Our immigration lawyers assist regional employers and skilled workers with subclass 494 nominations, visa applications and advice on visa conditions.
Our immigration lawyers assist regional employers and skilled workers with subclass 494 nominations, visa applications and advice on visa conditions.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa helps regional businesses fill skilled vacancies. It is a five-year provisional visa, with two primary applicant streams. The workplace and your living arrangements must satisfy the designated regional requirements.
An eligible business nominates you for a skilled position in a designated regional area. The occupation must be eligible for this stream. You generally need at least three years of relevant employment at the required skill level, a suitable skills assessment before lodgement, and competent English. Equivalent part-time experience may be considered; casual work is not counted. You normally need to be under 45 when applying, unless an age exemption applies. Separate skills assessment exemptions may also be available.
Your employer must have a labour agreement covering the nominated occupation and subclass 494 pathway. You must demonstrate the skills, qualifications and relevant experience needed for the role. The agreement specifies English requirements and whether a skills assessment is required. The usual age limit is under 45 unless the agreement provides otherwise. We check any concessions against the actual agreement rather than assuming they apply.
Eligible members of a subclass 494 holder’s family unit who apply separately may use the subsequent entrant option. This is a family pathway rather than a separate employer recruitment stream. Relationship evidence, sponsor arrangements, health and character requirements and regional conditions must be considered.
Designated regional areas include Australia outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, subject to the Department’s postcode definitions. Your nominated job must be in an eligible area. Our immigration lawyers check the business location, occupation and applicant requirements together before preparing the application.
The business must satisfy sponsorship and nomination requirements for a genuine regional position. We review the occupation, workplace postcode, employment contract, salary, business documents and labour market testing where required. For the Employer Sponsored stream, a regional certifying body must assess the annual market salary rate for the nominated position. The worker’s separate visa application needs identity, qualifications, employment references, English evidence and any required skills assessment or registration.
The 494 visa allows you and eligible family members to live, work and study in designated regional areas for five years. Your grant notice sets the actual work and regional conditions. Keep records of your employment, addresses and tax assessments, and obtain advice before changing your employer or location.
After holding an eligible regional provisional visa for at least three years, you may qualify for the subclass 191 Regional Provisional stream. Eligibility includes compliance with relevant visa conditions and ATO notices of assessment for three income years. There is no minimum income requirement for that stream. Permanent residence requires a separate application and is not automatic.
Fees, salary thresholds and processing times change. Read current 494 guidance and subclass 191 guidance from Home Affairs.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa helps regional businesses fill skilled vacancies. It is a five-year provisional visa, with two primary applicant streams. The workplace and your living arrangements must satisfy the designated regional requirements.
An eligible business nominates you for a skilled position in a designated regional area. The occupation must be eligible for this stream. You generally need at least three years of relevant employment at the required skill level, a suitable skills assessment before lodgement, and competent English. Equivalent part-time experience may be considered; casual work is not counted. You normally need to be under 45 when applying, unless an age exemption applies. Separate skills assessment exemptions may also be available.
Your employer must have a labour agreement covering the nominated occupation and subclass 494 pathway. You must demonstrate the skills, qualifications and relevant experience needed for the role. The agreement specifies English requirements and whether a skills assessment is required. The usual age limit is under 45 unless the agreement provides otherwise. We check any concessions against the actual agreement rather than assuming they apply.
Eligible members of a subclass 494 holder’s family unit who apply separately may use the subsequent entrant option. This is a family pathway rather than a separate employer recruitment stream. Relationship evidence, sponsor arrangements, health and character requirements and regional conditions must be considered.
Designated regional areas include Australia outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, subject to the Department’s postcode definitions. Your nominated job must be in an eligible area. Our immigration lawyers check the business location, occupation and applicant requirements together before preparing the application.
The business must satisfy sponsorship and nomination requirements for a genuine regional position. We review the occupation, workplace postcode, employment contract, salary, business documents and labour market testing where required. For the Employer Sponsored stream, a regional certifying body must assess the annual market salary rate for the nominated position. The worker’s separate visa application needs identity, qualifications, employment references, English evidence and any required skills assessment or registration.
The 494 visa allows you and eligible family members to live, work and study in designated regional areas for five years. Your grant notice sets the actual work and regional conditions. Keep records of your employment, addresses and tax assessments, and obtain advice before changing your employer or location.
After holding an eligible regional provisional visa for at least three years, you may qualify for the subclass 191 Regional Provisional stream. Eligibility includes compliance with relevant visa conditions and ATO notices of assessment for three income years. There is no minimum income requirement for that stream. Permanent residence requires a separate application and is not automatic.
Fees, salary thresholds and processing times change. Read current 494 guidance and subclass 191 guidance from Home Affairs.
An eligible employer must nominate you for a genuine skilled role in a designated regional area.
The role must meet the occupation and nomination rules for the Employer Sponsored or Labour Agreement stream.
Your qualifications and relevant employment must satisfy the requirements of the chosen stream.
The Employer Sponsored stream requires competent English. Labour Agreement applicants must meet the level specified in their agreement.
Applicants and accompanying family members must meet applicable health and character requirements.
The nomination must meet current salary, market rate and employment requirements.
A skills assessment or occupational registration may be required for your occupation and circumstances.
Check applicable age requirements, exemptions, current visa status and onshore application restrictions.
Advice on the legal requirements
A clear assessment of your circumstances
Guidance on nominations and visa evidence
Preparation, lodgement and follow-up