Last updated 7 May 2026

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The Subclass 494 Employer Sponsored stream allows skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia for up to 5 years under employer sponsorship.

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This visa is designed for applicants who secure a genuine job offer from an approved regional employer and want a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.

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Unlike points-tested visas such as Subclass 189 or 190, the 494 Employer Sponsored stream does not require invitation rounds or migration points.

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Instead, the focus is on:

• Employer sponsorship

• Skilled occupation eligibility

• Relevant work experience

• Regional employment

• Long-term workforce shortages

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For many skilled workers, the 494 visa is one of the most practical employer-sponsored pathways to Australia.​

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What Is the Visa 494 Employer Sponsored Stream?

The Employer Sponsored stream is the main stream under the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494).

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It allows approved regional Australian employers to sponsor overseas skilled workers when they cannot find suitable Australian workers for the role.

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Once granted, the visa allows you to:

• Live in designated regional Australia

• Work for your sponsoring employer

• Travel freely in and out of Australia

• Include eligible family members

• Study in Australia

• Apply for permanent residency later through Subclass 191

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The visa is valid for 5 years.

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Quick Summary – Visa 494 Employer Sponsored Stream

• Visa Type: Employer-sponsored regional provisional visa

• Visa Subclass: Subclass 494

• Visa Validity: Up to 5 years

• Permanent Residency Pathway: Eligible for Subclass 191 after 3 years

• Points Test: Not required

• Employer Sponsorship: Required

• Regional Requirement: Mandatory

• Minimum Work Experience: Usually at least 3 years

• Skills Assessment: Usually required

• English Requirement: Competent English

• Age Limit: Under 45 years old unless exempt

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Who Can Apply for the Visa 494 Employer Sponsored Stream?

You may be eligible if:

• You receive a genuine job offer from a regional Australian employer

• Your occupation is on the eligible skilled occupation list

• You have at least 3 years of relevant skilled work experience

• You obtain a positive skills assessment (unless exempt)

• You meet English language requirements

• You are under 45 years old unless an exemption applies

• You satisfy health and character requirements

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This visa is commonly used by:

• Nurses

• Aged care workers

• Chefs

• Engineers

• Electricians

• Carpenters

• Motor mechanics

• Software professionals

• Hospitality workers

• Teachers

• Regional healthcare workers

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494 Employer Sponsored Stream Requirements

1. Employer Sponsorship

You must be nominated by an approved employer located in designated regional Australia.

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The employer must:

• Operate lawfully in Australia

• Show genuine need for the position

• Offer a full-time role

• Meet salary requirements

• Usually complete Labour Market Testing

• Provide terms and conditions comparable to Australian workers

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The position must generally be available for at least 5 years.

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2. Eligible Occupation

Your occupation must appear on the relevant skilled occupation list for the 494 visa.

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Eligible occupations commonly include:

• Registered Nurse

• Chef

• Cook

• Software Engineer

• Developer Programmer

• Civil Engineer

• Electrician

• Carpenter

• Motor Mechanic

• Early Childhood Teacher

• Medical Laboratory Scientist

• Physiotherapist

• Accountant

• Agricultural roles

• Hospitality management occupations

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Occupation availability can change depending on government updates.

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3. Work Experience Requirement

Most applicants must have:

• At least 3 years of relevant skilled employment

• Experience at the appropriate skill level

• Experience related to the nominated occupation

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The work experience can usually be gained inside or outside Australia.

Part-time experience may only count proportionally.

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4. Skills Assessment Requirement

Most applicants must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.

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Common assessing authorities include:

• Trades occupations: Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)

• IT occupations: Australian Computer Society (ACS)

• Engineering occupations: Engineers Australia

• Accounting occupations: CPA Australia, CAANZ, or IPA

• Nursing occupations: ANMAC

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The required assessing authority depends on the nominated occupation.

Some exemptions may apply in limited circumstances.

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5. English Requirement

Most applicants must demonstrate Competent English.

Common accepted English tests include:

• IELTS: Minimum score of 6.0 in each band

• PTE Academic: Minimum score of 50 in each component

• TOEFL iBT: Equivalent accepted score

• OET: Minimum grade of B in each component

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Some applicants may qualify for limited English exemptions depending on their circumstances.

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6. Age Requirement

You must usually be under 45 years old at the time of application.

Some exemptions may apply for:

• Academic positions

• Medical practitioners

• Certain high-income applicants

• Transitional arrangements

• Labour agreement cases

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7. Health and Character Checks

Applicants must complete:

• Health examinations

• Police clearances

• Character declarations

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All family members included in the application must also satisfy health and character requirements.

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What Counts as Regional Australia?

For the 494 visa, regional Australia includes most locations outside:

• Sydney

• Melbourne

• Brisbane

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This means many major cities and regional centres are eligible, including:

• Perth

• Adelaide

• Gold Coast

• Canberra

• Hobart

• Darwin

• Regional Queensland

• Regional Victoria

• Regional New South Wales

• Regional Western Australia

• Regional South Australia

• Tasmania

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You must live and work in regional Australia while holding the visa.

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494 Employer Sponsored Stream Process

Step 1 – Employer Becomes Sponsor

The employer must hold or obtain approved sponsorship status.

