
Requirements For A Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa
The Subclass 494 process is broken down into four 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.
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.
*Note the TSMIT is increasing on 1 July 2025 – read more here.
Regional Certification
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.