Subclass 494 · Employer-sponsored · Employer Sponsored
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
The subclass 494 is the employer-sponsored counterpart to the 491. A business in a designated regional area sponsors a skilled worker for five years, the worker must live and work in that region, and after three years they can move to the permanent 191. It requires three years of work experience and a positive skills assessment, more than the 482 asks for.
By Roman Lama
- Stay period
- 5 years provisional
- Permanent residence
- Yes, PR or a pathway to it
- Points tested
- No
- Age limit
- Under 45 at application, with limited exemptions
- Base application charge
- From about AUD 4,770 for the primary applicant
- Processing time
- Commonly 6 to 12 months
- English requirement
- Competent English (IELTS 6 equivalent)
- Work experience
- At least 3 years of relevant full-time experience
- Skilled occupation list
- Regional occupation list for the 494
Who it’s for
You need an approved regional employer sponsor, a nominated occupation on the 494 regional list, a positive skills assessment, three years of relevant experience, competent English, and to be under 45. A Regional Certifying Body must confirm the position and salary are genuine.
Pathway to permanent residence
Hold the 494 for three years, comply with its regional conditions, and meet the income requirement, then apply for the subclass 191 permanent visa. This is the same permanent stage the 491 feeds into.
494 versus 491
The 491 needs no employer but does need state or family nomination and a points score. The 494 needs an employer willing to sponsor and certify the role, but no points test and no SkillSelect invitation. People with a solid job offer in a regional town often find the 494 faster.
494 versus 482
Both are employer-sponsored. The 494 is longer (five years versus four), is explicitly a permanent residence pathway through the 191, and is restricted to regional areas. It asks for three years of experience against the 482's one.
Getting to the 191
Three years of regional residence and three ATO notices of assessment above the income threshold. Time split across a 491 and a 494 can be combined.
Visa conditions
Condition 8578 (notify changes within 14 days) and 8579 (live, work, and study only in a designated regional area) apply, the same as the 491. Breaching them jeopardises the 191.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494): common questions
How much does the subclass 494 visa cost?
The base application charge for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) is From about AUD 4,770 for the primary applicant. Family members you include each pay an additional charge, and there are separate costs for health checks, police certificates, and skills assessments.
How long does the subclass 494 visa take to process?
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) is generally processed in Commonly 6 to 12 months. Times vary with your occupation, how complete your application is, and demand at the time.
Does the subclass 494 visa lead to permanent residence?
Hold the 494 for three years, comply with its regional conditions, and meet the income requirement, then apply for the subclass 191 permanent visa. This is the same permanent stage the 491 feeds into.
What is the age limit for the subclass 494 visa?
Under 45 at application, with limited exemptions. Age is assessed at a specific point in the process, usually the date of invitation or application, so check exactly when before you plan around it.
How long can I stay on the subclass 494 visa?
5 years provisional.
This is general information, not immigration advice. Visa criteria change often, so always confirm the current rules on the Department of Home Affairs website or with a registered migration agent before you apply.