In addition, Australia has declared that the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa applications will officially be opened on the 21 October 2025, and several changes in the rules have been announced to facilitate entry of skilled workers and their families. This novelty is a reaction to the existing shortage of the workforce in the regions and the necessity to increase the population in non-metropolitan areas, such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
What Is the Subclass 494 Visa?
The Subclass 494 visa allows skilled workers along with their families to reside, work and study in specified regions (such as Perth and Gold Coast) up to a period of five years. Employer sponsorship is the most widespread route where the applicants should be nominated to a position that the domestic recruitment cannot fill. Successful visa holders get:
– Five years’ residency
– Permanent residence qualification upon three years of work in the region (through Subclass 191)
– Inclusion of family members (spouse/ partner can include in a single application or subsequent)
– Availability of basic services, education and Medicare.
Relaxed Entrance Requirement and Qualification
Major updates for 2025 include:
– Increased number of occupations and loosened paperwork.
– Smoother internet application and quicker computer processing.
– Raise of Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) to AUD 76,515 on July 2025[5].
– Hiked charges: visa fee also will increase since July 2025, and the main applicant fee will be about AUD 4,770.
– Nomination by an employer is necessary, occupation shall be in the skilled list and applicants shall be of age (below 45), skill, experience (minimum of 3 years), English and character.
Application Process
– Win the nomination of a regional employer.
– Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.
– Obtain needed papers (skills test, experience evidence, English exam, etc.)
– Application full visa application through a portal of the Department of Home Affairs.
– Time to process will be 6-9 months.
Family Inclusion
– Dependent children, spouse/partner can be added to the application or be added later.
– Family members are entitled to immediate work/study right and a visa period of 5 years that is equivalent to that of the principal applicant.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Provisional |
| Validity | 5 years |
| Permanent Residency | PR stream after 3 years via Subclass 191 |
| Eligible Regions | All of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane |
| Main Requirements | Employer nomination, skilled occupation, <45 years, 3 yrs experience, English test, health/character |
| TSMIT | AUD 76,515 (from July 2025) |
| Visa Fee | Around AUD 4,770 (main applicant) |
| Family Inclusion | Yes: spouse/partner and children |
| Processing Time | About 6-9 months |
FAQs
Q1: Am I eligible to be a PR with 494 visa?
Yes, you are under PR applicants in Subclass 191 after three years of work in a regional area[5].
Q2: Who is eligible for the 494 visa?
You require an employer in a regional locality, skills/experience and must be English/health/character eligible[5].
Q3: Is family included?
Yes, dependents are also available to be added during the time of application or even later on[5].
Q4: Which regions qualify?
The entire of Australia other than Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, Perth and Gold Coast included.[4][5].
