Subclass 189 Subclass 190 Subclass 491 Subclass 482 Subclass 494 Subclass 186 Subclass 858 Points Test Skills Assessment ImmiAccount Express Entry CRS Scoring Provincial Nominee Atlantic Immigration Skilled Migrant Category Green List

Australia

Subclass 494 — Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)

A 5-year provisional visa for skilled workers nominated by a regional Australian employer. PR pathway via Subclass 191 after 3 years living and working in a designated regional area.

Regional

Designated regional area required

5 years

Provisional visa duration

AUD 4,770

Visa fee single applicant

3 yrs → 191

PR via subclass 191 after 3 years

What counts as "regional" Australia

For 494/491 purposes, "regional Australia" covers everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane metropolitan areas. That includes:

Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong
All of Tasmania, Northern Territory, ACT
Most of WA, SA, and regional NSW/VIC/QLD

The list is updated annually. Check the "Designated Regional Areas" postcode list at home affairs before targeting a job.

Eligibility

Age

Under 45 at application (some exemptions for academics and high-income roles).

Employer nomination

Australian employer in a designated regional area nominates you for an eligible occupation. Nominator must hold Standard Business Sponsorship or apply for it.

Occupation

Job must appear on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) — note this is a different list from MLTSSL.

Skills assessment

Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority (e.g. Engineers Australia, ACS, AHPRA).

Work experience

Minimum 3 years full-time skilled work in the nominated occupation. Combinable across employers.

English

Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band) or equivalent.

Health + character

Standard medicals + police clearances from each country lived in 12+ months in the last 10 years.

Genuine intent

Must intend to live and work in the regional area for the 5-year provisional period.

The 494 → 191 PR pathway

Get a regional job offer

Employer in a designated regional postcode nominates you. Salary must hit AMSR (Annual Market Salary Rate) for the role.

Lodge 494 visa application

Skills assessment + nomination + visa application via ImmiAccount. Visa fee AUD 4,770 single.

Move to regional Australia

Live and work in a designated regional area for the duration. Working for a different regional employer is allowed (subject to conditions).

Year 3: meet income threshold

Earn at least AUD 53,900 per year (AMSR-indexed) in each of 3 years to qualify for 191 PR.

Apply for subclass 191

After 3 years on 494 + meeting income, lodge 191 application. AUD 425 fee. PR granted on approval.

494 vs 491 — the key difference

	494	491
Sponsor	Employer	State / family
Points test	Not required	Required (65+)
Occupation list	ROL	MLTSSL + ROL + STSOL
Job tied to sponsor	Yes (employer-bound)	No
PR pathway	191 after 3 yrs	191 after 3 yrs

Notes for South African applicants

When 494 beats 491. If your points score is below 65 but you have a regional employer offer, 494 is the route. Doesn't require points test pass.

Strong fit for SA tradies + healthcare. Regional hospitals (NSW, QLD, TAS) and tradie firms (mining, agriculture) actively hire SA candidates on 494 because they struggle to fill roles locally.

Plan the 5-year regional life. You're committed to a regional area for 3+ years. Visit first if possible — some applicants underestimate the isolation in genuinely remote areas. Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, and Newcastle are "regional" but very liveable.

Income threshold matters. The 191 PR application checks tax records for 3 years of AMSR-level income. Side gigs or part-time work below the threshold can disqualify you. Plan for a stable salaried role.

Compare 494 to 189/190/491

The country comparison scores your eligibility on all AU subclass variants — and against CA + NZ.

General information only. For advice specific to your situation consult a MARA-registered migration agent or Australian immigration lawyer.

Loading…