Last updated 7 May 2026

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The Subclass 494 Labour Agreement Stream visa allows regional Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers under a negotiated labour agreement with the Australian Government.

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This employer-sponsored regional visa allows eligible applicants to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years and may provide a pathway to permanent residency after 3 years if eligibility requirements are met.

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Unlike the standard Employer Sponsored stream, the Labour Agreement stream may provide concessions relating to age, English language ability, salary, qualifications, or work experience depending on the approved labour agreement.

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Applicants looking for the standard pathway can also explore the 494 visa Employer Sponsored Stream.

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Quick Summary

• Visa validity: 5 years

• PR pathway: Eligible after 3 years if requirements are met

• Location: Regional Australia only

• Regional areas: Everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane

• Sponsorship: Approved regional employer with labour agreement

• Occupation: Must be included in labour agreement

• Age: Generally under 45 years old

• English: Depends on labour agreement

• Salary: Must meet AMSR requirements

• Family members: Can be included

• Travel: Unlimited travel while visa is valid

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What Is the Visa 494 Labour Agreement Stream?

The Labour Agreement stream is part of the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa program.

It is designed for regional employers that have entered into a formal labour agreement with the Australian Government to address ongoing workforce shortages.

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These agreements allow approved employers to sponsor overseas workers where standard skilled migration pathways may not fully meet regional labour needs.

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Depending on the labour agreement, employers may gain access to additional occupations or negotiated concessions not normally available under standard employer-sponsored visa streams.

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Labour agreements are commonly used across industries experiencing skill shortages in regional Australia, including hospitality, aged care, healthcare, agriculture, construction, and meat processing.

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Many regional employers also use DAMA agreements to access additional occupations and concessions.

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What You Can Do With This Visa

With the Subclass 494 Labour Agreement Stream visa, eligible applicants can:

• live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years

• travel in and out of Australia as many times as they want while the visa is valid

• include eligible family members in the application

• potentially apply for permanent residency after holding the visa for at least 3 years, if eligible

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This visa is digitally linked to the applicant’s passport and does not include a physical visa label.

Applicants interested in long-term migration pathways may also explore the Subclass 191 visa pathway.

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Regional Area Requirement

Subclass 494 visa holders can only live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia.

Designated regional areas currently include all of Australia except:

• Sydney

• Melbourne

• Brisbane

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Applicants must continue complying with regional visa conditions throughout the validity of the visa.

You can also check the current designated regional areas in Australia for updated regional classifications.

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Visa 494 Labour Agreement Stream Requirements

Employer Requirements

The sponsoring employer must:

• hold an approved labour agreement with the Australian Government

• operate in a designated regional area

• nominate a genuine full-time position

• comply with Australian immigration and workplace laws

• pay the annual market salary rate for the nominated position

• provide terms and conditions that are no less favourable than those provided to Australian workers performing equivalent work

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In many cases, employers may also need to demonstrate unsuccessful attempts to recruit Australian workers before sponsoring overseas workers. Businesses considering sponsorship can also review the 494 visa employer requirements.

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Occupation Requirements

• The nominated occupation must be included under the employer’s approved labour agreement.

• Occupation availability can vary significantly between labour agreements, industries, and regional arrangements.

• Some labour agreements may provide access to occupations that are not available under standard skilled occupation lists.

• Applicants can explore the current 494 visa occupation list for eligible occupations under standard regional sponsorship pathways.

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English Requirements

Applicants generally need to meet English language requirements specified under the labour agreement.

Depending on the agreement, concessions may apply to standard English language requirements.

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Accepted English tests may include:

• IELTS

• PTE Academic

• TOEFL iBT

• OET

• Cambridge English

English exemptions may apply in limited circumstances.

Applicants can also review the full 494 visa English requirements including IELTS and PTE score equivalents.

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Age Requirements

Applicants are generally expected to be under 45 years old at the time of application. However, some labour agreements may include age concessions for certain occupations or industries.

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Age concessions are only available where specifically included in the approved labour agreement. Some applicants may also qualify under specific age exemption pathways for employer sponsored visas.

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Skills and Work Experience

Applicants generally need relevant qualifications, practical skills, and work experience related to the nominated occupation. The exact requirements depend on the labour agreement and nominated role.

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Some agreements may provide concessions relating to formal qualifications, work experience, or skills assessment requirements.

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Applicants in regulated occupations may also require a skills assessment for employer sponsored visas.

