Overview
The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa is a 5-year provisional visa for a skilled worker nominated by an employer for a full-time position in designated regional Australia, which is everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The worker needs at least 3 years of full-time experience in the occupation, a skills assessment (unless exempt), competent English and usually to be under 45; the employer must be a Standard Business Sponsor, carry out labour market testing and pay at least the market salary rate, assessed by a Regional Certifying Body. After 3 years on the 494, the worker can apply for permanent residence through the subclass 191. The visa charge is A$6,140 for the main applicant; there is no nomination fee, but the employer pays a one-off Skilling Australians Fund levy of A$3,000 or A$5,000.
The worker must start work within 90 days of arriving (or of grant, if granted in Australia), and the whole point of the visa is the move to permanent residence on the 191 after 3 years. LifeinAus advises employers and nominees on the 494; we don’t find jobs or sponsors.
What are the 494 visa requirements?
For the worker:
- Occupation: on the relevant skilled occupation list for the 494.
- Experience: at least 3 years full time in the nominated occupation at the required skill level, generally within the last 5 years. It need not be continuous; equivalent part-time work may count, casual work does not.
- Skills assessment: before you lodge, unless exempt. An assessment obtained for a 485 visa is not accepted. You do not need a new one if you gave a skills assessment for a 457 or 482 in the same occupation.
- Age: usually under 45 when you apply (exemptions below).
- English: at least competent English, for example IELTS 6 in each band.
- Health requirements for every applicant; character checks and the Australian Values Statement for applicants aged 16 and over.
For the employer:
- Be, or have applied to be, a Standard Business Sponsor.
- The position must be full time and likely to exist for at least 5 years, in a designated regional area.
- Carry out labour market testing, unless an exemption applies.
- Pay at least the annual market salary rate for the role (unless the salary is A$250,000 or more); a Regional Certifying Body assesses it. Home Affairs’ sponsor checklist also refers to paying at a rate equal to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT); skilled visa thresholds are indexed every 1 July.
Is there an age limit for the 494?
Usually the worker must be under 45. Home Affairs lists these exemptions for the Employer Sponsored stream:
| Exemption | Condition |
|---|---|
| Academics | University Lecturer or Faculty Head (Level A to E) nominated by an Australian university |
| Regional medical practitioners | 2 years’ work in a designated regional area on a 457 or 482 in the 3 years before applying |
| Scientists, researchers, technical specialists | ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2, nominated by an Australian scientific government agency or university |
| 444 or 461 holders | Held for the last 3 years, with at least 2 years working for the nominator in the occupation |
| High-earning 457/482 holders | At least 2 of the last 3 years with the nominating employer in the occupation, earning at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold each year |
In the Labour Agreement stream, the agreement can set a different age, English or skills-assessment requirement.
What does a 494 cost?
| Cost | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application charge, main applicant | Worker (or employer by agreement) | A$6,140 |
| Each dependant aged 18 or over | Worker | A$3,070 |
| Each dependant under 18 | Worker | A$1,535 |
| Nomination | Employer | No application fee (Employer Sponsored stream) |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover under A$10 million | Employer | A$3,000 one-off |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover A$10 million or more | Employer | A$5,000 one-off |
The levy is paid in full when the nomination is lodged and cannot be passed on to the worker. It is reduced (to 80%, 60%, 40% or 20%) when the nominee already holds a 494 with 4, 3, 2 or 1 years remaining, and unused full years can be refunded if the worker leaves within the first 12 months. A second instalment of the visa charge may also apply; Home Affairs does not publish the amount on the 494 page and invoices applicants who must pay it. The full table is on our 494 cost page.
What counts as “regional”?
Everywhere in Australia except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Home Affairs groups designated regional areas into two categories:
- Category 2, Cities and Major Regional Centres: Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart.
- Category 3, Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas: all other designated regional areas.
For a 494 holder the area must have been on the designated list when the employer lodged the most recent nomination. Home Affairs publishes the postcode list.
What conditions does the 494 carry?
- 8579: you must live, work and study in a designated regional area while in Australia.
- 8608: you may work only in the nominated occupation, for the sponsor or an associated entity. You must start work within 90 days of arrival (or of grant, if granted in Australia). If your employment ends, you may stop working for up to 180 days in a single period and up to 365 days in total over the visa (counted from 1 July 2024), so a new sponsor needs to lodge a new nomination within that time.
