AVIE for Businesses

494 Visa – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)

Addressing skilled worker shortages in regional Australia.

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What is a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa?

The 494 visa (also known as a ‘SESR visa’) is a 5-year provisional visa aimed at drawing skilled workers to regional Australia.

This visa enables employers in designated regional areas to tap into a wider range of occupations to meet workforce needs, while providing a clear pathway to permanent residency for the workers.

Timeline of key changes – 494 Visa

7 August 2025

1 July 2025

  • Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) increased to $76,515 per annum

7 December 2024

  • Split from 482 program as the 494 continues to use the Short-Term (STSOL), Medium-Term (MLTSSL), and Regional (ROL) occupation lists.  CSOL does not apply.

1 July 2024

  • Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) increased from $70,000 to $73,150
  • Work limitations amended to allow greater flexibility, with 180 day ‘grace period’ between employer sponsors

1 July 2023

  • Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) increased from $53,900 to $70,000

16 November 2022

16 November 2019

  • Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) introduced, replacing the previous Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa
  • Occupations on Regional Occupation Lists accepted
  • Specialised pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 191 visa announced, but no further details provided

Requirements For A 494 Visa

The Subclass 494 process is broken down into three application steps.

494 visa holders are restricted to living, working, and attending school in regional Australia. The Department of Immigration will monitor applicants over the life of this visa, requesting evidence of compliance with visa conditions and reporting obligations.

Holders are also eligible for Australian Medicare during the life of the 494 visa.

There is a dedicated pathway to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after living and working in regional Australia for at least three years.

Sponsorship

The business must demonstrate that it is actively and lawfully operating, becoming a Standard Business Sponsor or entering into a Labour Agreement with the Department of Immigration. The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a form of Labour Agreement.

Regional Certification & Nomination

The employer is required to identify an occupation on the Regional Occupation List that aligns with the role on offer. The role must be located in regional Australia, which is generally anywhere outside the Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane metro areas.
The role must also attract a ‘market rate’ salary that is no less than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) of $76,515 per annum.

The employment conditions including salary must be assessed by a Regional Certifying Body to ensure they align with the local market rates. The Certifying body often have additional requirements, including specific LMT advertising, in order to meet their assessment criteria. Note that some Certifying bodies require that the nominating business is registered in their State or Territory, meaning remote work may not be acceptable.

Labour Market Testing (LMT) is mandatory for the 494 visa. LMT advertising must meet Immigration’s strict requirements in order to be accepted for Nomination purposes.

A one-off Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy payment is payable for each nomination, with the amount determined by the turnover of the sponsoring business.

Visa Application

To qualify for the 494 Visa, candidates must:

  • Meet the skill requirement for their nominated occupation as set out in the ANZSCO.
  • Provide a formal skill assessment in their nominated occupation
  • Evidence at least three years of recent, full-time, paid work experience in their occupation
  • Demonstrate at least Competent English
  • Meet health and character requirements

Family members can be included in the application. Family members over the age of 18 must demonstrate Functional English ability.

How much does a 494 visa application cost?

As of 1 July 2025, the government application fees are as follows:

Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) – $420

Labour Agreement – nil

DAMA endorsement – varies by DAMA authority

Nomination – $330

Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy – $3000 or $5000, depending on turnover

Visa Application – Main Applicant – $4,910

Visa Application – Dependent Applicant over 18yrs of age (each) – $2,455

Visa Application – Dependent Applicant under 18yrs of age (each) – $1,230

How long does a 494 visa take to process?

As of 29 July 2025, Immigration advises the current processing times are as follows:

No data available

Application Type 50% processed within 90% processed within
SBS 39 days 5 months
Labour Agreement (note that Agreements under a DAMA are much faster) 10 months 14 months
Nomination
Employer Sponsored Stream Visa 8 months 13 months
Labour Agreement Stream Visa 8 months 11 months

Benefits of working with Corporate Immigration Experts

 

Simplify the Process – We know employers and HR teams are time-poor, so we streamline the immigration process to make it as straightforward and hassle-free as possible.

 

Expert Problem-Solving – Our team has extensive experience handling complex visa situations and finding tailored solutions to meet business needs.

 

Avoid Mistakes – Avoid costly delays and reapplications—our expertise ensures visa applications are done right the first time.

 

Compliance Support – We help businesses stay compliant with evolving immigration laws, reducing the risk of penalties or sponsorship issues.