Subclass 494 / Employer-sponsored regional work
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
A regional role. New possibilities ahead.
Connect a genuine regional position with a practical migration plan. We help employers and workers understand the nomination, regional commitments and requirements behind the 494.
- Visa type
- Provisional
- Visa period
- 5 years
- Location
- Designated regional Australia
What this pathway offers
A role in the region. A plan beyond the grant.
The 494 is a provisional visa with employer and regional requirements. A later permanent pathway may be available through the 191 if its criteria are met.
Contribute to a regional business
Work in the nominated role under the visa's sponsorship and regional conditions.
Build plans around the region
The granted visa permits a five-year provisional stay. Live, work and study arrangements must comply with the regional conditions.
Prepare for a possible permanent stage
Keep visa-compliance and tax records for a later 191 assessment. Permanent residence requires a separate application and decision.
Know the application you are preparing
Know which application you are preparing.
The standard employer pathway, labour agreements and later family applications have different requirements.
Employer Sponsored stream
For an eligible regional role with an approved employer nomination. Occupation, salary, labour market testing and regional certification requirements need checking.
Labour Agreement stream
For skilled workers nominated under a relevant employer labour agreement. Its occupations and any concessions must be reviewed.
Subsequent entrant
For eligible family members applying separately to join a 494 holder. This is a family application, rather than another primary-worker nomination route.
The requirements in context
What needs to line up.
For the standard Employer Sponsored stream, the key checks include:
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An eligible regional role and employer
Check the designated regional location, genuine position, occupation eligibility, sponsor and nomination requirements, including relevant regional certification and labour market testing.
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Age, skills and experience
Usually be under 45, have at least three years of relevant work experience and a suitable skills assessment, unless a specified exemption applies.
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Salary and English
The role must satisfy the relevant market-salary and income requirements. The worker needs the required English evidence or an applicable exemption.
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Visa history and personal requirements
Review current status, application history, licensing, health, character and any family members applying with you.
Regional commitments
are part of the visa plan.
Check the actual designated regional area for the role and understand the conditions that apply to the worker and family. A regional employer address alone does not establish eligibility.
The 191 Regional Provisional stream may be available after at least three years holding an eligible 491 or 494 visa, subject to all requirements. The five-year 494 does not convert to permanent residence automatically.
A plan you can follow
From your circumstances to a practical next step.
We help the business and worker understand the regional requirements and the evidence needed at each stage.
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Check the regional role
Review location, duties, occupation, salary and the business's need for the position.
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Prepare the employer side
Work through sponsorship, regional certification, labour market testing and nomination evidence where required.
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Coordinate the worker application
Check age, experience, assessment, English and family documents, along with application timing and current visa status.
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Understand the grant and later stage
Review sponsorship and regional conditions after a grant. Maintain the records needed for ongoing compliance and any later permanent application.
Preparation that makes sense
The right records. A clearer application.
The checklist depends on the visa, stream and people involved. Depending on your circumstances, it may include:
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Business, sponsorship and nomination records, with regional role and location evidence.
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Employment contract, market-salary records and labour market testing where required.
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Relevant regional certification and occupation evidence.
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Qualifications, skills assessment, registration and employment history.
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Passport, English, family, health and character evidence as required.
A little more clarity
Your 494 questions, made clearer.
Start with the essentials, then look at how the requirements apply to the role, history and application.
Is every location outside a capital city regional?
The migration definition uses designated regional areas and postcodes. Some capital cities, including Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart, are classed as regional. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are excluded. Check the actual work and residential locations against the Home Affairs regional-area guidance; an employer's postal address alone is not enough.
Is the salary threshold the same as for the 482?
The 494 uses the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), while the 482 Core Skills stream uses the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT). For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, both are AUD79,423. The 482 Specialist Skills stream has a different threshold. Market-salary rules still apply, and labour agreements may have different terms. Check the current salary requirements for the nomination date.
Do I need a new employer sponsor for the 191?
The 191 Regional Provisional stream does not require an employer sponsor or nominator. It is a separate permanent visa application. You must have held an eligible 491 or 494 visa for at least three years, complied with its conditions and met the other requirements. These include ATO notices of assessment for three income years out of the five years of the eligible visa; there is no minimum income requirement. Review the current 191 criteria before planning the application.
What if my job or employer changes?
A change of employer generally requires a new approved nomination. Changing your nominated occupation generally requires a new 494 visa grant. If sponsored employment ends, condition 8608 allows limited periods outside the normal work conditions: up to 180 days in one period and 365 days in total over the visa grant period. Other conditions, including regional requirements, continue to apply. These periods do not extend your visa expiry. Check your visa conditions before making a change.
How long will it take and what will it cost?
Timing depends on the stream, nomination, evidence and Home Affairs assessment. See current processing guidance and visa charges. Plan sponsorship, regional certification where required, nomination, any SAF levy, visa, assessment and professional costs separately. Employer sponsorship and nomination costs cannot be passed to the worker. We explain the agreed scope and fees before work begins.
Your next step starts with you
Put the regional role and your future in view.
Tell us about the business, location and worker's background. We will help you understand the 494 requirements and the next step.