- Until you have held the 494 for 3 years you cannot be granted the 132, 186, 188, 189, 190, 858 or the 191 (Regional Provisional stream), and you cannot make a valid onshore partner (subclass 820) application.
How do you get permanent residence through the 191?
After you have held the 494 for at least 3 years and complied with its conditions, you can apply for the subclass 191 (Regional Provisional stream). You provide ATO notices of assessment for 3 income years out of the 5 years of your 494. As at 30 October 2026 the 191 stream page says “There is no minimum income requirement”, although the 191 overview page still refers to an income threshold, so confirm the position before you lodge. The 191 charge is from A$630, and once granted the 191 has no regional condition.
Who is processed first?
494 applications are decided in the order set by Ministerial Direction 122: construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, law-enforcement and defence occupations first, then applicants who were in Australia when they lodged, then others. Accredited sponsors’ nominations and visas are also prioritised. The 2026-27 Migration Program allocates 14,110 Regional places, shared between the 494 and the 491. Current processing times are on our 494 processing-time page.
General information only, checked against Home Affairs on 30 October 2026 and subject to change; not migration advice for your business or your worker.
Who is eligible for the Subclass 494 visa?
- Be nominated by a Standard Business Sponsor (or a labour agreement party) for a full-time position in a designated regional area that is likely to exist for at least 5 years
- Be nominated in an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list for the 494
- Have at least 3 years of full-time experience in the nominated occupation, generally within the last 5 years (casual work is not counted)
- Have a relevant skills assessment before you lodge, unless exempt (an assessment obtained for a 485 visa is not accepted)
- Be under 45 when you apply, unless an exemption applies
- Have at least competent English, and meet health, character and Australian values requirements
How much does the Subclass 494 visa cost?
The base application charge is A$6,140. An additional A$3,070 applies per applicant aged 18 or over. There is no nomination application fee for the Employer Sponsored stream; the employer pays the Skilling Australians Fund levy (A$3,000 or A$5,000, one-off) and, if not already a sponsor, the Standard Business Sponsorship charge. Dependants under 18 are A$1,535 each. Checked against the official Home Affairs pricing table on 29 October 2026. See every Subclass 494 stream's charge and processing time, or compare every visa on our Australian visa fees table. Fees are indexed each year — see the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the current figure.
How long does the Subclass 494 visa take to process?
For the Employer Sponsored stream, around 75% of applications are finalised within 11 months, and 90% within 12 months.
| Stream | 75% finalised within | 90% finalised within |
|---|---|---|
| Employer Sponsored | 11 months | 12 months |
| Labour Agreement | 11 months | 12 months |
Official figures as at 29 September 2026. Source: Department of Home Affairs — Global visa processing times. Compare all visas on our processing times tracker. Times are a guide only — complete, decision-ready applications are generally faster.
How do you apply for the Subclass 494 visa?
- Employer becomes a sponsor. The business is, or applies to become, a Standard Business Sponsor.
- Labour market testing and salary assessment. The employer advertises the role to test the Australian labour market (unless exempt) and asks a Regional Certifying Body to assess the annual market salary rate.
- Nomination. The employer lodges the nomination for a full-time regional position. There is no nomination fee; the Skilling Australians Fund levy (A$3,000 or A$5,000) is paid at lodgement.
- Visa application. The worker lodges the 494 in or outside Australia with the skills assessment, evidence of 3 years' full-time experience, English, health and character, and pays the A$6,140 charge.
- Live and work regionally, then apply for the 191. Live, work and study in a designated regional area, work for the sponsor in the nominated occupation, and after holding the 494 for 3 years apply for the permanent subclass 191 with ATO notices of assessment for 3 income years.
How it compares
| Visa | Type | Where you work | Experience needed | Leads to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 494 | Provisional (up to 5 years) | Designated regional areas only | 3 years | Via the 191 after 3 years |
| 482 | Temporary (4–5 years) | Anywhere in Australia | 1 year | Via the 186 |
| 186 | Permanent | Anywhere in Australia | Stream-dependent | Is permanent residence |
| 491 | Provisional (5 years), state-nominated | Designated regional areas only | Points-tested | Via the 191 after 3 years |
Frequently asked questions
What are the requirements for a 494 visa?
A nomination from a Standard Business Sponsor for a full-time position in designated regional Australia that is likely to exist for at least 5 years; an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list; at least 3 years of full-time experience in the occupation; a skills assessment unless exempt; usually being under 45; at least competent English; and health and character checks. The employer must carry out labour market testing and pay at least the market salary rate, assessed by a Regional Certifying Body.
