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494 Visa
Regional Employer Sponsored Visa
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored (Regional) visa enables regional employers to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.
Regional Employer Sponsored Visa
The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored (Regional) Visa is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in regional areas of Australia. This visa is designed to address skill shortages in regional and rural areas by allowing Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers for positions that are difficult to fill locally. It is part of Australia’s efforts to encourage migration to regional areas and help boost the local economy.
The Subclass 494 visa is a temporary visa that provides a pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers who meet the requirements and live in a regional area for a specified period.
- Temporary Visa: The Subclass 494 visa is a temporary visa, typically granted for a duration of up to 5 years.
- Regional Work: The visa allows holders to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia, which may include areas outside of the major metropolitan cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. It is designed to address regional skills shortages by encouraging workers to settle in regional and rural areas.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: After holding the Subclass 494 visa for at least 3 years and meeting other eligibility criteria, visa holders may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Skilled Regional (Permanent) Subclass 191 visa, which was introduced in November 2022.
To be eligible for the Subclass 494 visa, both the applicant and the employer must meet certain criteria:
For Applicants:
- Age: Applicants must generally be under 45 years of age at the time of application.
- Skilled Occupation: The occupation being sponsored must be on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) or the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). The applicant must have relevant skills, qualifications, and experience to meet the requirements for the nominated occupation.
- Skills Assessment: A positive skills assessment is required for many occupations. This assessment must be conducted by the relevant skills assessment authority for your nominated occupation.
- Work Experience: Applicants must generally have at least 3 years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation. This may vary depending on the occupation and the skills assessment requirements.
- English Language: Applicants must meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements (usually competent English, which is equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.0 in each band or equivalent in another English language test).
- Health and Character Requirements: Applicants and their family members (if included in the application) must meet health and character requirements, which may involve undergoing medical exams and providing police clearance certificates.
For Employers:
- Sponsorship: The employer must be a business operating in a designated regional area of Australia. The business must demonstrate that it is actively operating and has a genuine need for the sponsored worker.
- Labour Market Testing: Employers must prove that they have made genuine efforts to recruit an Australian citizen or permanent resident for the position before seeking to sponsor an overseas worker.
- Nomination: The employer must nominate the position to be filled by the skilled worker. The position must be full-time, ongoing, and meet the skill and salary levels required by Australian immigration law.
- Wages: The employer must offer a salary that meets the minimum salary threshold set by the Australian government, ensuring that the worker is paid fairly and in line with Australian workplace standards.
There are two key streams within the Subclass 494 visa:
1. Employer-Sponsored Stream
- This stream is for skilled workers who are nominated by an employer to fill a position in a regional area. The employer must meet all the requirements, and the nominated occupation must be on an eligible skills list.
2. Labour Agreement Stream
- This stream is for workers sponsored under a Labour Agreement between the employer and the Australian government. Labour agreements are typically used when an employer has unique needs that cannot be met through standard sponsorship pathways.
The Subclass 494 visa has a built-in pathway to permanent residency. After living and working in a regional area for at least 3 years on the Subclass 494 visa and meeting other eligibility criteria, visa holders can apply for the Skilled Regional (Permanent) Subclass 191 visa.
To be eligible for the Subclass 191 visa, applicants must:
- Have held the Subclass 494 visa for a minimum of 3 years.
- Meet income requirements, ensuring they have earned a specified minimum income level during their time in Australia on the Subclass 494 visa.
This provides an opportunity for skilled workers to transition from temporary work to permanent residency, contributing to the long-term development of regional Australia.
Any Queries regarding 494 Visa?
Book an appointment with our Registered Migraton Agent
Santosh Karna
Registered Migration Agent- 1791162
Frequently Asked Question
Addressing your top concerns about Education, Visa & Migration
What services does Danfe Consulting offer in Melbourne and Sydney?
Danfe provides education counselling, student visa support, migration services, PR guidance, college transfers, GTE/SOP preparation, OSHC, and skills assessments.
Why is Danfe Consulting considered the best migration agent in Melbourne?
We are MARA-registered, community-trusted, and have helped over 10,000 students and migrants achieve visa and PR success.
How can Danfe Consulting help international students in Australia?
We assist with admissions, student visa applications, visa extensions, course changes, and PR pathway planning.
