Are you standing at the crossroads of your career and dreaming of a fresh start in Australia’s breathtaking regional landscapes? Join the thousands of skilled professionals who embark on this life-changing journey each year, navigating the complex maze of visa applications with hope and determination.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) might sound like just another immigration category, but for many, it represents the beginning of a new chapter, a chance to build a rewarding career and a meaningful life in Australia’s welcoming regional communities. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, engineer, tradesperson, or IT specialist reading this from halfway across the world and feeling overwhelmed by immigration jargon and requirements, take a deep breath. This blog post will walk you through every step of the 494 visa process in clear, simple terms, as if a friend who’s successfully made the journey is sitting beside you, offering their hard-earned wisdom.
Let’s transform this complex process into a clear pathway toward your Australian dream.
Understanding the 494 Visa: Your Pathway to Regional Australia
The subclass 494 visa is a provisional skilled visa designed to address regional Australia’s critical skills shortages while offering qualified overseas workers a pathway to permanent residency. Introduced in November 2019 as part of Australia’s population plan, this visa replaced the former Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187).
This visa allows you to:
- Live and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years
- Include your family members in your application
- Study in Australia
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you wish
- Apply for permanent residency after 3 years (through the Subclass 191 visa)
The Two Streams: Choosing Your Path
The 494 visa offers two distinct application streams, each designed for different circumstances:
1. Employer Sponsored Stream
This mainstream pathway is for skilled workers with occupations on the Regional Occupation List who have an approved sponsor in regional Australia.
Check if your occupation is on the Regional Occupation List.
2. Labour Agreement Stream
This alternative pathway is available when standard requirements can’t be met, requiring your employer to have a labour agreement with the Australian government.
Learn more about labour agreements.
What Counts as “Regional Australia”?
For immigration purposes, regional Australia includes all areas except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane metropolitan areas. This means cities like Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, and Canberra qualify as regional areas.
View the designated regional areas.
Comprehensive 494 Visa Requirements: Breaking Down What You Need
1. Employer Sponsorship Requirements
Your journey begins with finding an Australian employer willing to sponsor you. Your prospective employer must:
- Be actively operating a lawful business in a designated regional area
- Have no adverse information affecting their eligibility
- Be approved as a standard business sponsor or apply to become one
- Demonstrate they cannot fill the position with Australian workers
- Pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy
- Comply with Australian workplace laws and sponsorship obligations
Real-life perspective: Finding a sponsor can be challenging but not impossible. Many successful applicants start by researching employers in their field who have previously sponsored overseas workers, directly reaching out with a tailored application highlighting their unique skills, or connecting with industry groups in regional areas.
Learn more about employer sponsorship requirements.
2. Nomination Requirements
Once you’ve found a sponsor, they must nominate you for a specific position that:
- Is on the Regional Occupation List (for the Employer Sponsored stream)
- Aligns with your skills assessment and qualifications
- Is a genuine full-time position lasting at least 3 years
- Offers market salary rate (what an Australian would earn in the same role)
- Is located in a designated regional area of Australia
Tip: The position must be closely related to your nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list. The Department verifies this alignment using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).
3. Skills Assessment Requirements
You must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. This typically involves:
- Submitting evidence of your qualifications and work experience
- Paying assessment fees (which vary by occupation and authority)
- Meeting occupation-specific requirements
- Possibly completing competency assessments for trade occupations
Personal insight: Many applicants underestimate how long skills assessments can take. Start this process early, ideally 4-6 months before you plan to apply for your visa. Each assessing authority has different requirements and timeframes.
Find your relevant skills assessment authority.
4. English Language Requirements
Unless exempt, you must demonstrate competent English by achieving:
- An IELTS score of at least 6 in each component (listening, reading, writing, speaking), or
- Equivalent scores in other approved tests: TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAE, or OET
Exemptions may apply if you hold a passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland or have completed at least five years of full-time study in English.
Practical advice: Even if you use English professionally, preparation is key for these standardized tests. Many successful applicants recommend taking practice tests and focusing on areas where you score lowest.
