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Apply for 494 Visa – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
GIEC Global UK helps skilled professionals secure regional sponsorship in Australia—get free expert advice today.
494 visa Australia
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) is an excellent choice for skilled workers who are looking to build a future in Australia’s growing regional areas. It allows skilled workers to contribute to the regional workforce while offering a direct route to permanent residency.
It does’t matter if you’re applying from overseas or are already in Australia, the subclass 494 visa offers a secure and promising path to make Australia your long-term home. If you are confused about PR points, you can use the Australia PR Points Calculator to check your eligibility.
494 visa Australia Eligibility
To apply for the visa 494, which is also known as the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa, you must fulfil various important eligibility requirements. Your Work must be in an eligible skilled occupation listed for the 494 visa stream. This visa is for skilled workers who want to work and live in designated regional areas of Australia and have been nominated by an approved employer.
The subclass 494 visa helps regional employers to fill job vacancies with skilled migrants when no suitable Australian worker is available. It’s also a pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 191 visa.
494 visa australia benefits
Leads to Permanent Residency through the 191 visa after 3 years.
Offers full-time work rights for 5 years in regional Australia.
No points test required.
Access to 650+ eligible occupations (MLTSSL + ROL).
Allows you to include family members with work and study rights.
Provides priority processing for regional employer-sponsored visas.
Gives a clear and reliable PR pathway with steady employment.
494 visa australia requirements
You must meet the following to apply for the subclass 494 visa:
- Be nominated by an approved Australian employer in a designated regional area.
- Work in an eligible skilled occupation listed for the visa 494 stream.
- Have a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation (unless exempt).
- Be under 45 years of age at the time of application.
- Meet English language requirements (usually Competent English).
- Satisfy health and character checks required by the Department of Home Affairs.
- Have at least 3 years of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation.
Hold a suitable visa if applying from inside Australia, such as a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa.
Why You should contact GIEC Global UK
The 494 visa process may look simple but it’s not, and lodging the visa application yourself can be risky, even a small mistake can lead to visa rejection. The visa process is a long-term and detailed procedure that requires proper documentation and accuracy. Any missing information, incorrect form or misunderstanding of eligibility criteria can cause unnecessary delays or even a refusal.
If you’re ready to build your future in Australia, consult MARA Registered agent for expert advice. Giec Global UK is proud to have its own MARA registered migration agent, offering you direct access to professional and reliable immigration advice. Unlike many other agencies, we do not rely on third-party consultants, because we don’t pay high outsourcing fees, the cost savings are passed directly on to you.
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At GIEC Global UK, we are committed to making your immigration journey smooth, transparent, and successful.
✅ Experienced Canada, Australia & UK Immigration & Study Experts.
✅ 99% Success Rate Across Visa Categories
✅ Personalized Guidance & Transparent Process
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✅ Global Presence with Local Expertise
✅ Free Assessment & Document Review
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Include Family in 494 visa
The 494 visa offers one of the main benefits in allowing you to include qualified family members on your application. This means you don’t have to move to Australia alone—you can bring your loved ones with you. You can include your spouse or de facto partner, your dependent children and in some limited situations, even other dependent relatives. This makes the skilled employer-sponsored regional provisional visa subclass 494 a great choice for families looking to start a new life in regional Australia.
To be eligible, your family members must meet the same health and character requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs. If you don’t take in them when you first apply, there’s still an option—they can submit a separate application later as subsequent entrants under the subclass 494 visa stream.
Once granted, the visa 494 gives your family the same rights as you. They can live, work and study in appointed regional areas of Australia, helping the whole family settle into a new community. Family members also get access to Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system; they can access basic health services. Additionally, the visa allows multiple entries, so your family can travel in and out of Australia freely as long as the visa remains valid.
Permanent Residence
The Subclass 494 visa offers a pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa. To be eligible for permanent residency, you must:
- Hold a 494 visa for at least 3 years.
- Have a minimum taxable income of AUD 53,900* per year for 3 years.
- Continue to live and work in designated regional areas.
- Comply with all visa conditions.
Entitlements of the 494 Visa
The 494 visa gives you and your family various rights while living in regional Australia. These include:
- Stay in Australia for up to 5 years.
- Live and work only in regional areas.
- Include eligible family members in your visa.
- Access Medicare for healthcare services.
- Apply for permanent residency after 3 years.
