Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
subclass 494 · Official name: Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
A 5-year provisional visa for skilled workers sponsored by an employer in regional Australia (everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) when the employer cannot find a suitable Australian worker. It has an Employer Sponsored stream and a Labour Agreement stream. Applicants need a nomination in an occupation on the relevant list, a skills assessment, at least 3 years' full-time experience, Competent English, and must be under 45 unless exempt. Holders must live, work and study only in regional areas and work only for the sponsor; after 3 years they can apply for permanent residence through subclass 191. The visa costs AUD6,140 for the main applicant.
1 entry rule for Australia based on recent travel
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Health screening after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list) in the last 6 days
Travellers over 1 year entering Australia within 6 days of staying overnight or longer in a yellow fever risk country are asked for a valid yellow fever certificate; entry is not refused without one. Without one: not refused entry: may be referred to a biosecurity officer and given information/an action card; must promptly seek medical assessment if symptoms develop within 6 days of leaving the risk place.
Australian Government Department of Health: Yellow fever Australian Government: Yellow fever fact sheet (holds Australia's list of risk countries and areas) Australian Immunisation Handbook: Yellow fever WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia): Human health – advice to travellers Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Australia
Finance
3
Currency
Australian Dollar
AUD
Australian Dollar
Cost of living
94
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
15–45%
Income tax (national)
GST 10%
2026-27: first AUD 18,200 tax-free; 45% above AUD 190,000. Plus 2% Medicare levy.
Living
1
Happiness
#15 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Skilled workers nominated by an approved employer for a job in a designated regional area of Australia, with their family members.
Eligibility
Employer nomination in regional Australia
Sign in to check this route against your profile- An employer whose business operates lawfully in Australia must nominate you for a position in its business (or an associated entity) located in a designated regional area.
- The employer must be an approved work sponsor or have at least applied to become a standard business sponsor, and you need the nomination Transaction Reference Number to apply.
- The Labour Agreement stream is for employers with a labour agreement.
Occupation, skills assessment and 3 years' experienceEmployer Sponsored stream
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need a skills assessment and at least 3 years' full-time work in your occupation at the required skill level.
Experience needed
- Work experience
- 3 years
- Recencygenerally within the last
- 5 years
- Occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list
- Skills assessment from a subclass 485 visa is not accepted
- Some exemptions apply, such as former 457/482 holders
- Equivalent part-time work may count; casual work does not
Official wording
The occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list. You need a suitable skills assessment from the assessing authority before you apply (one obtained for a subclass 485 visa is not accepted; some exemptions apply, for example former 457/482 holders who already showed a skills assessment). You need at least 3 years' full-time employment in the occupation at the required skill level, generally within the last 5 years; equivalent part-time work may count, casual work does not.
Under 45
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou must be under 45 when you apply, unless an exemption applies.
Under 45
Age limit
- Exemption: certain university academics, scientists or researchers nominated by a government agency or university
- Exemption: some regional medical practitioners and some 444/461 visa holders
- Exemption: 457/482 holders earning at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold for 2 of last 3 years
Official wording
You must be under 45 when you apply, unless an exemption applies (for example certain university academics, scientists or researchers nominated by a government agency or university, some regional medical practitioners, some 444/461 visa holders, or 457/482 holders earning at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold for 2 of the last 3 years with the nominating employer).
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