5. Age Requirements
You must be under 45 years of age at the time of application, with limited exemptions for:
- Certain occupations in high demand
- Special provisions in labor agreements
- Researchers, academics, or technical specialists
Learn about age requirement exemptions
6. Work Experience Requirements
You must have at least three years of full-time work experience in your nominated occupation or a closely related field, completed within the five years immediately before applying.
This experience must be:
- Relevant to your nominated occupation
- At the appropriate skill level
- Paid at the market rate
- Verifiable with evidence such as employment references, tax documents, or payslips
Documentation tip: In addition to reference letters, gather supporting evidence like tax returns, payslips, employment contracts, and bank statements showing salary deposits. The more comprehensive your documentation, the stronger your case.
7. Health and Character Requirements
All applicants (including family members) must:
- Undergo medical examinations with Department-approved physicians
- Meet health requirements related to public health risks and cost to public health services
- Provide police clearances from all countries lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years
- Declare all offenses, even if spent or removed from records
- Meet the character requirements as defined by the Department
Planning advice: Medical results are typically valid for 12 months, and police clearances are valid for 12 months. Time your medical exams and police clearance applications carefully within your overall application timeline.
Learn about character requirements.
The Application Process: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Preliminary Assessment and Preparation
Before diving into applications, assess your eligibility and gather key documents:
- Determine if your occupation is on the Regional Occupation List
- Check if you meet the age, experience, and qualification requirements
- Begin collecting documentation for skills assessment
- Take an English language test if required
- Research potential employers in regional Australia
Timeline tip: Start preparation 6-12 months before your planned move to allow for document collection, skills assessment, and finding a sponsor.
Step 2: Skills Assessment
- Identify the correct assessing authority for your occupation
- Submit your application with all required documentation
- Pay the assessment fee
- Allow sufficient time for processing (varies by authority)
- Address any requests for additional information promptly
Step 3: Finding an Employer Sponsor
- Research employers in regional areas who might need your skills
- Build your professional network through LinkedIn and industry associations
- Consider using a registered migration agent with employer connections
- Prepare a strong Australian-style resume and cover letter
- Be prepared to explain how your skills address specific regional needs
Success strategy: Highlight your willingness to commit to regional Australia in the long term, as employers invest significant resources in sponsorship and want to minimize turnover.
Step 4: Employer Nomination Application
Once you’ve secured a job offer, your employer must:
- Submit a nomination application identifying the position
- Pay the nomination fee
- Pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy
- Provide evidence that the position is genuine and meets the requirements
- Demonstrate they’ve tested the local labor market (if required)
You need to ask your employer for your nomination transaction reference number, as you’ll need it to apply for your visa.
Step 5: Your Visa Application
After the nomination is approved, you can submit your visa application.
- Create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website
- Complete the online application form
- Pay the visa application fee (AUD 4,770 for the main applicant, AUD 2,385 for each dependent 18 years and over, and AUD 1,190 for each dependent under 18)
- Attach all supporting documents and provide accurate information
- Arrange health examinations
- Provide biometrics if required
Document checklist:
- Passport copies for all applicants
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates (if applicable)
- Dependent under 18 documents (if applicable)
- Dependent over 18 documents (if applicable)
- Skills assessment
- English test results
- Employment references and evidence
- Educational qualifications
- Age exemption document (if applicable)
- Police clearances
- Medical examination results
Access the official document checklist
Step 6: Application Processing
- The Department assesses your application
- You may receive requests for additional information
- Processing times vary but typically range from 7-12 months
- Track your application status through your ImmiAccount
Check current processing times
Step 7: Visa Grant and Arrival Planning
Once your visa is granted:
- Review all visa conditions carefully
- Make arrangements to move to Australia
- Research housing in your regional area
- Plan for initial settlement costs
- Notify your employer of your expected arrival date
First steps in Australia: Register for a Tax File Number and Medicare (if eligible under reciprocal healthcare agreements), open a bank account, and familiarize yourself with local services in your regional area.
