Guidance for skilled workers seeking Australian employment through employer-sponsored visa pathways.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) allows eligible skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia through sponsorship by an approved employer.
The visa is granted for up to 5 years and can provide a pathway to permanent residence through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191), provided the relevant requirements are met.
Temporary / Provisional — up to 5 years
Yes — through Subclass 191, subject to meeting the applicable requirements
Required
Required
Eligible family members may be included, subject to the visa requirements
Generally required for the Employer Sponsored stream unless an exemption applies.
The current Subclass 494 occupation framework is specified through dedicated legislative instruments, rather than simply relying on the older MLTSSL/STSOL/ROL terminology. Home Affairs currently lists 650 eligible occupations for Subclass 494.
Live and work in a designated regional area of Australia.
Work for your sponsoring employer in the nominated position.
Stay in Australia for up to five years under the provisional visa.
Include eligible family members, subject to the applicable visa requirements.
Study in Australia, subject to applicable visa conditions.
Travel to and from Australia during the visa period.
Potential pathway to permanent residence through Subclass 191, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.
Home Affairs confirms that employment under Subclass 494 is regional and that the nominated employment is expected to continue for at least five years after visa grant.
Subclass 494 requires the nominated position to be located in a designated regional area.
The definition of a designated regional area is based on the applicable Australian Government regional classifications and should be checked using the relevant postcode or location at the time of application.
The employer must meet the applicable salary requirements for the nominated position, including the relevant Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) requirements.
For Subclass 494 Employer Sponsored nominations, a Regional Certifying Body assesses the Annual Market Salary Rate for the nominated position.
Salary thresholds and related requirements are subject to government updates and should be checked against the current requirements before lodging a nomination or visa application.
Important: The old AUD $73,150 TSMIT figure has been removed from this page and should not be presented as the current Subclass 494 threshold.
The Subclass 494 visa can provide a pathway to the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191).
Eligible Subclass 494 holders may be able to apply for Subclass 191 after meeting the relevant requirements, including the applicable three-year regional residence and other requirements.
The pathway is not automatic. Your visa history, regional residence, work circumstances, income and other requirements need to be assessed before applying.
Meeting the Subclass 494 requirements does not by itself guarantee eligibility for Subclass 191. The applicable requirements should be reviewed based on your individual circumstances before making an application.
The Subclass 494 is a 5-year provisional employer-sponsored regional visa for eligible skilled workers nominated by an approved employer in a designated regional area of Australia.
Regional areas are determined according to Australian Government designated regional classifications. The relevant postcode and location should be checked before applying.
Eligible Subclass 494 holders may have a pathway to Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) after meeting the applicable regional residence and other requirements.
Eligible family members may be included in the application or may be able to join the primary visa holder, subject to the applicable requirements.
The applicable salary requirement depends on the current government threshold, the nominated position and the Annual Market Salary Rate. A Regional Certifying Body assesses the AMSR for Employer Sponsored nominations.
