Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) Visa

The Subclass 494 visa is a provisional employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers who want to work in regional Australia. It allows you to live and work in designated regional areas for up to 5 years and provides a pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.

To apply you must:

• Have a job offer from a regional Australian employer who is approved as a standard business sponsor.
• Have the required skills, qualifications, and experience for the nominated occupation.
• Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
• Meet English language, health, and character requirements.
• Work in a position located in a designated regional area of Australia.

Key eligibility requirements include:

• Occupation must be on the regional skilled occupation list.
• Suitable skills assessment for the nominated occupation may be required.
• Meet the points test requirements (minimum 65 points).
• Work full-time in the nominated role (30+ hours per week).
• Employer must be approved under the standard business sponsor program.
• Must meet English, health, and character requirements.

The Subclass 494 visa is valid for up to 5 years.You may live and work in designated regional areas during this time.After meeting regional work and residence requirements, you may be eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.

A job offer from a regional accredited employer is mandatory.

• The role must be in an occupation listed on the regional skilled occupation list.
• The job must be full-time (30+ hours per week) and ongoing or contract-based for at least 12 months.
• The employer must be a standard business sponsor.
• Wage requirements:
  • The employer must pay a Market Salary Rate, which is the standard wage for a comparable position in Australia.
  • Wage thresholds vary by occupation and regional location but must meet or exceed the standards set by the Fair Work Commission.
  • This ensures overseas skilled workers are not employed at below-market wages, providing fair compensation comparable to Australian workers in the same role.

Processing times vary by occupation, employer verification, and completeness of documentation:

• Typical processing time: 8–12 months, depending on demand and verification requirements.

The Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa allows skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia temporarily, with a clear pathway to permanent residence. The Market Salary Rate requirement ensures fair wages for overseas workers, while the visa supports regional labor needs and contributes to local economic growth.