Last updated 9 Feb 2026

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The 494 visa lets you work in regional Australia for up to 5 years when sponsored by an approved regional employer. It's designed for skilled workers willing to live and work outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane—with a clear pathway to permanent residency after 3 years.

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What Is the 494 Visa?

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa allows you to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia.

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Key benefits:

✓ 5-year visa duration
✓ Work and live in regional Australia
✓ Pathway to permanent residency (Subclass 191) after 3 years
✓ Include family members
✓ Study rights included

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Regional areas: Anywhere in Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

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494 Visa Requirements

Basic Eligibility

• Occupation: Listed on both Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and Regional Occupation List (ROL)

• Skills assessment: Positive assessment required

• Age: Under 45 years old

• English: IELTS 6.0 OR PTE 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing, 54 speaking

• Salary: Must meet Skilled Visa Income Threshold (CSIT) – currently $76,515 (may be lower under Labour Agreement stream)

• Health and character: Must meet Australian standards

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Work Requirements

You must:

• Be nominated by approved regional employer

• Have relevant skills and experience for the position

• Work only in your nominated occupation

• Live in regional areas only

• Begin employment within 90 days of visa grant

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Two 494 Visa Streams

Employer Sponsored Stream

Standard pathway for regional employer sponsorship.

Requirements:

• Occupation on MLTSSL and ROL

• Positive skills assessment

• Meet salary threshold

• Approved regional employer sponsor

Suitable for: Most skilled workers with regional job offers

 

Labour Agreement Stream

For positions under specific government-employer agreements.

Requirements:

• Position covered by approved labour agreement

• May have lower salary threshold

• Customised requirements per agreement

Suitable for: Specialised industries or unique regional needs

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Regional Occupation List (ROL)

The ROL contains occupations eligible for 494 visa sponsorship in regional areas.

Covers industries like:

• Healthcare (nurses, allied health professionals)

• Trades (electricians, plumbers, carpenters)

• IT and technology

• Engineering

• Education and childcare

• Agriculture and farming

• Hospitality and tourism

Key difference: ROL often has broader coverage than CSOL, particularly for regional-specific roles.

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494 Visa Application Process

Step 1: Employer Sponsorship

Your regional employer becomes an approved sponsor.

Must demonstrate:

• Operating lawfully in regional Australia

• Genuine business need

• Financial capacity

• Compliance history

Validity: Up to 5 years

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Step 2: Nomination

Employer nominates you for specific regional position.

Includes:

• Position details and salary

• Evidence you meet occupation requirements

• Labour Market Testing (if required)

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Step 3: Visa Application

You submit your 494 visa application.

You must provide:

• Positive skills assessment

• English test results

• Work experience evidence

• Health examinations

• Police certificates

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What Are Regional Areas?

Regional Australia includes everywhere except:

• Sydney

• Melbourne

• Brisbane

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Regional areas include:

• Perth

• Adelaide

• Gold Coast

• Sunshine Coast

• Canberra

• Hobart

• Darwin

• All rural and regional towns

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Important: You must live and work only in regional areas throughout your 494 visa.

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494 Visa Conditions

You must:

✓ Work only in nominated occupation
✓ Work only for nominating employer (unless you change sponsors)
✓ Live only in regional areas
✓ Notify Department of address changes
✓ Maintain adequate health insurance

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You cannot:

✗ Apply for most other skilled or partner visas during first 3 years
✗ Work in excluded areas (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane)
✗ Work outside your nominated occupation

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Pathway to Permanent Residency

Subclass 191 Visa

After 3 years on 494 visa, you can apply for permanent residency.

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Requirements for 191:

• Held 494 visa for at least 3 years

• Complied with all visa conditions

• Earned minimum taxable income in 3 of the 5 years before applying

• Continued to live and work in regional Australia

Benefit: No additional skills assessment or English test required for 191

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Income Requirement

You must show minimum taxable income for 3 years:

• 2024-25: $70,000 per year (indexed annually)

• Income must be from work in regional Australia

• Assessed via tax returns

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494 Visa Processing Times

Processing times vary based on:

• Completeness of application

• Skills assessment complexity

• Health and character checks

• Individual circumstances

Typical range: 6-12 months

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494 Visa Costs

Main visa application fee: Check current fees

Additional costs:

• Skills assessment: $300-$1,200 (varies by assessing authority)

• English tests: $300-$400

• Health examinations: $300-$500

• Police certificates: Varies by country

• Migration agent fees (if using)

Employer costs:

• Sponsorship application

• Nomination application

• Skilling Australians Fund levy: $1,200-$1,800 per year

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Your Rights on 494 Visa

✓ Work in regional Australia
✓ Study without restrictions
✓ Travel in and out of Australia
✓ Bring eligible family members
✓ Access Medicare (Australia's public health system)
✓ Apply for permanent residency after 3 years

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Why Regional Work Makes Sense

Benefits of regional Australia:

• Lower cost of living than major cities

• Stronger community connections

• Growing job opportunities

• Less competition for housing

• Better work-life balance

• Pathway to PR after 3 years

Growing regions: Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, Hobart, regional Victoria, NSW, and Queensland

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Why Choose RACC for Your 494 Visa

RACC's registered migration agents (MARA 1572961) specialise in regional visa applications:

• Check if your occupation is on ROL

• Connect you with regional employers (where possible)

• Assess your eligibility for 494 visa

• Prepare sponsorship, nomination, and visa applications

• Guide you through the 191 PR pathway

• Monitor your progress towards permanent residency

20+ years experience | Regional visa specialists | Multilingual support

 

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