Who Can Sponsor You for a 494 Visa in Australia?

Last Updated: 30 April 2026

If you’re planning to apply for the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa, understanding who can sponsor you is critical.

You cannot apply first, your employer must meet strict eligibility requirements and lodge a nomination before your visa application.

This guide breaks it down clearly, based on current requirements from the Department of Home Affairs and aligned with real migration practice.

What Is a 494 Visa Sponsorship?

The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa allows regional Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers when they cannot find suitable local candidates.

There are two main streams:

• Employer Sponsored stream

• Labour Agreement stream

Each has different employer requirements.

New to this visa? If you’re not fully familiar with how it works, see our complete guid Subclass 494 visa explained: requirements, streams, and PR pathway 

You can also review the official visa overview directly from the Department of Home Affairs for the most up-to-date criteria.

Core Requirements: Who Can Sponsor You for a 494 Visa in Australia?

To sponsor you for a 494 visa, your employer must meet ALL of the following baseline criteria:

1. Actively Operating in Australia

The business must be:

• Legitimate and currently trading

• Able to prove ongoing operations (financials, activity, etc.)

Shell or inactive companies will not pass assessment.

2. Located in a Designated Regional Area

The employer must be based in regional Australia.

• This includes most locations outside major metro areas like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane

• Cities like Adelaide, Perth, and most of regional Victoria qualify

You can check eligible regional areas via the official government definition on the Department of Home Affairs website.

3. Offer a Role on the Skilled Occupation List

The position must:

• Be on the relevant skilled occupation list

• Match your skills, qualifications, and experience

If the occupation is not eligible, sponsorship will not proceed.

4. Be an Approved Sponsor (or Apply to Become One)

The employer must:

• Be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS)

  OR

• Apply to become one during the process

Critical Rule: Nomination Comes First

Before you apply:

Your employer MUST lodge a nomination application first.

Without an approved (or submitted) nomination:

• Your visa application cannot proceed

• Your application may be considered invalid

You can explore How employer nomination works for a 494 visa 

RACC’s registered migration agents (MARN1572962, MARN1172003) provide guidance based on current migration requirements. Book A Consultation to have Understanding and Reviewing your employer’s eligibility.

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Employer Requirements (Employer Sponsored Stream)

For the main 494 stream, the business must also demonstrate:

Genuine Need for the Role

• The position must be real, necessary, and ongoing

• Typically expected to last at least 5 years

Labour Market Testing (LMT)

The employer must show:

• They cannot find a suitable Australian worker

This usually involves:

• Advertising the role

• Providing evidence of recruitment efforts

Equivalent Employment Conditions

The employer must offer:

• Terms and conditions equivalent to Australian workers

• No underpayment or unfair arrangements

Full-Time Position

• The role must be full-time

• Part-time or casual roles are not eligible

Salary Requirements (Important)

Your salary must meet two benchmarks:

1. TSMIT (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold)

• Up to 30 June: $76,515

• From 1 July 2026: $79,499

You can verify current thresholds via official updates from the Department of Home Affairs.

2. AMSR (Annual Market Salary Rate)

• The market rate for your occupation in Australia

Key Rule:

You must be paid the higher of TSMIT or AMSR.

Additional Salary Assessment

A Regional Certifying Body (RCB) will assess:

• Whether your salary is appropriate

• Whether the role is genuine in the regional labour market

Labour Agreement Stream (Alternative Path)

Some employers can sponsor through a labour agreement.

They must:

• Have a valid agreement with the Australian Government

• Nominate occupations listed in that agreement

• Meet all agreement-specific requirements

Learn more about labour agreements directly via the Department of Home Affairs resources.

Additional Employer Compliance Requirements

Regardless of stream, the business must:

• Have no serious adverse history

• Comply with:

  • Immigration laws

  • Workplace laws

• Pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy

What the Department Closely Assesses

The Department of Home Affairs focuses heavily on:

• Salary level (TSMIT vs AMSR)

• Business legitimacy

• Whether the role is genuine

• Whether the employer is attempting to bypass local hiring

Even one issue can lead to delays or refusal.

Quick Checklist: Can Your Employer Sponsor You?

Your employer is likely eligible if they:

• Operate a genuine business in Australia

• Are located in a regional area

• Offer an eligible skilled occupation

• Are (or can become) an approved sponsor

• Can demonstrate no suitable Australian worker is available

• Offer a genuine, full-time role

• Pay at least TSMIT and market salary

• Meet all compliance requirements

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying before nomination is lodged

• Salary below AMSR (even if above TSMIT)

• Non-genuine or inflated job roles

• Employer not actively operating

• Weak or missing labour market testing

Final Insight

A 494 visa is not just about your eligibility.

Your employer is equally assessed.

If the employer does not meet requirements:

• The nomination may not be approved

• Your visa application may not proceed

How RACC Can Help

Sponsorship under the Subclass 494 visa involves multiple steps, including employer eligibility, nomination requirements, salary assessments, and compliance obligations that may change over time.

RACC’s registered migration agents (MARN1572962, MARN1172003) provide guidance based on current migration requirements.

We can assist with:

• Understanding employer sponsorship requirements for a 494 visa

• Reviewing your employer’s eligibility and business setup

• Checking whether the nominated role meets occupation and salary requirements

• Explaining how nomination and visa stages work together

• Providing guidance on employer-sponsored pathways, including the Subclass 494 visa and related options

• Keeping you informed of relevant migration policy updates

If you would like to explore your options, you can contact our migration team:

📞 +61 420 746 705

📞 +61 485 505 268

Registered Migration Agents: MARN1572962, MARN1172003

Disclaimer

This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute migration or legal advice. Requirements may change, and individual circumstances vary. Always refer to the Department of Home Affairs or consult a registered migration agent for personalised advice.

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