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Salary Requirements

The nominated salary must generally meet Australian migration and workplace requirements, including the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR).

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Employers must ensure overseas workers receive terms and conditions comparable to Australian workers performing equivalent duties in the same workplace and location.

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Some labour agreements may include negotiated salary arrangements depending on the approved agreement.

You can also explore the current 494 visa salary requirements including AMSR and TSMIT obligations.

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Visa 494 Labour Agreement Concessions

One of the key features of the Labour Agreement stream is the possibility of negotiated concessions.

Depending on the approved agreement, concessions may relate to:

• age requirements

• English language requirements

• work experience

• qualification levels

• salary thresholds

• skills assessment requirements

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Concessions vary between agreements and are not automatically available to all applicants or occupations.

Many concessions are commonly associated with regional DAMA programs.

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DAMA and the Visa 494 Labour Agreement Stream

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a type of labour agreement used in regional Australia.

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DAMAs allow participating regional areas to access additional occupations and negotiated concessions where local labour shortages exist.

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Many regional employers using DAMA arrangements may sponsor overseas workers through the Subclass 494 Labour Agreement Stream.

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Each DAMA region has different occupations, concessions, and eligibility requirements.

Applicants considering regional sponsorship may also want to compare available DAMA visa pathways.

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Visa 494 Labour Agreement Stream PR Pathway

The Subclass 494 visa is a provisional regional visa valid for up to 5 years.

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Eligible visa holders may be able to apply for permanent residency after holding the visa for at least 3 years.

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In many cases, permanent residency may be available through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa if applicants meet the relevant residence, income, and visa requirements at the time of application.

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Subclass 494 visa holders must continue complying with regional visa conditions while holding the visa.

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Applicants planning long-term migration can also review the full 494 visa PR pathway.

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Visa 494 Labour Agreement Stream Processing Times

Processing times for the Subclass 494 Labour Agreement Stream can vary depending on individual circumstances, application quality, and supporting documentation, see full page 494 visa processing times.

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Recent published processing times for the Subclass 494 Labour Agreement Stream indicate:

• 50% of applications processed in approximately 8 months

• 90% of applications processed in approximately 9 months

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Processing times may change over time and are only general estimates.

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Applications may take longer if:

• supporting documents are incomplete

• additional information is requested

• health, character, or security checks take longer

• employer or nomination information requires further assessment

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Applicants can monitor their application progress through ImmiAccount after lodgement.

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Visa 494 Labour Agreement Stream Costs

Current government visa application charges include:

• AUD 4,910 for the main applicant

• AUD 2,455 for each dependent aged 18 and over

• AUD 1,230 for each dependent under 18

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Additional costs may also apply for:

• English language testing

• health examinations

• police clearances

• biometrics

• second visa instalment for adult dependants without functional English

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Employers are also required to pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy when sponsoring workers under this visa stream.

You can also estimate total migration costs using the official Visa Pricing Estimator.

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Important Visa Conditions

Subclass 494 visa holders must:

• begin employment within the required timeframe after visa grant

• work only in their nominated occupation

• work only for their sponsoring employer

• remain in designated regional areas

• comply with Australian laws and visa conditions

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Failure to comply with visa conditions may result in visa cancellation.

Applicants should also understand the ongoing obligations attached to regional sponsored visas.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 494 Labour Agreement Stream visa?

The Subclass 494 Labour Agreement Stream visa allows regional Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers under a negotiated labour agreement with the Australian Government.

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Can the 494 Labour Agreement Stream lead to permanent residency?

Yes. Eligible visa holders may apply for permanent residency after holding the visa for at least 3 years if they meet the relevant requirements.

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Is the 494 Labour Agreement Stream a permanent visa?

No. The Subclass 494 visa is a provisional regional visa valid for up to 5 years.

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Can family members be included?

Yes. Eligible family members such as partners and dependent children can generally be included in the application.

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Can labour agreement concessions apply?

Yes. Depending on the approved labour agreement, concessions may apply to age, English language requirements, salary, qualifications, or work experience.

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Can I live anywhere in Australia with a 494 visa?

No. Subclass 494 visa holders can only live and work in designated regional areas of Australia.

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What areas are considered regional for the 494 visa?

Designated regional areas currently include all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

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Can I change employers on a 494 Labour Agreement Stream visa?

Subclass 494 visa holders are generally expected to work only for their sponsoring employer in their nominated occupation unless another approved sponsorship arrangement is in place.