Australia’s regions are growing—and with that growth comes the need for skilled workers to support critical industries in health, trades, construction, agriculture, IT, hospitality, and more. The Subclass494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa allows regional employers to address genuine labour shortages by sponsoring skilled overseas workers where no suitable Australian worker is available.
At Migration Guru, we help both employers and skilled professionals navigate this employer-sponsored regional visa pathway—accurately, efficiently, and in full compliance with Australia’s migration laws.
✅ What Is the Subclass 494 Visa?
The Subclass 494 Visa is a temporary, employer-sponsored visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years.
It has three streams: • Employer Sponsored stream
• Labour Agreement stream
• Subsequent Entrant stream (for family members)
🚨 Key Benefits
✔️ Work and live in regional Australia
✔️ Pathway to permanent residency (Subclass 191) after 3 years
✔️ Bring eligible family members
✔️ Access to designated regional areas across multiple states
✔️ Strong long-term demand across multiple skilled sectors
🧭 Eligibility for the Subclass 494 Visa
To qualify for the Employer Sponsored stream, you must:
• Be nominated by an approved regional employer
• Have an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list
• Be under 45 years of age at the time of application
• Hold a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation
• Meet minimum English language proficiency
• Meet health and character requirements
📂 Subclass 494 Streams Explained
🏢 Employer Sponsored Stream
For skilled workers nominated by a regional employer who is approved to sponsor. You must live, work, and study only in designated regional areas.
- Stay: Up to 5 years
• Apply for PR after 3 years from the visa grant date
🤝 Labour Agreement Stream
This is for skilled workers where the employer has entered into a Labour Agreement with the Australian Government. It provides access to occupations and concessions not available under standard nomination lists.
- Employer must have a valid Labour Agreement
• Must meet all criteria specific to the agreement
👨👩👧👦 Subsequent Entrant Stream
This is for family members of Subclass 494 visa holders who wish to join the primary applicant in Australia. They apply separately and must meet all health, character, and relationship requirements.
- Stay: Matches the primary 494 visa holder (up to 5 years)
💡 Permanent Residency Pathway
After 3 years on a Subclass 494 visa, you may become eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, if:
• You have complied with your 494 visa conditions
• You lived and worked in a designated regional area for 3 years
• You meet income and eligibility requirements for the 191 visa
📈 Skilled Visa Income Thresholds – Update from 1 July 2025
From 1 July 2025, income thresholds for skilled visas—including the Subclass 494—will be indexed annually based on the Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). Migration Guru ensures your employer nomination and salary meets the latest threshold.
👨💼 Why Choose Migration Guru?
Whether you’re an employer looking to fill a skilled role or a migrant wanting to build a career in regional Australia, the Subclass 494 visa process requires precision and planning.
Migration Guru offers:
✔️ Employer sponsorship registration and nomination support
✔️ Skills assessment guidance
✔️ Stream selection based on your career and location
✔️ Full visa preparation, review, and lodgement
✔️ Bridging visa and compliance advice during processing
✔️ Pathway planning for Subclass 191 PR
Our MARA-registered migration agents handle every detail to ensure your regional migration success.
📞 Contact Migration Guru Today
- Phone: +61-7-3036 3800
- Email: info@migrationguru.com.au
- Website: migrationguru.com.au
- Facebook: Migration Guru
Book your FREE consultation and explore your future in regional Australia today.
