Subclass 494

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa

This 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

Basic Eligibility

You must:

• be nominated by an approved work sponsor
• have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
• have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
• be under 45 years of age
• meet minimum standards of English language proficiency

Skilled visa income thresholds are increasing in line with changes to annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings. For more information, see Annual indexation of skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2025.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)

Employer Sponsored stream

This 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

• You can live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia

• You can apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your visa is granted

Stay

5 years

Cost

From AUD4,910.00

Processing Time

For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)

Labour Agreement stream

This stream is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a labour agreement. Labour agreements are developed between the Australian Government (represented by the Department) and employers.

• Your employer has to have a labour agreement with the Australian government in effect

Stay

5 years

Cost

From AUD4,910.00

Processing Time

For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)

Subsequent entrant

This visa is for members of the family unit of a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) holder who are applying separately for their SESR visa and wish to join the primary SESR visa holder in Australia.

• This is for members of the family unit of SESR visa holders

Stay

Up to 5 years

Cost

From AUD4,910.00

Processing Time

For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.