Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) Visa: Your Complete 2025 Guide

What is the Subclass 494 Visa?

The Subclass 494 visa is a provisional visa valid for 5 years that allows skilled workers to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia. After holding this visa for at least 3 years and meeting certain requirements, you become eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.

Key Features at a Glance

Feature	Description
Visa Duration	5 years
Work Rights	Full work rights in regional Australia
PR Pathway	Yes - via Subclass 191 after 3 years
Age Limit	Under 45 at time of application
English Requirement	Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent)
Income Threshold	Must meet current TSMIT (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold)

Two Streams: Employer Sponsored vs State/Territory Nominated

The 494 visa has two distinct streams:

1. Employer Sponsored Stream

Your Australian employer must:

Become an approved Standard Business Sponsor
Nominate you for a position in a regional area
Demonstrate they cannot fill the role with an Australian worker (Labour Market Testing)
Pay you at or above the TSMIT

2. Labour Agreement Stream

This stream is for employers with a labour agreement with the Australian Government. It may have modified requirements depending on the specific agreement.

Which Areas Qualify as "Regional"?

The definition of "regional Australia" for the 494 visa includes all areas except:

Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane

This means regional areas include many thriving cities such as:

State/Territory	Major Regional Cities
Queensland	Gold Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Sunshine Coast
Western Australia	Perth (entire state is regional!)
South Australia	Adelaide (entire state is regional!)
Northern Territory	Darwin (entire territory is regional!)
Tasmania	Hobart (entire state is regional!)
ACT	Canberra
Victoria	Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo
NSW	Newcastle, Wollongong, Central Coast

Note: Perth, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast are often surprised inclusions that many applicants overlook. These are cosmopolitan cities with excellent career opportunities.

Who Should Consider the 494 Visa?

The 494 visa is ideal if you:

Have a job offer from a regional Australian employer
Want an employer-sponsored pathway but don't qualify for the Subclass 186 (Direct Entry) stream
Are willing to commit to living in regional Australia for at least 3 years
Currently hold a 482 (TSS) or Skills in Demand visa and work in a regional location
Are seeking an alternative pathway when direct PR sponsorship isn't immediately available

Comparison: 494 vs 482 vs 186

Feature	494 SESR	482 TSS / SID	186 ENS
Visa Type	Provisional (5 years)	Temporary (4 years)	Permanent
Location	Regional only	Anywhere	Anywhere
PR Pathway	Yes, via 191	Yes, via 186 TRT	Already PR
Time to PR	3 years	2-3 years	Immediate
Occupation List	Broader regional lists	Depends on stream	Medium & Long-term list

Application Requirements Checklist

To apply for the 494 visa, you need:

☑️ Skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation
☑️ Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band, or equivalent PTE/TOEFL/OET/Cambridge scores)
☑️ Under 45 years of age at time of application
☑️ Approved employer sponsor and valid nomination
☑️ Health and character requirements met
☑️ Genuine intention to live in regional Australia

Important for Trades: If your occupation is a trade (such as Chef, Carpenter, or Motor Mechanic), you will need to complete the Job Ready Program (JRP) before obtaining a positive skills assessment. The JRP is a 12+ month process involving workplace and skills assessments - do not underestimate the time required.

The Pathway to Permanent Residency

After holding a 494 visa for at least 3 years, you can apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa if you meet these requirements:

Lived in a designated regional area for all 3 years
Earned at least the TSMIT in each of those years (taxable income)
Complied with all 494 visa conditions

The 191 visa grants permanent residency with no ongoing regional requirement - meaning you can move to Sydney or Melbourne after the visa is granted.

What You Should Do Now

If the 494 visa sounds right for you, here are your next steps:

Check your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list for regional visas
Get a skills assessment from the appropriate assessing authority
Confirm your English test results meet the competent level
Discuss sponsorship with your regional employer or start your job search in regional areas
Seek professional advice to confirm your eligibility and build a strong application

State nomination requirements and occupation lists are subject to change. Please confirm current availability before applying.

How First Migration Can Help

Navigating employer sponsorship and regional visa pathways can be complex, but you don't have to do it alone. At First Migration Service Centre, our registered migration agents specialise in helping skilled workers find the right pathway to permanent residency in Australia.

Whether you're exploring the 494 visa, comparing it to the 482 or 186, or need help with your skills assessment strategy, we're here to guide you through every step.

Ready to take the next step? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment so we can understand your situation and provide tailored advice.