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.