Life in Regional Australia: What to Expect
Benefits of Regional Living
- Lower cost of housing compared to major capital cities
- Stronger sense of community and belonging
- Shorter commute times and less traffic congestion
- Access to stunning natural environments
- Growing economic opportunities in developing regions
- Potentially faster pathway to permanent residency
Pathway to Permanent Residency: The 191 Visa
After meeting specific requirements, 494 visa holders can apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa. Requirements include:
- Having held a 494 visa for at least three years
- Having complied with all visa conditions
- Having worked for at least three years in a designated regional area
- Having met the minimum income requirement (equal to TSMIT × 3 years)
- Meeting health, character, and other standard requirements
The 191 visa grants permanent residency in Australia, allowing you to:
- Live and work anywhere in Australia
- Access Medicare and certain social security benefits
- Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
- Apply for Australian citizenship (after meeting residence requirements)
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Challenge 1: Finding a Sponsor in Regional Australia
Solutions:
- Research regional businesses that have previously sponsored foreign workers
- Consider using a migration agent with regional employer connections
- Attend virtual job fairs focused on regional employment
- Join professional associations in your field with Australian chapters
- Search specialized job boards focused on regional opportunities
- Consider a preliminary visit to network in person if possible
Challenge 2: Meeting Skills Assessment Requirements
Solutions:
- Start the assessment process early (at least 4-6 months before visa application)
- Carefully review all documentation requirements before submitting
- Ensure employment references match exactly the duties listed in ANZSCO
- Consider professional assistance with preparing your documentation
- Be ready to provide additional evidence if requested
Challenge 3: Proving Genuine Position Requirements
The Department of Home Affairs carefully scrutinizes positions to ensure they are genuine and not created solely for visa purposes. Common issues include:
Solutions:
- Ensure the business has a legitimate need for the position
- Provide evidence of recruitment efforts made to hire locally
- Demonstrate how the position fits into the business structure
- Ensure the position description aligns with ANZSCO requirements
- Provide proof of physical business premises and ongoing operations
- Include detailed business documentation like organizational charts and financial records
Challenge 4: Meeting Salary Requirements
Your salary must meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) and market rate requirements.
Solutions:
- Research comparable salaries in your specific regional area
- Ensure your employment contract clearly outlines all components of your remuneration
- Document market salary evidence from multiple sources
- Understand the difference between base salary and total remuneration
- Ensure your employer is aware of and committed to meeting these requirements
Tip: The Department often uses the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Fair Work Australia data to verify market rates, so research these sources when preparing your application.
Challenge 5: Navigating Regional Settlement
Moving to regional Australia can be a significant adjustment, especially for those coming from large metropolitan areas.
Solutions:
- Connect with local migrant support services before arrival
- Join online communities of migrants in your destination region
- Research housing options, schools, and healthcare facilities in advance
- Plan for transportation needs (private vehicle may be essential)
- Establish connections with cultural or religious communities
- Be prepared for a different pace of life and community dynamics
Preparing for the 191 Permanent Residency Application
Building Your Case During the 494 Visa Period
To strengthen your future 191 visa application:
- Maintain detailed employment records
- Keep documentation of all salary payments
- Save evidence of regional residence (utility bills, lease agreements)
- Maintain continuous employment in regional Australia
- Keep records of community involvement and integration
- Document any professional development or additional qualifications
Timeline Planning
- Submit your 191 visa application after holding your 494 visa for at least three years
- Begin preparing documentation at least 3-6 months before eligibility
- Ensure all requirements are met before the expiry of your 494 visa
- Consider seeking professional advice for this critical transition
Conclusion
The 494 visa offers a unique opportunity to build a new life in regional Australia while addressing critical skills shortages in these communities. While the requirements and process may seem daunting, thousands of skilled professionals successfully navigate this pathway each year.
Your journey begins with thorough research and preparation:
- Assess your eligibility for the visa based on your occupation, qualifications, and experience
- Start the skills assessment process with the relevant authority
- Research regional areas that might need your skills
- Build connections with potential employers or engage a migration agent
- Prepare financially for the application and relocation costs
Remember that each step brings you closer to your goal of building a new life in Australia. The regional communities awaiting your skills offer employment opportunities and the chance to become part of a welcoming and growing community.
As you embark on this journey, stay informed, persist, and maintain a positive outlook. Australia’s regional communities await your valuable contributions to their economic and social fabric.
