494 Visa – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Subclass 494
Subclass 494 visa allows regional businesses to overcome labour shortages in their area by sponsoring skilled workers when they cannot find a sufficiently skilled Australian worker. On 16 November 2019, the skilled employer-sponsored visa 494 replaced the RSMS 187 visa – Direct Entry stream.
494 Visa Overview
494 Visa allows you to:
- Live and work in an Australian regional area for up to five years.
- Include immediate family members in the application.
- Apply for Australian permanent residency through 191 Visa.
494 Basic eligibility
You must meet the following requirements:
- Be nominated by a business in an Australian regional area;
- Have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list;
- Have a positive Skills Assessment;
- Be under 45 years old;
- Meet minimum English language requirements.
More about 494 Visa
The 494 Visa commenced on 16 November 2019, replacing the RSMS 187 visa—Direct Entry stream. It is valid for skilled jobs in Regional areas. Upon issuance of the 494 visa, you are required to begin employment within ninety days and limit your employment to the chosen occupation and employer in a regional area of Australia. If you fail to comply, your visa can be revoked.
Employer-Sponsored Regional 494 Visa streams
There are three streams available under the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional / 494 visa:
Employer Sponsored Stream
The Employer-sponsored stream of 494 Visa allows regional firms to sponsor talented migrants when they are unable to find sufficiently skilled Australian workers, thereby addressing labour shortages within their region.
Subsequent Entrant
The subsequent entrant stream of 494 Visa is intended for family members of a holder of a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) who want to join the primary SESR visa holder in Australia but are applying separately for their own SESR visa.
Labour Agreement Term
The Labour Agreement stream of 494 Visa allows employers with a labor agreement may nominate skilled workers. The labour agreements are negotiated between the employers and the Australian Government (represented by the Department).
More details about the subclass 494 Visa :
- Regional areas include everywhere except the metropolitan areas of;
- Sydney,
- Melbourne,
- Brisbane,
- Gold Coast and
- Perth.
- Increased number of eligible occupations
- Provisional visa with an option to transition to permanent residency after three years
- Priority processing
494 Visa To Permanent Residency Conditions
- to obtain a Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) 191 Visa, one must reside and work in a regional area for three years while holding a 494 visa.
- able to switch employment but must find a replacement nominee within 90 days.
- not eligible to apply for an 820 partner visa or any other skilled PR for three years.
- fit for Medicare under 494 visa; no need for health insurance.
494 Visa / Employer Sponsored Regional Visa Requirements
| For Applicants | For Employer |
|---|---|
| Age under 45 at the time of application (exemptions apply) | The employer must be located in a designated regional Australia, everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. |
| Competent English at the time of application | Regional areas include Perth, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Lake Macquarie, Illawarra, Geelong, Newcastle, Wollongong, Adelaide, Hobart, and Canberra |
| You must have been employed in the nominated occupation for at least 3 years on a full-time basis and at the skill level required for the nominated occupation. Generally, you should have gained your experience within the last 5 years. The period does not need to be continuous. Equivalent part-time work may be considered. DHA does not consider casual work. | Position be on the list of eligible occupations |
| GTE requirement does not apply | The position must be full time and likely be available for 5 years |
| If in Australia, hold a substantive or Bridging Visa A, B or C | Employer will need approval from the Regional Certifying Body (RCB) |
| Successful skills assessment at the time of application | The employer must pay the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR) |
| Doctor registration requirement does not apply | |
Benefits for 494 Visa Holder
There are two exceptional benefits for 494 visa holder:
- Can apply for permanent residence without a second nomination stage, if eligible, through the subclass 191 visa.
- Lower cost to employers with only one SAF levy stage for the subclass 494 nomination (compared to the two stages for the current subclass 482 to ENS subclass 186 permanent resident pathway).
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa 494 Four Steps Process
Step 1: Check your eligibility and visa requirements
Before filing an application for a visa, you must ensure that you are eligible and that you have met all application requirements. This holds true for your employer as well. In order to recommend you for a 494 Visa, your business needs to meet specific criteria as explained above.
Keep in mind that the requirements vary for the three streams. Make sure that your company has nominated you in the right stream and that they are qualified to do so.
Step 2: Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) Application
Your employer must apply for a Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) as soon as they have verified that they are eligible to nominate you. A contract known as SBS with the Australian government permits your business to appoint foreign nationals to roles requiring a high level of qualification. It has a five-year duration.
