Subclass 494 Regional Temporary Work Visa

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Subclass 494

Regional Temporary Work Visa

The Subclass 494 is a five-year provisional visa that allows skilled overseas workers to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia under employer sponsorship. It was introduced in November 2019, replacing the former Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187), and is specifically designed to help regional businesses fill genuine skill shortages where no suitable local worker can be found. With around 9,000 places allocated annually, it remains one of the key regional migration pathways available in Australia.

What Does “Regional” Actually Mean?

This is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of the visa. For migration purposes, “regional” does not mean remote or rural. It covers the vast majority of Australia — essentially everywhere outside the metropolitan areas of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. This means major cities such as Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Canberra, and the Gold Coast all qualify as regional under this visa.

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Two Streams

The 494 visa operates across two streams.

Employer Sponsored stream

The Employer Sponsored stream is the most widely used, requiring the employer to be based in a designated regional area and to nominate the worker for a specific skilled position.

Labour Agreement stream

The Labour Agreement stream applies where the employer holds a formal Labour Agreement with the Australian Government.

Key Considerations

To be eligible, workers must be nominated by an approved regional employer, hold a positive skills assessment in the nominated occupation, have at least three years of relevant full-time work experience, be under 45 years of age, and meet competent English language requirements. Health and character checks apply to both the primary applicant and any family members included in the application.

Occupation Lists

Unlike the 482 Skills in Demand visa which uses the Core Skills Occupation List, the 494 operates from different occupation lists — primarily the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Regional Occupation List (ROL). The ROL tends to have broader coverage than the CSOL, particularly for roles that are specific to regional industries and workforce needs.

Employer Obligations

The sponsoring business must be lawfully operating in a designated regional area and become an approved Standard Business Sponsor. Labour Market Testing is mandatory — employers must demonstrate through documented recruitment efforts that no suitable Australian worker was available for the role. A Regional Certifying Body (RCB) assessment is also required.

Who Is It Best Suited For?

The 494 suits skilled workers who are open to living outside Australia’s major cities and are willing to commit to a regional employer for the medium term. In return, they benefit from a clear five-year work arrangement and a well-defined route to permanent residency — often with less competition than city-based visa pathways and employers who are highly motivated to sponsor and retain good people.

Conditions While on the Visa

Holders must live and work only in designated regional areas for the duration of the visa. They must work in their nominated occupation and only for their sponsoring employer, unless they formally change sponsors. Departing the nominated regional area to work in a major city would place the visa holder in breach of their visa conditions.

Pathway to Permanent Residency

The 494 is a stepping stone to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa. To be eligible, holders must have lived and worked in a regional area for at least three years while holding the 494 visa and have met their income and tax obligations during that period. This makes the 494 one of the most structured and defined regional PR pathways available in the Australian migration system.

The Subclass 408 is a temporary visa that allows people to come to Australia for specific, short-term activities or work that does not fall under standard skilled migration or work visa categories. It is a broad and flexible visa covering a wide range of activities — from entertainment and sport to religious work and cultural exchange. It is not a pathway to permanent residency and is designed strictly for temporary stays.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Common Questions To 494 Regional Temporary Work Visa

Considering whether a 494 Regional Temporary Work Visa is right for you can be a daunting task.  Here are some of the more common questions we get asked.

What are the prerequisites for a 494 Regional Temporary Work Visa?

Workers must be nominated by an approved regional employer, hold a positive skills assessment in the nominated occupation, have at least three years of relevant full-time work experience, be under 45 years of age, and meet competent English language requirements. Health and character checks apply to both the primary applicant and any family members included in the application.

How difficult is the process for a 494 Regional Temporary Work Visa?

As with all Visas, preparation is key. Having a sound strategy, collating and structuring documents as required by the department, and preparing submissions accurately are critical to minimise challenges during the process.

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How much does a 494 Regional Temporary Work Visa?

Along with migration agency fees, government fees are payable and vary depending on circumstances, and may include registration, nomination, assessment and testing costs.

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How do I begin?

The best first step is to Get Advice from an experienced professional in Immigration Law.

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