If you’re a skilled worker with a job offer from a regional Australian employer, the Subclass 494 visa could be your ticket to living and working in Australia for up to five years, with a clear pathway to permanent residency at the end of it.
But the 494 visa isn’t simple. There are two streams, specific salary thresholds, regional living requirements, and a nomination process your employer needs to get right. Get one step wrong and the whole thing can fall apart.
At One Planet Migration Law, we regularly help employers and skilled workers navigate the 494 visa process from start to finish. This guide covers everything you need to know in 2026, including updated fees, English test scores, salary requirements, and the pathway to PR through the Subclass 191 visa.
What Is the Subclass 494 Visa?
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, known as the Subclass 494, is a temporary visa that lets skilled workers live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years. It replaced the old Subclass 187 (RSMS) visa in November 2019.
The 494 is an employer-sponsored visa. You need an Australian employer in a regional area to sponsor you and nominate you for a specific position. The employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor, and the role must be on the relevant skilled occupation list.
With Australia’s net migration being halved by 2027, regional pathways like the 494 are becoming more important for skilled workers who want to move to Australia.
Two Streams Explained
Employer Sponsored Stream
The standard pathway. Your regional employer nominates you for a skilled position, you meet the eligibility criteria, and you apply. This is by far the most common stream.
Labour Agreement Stream
Used when an employer has a formal Labour Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs. These agreements can provide concessions on age limits, English requirements, and sometimes salary, but they’re only available in specific industries and circumstances.
Who Is Eligible: Applicant Requirements
Age Limit
You must be under 45 years old at the time you apply. Labour Agreement stream applicants may qualify for age exemptions in specific circumstances.
Skills Assessment
You need a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. Different occupations have different assessing bodies. See our guide on mandatory skills assessments.
Work Experience
Minimum three years of full-time work experience in your nominated occupation (or a closely related occupation). Part-time work may be considered on a pro-rata basis. Casual work generally doesn’t count.
English Language
You must meet Competent English. We cover this in detail in our 482 English requirements guide, which uses the same framework.
Health and Character
You and any family members included in the application must pass health examinations and provide police clearances from every country you’ve lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years.
English Language Requirements
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or General | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| PTE Academic (new) | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| TOEFL iBT | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 163 | 163 | 170 | 179 |
| OET | 290 | 310 | 290 | 330 |
Test results are valid for three years from the test date. Passport holders from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland may be exempt from English testing.
For the official score tables, see the Department’s Competent English page.
Employer and Nomination Requirements
The employer side is just as demanding as the applicant side. Your sponsor must:
- Be an approved Standard Business Sponsor
- Obtain a positive assessment from a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) (unique to the 494, not required for the 186 or Skills in Demand visa)
- Conduct Labour Market Testing to show no suitable Australian worker is available
- Pay at least the Annual Market Salary Rate and meet TSMIT
- Have the position available for at least five years
Read about the current approved work sponsor register and employer sponsorship audits in 2026.
Designated Regional Areas
This is where many applicants get confused. “Regional” doesn’t mean remote or rural. Australia’s designated regional areas cover everywhere except metropolitan Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Cities that DO count as regional for the 494 include:
- Perth (all of Western Australia)
- Adelaide (all of South Australia)
- Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast
- Canberra (all of ACT)
- Hobart (all of Tasmania)
- Darwin (all of Northern Territory)
- Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo (Victoria)
- Newcastle, Wollongong, Central Coast (NSW)
For precise postcode-by-postcode confirmation, check the Department’s eligible regional areas page.
Salary Requirements
From 1 July 2025, the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) is AUD $76,515 per year. Your nominated salary must meet or exceed both TSMIT and the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the position.
See our detailed post on employer sponsored visa salary thresholds 2026.
Full Cost Breakdown
Visa application charges from 1 July 2025:
- Primary applicant: AUD $4,910
- Additional applicant 18+: AUD $2,455
- Additional applicant under 18: AUD $1,230
- Second instalment (applicants 18+ without functional English): AUD $9,800
Additional costs to budget:
- Skills assessment fees (varies by body, typically $500 to $1,500+)
- English test fees ($300 to $400)
- Health examinations ($300 to $500 per person)
- Police clearances (varies by country)
- Document translations
Always check the Department’s current visa pricing for the latest fees.
