Regional Employer Sponsored Visa Subclass 494
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) helps eligible employers in designated regional Australia sponsor skilled workers for genuine positions when an appropriately skilled Australian worker is not available.
Subclass 494 is a five-year provisional visa, not immediate permanent residence. Visa holders must live, work and study in designated regional Australia and may become eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191) after holding the visa for at least three years.
What is the Subclass 494 visa?
Subclass 494 supports regional businesses facing genuine skills shortages. It connects an approved regional employer, a genuine nominated position and a skilled worker who meets the occupation, experience, skills, English and age requirements of the relevant stream.
For this visa, designated regional Australia generally includes all locations except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The nominated position and sponsoring business or permitted associated entity must be located in a designated regional area.
Subclass 494 pathways
Employer Sponsored stream
The worker must be nominated for an occupation on the list applicable to the Subclass 494 Employer Sponsored stream. Most applicants must have a suitable skills assessment obtained before applying, at least three years of full-time relevant work experience at the required skill level, Competent English and be under 45 at application.
Limited exemptions apply to certain applicants. Even where a formal skills assessment exemption applies, the applicant must still demonstrate the qualifications, skills and experience required to perform the nominated occupation.
Labour Agreement stream
This stream may be used where the sponsoring employer is party to a labour agreement that is in effect and authorises the occupation and Subclass 494 pathway. Age, English, skills, experience, salary and any concessions are determined by the agreement and relevant visa rules.
Employer and position requirements
The nominating business must be actively and lawfully operating in Australia and generally be, or have applied to become, an approved Standard Business Sponsor. It must offer a genuine, full-time position located in designated regional Australia and expected to be available for at least five years.
The employer must address labour market testing where required, demonstrate the Annual Market Salary Rate, satisfy the applicable income threshold and employment conditions, pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy, and comply with sponsorship and Australian workplace obligations.
Regional Certifying Body assessment
For an Employer Sponsored stream nomination, the relevant Regional Certifying Body must assess the Annual Market Salary Rate for the nominated position. The employer should identify the correct body for the work location and provide its required employment, salary and business evidence.
Regional certification is one part of the process. It does not replace the Department's nomination assessment and does not guarantee that the nomination or visa will be approved.
How the Subclass 494 process works
Assess the regional position
Confirm the work location, genuine vacancy, occupation, duties, salary and suitable 494 stream.
Complete recruitment and certification
Undertake labour market testing where required and obtain the relevant Regional Certifying Body assessment.
Prepare sponsorship and nomination
Address sponsorship status and lodge detailed business, position, salary and employment evidence.
Prepare the visa application
Provide skills assessment, experience, English, identity, health, character and family documents.
Comply in regional Australia
After grant, begin the nominated work and ensure the family lives, works and studies only in designated regional areas.
Applicant eligibility
Employer Sponsored stream applicants generally must be under 45, have Competent English, hold a positive skills assessment and show at least three years of full-time experience in the nominated occupation. The experience should generally have been gained within the previous five years; equivalent part-time work may be considered, while casual work is not counted.
Any mandatory Australian licence, registration or professional membership must also be addressed. The applicant and included family members must meet health and character requirements, sign the Australian Values Statement where applicable and resolve relevant Australian Government debts.
Important Subclass 494 checks
- Confirm the business and nominated position are in designated regional Australia.
- Select an occupation authorised for the relevant 494 stream or labour agreement.
- Complete compliant labour market testing where required.
- Obtain the correct Regional Certifying Body salary assessment for the Employer Sponsored stream.
- Meet the applicable market salary, income threshold and workplace requirements.
- Secure the skills assessment, experience, English and registration evidence before lodgement.
- Understand that Subclass 191 is a separate application with its own eligibility criteria.
Visa conditions and regional obligations
The primary holder generally works only in the nominated occupation for the sponsor or a permitted associated entity in regional Australia. Employment must normally begin within 90 days of entering Australia if the visa was granted offshore, or within 90 days of grant if it was granted onshore.
The primary holder and family must comply with regional residence, work and study conditions. Changes to employment, employer or circumstances should be assessed promptly because they may affect visa compliance and future permanent-residence eligibility.
Pathway to Subclass 191
After holding Subclass 494 for at least three years, a visa holder may be able to apply for the Subclass 191 Regional Provisional stream. Applicants must independently satisfy the rules applying at that time, including the relevant regional-visa and compliance requirements.
Documents commonly required
Documents can include sponsorship records, regional certification, labour market testing, business financials, organisational chart, employment contract, position description, salary evidence, nomination reference, passport, qualifications, skills assessment, detailed work references, English results, licences, police certificates, health examinations and family evidence.
How Echoes Global Education can assist
Our migration team can assess the regional business and worker profile, identify the correct stream and occupation, coordinate Regional Certifying Body and nomination evidence, review skills and employment documents, and assist through sponsorship, nomination and visa lodgement.