Difference Between 491 Visa and 494 Visa
| Criteria | Subclass 491 Visa | Subclass 494 Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Type | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) |
| Nomination/Sponsorship | State/territory government OR eligible family member | Approved employer in regional area |
| Application Type | Points-based system | Employer-sponsored |
| Job Requirement | No job offer needed before application | Must have job offer from regional employer |
| Points Test | Required (minimum 65 points) | Not required |
| Occupation List | Skilled occupation list | MLTSSL, STSOL, or Regional Occupation List |
| Work Flexibility | Can work for any employer in regional area | Initially tied to sponsoring employer |
| Duration | Up to 5 years | Up to 5 years |
| Age Limit | Under 45 years at time of invitation | Under 45 years (may have exemptions) |
| Skills Assessment | Positive skills assessment required | Positive skills assessment required |
| English Requirement | Competent English proficiency | Competent English proficiency |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory (helps with points) | Relevant work experience required |
| Pathway to PR | Subclass 191 after 3 years | Subclass 191 after 3 years |
| Family Inclusion | Yes, can include family members | Yes, can include family members |
| Medicare Access | Yes | Yes |
| Travel Permission | Multiple entries allowed | Multiple entries allowed |
| Regional Area Requirement | Must live and work in designated regional area | Must live and work in designated regional area |
| Best Suited For | Skilled workers with high points and state nomination/family sponsorship | Skilled workers with job offer from regional employer |
Visa Type
Subclass 491
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
Subclass 494
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)
Nomination/Sponsorship
Subclass 491
State/territory government OR eligible family member
Subclass 494
Approved employer in regional area
Application Type
Subclass 491
Points-based system
Subclass 494
Employer-sponsored
Job Requirement
Subclass 491
No job offer needed before application
Subclass 494
Must have job offer from regional employer
Points Test
Subclass 491
Required (minimum 65 points)
Subclass 494
Not required
Occupation List
Subclass 491
Skilled occupation list
Subclass 494
MLTSSL, STSOL, or Regional Occupation List
Work Flexibility
Subclass 491
Can work for any employer in regional area
Subclass 494
Initially tied to sponsoring employer
Duration
Subclass 491
Up to 5 years
Subclass 494
Up to 5 years
Age Limit
Subclass 491
Under 45 years at time of invitation
Subclass 494
Under 45 years (may have exemptions)
Skills Assessment
Subclass 491
Positive skills assessment required
Subclass 494
Positive skills assessment required
English Requirement
Subclass 491
Competent English proficiency
Subclass 494
Competent English proficiency
Work Experience
Subclass 491
Not mandatory (helps with points)
Subclass 494
Relevant work experience required
Pathway to PR
Subclass 491
Subclass 191 after 3 years
Subclass 494
Subclass 191 after 3 years
Family Inclusion
Subclass 491
Yes, can include family members
Subclass 494
Yes, can include family members
Medicare Access
Subclass 491
Yes
Subclass 494
Yes
Travel Permission
Subclass 491
Multiple entries allowed
Subclass 494
Multiple entries allowed
Regional Area Requirement
Subclass 491
Must live and work in designated regional area
Subclass 494
Must live and work in designated regional area
Best Suited For
Subclass 491
Skilled workers with high points and state nomination/family sponsorship
Subclass 494
Skilled workers with job offer from regional employer
Can I get permanent residency with a 494?
Yes, you can get permanent residency with a 494 visa. The 494 visa provide a clear pathway to PR through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa. To qualify you must live, work and stay in a designated regional area for at least 3 years. During these 3 years, you must also meet the minimum taxable income requirement set by the Australia Government for each financial year. Once you fulfill these requirements such as working for your sponsoring employer, you can apply for the 191 visa and become a permanent resident of australia. This visa is ideal for skilled workers who have employer sponsorship in regional australia.
Where Can I Apply From?
You have the flexibility to apply for the subclass 494 visa from either inside or outside Australia; it depends on your current situation. If you’re already in Australia, you must be holding a valid substantive visa or a Bridging Visa A, B, or C at the time you submit your application. This makes sure that you’re legally staying in the country while your 494 visa is being processed.
If you’re applying from outside Australia, you must make sure you meet all the visa 494 requirements before starting your application. One of the most important conditions is that your sponsoring employer must be based in a designated regional area and approved to sponsor workers under the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Provisional Visa subclass 494.
No matter where you’re applying from—whether you’re in Australia or overseas—the visa application process is the same. All applications must be submitted online using ImmiAccount, the official platform provided by the Department of Home Affairs.
This flexibility in application location makes the skilled employer-sponsored regional visa subclass 494 a practical option for skilled workers worldwide, as long as they meet all the eligibility and sponsorship conditions.
Contact Us
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get in touch with australia PR consultants
phone number
Office Telephone : +44 (742) 4234034
our address
First Central 200, 6th floor, Suite Number 6.034 2 Lakeside Dr, London NW10 7FQ
email address
admin@giecglobal.uk
frequently asked questions
You can learn more from our asked questions
Indeed, you could be nominated for the 494 visa should your company be authorized as a sponsor and are located in a certain Australian regional area. You must also meet the 494 visa requirements, such as having a valid skills assessment, English language proficiency and relevant work experience. This process helps skilled workers live and work in regional areas through the skilled employer sponsored regional provisional visa subclass 494.
If you’re granted a subclass 494 visa, you must work for your sponsoring employer for at least 3 years in the nominated position. Changing jobs without proper approval may breach your visa conditions. However, in special situations, you may be able to transfer sponsorship to another eligible regional employer. For Further deatils speak to a GIEC GLOBAL UK migration agent or the Department of Home Affairs before changing employment.
Getting a 494 visa in Australia is not necessarily hard, but it does require careful preparation. You must meet requirements such as:
Being under 45 years of age
Having competent English
Holding a skills assessment for an eligible occupation
Securing sponsorship from an approved regional employer
If all these conditions are met, and your documentation is accurate, the visa 494 process can be smooth. For further hassle-free processing, contact the GIEC GLOBAL UK agent.
The 494 visa has three streams:
Employer Sponsored Stream – for skilled workers sponsored by an employer in a regional area.
Labour Agreement Stream – for workers whose employer has a labour agreement with the Australian Government.
Subsequent Entrant Stream – for family members of a 494 visa holder applying separately.
Each stream has different eligibility criteria and application processes, but all fall under the skilled employer sponsored regional visa subclass 494.
It is illegal for an employer to ask you to pay for visa sponsorship under Australian law. If your employer is making you repay visa costs or threatening your visa status, seek help from Fair Work Ombudsman or speak to GIEC GLOBAL UK registered migration agent. You are protected by Australian workplace laws, regardless of your visa status under the subclass 494.
Yes, the 494 visa is a pathway to permanent residency. After holding the visa for 3 years, you may be eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa subclass 191. You must show you have lived and worked in a specific regional area and met income thresholds during your stay. This makes the skilled employer sponsored regional provisional visa subclass 494 an important step toward becoming a permanent resident in Australia.
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