Visa subclass 494 · Regional · provisional
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional): 2026 eligibility, points and processing
The 494 is the regional employer-sponsored counterpart to the 482 Skills in Demand visa. It is 5 years provisional, requires a regional employer sponsorship and an RCB endorsement, and transitions to PR via subclass 191 after 3 years.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) is a provisional visa for regional applicants.
- ✓No points test – eligibility is sponsorship + skills assessment + work experience based.
- ✓Processing: 5 months median (source: Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026).
- ✓Primary VAC1: $4,640.
- ✓Path to PR: Subclass 191 after 3 years of regional residence and meeting the income threshold for 3 income years.
At a glance
Stream
provisional, open for new applications
Age limit
Under 45 years at application. Exemptions exist for senior medical practitioners, academics, scientists and high-income executives.
Work rights
Work only for the nominating employer in the nominated occupation, in a designated regional area.
Path to PR
Subclass 191 after 3 years of regional residence and meeting the income threshold for 3 income years.
Eligibility
Eligibility checklist
Every box below must tick before lodgement. Missing any one of them either makes the visa impossible or pushes the applicant into a different subclass.
- Nominated by an approved regional employer for a position in a designated regional area
- Regional Certifying Body (RCB) endorsement of the nomination
- Under 45 years at time of application (some age exemptions for skilled medical, academic and senior roles)
- Competent English (IELTS 6 each band)
- Positive skills assessment in the nominated occupation
- At least 3 years’ relevant work experience
- Salary at or above the relevant income threshold (currently aligned with TSMIT, $73,150 from 1 July 2024; verify current rate)
- Meet health and character requirements
Processing time
How long does it take?
Published by Home Affairs as 25th, 50th and 90th percentile times. Individual processing can be faster or slower depending on documentation, country of passport and decision-ready status.
| 25% of applications | 50% (median) | 90% of applications |
|---|---|---|
| 2 months | 5 months | 10 months |
Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026. See current processing times across all subclasses.
Cost
Visa Application Charge
| Applicant | VAC1 (lodgement) |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | $4,640 |
| Partner (secondary) | $2,320 |
| Child (secondary) | $1,160 |
Plus SAF levy paid by sponsor: $3,000 per year for small business, $5,000 per year for larger employers. Paid upfront for the full 5-year visa.
In depth
What you actually need to know
The 494 is the regional version of the Skills in Demand 482. Same employer-sponsorship logic, but the position must be in a designated regional area and endorsed by a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) like RDA Goldfields, RDA Far North Queensland or one of the dozen-odd RCBs across Australia. The RCB endorsement adds 1–2 weeks to processing and is a real check on whether the position is genuine and the salary is market.
The occupation list for 494 is broader than 482 Core, deliberately. It includes occupations not on the CSOL that are nonetheless genuinely needed in particular regional labour markets – mine geologists, mid-tier accountants in single-firm towns, regional school principals. The trade-off is the 5-year provisional period.
PR is via subclass 191 (the same PR endpoint as 491). The 191 requires 3 years of regional residence and taxable income above the threshold for at least 3 income years. Many 494 holders bring forward the PR application before their 494 expires; the 494 covers them until the 191 is granted.
Visa conditions to know
- 8607: work only for the sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation and in a designated regional area
- 8608: notify Home Affairs of any change in employer or position within 28 days
Occupations covered
494 has a broader occupation list than 482 Core, including many occupations not on the CSOL. Regional employers can sponsor occupations the same employer could not sponsor under 482 onshore.
Pathway to permanent residence
Subclass 191 after 3 years of regional residence and meeting the income threshold for 3 income years.
Common questions
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) – common questions
How is 494 different from 482?
Both are employer-sponsored, but 494 requires the position to be in a designated regional area (anywhere outside metropolitan Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) and to be endorsed by a Regional Certifying Body. 494 is 5 years provisional with a PR pathway via 191; 482 is up to 4 years temporary with a PR pathway via 186 TRT.
Does my 494 employer need to be a Standard Business Sponsor?
Yes. The employer must hold or apply for Standard Business Sponsorship, then lodge a 494 nomination (which the RCB then endorses). The sponsor obligations are similar to 482: training contributions, no recovery of sponsorship costs from the worker, market salary, etc.
What if I want to change employer on a 494?
You can, but the new employer must also be an approved regional sponsor and lodge a fresh nomination, and the new position must be in a designated regional area in your same nominated occupation. The 60-day grace period applies if your existing employment ends.
Is the 494 closing like the 187?
No. The 494 is the long-term regional employer-sponsored pathway. It replaced the 187 RSMS from 16 November 2019 and has been retained through the December 2024 Migration Strategy reforms.
Source
Primary source for this page
Information on this page is summarised from the Department of Home Affairs visa listing for subclass 494. Always confirm details against the primary source before lodging.