Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) allows an employer in a designated regional area of Australia to sponsor a skilled worker for up to five years. After three years of living and working in a regional area, the visa holder may be eligible to apply for permanent residence through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).
What Is the Subclass 494 Visa?
The subclass 494 visa is a provisional visa that lets skilled workers live, work, and study in a designated regional area of Australia for five years. It is employer-sponsored, which means an approved Australian employer must nominate you for a specific position before you can be granted the visa. It is designed to help regional businesses fill skilled roles they cannot fill locally.
Who Is Eligible for the Subclass 494 Visa?
The visa involves three parties: the employer, the position, and the visa applicant. Each must meet its own requirements.
Employer Requirements
- The business must be an approved standard business sponsor, or be able to become one, and operate lawfully in a designated regional area.
- The employer must have a genuine need for a paid employee to fill a skilled position.
- The employer must complete labour market testing and pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy where it applies.
- The employer must meet its sponsorship obligations for as long as the visa holder is with the business.
Position Requirements
- The role must be full-time and ongoing and be available for the duration of the visa.
- The position must be in a designated regional area.
- The occupation must be on the list of eligible occupations for the visa. Check the Skilled Occupation List or ask us to confirm your occupation.
- The salary must meet the market salary rate for the role and the minimum income threshold that applies at the time of nomination.
Visa Applicant Requirements
- Skills and experience: you have the qualifications and at least three years of relevant work experience for the nominated occupation, and a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority where required.
- English: you meet the required standard of English language ability.
- Age: you are under 45 when you apply, unless an exemption applies.
- Health and character: you and any family members included in your application meet the health and character requirements.
What Counts as a Designated Regional Area?
For migration purposes, most of Australia outside the major cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane is a designated regional area. This includes locations such as the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin, as well as smaller regional and rural communities. Boundaries are set by postcode, so always check your workplace postcode against the Department of Home Affairs’ designated regional area postcode list before relying on a location.
What Are the Benefits of the Subclass 494 Visa?
As a visa holder, you can:
- live, work and study in a designated regional area for five years;
- include eligible family members in your application;
- travel to and from Australia as often as you like while the visa is valid;
- access Medicare in accordance with the Department’s conditions and
- work towards permanent residence through the subclass 191 visa once you have met the eligibility requirements.
For employers, the visa provides access to skilled workers in regions where local recruitment has been unsuccessful and gives you a way to retain staff for the long term.
What Are the Conditions of the Subclass 494 Visa?
The visa is subject to conditions, including that you must live and work in a designated regional area, and that you must work for your sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation. If you want to change employer, a new nomination is generally required. Breaching a visa condition can affect your future eligibility for permanent residence, so we recommend getting advice before making any changes to your work or location.
How Does the Subclass 494 Visa Lead to Permanent Residence?
After holding the visa for at least three years and living and working in a designated regional area, you may be eligible to apply for the subclass 191 visa. You will also need to provide income evidence and show that you have complied with your visa conditions. Our subclass 191 page explains these requirements in detail.
How Do I Apply for the Subclass 494 Visa?
The process has three stages, and each must be completed in order.
- Sponsorship. The employer applies to become an approved standard business sponsor, unless it already is one.
- Nomination. The employer nominates the position and shows the role, salary, occupation, and labour market testing requirements are met.
- Visa application. The skilled worker lodges the visa application with supporting evidence, including skills assessment, English results, work history and health and character documents.
Application charges, levies and processing times change regularly. Check the current visa application charge and the Department’s global visa processing times before you lodge.
How Can Ramsden Law Help with Your Subclass 494 Application?
Our migration lawyers are experienced in all types of skilled visas and can support both employers and visa applicants. We can assist with:
- advising on the requirements and process for the visa, including sponsorship, nomination and main visa application steps;
- preparing a tailored document checklist so you know exactly what evidence is needed;
- collating and reviewing your documents before lodgement;
- preparing detailed submissions to the Department of Home Affairs that address each requirement and explain the evidence provided;
- preparing and lodging the sponsorship, nomination and visa applications, with supporting evidence; and
- advising on the status of your application, ongoing obligations and current processing times.
Whether you are a regional employer looking to sponsor skilled workers, or a skilled worker exploring your options, our team can review your circumstances and help you prepare a well-supported application. Contact Ramsden Law to arrange an initial consultation at our Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney or Melbourne office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the subclass 494 visa still available?
Yes. The subclass 494 visa is current and remains available for regional employers to sponsor skilled workers.
How long is the subclass 494 visa valid for?
The visa is granted for five years.
Can a 494 visa lead to permanent residence?
Yes. After three years of living and working in a designated regional area on the visa, you may be eligible to apply for the subclass 191 permanent residence visa.
Can I live in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne on a 494 visa?
No. You must live and work in a designated regional area. Greater Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are not regional areas, but places like the Gold Coast are.
Can I change employers on a 494 visa?
Generally, you will need a new nomination from your new employer before you can change jobs. Speak to a migration lawyer before making any changes.
Do I need a skills assessment for a 494 visa?
In most cases, yes. A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority is generally required, along with at least three years of relevant work experience. Some exemptions may apply.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. Eligible partners and dependent children can be included in your application, and must meet health and character requirements.
