SUBCLASS 494
Skilled employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa is a five-year provisional visa for skilled workers who are sponsored by an employer in regional Australia.
This visa enables employers in designated regional areas to sponsor suitably skilled overseas workers to fill positions that they are unable to fill with appropriately qualified and experienced Australian workers.
Benefits of the Subclass 494 Visa
Career Development Opportunities in Australia
- Live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia
- Hold a visa valid for up to 5 years
- Gain valuable Australian work experience and advance your career
Study and Travel
- Study in regional Australia while the visa remains valid
- Travel freely in and out of Australia while your visa remains valid
- May be eligible to enrol in Medicare under an Interim Medicare Card while holding the visa
Pathway to Permanent Residency
- Eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after 3 years from visa grant
- Build a long-term future in Australia for yourself and your family through eligible permanent migration pathways
Eligibility Criteria for Subclass 494 Visa
To be eligible for a Subclass 494 visa, you generally need to meet the following requirements:
Employer Sponsorship
Be sponsored by an approved employer under the relevant sponsorship program.
Age
Be at least 18 years old and under 45 years of age at the time of visa application.
Work experience
Have at least 3 years of full-time relevant work experience in your nominated occupation.
Skills Assessment
Obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority, unless exempt.
English
Meet at least Competent English, with test results generally valid for three years from the test date.
Healthcare
Meet the Australian Government's health requirements.
Character Requirement
Meet the DHA’s character requirements, including:
- No criminal convictions.
- No previous Australian visa refusal or cancellation.
- Neither you nor your family members have any outstanding debt to the Australian Government.
Subclass 494 Streams
FROM SUBCLASS 494 TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY
Subclass 494 visa Application Process
Lodge SBS / LA
The employer applies for SBS or a Labour Agreement.
Assess Eligibility
Assess the applicant's eligibility, nominated occupation, and complete Labour Market Testing (LMT), if required.
Lodge Nomination
The approved sponsoring employer submits the nomination application.
Lodge Visa
Submit the visa application once the nomination is approved.
Await Assessment
Await DHA assessment and respond to further requests.
Visa Granted
Visa granted for up to 5 years.
HOW CAN SKILL DIRECT HELP YOU?
We support you throughout your journey, from lodging your EOI to achieving your goal of Australian permanent residency.
Identify an Eligible Regional Area & Employer
Support Employers with SBS/ Labour Agreements and Nomination
Guide employers through the SBS or Labour Agreement and Nomination process and ensure compliance with sponsorship obligations, minimise the risk of refusal.
Prepare the Visa Application
Gather and prepare all required documents to ensure the application is complete, accurate, and ready for lodgement.
Ongoing Support Until Subclass 191
Follow up the progress of SBS/ Labour Agreement, nomination, and visa applications, respond to requests for further information and plan your transition to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.
ARE YOU READY TO BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY FROM VISA 494 TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY?
Book a consultation with Skill Direct and let us help you develop the right strategy for your application.
Frequently asked questions
Below are our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help you better understand our services and the migration process at Skill Direct.
1. When applying for a 494 visa, was I currently employed in that job?
It may not be necessary, but you need to have at least 3 years of full-time experience in the last 5 years (equivalent part-time experience, not including casual) and a skills assessment. If you are not currently employed but already meet these conditions, it will not affect your application.
2. How is Visa 482 different from Visa 494?
– The Subclass 482 visa is a temporary visa, valid for up to 4 years depending on the sponsor. Typically, applicants must seek other avenues to apply for permanent residency (PR) if they meet the requirements, as this visa itself does not offer a direct pathway to PR. This visa requires the sponsored individual to work in a location assigned by the employer.
– The Subclass 494 visa is a provisional visa with a validity period of 5 years, and provides a pathway to permanent residency (PR) through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) after holding the 494 visa for 3 years. This visa requires the sponsored individual to work in a regional area of Australia, and the sponsoring company must also have a base in a regional area of Australia.