Best SKILLS ASSESSMENT SERVICE in Australia

Facebook Instagram Linkedin X-twitter Youtube
check eligibility

Subclass 494:
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa

Home / Subclass 494 Visa

Subclass 494:
A Pathway to Permanent Residence in Australia

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) allows eligible skilled workers nominated by an employer to live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia for up to five years. The Subclass 494 visa is provisional and may provide a pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 191 visa after three years from the date the Subclass 494 visa is granted, provided all applicable requirements are met.

What Is the Subclass 494 Visa?

The Subclass 494 visa enables eligible regional employers to address identified labour shortages by sponsoring skilled workers for positions in designated regional areas of Australia. If granted, the visa allows the holder to live, work and study only in designated regional areas for up to five years. Visa holders may also travel to and from Australia during the five-year travel facility.

The Subclass 494 visa has two primary streams: the Employer Sponsored stream and the Labour Agreement stream. A Subsequent Entrant pathway is also available for eligible family members of Subclass 494 visa holders.

There Are Two Primary Streams under the Subclass 494 Visa

Employer Sponsored Stream

  • The Employer Sponsored stream is for skilled workers nominated by an eligible employer for a position in a designated regional area. The applicant must be nominated for an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list and generally have at least three years of relevant work experience. Applicants generally need a suitable skills assessment for their nominated occupation unless an exemption applies. They must also meet the applicable age, English, health, character, registration and licensing requirements.

Labour Agreement Stream

  • The Labour Agreement stream is for skilled workers nominated by an employer under a labour agreement with the Australian Government. The applicant must be nominated for an occupation specified in the relevant agreement and generally have at least three years of relevant work experience unless the agreement provides otherwise. Occupation, skills assessment, English, age, work experience and other requirements may vary according to the terms of the labour agreement.

Key Requirements

for the Subclass 494 Visa

Requirements vary according to the visa stream, occupation, labour agreement and individual circumstances. General requirements may include:

  • Employer Nomination: The applicant must be nominated by an eligible employer for a genuine position located in a designated regional area.
  • Eligible Occupation: Employer Sponsored stream applicants must be nominated for an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list. Labour Agreement stream applicants must be nominated for an occupation covered by the applicable agreement.
  • Work Experience: Applicants generally need at least three years of full-time relevant work experience at the required skill level. Different requirements may apply under a labour agreement.
  • Skills Assessment: A suitable skills assessment is generally required for the Employer Sponsored stream unless an exemption applies. Labour Agreement requirements depend on the applicable agreement.
  • English Language: Employer Sponsored stream applicants generally need to demonstrate Competent English unless an exemption applies. Different English requirements or concessions may apply under a labour agreement.
  • Age: Applicants generally must be under 45 years of age when applying, unless an exemption or Labour Agreement concession applies.
  • Health and Character: Applicants and included family members must satisfy the applicable health and character requirements.
  • Registration and Licensing: Applicants must hold any mandatory registration, licence or professional membership required to perform the nominated occupation in Australia.
  • Regional Requirements: The nominated position must be located in a designated regional area. Visa holders must live, work and study only in designated regional areas, subject to their visa conditions.
  • Employer Requirements: The employer and nomination must satisfy applicable sponsorship, salary, employment, Labour Market Testing and regional certification requirements.
Screenshot

Subclass 494 Skills Assessment Requirement

A suitable skills assessment is generally required for applicants under the Subclass 494 Employer Sponsored stream unless an exemption applies. The assessment must be completed by the relevant assessing authority for the nominated occupation.

The assessment examines whether the applicant’s qualifications, skills and employment experience meet the standards established for the nominated occupation.

Examples of assessing authorities include:

  • Trades Recognition Australia (TRA): Assesses specified trade occupations, including Chef, Cook, Electrician, Plumber, Motor Mechanic and other trades, depending on the applicable assessment program.
  • VETASSESS: Assesses many professional and general occupations listed under its authority.
  • Engineers Australia: Assesses specified engineering occupations.
  • Australian Computer Society (ACS): Assesses many information and communications technology occupations.
  • CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Institute of Public Accountants: Assess specified accounting occupations.
  • Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council: Conducts migration skills assessments for specified nursing and midwifery occupations.

Other occupation-specific assessing authorities may apply. Applicants should confirm the nominated occupation, assessing authority and correct assessment pathway before applying.

A positive skills assessment does not guarantee approval of an employer nomination or Subclass 494 visa.

Subclass 494 Processing Time and Application Cost

The Subclass 494 visa application cost starts from AUD $6,140 for the main applicant. Additional visa application charges may apply for family members included in the application.

From 1 July 2026, a lower visa application cost may apply to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid application. Other expenses may include skills assessments, English tests, health examinations, police certificates, biometrics, translations and professional service fees.

Processing times vary according to the stream, completeness and complexity of the application, verification requirements, application volumes and government processing priorities.

Published processing times are based on recently decided applications and are a guide only. They do not guarantee that an individual application will be decided within a particular timeframe.

Visa charges and processing times may change. Check the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator and Visa Processing Times Guide before applying.

Benefits of the Subclass 494 Visa

The Subclass 494 visa may provide the following benefits:

Live, Work and Study in Regional Australia: Visa holders can live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years.

Pathway to Permanent Residence: Eligible visa holders may apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191) after three years from the date their Subclass 494 visa was granted, provided all applicable requirements are met.

Family Inclusion: Eligible members of the family unit may be included in the visa application. Eligible family members may also apply later through the Subsequent Entrant pathway.

Travel Facility: Visa holders can travel to and from Australia during the five-year travel facility.

Medicare: Subclass 494 visa holders may be eligible to enrol in Medicare, subject to Medicare enrolment requirements.

Regional Opportunities: The visa allows skilled workers and their families to live in eligible regional cities and communities across Australia.

Important Considerations

Subclass 494 visa holders must live, work and study only in designated regional areas and comply with all applicable visa conditions.

The visa depends on an eligible employer nomination, and a suitable skills assessment is generally required for the Employer Sponsored stream unless an exemption applies.

An approved nomination or positive skills assessment does not guarantee a visa grant. The Department of Home Affairs assesses each nomination and visa application separately.

Important Information and Disclaimer

Migration laws, visa requirements, fees, occupation lists and processing times may change. Always check the Department of Home Affairs for current Subclass 494 information.

Number One Service Australia provides skills assessment support only. We are not a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner and do not provide migration or legal advice.

For advice about visa eligibility, employer nomination, sponsorship obligations or a visa application, consult a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner.

Official information: Please click: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-employer-sponsored-regional-494

Information reviewed: 21 July 2026.

Conclusion

The Subclass 494 visa allows eligible skilled workers nominated by an employer to live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years.

It may also provide a pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 191 visa after three years from the date of the Subclass 494 visa grant, provided all applicable requirements are met.

As the requirements vary between streams and individual circumstances, applicants should check current Department of Home Affairs information and obtain regulated migration advice where necessary.

Skills Assessment Support for Subclass 494 Applicants

Number One Service Australia provides professional skills assessment support for Subclass 494 applicants who require an assessment for their nominated occupation.

Depending on the occupation and agreed service, our support may include document review, employment evidence preparation, assessing-authority application assistance and technical interview training where applicable.

A skills assessment is separate from the employer nomination and visa application. A positive skills assessment does not guarantee nomination approval or a visa grant.

Number One Service Australia is not a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner. We do not assess visa eligibility or provide migration or legal advice. For advice about an employer nomination or visa application, consult a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner.

Please fill up the form

Checking Up Your Eligibility