Do I need a registered migration agent to apply for a visa in Australia?
While not compulsory, using a registered agent like Danfe ensures your application is accurate, compliant, and has a higher success rate.
Is Danfe Consulting registered with MARA?
Yes, our migration agents are MARA-registered and fully compliant.
Can Danfe assist with GTE and SOP writing?
Yes, we craft genuine, high-quality statements aligned with DHA guidelines.
What are the requirements for a student visa in Australia?
You need a valid CoE, financials, English proficiency, OSHC, and GTE documentation.
How do I change my course or education provider with Danfe’s help?
We assess your eligibility and guide you through the new enrolment and visa update process.
How can Danfe assist with the points test for PR?
We calculate your points and help boost them with experience, study, NAATI, and partner skills.
What is a skills assessment and who needs it?
It’s an evaluation by an assessing authority confirming your qualification and experience match your occupation.
Which occupations are in demand for skilled migration in 2025?
IT, engineering, nursing, trades, social work, early childhood education, and community services.
How do I apply for a 190 visa with state nomination?
We guide you through occupation selection, ROI/EOI submission, and application with the sponsoring state.
Can I apply for the 491 visa while living in a metropolitan area?
Generally no, unless you’ve studied or worked in a designated regional area or meet specific state criteria.
Does Danfe help with Expression of Interest (EOI) submissions?
Yes, we prepare and lodge EOIs and monitor invitations for skilled visas.
Who pays for the SAF levy in a 482 sponsorship?
The employer must pay the SAF levy by law.
What is the easiest way to get PR in Australia?
Study in-demand courses, gain skilled experience, and apply through 189, 190, or 491 pathways.
Which PR pathway is best for international students?
It depends on your background. Most use 485 → skills assessment → 190/491 nomination → PR.
Can I apply for PR after 2 years of study in Australia?
Not directly. You need work experience, skills assessment, and to meet visa points.
Does Danfe help with state nomination applications?
Yes, we prepare and lodge all required documents and guide your ROI and EOI process.
What makes Danfe Consulting different from other migration agencies?
We provide culturally inclusive support with a focus on long-term success, not just visa approvals.
Can Danfe help me transition from a student visa to PR?
Yes, we specialize in student-to-PR planning, including skill assessment, EOI, and state nomination.
How can Danfe Consulting help international students in Australia?
We assist with admissions, student visa applications, visa extensions, course changes, and PR pathway planning.
Does Danfe offer online consultations for interstate and offshore clients?
Absolutely! We offer virtual consultations for clients across Australia and overseas.
What languages does the Danfe Consulting team speak?
Our team can communicate in English, Nepali, Hindi, Tagalog, and more.
How can Danfe help with my student visa application?
We guide you through course selection, GTE writing, document prep, and visa lodgement.
What is the Temporary Graduate Visa (485) and who is eligible?
It allows recent graduates to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily after completing a CRICOS course.
Can Danfe help me apply for the 485 visa after graduation?
Yes, we assist with application preparation, skills assessment, and future PR planning.
What documents are needed for the 485 visa application?
Passport, transcript, IELTS/PTE, AFP clearance, health check, insurance, and skills assessment if applicable.
What are the differences between the 189, 190, and 491 visas?
189 is independent, 190 is state-nominated PR, and 491 is regional (5-year visa with PR pathway).
What is a 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa and who can apply?
It allows skilled workers to work for an approved sponsor in Australia. Requires job offer and relevant skills.
Can Danfe help find employers willing to sponsor 482 or 186 visas?
We assist with preparing documents and guidance, though job search is the applicant’s responsibility.
What are the costs involved in applying for a 482 visa?
Employer pays sponsorship/nomination fees and SAF levy; applicant pays visa fee and optional agent fee.
How do I transition from 482 to PR through a 186 visa?
After 2+ years with the employer, you may apply for a 186 TRT stream PR with skills, English, and age criteria.
What is the PR points calculator and how is it used?
It determines your eligibility for skilled visas based on age, English, education, experience, and more.
What is the PR points calculator and how is it used?
It determines your eligibility for skilled visas based on age, English, education, experience, and more.
How can I increase my chances of getting PR in 2025?
Improve English scores, gain work experience, study in-demand courses, and lodge early.
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