Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (494) for Skilled Workers
The 494 lets you live and work in regional Australia for an employer who sponsors you, with a route to permanent residence after 3 years. We confirm the location and your role qualify, assess your skills and English, and help you keep the work and income evidence you will need later.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa is for employers in regional Australia who need skilled workers and can sponsor them. The visa is provisional, and holders can later apply for permanent residence once they meet the requirements. The location of the business and the role are the first things we check.
- TypeProvisional
- SponsorRegional employer
- WhereDesignated regional area
- Leads toPermanent residence (191)
Overview
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) visa lets you work for an employer in a designated regional area.
- There are three stages: your employer is sponsored, nominates your position, and you apply for the visa.
- It is provisional, and you can later apply for permanent residence through the 191 once you meet the requirements.
Who this suits
Skilled workers happy to live and work outside the major capital cities
People with a job offer from an employer in a designated regional area
Key facts
- Provisional stay of up to 5 years
- Employer-sponsored, with a job in a designated regional area
- A skills assessment is mandatory
- Permanent residence is available after 3 years, subject to regional work and income requirements
Government application fees
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494)
Main applicant$6,140
Additional applicant 18+$3,070
Additional applicant under 18$1,535
A second instalment may be payable for applicants aged 18 and over who do not have functional English. Check the current amount with Home Affairs.
These are the Department of Home Affairs charges only. They are indexed each 1 July, so confirm the current amount with the Department before you lodge. Other costs may apply, such as health examinations, police certificates, skills assessments and the Skilling Australians Fund levy. Our professional fees are separate.
Main criteria
What the 494 asks for
These are the main criteria. The exact settings depend on the occupation and the location, so we confirm them before anything is lodged.
- The employerAn approved sponsor with a genuine position in a designated regional area.
- The occupationAn occupation on the eligible list for the 494, nominated at the right skill level.
- Skills and experienceRelevant qualifications and work experience, and a mandatory skills assessment in the nominated occupation.
- EnglishEnglish at the level the visa requires.
- SalaryPay at or above the market rate and the salary threshold.
- Age, health and characterAn age requirement with some exemptions, plus health and police checks.
Permanent residence is available after 3 years, subject to the regional work and income requirements.
Skills assessment
Skills assessment, with our help
A skills assessment in the nominated occupation is mandatory for the 494. It needs to be in place before the application can proceed.
Many applicants ask us to help with their skills assessment, because the assessing authority’s rules are strict and a weak application can cost months.
Ask about a skills assessmentAssessing authority fees are set by the authority and are separate from ours.
- The right authorityWe identify the assessing authority and the assessment that applies to your occupation.
- Eligibility firstWe review your qualifications and experience against the requirements before you pay any fees.
- Guidance on your evidenceWe explain what the authority expects, such as employment references and duties, and review what you have gathered before you submit.
- Support to the outcomeWe help you understand and respond to the authority’s requests until the outcome is issued.
Documents you will need
- Passport and identity documents for you and each family member included
- Qualifications, employment history and references
- English results and your skills assessment outcome
- Details of the position and your employer’s regional location
- Police certificates and health examination results when requested
After the visa is granted
- You must live and work in a designated regional area and keep to your visa conditions.
- Keep records of your regional residence, work and income from day one, as the 191 asks for evidence of them.
- Check with us before moving or changing employer.
- We plan the step to permanent residence with you from the start.
How we help
- We confirm the location and the role qualify, before you move or resign.
- We assess your skills, experience and English against the visa.
- We help you keep the regional work and income evidence from the first day.
- We plan your move to permanent residence, and advise before any change of job or location.
Common pitfalls
- Assuming a location is regional without checking the current definition
- Moving away from the regional area and affecting the pathway to permanent residence
- Resigning or changing employer without advice first
- Leaving income and work evidence until the end
- Paying someone for a sponsorship or a job offer
Frequently asked questions
How do I get permanent residence from a 494?
Permanent residence is available after 3 years, if you meet the regional work and income requirements. We help you plan and keep the evidence from the start, so it is ready when you are eligible to apply.
Do I need a skills assessment for the 494?
Yes. A positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation is mandatory, and it needs to be in place before the application can proceed. We can help you with it.
Do I have to stay with one employer?
The visa is employer-sponsored, so any change needs to be checked against the conditions first. Please talk to us before resigning or moving. We advise case by case on what is possible and what it could mean for your pathway.
How do I know if a location counts as regional?
The 494 requires a job in a designated regional area, and the definition can change. We confirm the current position for your location and role before you commit, rather than assuming a place qualifies.
How long can I stay on the 494?
It is a provisional visa with a stay of up to 5 years. During that time you are expected to live and work in the regional area while building toward the requirements for permanent residence.
What if I want to move away from the regional area?
Moving away from the designated area can affect the pathway to permanent residence, and it is one of the common pitfalls. Please seek advice before relocating so you understand the consequences.