Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) Guide
What does the subclass 494 visa guide cover?
This guide covers the key information you need to know about the subclass 494 visa, including eligibility requirements, visa streams, required documents, visa costs, processing times and the application process. It also explains how Turner-Rowe Migration can assist you throughout your entire visa application, with support available in both English and Spanish.
What do you need to know about the subclass 494 visa?
What is the official visa name → Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
Who can apply to this visa → Skilled workers who are sponsored by an employer that is unable to find suitably skilled Australian workers
How long can you stay in Australia with this visa → It allows applicants to stay in Australia for up to 5 years
Can applicants work under this visa → Yes, applicants are allowed to work in a designated region of Australia
Can applicants study under this visa → Yes, applicants are allowed to study in a designated region of Australia
Can I include family members in the visa application → Yes, applicants can include eligible family members in their application
Does this visa lead to Permanent Residency → Yes, applicants can apply to Permanent Residency if eligible
Are you eligible for a subclass 494 visa?
To be eligible, applicants generally must meet the following requirements:
Be working under a labour agreement (if applicable)
Be under the required age limit
Be nominated by an approved sponsor
Have relevant skills, qualifications and work experience
Have a positive skills assessment
Have the required level of English language
Meet the health requirement
Meet the character requirement
Have paid back any debt owed to the Australian Government, or have arranged to pay it back
Sign the Australian Values Statement
Important: Eligibility requirements vary between the Employer Sponsored stream and the Labour Agreement stream, so not every requirement applies to every applicant
For detailed information on eligibility requirements, please visit the Department of Home Affairs eligibility pages for each Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) stream:
What are the subclass 494 visa streams?
Employer Sponsored stream: The Employer Sponsored stream enables regional employers to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where they cannot source an appropriately skilled Australian worker. The visa allows you to stay in Australia for 5 years, live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia, and travel to and from Australia for 5 years. If eligible, you can apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your visa is granted.
Labour Agreement stream: The Labour Agreement stream is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a labour agreement, which is developed between the Australian Government, represented by the Department, and employers. The visa allows you to stay in Australia for 5 years, live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia, and travel to and from Australia for 5 years. If eligible, you can apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your visa is granted.
What documents do you need to apply?
The common documents required for a subclass 494 visa application include:
Identity documents
Age exemption documents (if applicable)
Skills and qualifications documents
English language documents
Health documents
Character documents
Partner documents
Dependants under 18 documents
Dependants over 18 documents
Important: Document requirements can vary depending on the 494 stream. Not every applicant will need to provide every document listed above.
For detailed information on the documents required, please visit the Department of Home Affairs step-by-step guide for each Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) stream:
How much will the subclass 494 visa cost you?
The cost depends on the number of applicants included in the visa application.
Primary Applicant: $6,140 AUD
Additional Applicant Charge 18+: $3,070 AUD
Additional Applicant Charge U18: $1,535 AUD
Costs are subject to change and may vary depending on your individual circumstances and any additional charges, such as our Registered Migration Agent Fees.
For detailed information on visa application costs, please visit the Department of Home Affairs visa pricing estimator page.
How do you apply for a subclass 494 visa?
The process generally includes the following steps:
Meet eligibility criteria
Gather Your Documents
Lodge the Visa application online
Attach more information (if asked)
Department of Home Affairs decision
For detailed information on how to apply, please visit the Department of Home Affairs step-by-step guide for each Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) stream:
How long will you wait for the visa to be processed?
Employer Sponsored current processing times:
50% of applications are processed within 7 months
90% of applications are processed within 11 months
Labour Agreement current processing times:
50% of applications are processed within 7 months
90% of applications are processed within 10 months
Processing times are subject to change and may vary depending on individual circumstances and the completeness of your application.
For the latest information on Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) processing times, please visit the Department of Home Affairs visa processing times page.
What happens after your visa is lodged?
After your subclass 494 visa is lodged, the Department of Home Affairs assesses your application and may request additional information before making a decision.
The final step is the Department's decision on your application.
If your visa has been approved, the Department will provide you with:
Grant visa number
Date your visa starts
Visa conditions (if applicable)
If your visa has not been approved, the Department will provide you with:
Reason why it was refused
Rights to a decision’s review
Important: The Department will not refund you the application fee if your visa is refused.
How can Turner-Rowe Migration help you?
At Turner-Rowe Migration, we provide Australian migration and visa services in English and Spanish, with personalised support tailored to your goals and individual circumstances, backed by over 8 years of professional experience.
Our Registered Migration Agent helps you with:
Professional advice & personalised guidance
Eligibility assessment, visa options and migration pathway
Documentation support & avoiding application mistakes
Improving the quality of your application
Preparing and lodging your visa application
Post-lodgement support & application updates
Responding to Department of Home Affairs additional requests
Notify you the Department's decision on your application
Contact us today whether you're exploring your visa options, seeking guidance or advice, or ready to begin your Australian visa application.
Ready to start your Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) application?
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general information purposes only and is based on information published by the Australian Government and the Department of Home Affairs. Australian visa requirements, policies, fees, processing times and eligibility criteria may change. For the latest and most accurate information, applicants should refer to the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant visa subclass requirements.