Processing Times
The 494 is classified as a top priority for processing when the position is in a designated regional area. Times change monthly. Always check the Department’s Global Visa Processing Times tool and our visa processing times guide for current estimates.
Pathway to Permanent Residency: Subclass 191
The 494 is a provisional visa. The permanent pathway is through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa. To qualify, you must:
- Hold a 494 (or 491) visa for at least 3 years
- Have lived in a designated regional area for at least 3 years during that period
- Have complied with all visa conditions
- Provide 3 years of ATO Notices of Assessment during the eligible period
Important: There is currently no minimum income threshold for the Subclass 191 visa. You must provide ATO Notices of Assessment for 3 income years to demonstrate genuine economic participation and tax compliance in regional Australia, but there is no minimum income amount required.
See our PR eligibility guide for a broader look at how temporary visas transition to permanent residency.
494 vs 491: Key Differences
| Feature | 494 Visa | 491 Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor type | Regional employer | State/territory or family sponsor |
| Points test | Not required | Minimum 65 points |
| Occupation list | MLTSSL + ROL | Varies by state |
| Salary threshold | TSMIT ($76,515) | No salary threshold |
| RCB assessment | Required | Not required |
| PR pathway | 191 after 3 years | 191 after 3 years |
| Job flexibility | Tied to sponsor initially | More flexibility |
For the 491 specifically, see our 491 visa 2026 guide and state nomination guide.
Common Reasons 494 Applications Are Refused
- Incomplete or negative skills assessment
- Salary below AMSR or TSMIT
- Employer not genuinely regional
- Incorrect ANZSCO occupation nomination
- Failed Labour Market Testing
- Missing RCB assessment
- Insufficient work experience documentation
- English test scores below Competent threshold
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 494 lead to permanent residency?
Yes, through the Subclass 191 after 3 years of holding the 494 and living in a regional area.
What happens if my employer goes out of business?
Since 1 July 2024, 494 visa holders have up to 180 days at a time (with a maximum of 365 days total across the visa period) to find a new sponsor. During this period, you can also work for other employers.
Can I change employers on a 494 visa?
Yes, but your new employer must sponsor and nominate you, and they must be a regional employer. Always seek advice before changing employers on a 494.
Can I include my family?
Yes. Your partner and dependent children under 18 (or under 23 in specific circumstances) can be included. Partners have full work rights.
Can I study on a 494 visa?
Yes, you can live, work, and study in the designated regional area.
Do I need a minimum income to qualify for the Subclass 191?
No. There is no minimum income threshold for the Subclass 191 visa. The TSMIT ($76,515) applies to the 494 nomination salary, not to the 191 PR pathway. For the 191, you must provide 3 years of ATO Notices of Assessment, but there is no required minimum income.
What is the difference between 491 and 494?
491 is state/territory or family-sponsored and requires points. 494 is employer-sponsored with no points test. Both lead to PR via the 191 after 3 years.
Can I apply from inside Australia?
Yes, if you hold a substantive visa or eligible bridging visa.
Can I apply for a 190 after holding a 494?
Yes, if you meet the 190 visa requirements including points and state nomination.
What is the 186 visa by comparison?
The subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) is a direct permanent visa for employer-sponsored workers, not restricted to regional areas. It requires your employer to nominate you directly for PR.
What about the 482 Skills in Demand visa?
The 482 Skills in Demand visa is a non-regional temporary employer-sponsored visa with its own PR pathway. See our guide on how the 482 leads to PR.
Get Expert Help with Your 494 Application
The 494 visa involves coordination between you, your employer, a Regional Certifying Body, and the Department of Home Affairs. One weak link can delay or derail the whole process.
At One Planet Migration Law, we work with both employers and applicants to make the 494 process smooth. Whether you’re a regional business looking to sponsor a skilled worker, or a professional trying to secure your pathway to Australia, get in touch for a consultation.
