Employer · Subclass 494
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year regional employer sponsored visa with a pathway to the 191.
New from 26 October 2026: biometrics for applications made in India. What it means for you →
Who it is for
Skilled workers sponsored by an employer in designated regional Australia.
Key eligibility
- Under 45 when you apply, with exemptions.
- At least competent English.
- Occupation on the list for the 494.
- A mandatory skills assessment before lodging (not a 485 assessment), with exemptions.
- At least 3 years of full-time experience in the occupation.
- Approved sponsor; regional position; salary at least A$79,423 and the market rate; labour market testing.
- Health and character.
Where to apply, and bridging visas
In or outside Australia (not in immigration clearance).
Your journey, step by step
Employer enquiry
Position, salary, location and sponsor status.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent checks the regional and salary rules.
Sponsorship and testing
Standard business sponsorship, labour market testing and regional certifying body advice.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent prepares the employer side.
Nomination
Lodge the nomination and pay the levy.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent prepares the nomination.
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent sets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
Visa application
Skills assessment, English test and documents.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent prepares the worker's application.
Health, police and biometrics
Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics when the Department asks. If you apply in India, the Department may ask you to give biometrics at a VFS Global centre after you lodge; book an appointment quickly using the instructions in the request letter.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent tracks every request and deadline so nothing lapses.
Five-year provisional visa
Live and work in regional areas for the sponsor.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent explains conditions and workplace rights.
Pathway to the 191
After 3 years with tax assessments for 3 income years.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent plans the 191.
The Department of Home Affairs makes every decision. No one can promise a grant, an invitation or a faster decision.
Government charges from 1 July 2026
| Applicant or item | Charge |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | A$6,140 |
| Family member 18 or over | A$3,070 |
| Family member under 18 | A$1,535 |
| Second instalment, secondary applicant 18 or over | A$4,890 |
Employer costs
| Item | Charge |
|---|---|
| Standard business sponsorship | A$420 |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover under A$10 million | A$3,000 one-off |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover A$10 million or more | A$5,000 one-off |
Streams: Employer Sponsored, Labour Agreement, Subsequent entrant.
Health checks, police certificates, translations, skills assessments and English tests are extra and paid to the provider. Our professional fee is separate and quoted in writing. Estimate total charges for your family.
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026, read 22 October 2026. Confirm in the Visa Pricing Estimator before you pay.
Processing times
Source: Home Affairs Global visa processing times. Read 22 October 2026. Check the current Home Affairs guide. A guide only; times change monthly and are not a promise.
Common refusal risks
- Nomination refused: position not genuine or not regional, salary too low, labour market testing defects.
- Fewer than 3 years of experience.
- Skills assessment issues.
- Paying for sponsorship.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience, not Department statistics.
Document checklist
Tick items as you collect them. Ticks are saved in this browser only and are not sent to us. This is a general list; the Department may ask for more.
0 of 0 collected
The Immigration Worldwide. Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130. General information, checked 22 October 2026.
Recent changes
From 26 October 2026, if you apply for this visa in India, the Department may ask you to give biometrics (fingerprints and a facial image). This applies to new applications lodged from that date. The Department sends a request letter with instructions. Most people then book an appointment at a VFS Global Australian Biometrics Collection Centre; some eligible people can use the Australian Immi App instead.
Sources and checks
- Home Affairs: Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494)
- Home Affairs: Biometrics
- Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026
Related
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your situation. Australian advice is given by Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130.