A provisional visa for skilled workers sponsored by regional employers.
It offers a pathway to permanent residency after meeting specific criteria.

Why Choose the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)?

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 494 is a five-year provisional visa designed to fill labour shortages in Australia’s regional areas. It allows skilled workers to live, work, and study in a designated regional area of Australia after being sponsored by a regional employer.

This visa is ideal for individuals seeking a pathway to permanent residency while contributing to regional Australia’s workforce and economic growth.

Key Benefits of the Subclass 494 Visa

• Live, work, and study in designated regional areas for up to 5 years
• Include eligible family members in the visa application
• Travel in and out of Australia freely while the visa is valid
• Pathway to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa after 3 years
• Priority visa processing for regional applications

Visa Streams

The Subclass 494 visa has two main streams:

1. Employer Sponsored Stream: For skilled workers nominated by a regional employer.

2. Labour Agreement Stream: For applicants sponsored through a labour agreement with the Australian Government.

Visa Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the 494 visa, you must:

• Be under 45 years of age at the time of application
• Be nominated by an approved regional employer
• Have an occupation on the Regional Occupation List
• Hold a positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation
• Have at least 3 years of relevant work experience
• Meet competent English language requirements
• Satisfy health and character requirements

English Language Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate competent English:

• IELTS: Minimum score of 6 in each band
• PTE Academic: Minimum 50 in each section
• Or equivalent in TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge English (CAE)

Health and Character Requirements

All applicants and accompanying family members must:

• Undergo medical examinations
• Provide police clearances from all countries lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years (from age 16)

Pathway to Permanent Residency

After holding the 494 visa for at least 3 years, and meeting income and residency requirements, you may be eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa – Subclass 191.

Family Members You Can Include

You may include the following in your application:

• Your spouse or de facto partner
• Your or your partner’s dependent children or stepchildren

Family members can also live, study, and work in regional Australia.

Need Support With Your 494 Visa Application?

Applying for a regional sponsorship visa can be complex, with detailed employer requirements and regional eligibility rules. Rozario Enterprises offers expert consultation and application support to help you secure sponsorship and submit a strong application.

Disclaimer: This content is intended for general informational purposes only. For the most accurate and updated information, please visit the official Department of Home Affairs website.