If your employer has already hosted an SBS, they can skip this stage.
Step 3: Nomination and 494 Visa Application
Your employer may submit a nomination application after receiving the SBS. Your business may concurrently submit the nomination and the application for a 494 Visa. The application must be submitted through IMMIAccount.
Step 4: Nomination and 494 Visa Outcome
You will typically receive notification of the nomination application’s outcomes first. If your candidacy is approved by the Department of Home Affairs, the same likely will occur with your 494 visa application.
494 visa Cost 2025
The current cost for 494 Visa is as follows:
- AUD 4,770 for main applicant
- AUD 2,385 for additional applicant aged 18 and older
- AUD 1,190 for additional applicant aged under 18
- Second VAC: $4,890 if the adult applicant does not meet Functional English
The above fee is as of July 2024. Please note that the visa fee might increase in July every year.
494 visa Australia processing time
The current processing time for 494 Visa application is as follows:
- 494 Visa – Employer Sponsored stream: 4 – 8 months
- 494 Visa – Labour Agreement stream: 6 – 8 months
Processing times can differ for several reasons, such as:
- if the application you submitted has all the required supporting documentation.
- how soon you reply when someone asks for additional details.
- how long it takes the Department to complete the necessary assessments.
- the length of time it takes to get information from outside sources, especially when it comes to national security, character, and health standards.
Does 494 visa lead to PR?
The Regional 494 Visa offers a straight route to Permanent Residence (PR) through the Subclass 191 Visa after three years of regional work.
You can find the details of the PR pathway from 494 Visa here.
Which visa is better 482 or 494?
The 482 visa offers a more straightforward route to permanent residency. However, based on your unique situation, the 494 might be a better option.
You may see the following advantages and disadvantages for further consideration:
| Feature | 482 Visa (Skills in Demand Visa) | 494 Visa (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa) |
| Purpose | Temporary work visa for skilled workers needed by Australian employers | Regional employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers to address labor shortages in regional areas |
| Validity | 4 years | 5 years |
| Pathway to PR | Direct pathway to PR after 2 years through the 186 Visa | Direct pathway to PR after 3 years through the 191 Visa |
| Work Location | Anywhere in Australia (depends on employer sponsorship) | Must work in designated regional areas |
| Employer Sponsorship | Required | Required |
| Occupation List | Skilled Occupation List, Core Skills Occupation List | Skilled Occupation List |
| Family Inclusion | Can include family members | Can include family members |
| PR Requirement | Must work with the same employer for 2 years | Must live and work in a regional area for 3 years before PR application |
| Age Requirement | No maximum age requirement. But if you want to apply for PR, you must be under 45 years old | Maximum 45 years old |
| Flexibility | More flexible with job locations and employer changes | Restricted to regional areas and employer obligations |
| Best for | Skilled workers looking for a temporary work opportunity, mainly in cities | Workers willing to settle in regional areas with a clear PR pathway |
The above information is only for general advice. We strongly suggest you contact our team to discuss the best visa option for yourself.
What is the difference between 491 and 494 visa?
The important difference between the 491 and 494 visas is that subclass 491 requires nomination by qualified family members or government entities, while the 494 visa necessitates employer sponsorship. The eligibility requirements for both visas, such as occupation and English language ability, are comparable.
Frequently Asked Questions
ONE derland Consulting managing director and also registered migration agent, Indah Melindasari, B.Com (MARN 0961 448) is here to answer your Skilled Regional 494 Visa questions!
- Can I apply for this visa if my employer is located in Melbourne?
- Generally, this visa is given to employers located in a regional area. As most of Melbourne is not considered a regional area, you need to check the postcode of your employer.
- If the postcode is considered a regional area, then yes, you can apply for this 494 visa.
- What if my work experience is less than 3 years, can I apply for this visa?
- As per the visa eligibility, you must have at least 3 years of work experience in your nominated occupation.
- Is English ability mandatory for applying for this visa?
- Yes, it is. You must have at least Competent English in order to be granted this visa.
- Can I bring my family with this visa?
- You can include your family members in this visa but they must meet the health and character requirements.
- How long can I stay with this visa?
- If your application for this visa is granted, you can stay in Australia for 5 years. In the third year of this visa, you can apply for permanent residency.
- What if my visa got refused? Can I appeal?
- You would need to look at the department’s refusal letter. If it states that the decision can be reviewed, you can lodge an appeal within a specific timeframe.
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