The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa is one of several employer-sponsored visas available to skilled overseas workers. This visa allows employers in regional areas to sponsor qualified applicants for positions that cannot be filled by the local workforce. The 494 visa offers a pathway to permanent residency while meeting Australia’s regional skill needs, making it a popular option for skilled professionals.
What is a 494 visa in Australia?
The 494 visa is designed for skilled workers who have been nominated by an employer in a regional area to fill a position in areas of Australia outside major cities. It provides a pathway to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa after three years of work and residence in a regional area.
Benefits include the ability to bring eligible family members, access to Medicare, and a secure pathway to permanent residency without the need for further employer nomination. However, visa holders cannot work for employers other than their nominating sponsor without proper approval.
The 494 visa is valid for up to five years, during which visa holders must comply with the conditions to live, work, and study in regional Australia. It allows temporary residence while gaining work experience in regional Australia, supporting both workforce needs and long-term settlement objectives.
What are the requirements for a 494 visa?
Both the employer and applicant must meet specific eligibility criteria for a 494 visa.
Employer nomination requirements
Employers must be located in regional Australia, actively operating a business, and unable to fill the nominated role with a local worker. They must demonstrate the position is genuine, full-time, and ongoing.
Applicant requirements
Applicants must have the required skills, qualifications, and work experience for the nominated role, obtain a formal skills assessment, meet age and English language requirements, and satisfy health and character checks.
How long does it take to get a 494 visa?
Processing times can vary but generally take 8–13 months, depending on the complexity of the application and supporting documentation.
Applicant steps to apply
To apply for a 494 visa, the employer must first become a Standard Business Sponsor or hold a Labour Agreement.
Then follows a nomination setting out the details of the role on offer, conditions of employment, and evidence the salary has been certified as a ‘market salary’.
Applicants must gather documentation, including identity documents, skills assessments, qualifications, employment references, English test results, and health checks. Family members moving with the applicant will need similar documentation, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and health assessments.
Can I change employers on a 494 visa?
Changing employers on a 494 visa is restricted. You can only work for your nominating employer, but it is possible to transfer to a new employer while you hold this visa. Transferring will not affect your pathway to permanent residency, as this is based on living and working in regional Australia and not on employment with a single sponsor.
Can I include family?
Yes, you can include your spouse/partner and dependent children in your 494 visa application. Family members must meet health and character requirements. Including them allows them to live, study, and work in Australia alongside you during your visa period.
How long will it take to get a 494 visa?
Processing times vary depending on the completeness of your application, health and character assessments, and government workloads. Typically, approval can take 8–13 months, but submitting thorough and accurate documentation can help avoid delays.
Can I become a permanent resident with a 494 visa?
Yes, the 494 visa provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa. After three years of living and working in a regional area in your nominated role and meeting income and residency requirements, applicants can apply for permanent residence.
Can I study with a 494 visa?
Visa holders can study part-time as long as it does not interfere with their primary work obligations under the 494 visa. While permitted, the visa’s main condition requires ongoing employment with the nominating employer in a regional area.
Can I extend my stay with a 494 visa?
The 494 visa is temporary for up to five years and cannot be directly extended beyond this period. However, it provides a clear pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa, allowing continued residence in Australia beyond the 494 visa period.
How can AVIE help?
At AVIE, we guide applicants and employers through the complex 494 visa process, from nomination to lodgement and compliance. Our experts ensure your application is complete, accurate, and maximises your chance of approval. If you’re unsure where to start or need personalised advice, contact us today.