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Step 2 – Employer Lodges Nomination

The employer nominates the skilled position.

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This includes:

• Position details

• Salary information

• Labour Market Testing evidence

• Employment contract

• Regional location evidence

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Regional Certifying Body (RCB) advice is generally required.

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Step 3 – Applicant Lodges Visa Application

You submit your visa application with:

• Passport documents

• Skills assessment

• English results

• Work evidence

• Qualifications

• Health checks

• Police certificates

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Step 4 – Visa Decision

If approved, you receive:

• A 5-year provisional visa

• Full work rights for the sponsoring employer

• Regional Australia work and residence rights

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Can the 494 Visa Lead to Permanent Residency?

Yes.

The 494 Employer Sponsored stream provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.

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Most applicants may become eligible after:

• Holding the 494 visa for at least 3 years

• Living and working in regional Australia

• Meeting taxable income requirements

• Complying with visa conditions

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The Subclass 191 visa provides permanent residency.

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494 Visa Conditions

While holding the visa, you must:

• Live in regional Australia

• Work in your nominated occupation

• Work for your sponsoring employer unless a new nomination is approved

• Follow Australian workplace laws

• Maintain visa compliance

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If you change employers, the new employer generally needs to lodge a new nomination.

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Can You Change Employer on a 494 Visa?

Yes, but there are important rules.

Your new employer must usually:

• Be an approved sponsor

• Be located in regional Australia

• Lodge a new nomination

• Offer an eligible skilled position

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You should avoid changing employers without understanding your visa obligations.

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494 Employer Sponsored Stream Processing Time

Processing times vary depending on:

• Occupation

• Application completeness

• Health checks

• Skills assessment timing

• Employer nomination stage

• Department workload

Many applications are processed within approximately 6 to 12 months, although this can change.

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494 Visa Cost

The visa application fee changes periodically.

Additional costs may include:

• Skills assessment fees

• English tests

• Health examinations

• Police certificates

• Migration assistance fees

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Employers may also pay sponsorship and nomination-related costs.

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Benefits of the 494 Employer Sponsored Stream

For Applicants

• No migration points test

• Direct employer-sponsored pathway

• 5-year visa validity

• Pathway to permanent residency

• Ability to include family members

• Access to regional employment opportunities

• Potential long-term settlement pathway in Australia

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For Employers

Regional employers can access skilled workers when local labour shortages cannot be filled by Australian workers.

This helps businesses in healthcare, trades, hospitality, agriculture, construction, and regional services.

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Common Reasons 494 Visa Applications Get Refused

Common refusal issues include:

• Incorrect occupation selection

• Weak work experience evidence

• Skills assessment problems

• Inconsistent employment documents

• English test issues

• Non-genuine position concerns

• Salary below required thresholds

• Employer compliance issues

• Incomplete documents

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Decision-ready applications with strong evidence reduce delays and refusal risks.

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Difference Between 494 and 482 Visa

494 Visa

1. Regional-only employer-sponsored visa

2. Provides a pathway to Subclass 191 permanent residency

3. Valid for up to 5 years

4. Requires sponsorship from a regional employer

5. Focused on regional workforce shortages

482 Visa

1. Can be used in metropolitan and regional areas

2. Uses separate permanent residency pathways

3. Temporary employer-sponsored visa

4. Broader employer sponsorship access

5. Used across Australia depending on employer location

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Difference Between 494 and 491 Visa

494 Visa

1. Employer-sponsored regional visa

2. Does not require migration points

3. Requires a job offer from an approved employer

4. Based on employer nomination

5. Designed for employer-sponsored regional work

491 Visa

1. Points-tested skilled regional visa

2. Requires invitation from a state or family sponsor

3. Does not require employer sponsorship

4. Based on migration points and eligibility criteria

5. Designed for independent skilled migration pathways

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 494 Employer Sponsored stream permanent?

No. The visa is provisional and valid for 5 years.

However, many applicants later apply for permanent residency through Subclass 191.

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Do I need points for the 494 visa?

No.

The 494 Employer Sponsored stream is not a points-tested visa.

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Can I include my family?

Yes.

Eligible family members can usually be included in the application.

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Can I apply inside Australia?

Many applicants can apply from inside Australia if they hold an eligible substantive visa.

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Do I need a skills assessment?

Most applicants do.

The required assessing authority depends on the nominated occupation.

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Can I move to Sydney or Melbourne on a 494 visa?

The visa requires you to live and work in designated regional Australia.

Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are generally excluded.

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What happens if my employer stops sponsoring me?

You may need a new sponsoring employer and nomination to continue complying with visa conditions.

Recent policy settings may provide limited periods to secure a new sponsor.

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Why Many Skilled Workers Choose the 494 Employer Sponsored Stream

The 494 Employer Sponsored stream has become increasingly popular for skilled workers who:

• Cannot reach high migration points scores

• Want employer sponsorship

• Prefer regional pathways

• Want a long-term PR pathway

• Already have Australian employer connections

• Work in occupations with strong regional demand

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For many applicants, it can be one of the most realistic employer-sponsored migration pathways available.