A strong pathway to permanent residence by working in regional Australia
Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) is a provisional visa for skilled workers nominated by an approved employer operating in a designated regional area. It lets you live and work in regional Australia and, where the conditions are met, provides a clear pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence - Skilled Regional) visa.
A Registered Migration Agent will review your enquiry and respond within one business day. If your matter is urgent, please call us on (08) 6555 7037.
Eligibility criteria
A Subclass 494 application generally requires the following:
Regional employer sponsorship: You must be sponsored and nominated by an approved employer operating in a designated regional area.
Occupation and skills assessment: Your occupation must be on the relevant list, and you may need a positive skills assessment.
Qualifications and experience: You must hold the qualifications and work experience required for your occupation.
Age and English: You must meet the age and English requirements or qualify for an exemption.
Regional living, health and character: You must live and work in the designated regional area and meet the health and character standards.
Regional definitions, occupation lists and age and experience thresholds change over time; they are verified against current Department of Home Affairs sources for your circumstances.
Key benefits of the Subclass 494
Regional opportunities: You live and work in regional areas where your skills are in demand.
Pathway to permanent residence: Where the conditions are met, a pathway to permanent residence opens through the Subclass 191.
Family: Your family members can also live, work and study in regional Australia.
Long-term plan: Regional living builds a stable pathway to a permanent future.
These benefits are general in nature, and no visa outcome or transition to permanent residence is guaranteed.
How we manage your application, step by step
We assess your occupation, experience and goals and confirm your suitability for the regional pathway.
We clarify your occupation's status and the regional sponsorship and skills-assessment requirements.
We prepare your qualification, experience, age, English, health and character documents in full.
We manage the nomination and visa stages accurately through ImmiAccount.
We monitor progress and respond promptly to any requests from the Department.
Once you meet the regional conditions, we support your permanent residence application through the Subclass 191.
Frequently asked questions
Australian Migration Co is a private migration advisory firm. Immigration assistance is provided by a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2418576) registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA). Australian Migration Co is not a government body and is not part of, or operated by, the Australian Government or the Department of Home Affairs. Visa applications can also be lodged directly with the Australian Government at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, and some are free of charge; our services are provided for a fee. The information on this page is general in nature, does not constitute immigration advice and does not guarantee any visa outcome. Visa names, occupation lists, eligibility criteria, age and experience thresholds, visa periods and permanent residence pathways change over time and are verified against current sources before proceeding.