494 Skilled Employer Sponsored (Regional) visa 

In March 2019, Australian Government announced significant changes to the General Skilled Migration and Employer Sponsored visa programs in 2019.

New regional visas to Australia.

This shift in focus replaced: both the RSMS (subclass 187) Visa and the Skilled Regional (subclass 489) Visa, by two new temporary regional visas. Both with pathways to permanent residency after 3 years.

  • 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored (Regional) visa – sponsored visa

Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored (Regional) replaced 187 (RSMS) and has 10,000 places allocated per year.

  • 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – point tested visa

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) has replaced the Skilled Regional Nominated visa (subclass 489). New regional visas came into effect from 16th November 2019. The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (subclass 187) will close to new applicants from November 16, 2019. Transitional arrangements will be put in place for applicants who have lodged both the Nomination and Visa and are undecided at that time.

About 494 visa.

This visa is for people who wish to settle in regional Australia who have an occupation which is in high demand in Australia’s labour market.
Additionally, like current arrangements for the subclass 457 and 482 visa program, holders of the new provisional visas can be negatively impacted by sponsor non-compliance.

To meet key requirements for 189 visa you must:

494 Skilled Employer Sponsored (Regional) visa requires employer sponsorship and the position must be likely to exist for 5 years. It has a 45-year age limit (exemptions apply), competent English, RCB advice and must meet the AMSR. Visa applicants must have a suitable skills assessment and at least 3 years’ skilled employment.

  • Age under 45 at time of application (exemptions apply)
  • Competent English at time of application
  • You must have been employed in the nominated occupation for at least 3 years on a full-time basis and at the skill level required for the nominated occupation.
  • 5 years of relevant work experience. The period does not need to be continuous. Equivalent part-time work may be considered.
  • Successful skills assessment at time of application

494 visa requirements:

  • Age under 45 at time of application (exemptions apply)
  • Competent English at time of application
  • You must have been employed in the nominated occupation for at least 3 years on a full-time basis and at the skill level required for the nominated occupation.
  • 5 years or relevant work experience.
  • Successful skills assessment at time of application

494 visa Employer requirements:

  • Employer must be located in a designated regional Australia, everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
  • Regional areas include Perth, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Lake Macquarie, Illawarra, Geelong, Newcastle, Wollongong, Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra.
  • Position be on the list of eligible occupations
  • Position must be full time and likely be available for 5 years
  • Employer will need approval from the Regional Certifying Body (RCB)
  • Employer must pay the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR)

On 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa you may stay in Australia up to 5 years.

On 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa you may:

  • ​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

494 visa step by step:

Step 1: Get a skills assessment if you need to. The assessment will prove you have the right skills and qualifications to do your job.

Step 2:  Pass English test if necessary.

Step 3: Apply for nomination.

Step 4: Lodge application

You may include family in your 494 visa application.

  • include family members in your application when you apply
  • add family members to your application after you apply but before we decide on your visa

For 194 visa, your family members are:

  • your partner
  • your dependent child or stepchild
  • your partner’s dependent child or stepchild
  • the dependent child or stepchild of your or your partner’s dependent child or stepchild

You can include members of the family unit in your application if they currently hold an eligible visa. You must include each family member who is eligible to apply for this visa at the time you lodge your application.  You can’t add family members after you have submitted your application.

You can include family members who no longer meet the standard definition of member of the family unit provided they hold an eligible visa that was granted on the basis that they were a member of your family unit. This provision would apply, for example, if you want to include a child in your application who has turned 23 years of age since they were granted an eligible visa

Family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health and character requirements.

Family members who do not apply for the visa with you might also have to meet the requirements.

You can be in or outside Australia​ when you are loading your 494 visa application. Application lodged in Australia, will give you a bridging visa.

How much cost visa to Australia

Second instalment

You will need to pay an extra charge called a second instalment for any family member aged 18 years or older who:

  • applies for the visa with you, and
  • has less than Functional English

If you need to pay the second instalment for a family member, they will be eligible for English

Visa streams:

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

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.

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.