Visa file / Employer sponsored visas
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa 494
Five-year regional employer sponsored visa with a pathway to the 191.
In force
Who it is for
Skilled workers sponsored by an employer in designated regional Australia.
Published 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 you apply from
In or outside Australia (not in immigration clearance).
Streams
- Employer Sponsored
- Labour Agreement
- Subsequent entrant
From first enquiry to grant and after.
The usual steps, and where a registered migration agent can help at each one. Immi Worldwide gives general information and settlement support, never advice about your visa.
- 01
Employer enquiry
Position, salary, location and sponsor status.
Where a registered migration agent can helpChecks the regional and salary rules.
- 02
Sponsorship and testing
Standard business sponsorship, labour market testing and regional certifying body advice.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPrepares the employer side.
- 03
Nomination
Lodge the nomination and pay the levy.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPrepares the nomination.
- 04
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
Where a registered migration agent can helpSets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
- 05
Visa application
Skills assessment, English test and documents.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPrepares the worker's application.
- 06
Health, police and biometrics
Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics when the Department asks.
Where a registered migration agent can helpTracks every request and deadline so nothing lapses.
- 07
Five-year provisional visa
Live and work in regional areas for the sponsor.
Where a registered migration agent can helpExplains conditions and workplace rights.
- 08
Pathway to the 191
After 3 years with tax assessments for 3 income years.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPlans the 191.
Charges and processing times.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on a figure.
| Stream | 50% decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| Employer Sponsored | 8 months | 12 months |
| Labour Agreement | 4 months | 12 months |
Home Affairs Global visa processing times. Read 22 October 2026. Times change monthly and are not a promise. Global visa processing times.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Common refusal reasons
- 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. They are not Departmental statistics.
Document checklist
Worker
Employer
A general list. The Department's own document checklist for your application is the one that counts. Ticks stay on this page only.
What changed, and what people ask.
No recent changes are listed for this visa. Check the Home Affairs page for the latest information.
Sources
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.
Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.
The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.