494 Visa Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional

There are typically 5 parts to the 494 visa application

1. Standard Business sponsorship/Labour agreement sponsor approval

2. Nomination application

3. Regional certifying body advice

4. Skills assessment

5. Visa application

This visa has 2 streams:

• Employer-Sponsored stream

• Labour Agreement stream

  • applicable if employers in regional Australia have a labour agreement with the Commonwealth or state government (DAMA agreements) to source skilled overseas workers to work, in an occupation specified in the labour agreement

Requirements for Employer

• The 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

• The position must be full time and likely be available for 5 years

• Employer will need approval from the Regional Certifying Body (RCB)

• No adverse information was known to the department

• Genuine position - the genuine need for the applicant to fill the position

• Labour market testing (advertisements of the position)  unless an exemption applies

• The employer must pay the Annual salary is not less than $53,900 + superannuation and Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR)

• If there is equivalent Australian worker(s) they must be at least TSMIT

• Employment conditions (other than earnings) for the nominee are no less favourable than those that apply or would apply, to an Australian worker performing equivalent work at the same location 

• Pay contribution to Skilling Australians fund ($3,000 or $5,000 depending

Requirements for Visa Applicant

• Under 45 years old be nominated by an approved sponsor 

• have relevant skills, qualifications, and work experience – at least 3 years on a full-time equivalent and at the skill level required for the nominated occupation 

• have a positive skills assessment – you must have your skills assessed as suitable for the nominated occupation by the relevant assessing authority. 

• have this level of English language – you must have at least Competent English to be granted this visa. 

*exemption applies to certain people for age, skills, and English. Please consult our team to determine if this is applicable to you

Processing times

Employer-Sponsored stream: 4- 5 months
Labour Agreement stream and Subsequent entrant stream: Not available
*varies from time to time

Our Services

At Think Visa, we are experienced in managing work visa applications, and can help you with: 

• Documentation and evidence collection

• Preparing your visa application

• Obtaining a skills assessment if applicable

• Lodging and monitoring your visa application

• Managing your bridging visas

• Health and character assessment

• Correspondence with skills assessing authorities and the Department of Immigration until the visa grant

Think Visa can also provide you with successful strategies depending on your circumstances:

• Previous visa refusals/cancellations

• Tribunal appeals

• Packaged visas to achieve ultimate migration goal

If you want to know more about this visa, we can also provide you with the right strategies and visa pathways to achieve your migration goals!

Migration law is complex and is constantly changing. Let Think Visa do the thinking for you!

Other relevant information

Designated Regional Areas
Permanent Residency
Standard Business Sponsorship
Regional Certifying Body
Skills Assessment
Labour Agreement
Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)
SAF levy