Build your career in regional Australia — work, live and move toward permanent residence
You’ve secured a job with an employer outside Australia’s major metropolitan areas — well done. Regional Australia offers a balanced lifestyle, tight-knit communities and strong career prospects. The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) lets skilled workers live and work in designated regional areas for up to five years. It gives you time to gain local experience, contribute to a regional employer and position yourself for a permanent residence pathway.
Apply with Apical Immigration Experts and let us manage the nomination and visa application so you can focus on your new job and settling into regional life.
Why choose the Subclass 494 visa?
The 494 visa helps regional employers recruit skilled workers when local labour is unavailable. For applicants it provides:
- A provisional visa valid for up to 5 years, with rights to work and study in the sponsoring regional area.
- A structured pathway to permanent residency after meeting residency, income and compliance requirements.
- The option to include eligible family members so your partner and children can live, work and study while your visa is active.
Streams of the Subclass 494 visa
- Employer-Sponsored Stream
- For skilled workers nominated by an eligible regional employer.
- Requires an approved nomination, suitable skills or experience for the nominated occupation, and meeting English, health and character criteria.
- Labour Agreement Stream
- For workers nominated under a specific labour agreement negotiated between an employer and the Australian Government.
- Conditions and eligibility depend on the individual labour agreement, but the visa still provides up to five years’ stay in the agreed regional area.
Key benefits
- Live, work and study in the sponsoring regional area for up to 5 years.
- Freedom to travel to and from Australia for the duration of the visa.
- Include family members on your application who receive the same work and study entitlements.
- A clear route to permanent residence once you meet the required regional residence, income and compliance obligations.
Eligibility checklist (typical requirements)
You will generally need to:
- Receive an approved nomination from an eligible regional employer (or be covered under a labour agreement).
- Hold the skills, qualifications and/or relevant work experience for the nominated occupation.
- Meet the age limit (commonly under 45, with some exemptions) and satisfy English language requirements.
- Pass health and character checks for you and any included dependents.
- Have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government at the time the visa is granted.
Health, character & insurance
- Medical examinations and police clearance certificates are required for applicants and dependent family members as part of standard health and character assessments.
- Maintain appropriate health insurance when necessary according to your circumstances.
Who you can include
- Spouse or de facto partner
- Dependent children (including stepchildren)
Each included family member must meet the applicable health and character requirements.
Process to apply for Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494)
- Step 1 — Employer nomination
Your employer lodges a nomination for you, or the nomination is submitted under a labour agreement. - Step 2 — Check your eligibility
Confirm you meet occupation, skills, age and English requirements. Identify any necessary skills assessments and prepare supporting documents. - Step 3 — Gather supporting documents
Collect identity documents, employment contracts, qualifications, transcripts, skills assessment (if required), English test results, police clearances and medical reports. - Step 4 — Lodge your visa application
After nomination approval, lodge your Subclass 494 application online and pay the visa application charge. - Step 5 — Health and character checks
Complete required medical examinations and provide police certificates when requested. - Step 6 — Visa decision and arrival
If approved, you will receive a visa grant notification outlining conditions, validity dates and travel information. - Step 7 — Pathway to permanent residence
After living and working in regional Australia for the required period and meeting taxable income and compliance criteria, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence under the regional skilled residency pathway.
Processing times & fees (guide)
- Processing times vary by nationality, application stream and case complexity; current wait times should be confirmed before applying.
- Application fees vary; primary applicant charges are commonly several thousand Australian dollars and dependent fees differ. Confirm current fees with an authoritative source before lodging.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) – Latest Cost
The application fee for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) is structured as follows:
- Primary Applicant: AUD 4,640
- Additional Applicant (18 years or over): AUD 2,320 each
- Dependent Child (under 18 years): AUD 1,160 each
Additional potential expenses:
- Second Installment Fee: Applicants aged 18 or over with less than functional English may be required to pay a second installment fee of AUD 4,890. This fee is generally applied only if the visa is approved.
- Other Costs: Additional expenses may include health examinations, police certificates, biometrics, and document translations.
Note: Fees are reviewed annually and may change. Ensure you confirm the latest cost before submitting your application.
Why Apical Immigration Experts?
We specialise in employer-sponsored and regional visa pathways and provide full-service support so you can concentrate on your job and settling in:
- Transparent, competitive service fees and clear milestones.
- Assistance with employer nominations, document preparation, application lodgement and bridging visa advice.
- Seven-day client support and post-arrival guidance covering housing, taxation and local onboarding.
- A strong focus on building complete, well-evidenced applications to reduce delays and improve outcomes.
Book a consultation today and let Apical Immigration Experts manage the paperwork while you prepare for life in regional Australia.
FAQs: Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494)
1. How long does the Subclass 494 visa last?
It is valid for up to 5 years from the grant date, allowing you to live, work, and study in regional Australia.
2. Does Subclass 494 lead to permanent residency?
Yes — many visa holders can progress to permanent residency under the regional skilled permanent visa once they meet residency, income and compliance requirements.
3. Can my family work in Australia on my 494 visa?
Yes — eligible family members included in your application can live, work and study in Australia for the same visa period.
4. What causes delays or refusals?
Common issues include incomplete nomination evidence, insufficient skills documentation, missing health or character checks, or employer non-compliance. Lodging a complete and well-supported application reduces the chance of delays.
5. Can I change employers while holding a Subclass 494 visa?
Yes, but your new role must be in a designated regional area and may require a new nomination from the new employer.