Pathway

Australia Regional Employer Sponsored 494

Australia Residency

Last updated May 14, 2026

Could you qualify?

Answer a few quick questions to see which global citizenship and residency pathways fit your background. It's free, and takes just a few minutes.

See if you're a match →

At a glance

Australia's Subclass 494 is a provisional employer-sponsored route for skilled workers nominated by an employer in designated regional Australia. It generally requires a regional employer nomination, an eligible occupation, relevant experience, competent English, and a suitable skills assessment.

Type: Employer-sponsored residence
Employer fit: People with an employer ready to sponsor them in Australia
Core requirements: Employer sponsorship, job terms, and qualifications
Renewal / path: Renewal depends on continued employment and may count toward long-term residence.

Summary

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa, Subclass 494, is for skilled workers nominated by an employer in designated regional Australia. For migration purposes, regional Australia generally means anywhere except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

This route can be useful when an Australian employer outside those largest cities wants to sponsor you for a skilled role. It is a provisional visa, but it can support a later permanent-residence path through the Subclass 191 route if the required regional conditions are met.

Eligibility

You have a regional Australian employer willing to nominate you for a specific skilled position.
The employer is, or can become, an approved sponsor.
The job is in a designated regional area of Australia.
The nominated occupation is eligible for the 494 visa.
You generally need relevant work experience, competent English, and to be under the usual age limit.
You can obtain a suitable skills assessment if one is required for the nominated occupation.
The employer must meet nomination rules, including market salary and any regional-certification requirements that apply.

What This Route Allows

This route can allow you to live and work in regional Australia for the sponsoring employer. Eligible family members may be included.

After meeting the required regional residence, work, and visa-condition rules, some 494 holders may be able to apply for permanent residence through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.

What This Route Is Not

This is not a points-tested independent visa like the 189, 190, or 491. It depends on an employer nomination.

It is also not for a job based in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. If the employer or job is in one of those cities, the Skills in Demand 482 or Employer Nomination Scheme 186 may be more relevant.

Next Steps

Confirm the employer and job location are in designated regional Australia.
Check the occupation against Home Affairs' skilled occupation list.
Confirm the assessing authority and whether you need a skills assessment.
Confirm the employer can meet sponsorship, nomination, salary, and regional-certification requirements.
If permanent residence is your goal, understand the Subclass 191 requirements before choosing this route.