplete Documentation: Submit all the required documents upfront. Missing documents can delay the process.

Unsupported Claims: Ensure you have clear and verifiable evidence for all claims made in your application.

Expired Test Results: Your English language test and skills assessments must be valid at the time of application.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

Double-Check Your Skills Assessment: Ensure your skills assessment is up to date and relevant for your occupation.

Provide Complete and Accurate Documentation: Be meticulous in submitting all documents required for your application.

Ensure Your English Proficiency: Submit valid English language test results that meet the visa requirements.

Consult with a Registered Migration Agent: Professional advice can help ensure your application is accurate and complete.

Prepare for Health & Character Checks: Ensure all medical exams are completed and that you have obtained police clearance certificates for all countries where you have lived.

Required Documents

For your Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa application, you will need:

Primary Applicant:

Passport and identity documents

English language test results

Skills assessment (if applicable)

Health and character documents

Police clearance certificates

Family Members:

Proof of relationship

Health and character documents

📥 Download Visa Requirement Checklist

Family Members You Can Include

After you receive your Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, you can include the following family members in your application: 

Spouse or De Facto Partner: Full work rights in Australia.

Dependent Children: under 18 Access to Medicare and full study rights.

Children over 18 - if dependent: Can apply for a PR pathway.

Adopted or Declared Dependents: Eligible for inclusion

All family members must meet health and character criteria.

Visa Fees & Processing Time

TypeDetails & Fee (AUD)
🧾 Government Fees Main ApplicantApprox. AUD 4,910
👥 Additional Applicant 18+AUD 2,455
👥 Additional Applicant below 18AUD 1,230
⏳ Processing TimeTypically 8–13 months post-invitation (50–90% of applications) — indicative, check current Home Affairs processing times

🧰 Tools & Downloads

Download Complete Subclass 494 Visa Pack
Download Complete Subclass 494 Visa Pack
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❓Frequently Asked Questions


The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa allows skilled workers nominated by an employer in a

regional area

to live and work in Australia for up to 5 years.

  1. Employer-Sponsored Stream : For workers sponsored by an eligible employer in a regional area.Pathway to PR: Eligible for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after 3 years.
  2. Subsequent Entrant Stream : For family members of Subclass 494 visa holders.
  3. Labour Agreement Stream : For workers nominated under a labour agreement with their employer.


Yes, you can apply for the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa from outside Australia if you meet the criteria.

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

Once granted, you will have provisional residency status and access to full work and study rights in designated regional areas.

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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.