Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 494)
A five-year provisional visa for eligible workers sponsored for regional skilled positions. Regional compliance and a later permanent residence application are separate stages of the pathway.
Advice from Amir Adhikari, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1803796), based in Melbourne.Regional sponsorship consultations by phone, Zoom or at our Melbourne office.
- Outcome
- Provisional
- Duration
- 5 years
- Age
- Generally under 45 when applying, unless exempt; agreement rules may differ
- Regional
- Designated regional residence, work and study requirements
Important limitations
- This is provisional, not permanent residence. Three years passing does not automatically grant subclass 191.
- Regional conditions apply to residence, work and study. Check designated postcodes and any separate employer and occupation conditions before making changes.
- Continue complying with the provisional visa while a subclass 191 application is pending.
- Restrictions can affect other visa applications during the first three years. Obtain advice before changing pathways.
Streams
Employer Sponsored
For eligible skilled workers nominated for a genuine regional position. Generally requires three years of relevant skilled experience, a suitable skills assessment and age and English requirements, subject to applicable exemptions.
Labour Agreement
For eligible regional employment under an applicable labour agreement. Occupation access and concessions depend on the agreement and relevant rules.
Worker requirements
- Be nominated for an eligible regional skilled position.
- In the Employer Sponsored stream, generally have at least three years of relevant skilled experience and a suitable skills assessment, unless exempt.
- Meet the relevant age and English requirements and any applicable exemption rules.
- Hold the relevant occupational registration or licensing where required.
- Meet health, character and other applicable visa requirements; eligible accompanying family members are assessed separately.
Employer requirements
- Operate and offer the nominated employment in a designated regional area.
- Meet the relevant sponsorship and nomination requirements and demonstrate a genuine need for the position.
- Meet the applicable employment and labour market testing requirements.
- Meet the relevant annual market salary rate and applicable income threshold requirements. Meeting a minimum threshold alone is not sufficient.
- Obtain the required Regional Certifying Body assessment where applicable.
- Comply with sponsorship obligations and Australian workplace laws.
- Employers cannot transfer or recover certain sponsorship and nomination costs from workers. Check which costs the employer must bear before making any payment arrangement.
Income thresholds change. Check the current official threshold information (opens in a new tab).
What this visa allows
- Live, work and study in designated regional Australia for five years, subject to visa conditions.
- Work in the nominated regional skilled position and travel while the visa is valid.
- Include eligible family members.
- Consider subclass 191 after satisfying the eligible visa holding period and all other requirements.
How the process works
- Assess the regional location, genuine position, business and worker eligibility.
- Review sponsorship approval, the applicable stream and required regional certification.
- Prepare the nomination with occupation, salary, recruitment and employment evidence.
- Confirm timing and lodge a supported visa application when eligible.
- After grant, maintain regional and employment compliance and retain records for a possible later 191 application.
How we actually help
- Assess the regional postcode and employer nomination requirements.
- Review occupation, experience, assessment and relevant exemption evidence.
- Prepare sponsorship, nomination and visa documentation and explain the later regional permanent residence requirements.
Related pathway
Eligible 494 holders may apply for the subclass 191 Regional Provisional stream after holding an eligible visa for at least three years and meeting the other criteria. These include visa-condition compliance and ATO Notices of Assessment for three income years out of the five years of the eligible visa. There is no minimum income requirement for that 191 stream.
General information, not an individual eligibility assessment. Requirements, charges and processing change. Check the current position on the Department of Home Affairs page for subclass 494 (opens in a new tab).
About the 494
No. It is a five-year provisional visa. Subclass 191 is a separate permanent residence application with its own criteria.
Use the Department’s current designated regional postcode classification for the actual address. A city or region name alone is not enough.
Generally yes for the Employer Sponsored stream, unless exempt. Labour Agreement requirements must be checked separately.
No. The holding period is only one part of subclass 191 eligibility. Condition compliance, required ATO records and other requirements still apply.
Check your existing visa’s regional, employer and occupation conditions before making changes. Lodging a 191 application does not itself remove your current visa conditions.
Your matter:
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 494).
Selected service · Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 494)
A consultation assesses your circumstances, discusses realistic options and outlines possible next steps. It is not a visa or review application and not a representation agreement. Any further work, its scope and fees are agreed separately.
- 01Book your appointment
Choose an available appointment time and check the details before confirming.
Book appointment (opens booking page in a new tab) - 02Complete the visitor registration form
After booking, add your details and circumstances for your skilled employer sponsored regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494) consultation.
Complete registration form (opens in a new tab) - 03Attend your consultation
Appointments are normally by phone, via Zoom, or in person at our Melbourne office. Follow your appointment confirmation for the arrangements.
Urgent matter or approaching deadline? Call our office on 03 9620 3195 or mobile +61 415 997 528.Message (SMS)WhatsAppA booking does not lodge anything, preserve rights or extend a deadline.