How is the 494 different from the 482 and 186?
All three are employer-sponsored. The 482 is a temporary visa for work anywhere in Australia with a 1-year experience rule; the 186 is permanent residence anywhere in Australia; the 494 is a 5-year provisional visa limited to regional Australia, needs 3 years of experience, and leads to permanent residence through the subclass 191 rather than the 186.
Is there an age limit for the 494?
Usually you must be under 45 when you apply. Exemptions include academics nominated by an Australian university (Level A to E); medical practitioners with 2 years of work in a designated regional area on a 457 or 482 in the last 3 years; scientists, researchers and technical specialists at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2 nominated by an Australian scientific government agency or university; 444/461 holders who worked at least 2 years for the nominator; and 457/482 holders who worked for the nominating employer for 2 of the last 3 years earning at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold each year.
How many years of work experience do I need?
At least 3 years of full-time work in the nominated occupation at the required skill level, generally gained within the last 5 years. The period does not need to be continuous; equivalent part-time work may be considered, but casual work is not.
Do I need a skills assessment for the 494?
Usually yes, before you lodge. An assessment obtained for a 485 Temporary Graduate visa is not accepted. You do not need a new one if you held a 457 or 482 for the occupation and gave a skills assessment for that grant. Academics nominated by an Australian university and eligible 444/461 holders are exempt.
What salary must a 494 position pay?
At least the annual market salary rate for the role, which a Regional Certifying Body assesses, unless the salary is A$250,000 or more. Home Affairs' sponsor checklist also refers to paying at a rate equal to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT). Skilled visa income thresholds are indexed every 1 July.
What does a 494 cost the employer?
There is no application fee to nominate an applicant for the Employer Sponsored stream. The employer pays the Skilling Australians Fund levy in full when the nomination is lodged: A$3,000 one-off if annual turnover is under A$10 million, A$5,000 if it is A$10 million or more, reduced if the nominee already holds a 494. The levy cannot be passed on to the worker.
Which areas count as regional?
Everywhere in Australia except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Home Affairs lists Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart as Category 2 'Cities and Major Regional Centres'; all other regional areas are Category 3. The area must be on the designated list when the employer lodges the nomination.
Can I change employers on a 494?
Only with a new nomination from another sponsor in a designated regional area: condition 8608 limits you to the nominated occupation, working for your sponsor or an associated entity. If your employment ends, you may stop working for up to 180 days in a single period and up to 365 days in total over the life of the visa. Moving to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane breaches condition 8579.
How do I get permanent residence from the 494?
After holding the 494 for 3 years and complying with its conditions, apply for the subclass 191 (Regional Provisional stream) with ATO notices of assessment for 3 income years out of the 5 years of your 494. Home Affairs' 191 stream page says there is no minimum income requirement. The 191 has no regional condition once granted, and its charge is from A$630.
Related visas
- Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191)
- Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482)
- Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186)
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491)
- Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (Subclass 400)
- MATES scheme — Temporary Work visa (Subclass 403, MATES stream)
- Training visa (Subclass 407)
- Temporary Activity visa (Subclass 408)
Useful tools
Sponsor by occupation
Employer guides for the roles we're asked about most: list status, caveats, skills assessment, salary and costs for each.
- Accountant visa sponsorship
- Carpenter visa sponsorship
- Chef visa sponsorship
- Cook visa sponsorship
- Early childhood teacher visa sponsorship
- Electrician visa sponsorship
- Engineer visa sponsorship
- Hotel or hospitality manager visa sponsorship
- Motor mechanic visa sponsorship
- Pharmacist visa sponsorship
- Software developer visa sponsorship
Related guides
- Construction Trades PR Pathway: Carpenters, Electricians & Plumbers
- How to Sponsor an Overseas Worker in Australia (482 Skills in Demand)
- The medical examination for your Australian visa
- Complete guide to Australian immigration in 2026
- Visa Refused? Your Appeal Options and the ART Review
Sources
- Department of Home Affairs — Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
- Home Affairs — 494 Employer Sponsored stream (applicant and sponsor requirements)
- Home Affairs — Regional Certifying Bodies
- Home Affairs — Designated regional areas
- Home Affairs — Cost of sponsoring (Skilling Australians Fund levy)
- Home Affairs — Subclass 191 Regional Provisional stream