- Visas
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (ENS)
- Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa
- Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa
- Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa
- Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
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SUBCLASS 494 VISA
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
Live and work in regional Australia for up to 5 years with a direct pathway to permanent residency. We manage your entire Subclass 494 visa application—from Regional Certifying Body (RCB) advice and employer nomination compliance to skills assessment guidance and formal Department lodgement.
96%
Agency Approval Rate
5 Years
Provisional Regional Stay
6–11 Mo.
Typical Processing Time
PR Pathway
Leads to Subclass 191
CORE CRITERIA
494 Visa Eligibility Requirements
The Subclass 494 is a regional employer-sponsored visa designed to address labor shortages outside major Australian cities. To qualify, both the sponsoring regional employer and the skilled professional must meet strict statutory criteria.
Designated Regional Employer
You must be sponsored by an actively operating Australian business located strictly within a designated regional area of Australia.
Eligible Occupation List
Your occupation must be included on the relevant Regional Employer Sponsored Skilled Occupation List for the Subclass 494 program.
3 Years Work Experience
You must demonstrate at least three years of full-time, relevant skilled work experience in your nominated occupation before applying.
Positive Skills Assessment
You must hold a valid, positive Skills Assessment for your nominated occupation at the time the visa application is lodged.
Competent English Language
You must achieve at least Competent English test scores (e.g., IELTS 6.0 across all bands or equivalent PTE) unless an official exemption applies.
Under 45 Years of Age
You must be under 45 years of age at the time of visa application lodgement, unless you qualify for specific legislative age exemptions.
Avoid Common Disqualifying Mistakes: Sponsoring a role without obtaining prior salary certification from the local Regional Certifying Body (RCB), offering a salary below statutory income thresholds, or submitting employment references that fail to prove three full years of post-qualification experience are leading causes of 494 nomination and visa refusals.
STEP-BY-STEP
How We Handle Your 494 Visa Application
We manage the three-stage regional application workflow—protecting employers from statutory compliance pitfalls while preparing a complete evidentiary case for the applicant.
01
Regional Salary & RCB Audit
We audit the regional business location, benchmark the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR), and prepare the application for local RCB advice.
02
Skills Assessment
We guide skilled professionals through their formal qualification and employment evaluation with authorized Australian assessing bodies.
03
Standard Business Sponsorship
We apply for or confirm active Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) status for the regional employer with the Department of Home Affairs.
04
Nomination & SAF Levy
We lodge the official employer nomination linked to the approved RCB certification and manage Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy compliance.
05
Visa Lodgement & PR Pathway
We submit the applicant's complete visa documentation and map out the 3-year regional residency timeline required for Subclass 191 PR.
EVIDENCE CHECKLIST
Documents Required for Subclass 494
A successful regional employer-sponsored application requires structured documentation from both the sponsoring regional business and the skilled applicant.
Regional Employer Evidence
- ASIC business registration showing active regional address
- Recent financial statements, BAS, and business tax returns
- Employment contract offering 5 years of full-time regional work
- RCB salary certification and AMSR benchmarking reports
Applicant Professional Proofs
- Positive Skills Assessment outcome letter for the occupation
- 3+ years of formal employment references on official letterhead
- Academic degrees, trade certificates, and transcripts
- Payslips, tax records, and bank statements verifying experience
Identity, Language & Character
- Valid passport bio-data pages for all included family members
- Competent English language test results (IELTS, PTE, etc.)
- Police clearances from any country lived in for 12+ months
- Mandatory Australian medical examination completion records
INVESTMENT & TIMELINES
Costs & Processing Schedule
We believe in transparent budgeting so both sponsoring regional employers and skilled professionals understand government application charges and professional fees.
Department of Home Affairs Fees
From AUD $4,910
This is the standard government visa application charge for a primary applicant. The employer also pays nomination fees, RCB assessment charges, and the SAF levy.
* Fees are set by the Department and subject to change — confirm current fees during your initial assessment.
Our Agency Service Fee
Case-Dependent
Our professional service fees are tailored to the specific complexity of your case. We evaluate your unique profile and corporate sponsorship structure before providing a clear quotation.
* Our fee covers RCB certification advice, employer nomination preparation, Skills Assessment guidance, and full visa representation.
Typical Processing Timelines
6 – 11 Months
Processing times apply from the date of nomination and visa lodgement. Regional employer-sponsored applications often benefit from priority Departmental allocation.
* Clean, decision-ready applications with complete RCB, corporate, and individual evidence tend to be processed significantly faster.
MARN 2619225
Why Work With a Registered Migration Agent for a 494 Visa?
The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa involves a unique three-tier approval structure that makes it significantly more complex than standard metropolitan work visas. Before the Department of Home Affairs even considers an employer's nomination, the position and salary must be evaluated and certified by a local Regional Certifying Body (RCB) operating within that specific regional jurisdiction.
A frequent cause of nomination refusal or visa rejection is failing to satisfy the RCB that the offered Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) is genuine, or submitting applicant employment references that do not legally substantiate three full years of post-qualification experience. If the employer's nomination is rejected, the applicant's visa application cannot proceed.
As registered MARN professionals, we represent both sponsoring regional Australian employers and skilled workers. We conduct thorough pre-lodgement audits of RCB salary criteria, corporate financials, and individual work histories to ensure complete compliance with Australian Migration Regulations—establishing a secure bridge toward permanent residency.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, direct answers regarding the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa program.
What is the difference between the Subclass 494 and Subclass 482 visa?
The Subclass 482 is a general temporary employer-sponsored work visa that can be used across metropolitan and regional Australia, whereas the Subclass 494 is specifically designed for designated regional areas and requires Regional Certifying Body (RCB) advice. The 494 is a 5-year provisional visa with a direct legislative pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 191 after three years.
Do I need a positive Skills Assessment for a Subclass 494 visa?
Yes. Unlike some temporary employer-sponsored visas, primary applicants under the Employer Sponsored stream of the Subclass 494 visa must hold a valid, positive Skills Assessment for their nominated occupation at the time of application, unless an official exemption applies.
What is the role of a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) for a 494 nomination?
Before the Department of Home Affairs approves an employer's 494 nomination, the position must be assessed by the local Regional Certifying Body (RCB). The RCB verifies that the offered Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) is genuine and comparable to what an Australian worker would earn in that regional location.
How do I transition from a Subclass 494 visa to Permanent Residency?
After holding the Subclass 494 visa and living and working in a designated regional area of Australia for at least three years, you become eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191) without needing a second employer nomination.
Can I change employers while holding a Subclass 494 regional visa?
Yes. If you cease working for your sponsoring employer, you generally have up to 180 days to find a new eligible regional employer to take over your sponsorship before your visa is subject to cancellation.
Are my family members allowed to work and study on a 494 visa?
Yes. Included family members receive full work and study rights in Australia, provided they also live, work, and study strictly within a designated regional area.
Ready to Apply for Your 494 Regional Visa?
Speak directly with registered MARN migration agents in Melbourne. Send us a message on WhatsApp to discuss regional employer sponsorship, RCB advice, and PR eligibility.