The Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) visa is one of Australia’s most practical pathways for skilled workers who want permanent residency outside the major cities. It is one of Australia’s primary employer-sponsored regional visa pathways; your employer handles the nomination, the regional setting reduces your competition pool, and after three years of compliant work you have a direct route to the Subclass 191 permanent residency visa.
But before any of that happens, three things need to line up: your skill profile meets the eligibility criteria, your occupation appears on the right list, and you hold a positive skills assessment from the correct authority. This guide walks you through all three.
Last updated: April 2026
What Is the Subclass 494 Visa?
The Subclass 494 is an employer-sponsored provisional visa, valid for five years. It runs through two streams: the Employer Sponsored stream, where a regional business sponsors and nominates you for a specific role, and the Labour Agreement stream, which applies under a formal arrangement between an employer and the Australian government for a specific industry or region. Most applicants go through the Employer Sponsored stream.
One thing that catches people off-guard: the definition of “regional Australia” under this visa is broader than most expect. While on the Subclass 494 visa, you must live and work in a designated regional area. That means anywhere in Australia except the metropolitan zones of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Perth and Gold Coast both qualify as regional under this visa, a fact worth knowing before you rule them out, per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Subclass 494 vs Subclass 482: Key Differences
| Feature | Subclass 494 | Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) |
|---|---|---|
| Work location | Regional Australia only | Any location in Australia |
| Occupation eligibility | MLTSSL + ROL | Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) |
| Age limit | Under 45 | No age limit |
| Regional Certifying Body required | Yes | No |
| PR pathway | Subclass 191 (regional) | Subclass 186 or points-tested |
Subclass 494 Skill Requirements for Applicants
Four requirements determine whether you qualify as an applicant. All four are checkable before you approach an employer, so there is no reason to get deep into the sponsorship process before confirming you meet them. DHA (Department of Home Affairs) sets these criteria at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Age Requirement
You must be under 45 years of age when you lodge your visa application. This is a hard cut-off. If you are 43 or 44, the timeline matters more than it sounds, finding a regional employer, obtaining RCB advice, completing a skills assessment, and lodging all take time. Start early.
Limited exceptions exist under certain Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs), which may allow older applicants for specific in-demand occupations. Outside of DAMA arrangements, DHA decision-makers have no discretion on this criterion.
English Language Requirement
You need Competent English, the minimum standard, not Superior or Proficient. If you have been working in an English-speaking environment, you likely already meet this. The accepted scores are:
- IELTS: minimum 6.0 in each band
- PTE Academic: minimum 50 in each communicative skills score
- TOEFL iBT: minimum 12 (Listening), 13 (Reading), 21 (Writing), 18 (Speaking)
- OET: minimum Grade B in each section
Work Experience Requirement
You need at least three years of relevant skilled work experience in your nominated occupation, earned within the five years before you lodge. The experience must match the ANZSCO description for your specific occupation code, not just the job title. This distinction matters: a job called “Project Manager” can sit at ANZSCO Skill Level 1, 2, or 3 depending on the duties, and DHA assesses the actual role, not the label.
Salary Requirement (TSMIT)
Your employer must pay at least the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the position and no less than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT). From 1 July 2025, the TSMIT is $76,515 per year, as set by DHA. Where the market rate is higher than the TSMIT floor, the higher figure applies. Some employers offer exactly the minimum, that is legal, but worth clarifying upfront.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Age | Under 45 at date of visa application |
| English | Competent (IELTS 6.0 per band or equivalent) |
| Work experience | 3 years in nominated occupation (within last 5 years) |
| Minimum salary | $76,515 per year (TSMIT, from 1 July 2025) |
| Occupation skill level | ANZSCO Skill Level 1, 2, or 3 |
Not sure whether your occupation and experience profile stack up? Book a consultation with RACC Indonesia. Our MARA-registered consultants check your eligibility before you invest time in finding a sponsor.
Occupation Lists for the Subclass 494 Visa
Your occupation needs to appear on one of two official lists, or fall under a DAMA arrangement. Check this first, before you search for an employer and before you book a skills assessment. DHA maintains two official skilled occupation lists for the Subclass 494.
Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
The MLTSSL covers approximately 216 occupations in sustained long-term demand across Australia. If your occupation is on the MLTSSL, you have the broadest visa access: the points-tested Subclass 189, the state-nominated Subclass 190, and the regional Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 are all available to you. MLTSSL occupations skew toward professional and technical roles in healthcare, engineering, ICT, education, and finance.
Regional Occupation List (ROL)
The ROL lists 77 occupations that are available exclusively through regional visa pathways. If your occupation is ROL-only, you can access the Subclass 494 and Subclass 491 but not the Subclass 189 or Subclass 190. That sounds limiting, but it comes with a practical upside. Employers trying to fill ROL roles in regional areas often face less competition for sponsorship, because the pool of eligible candidates is smaller. Agriculture, trades, and regional health services make up a large part of the ROL.
DAMA Occupations
Designated Area Migration Agreements let regional employers nominate occupations outside the MLTSSL and ROL entirely. DAMAs are negotiated between specific regional bodies and the Australian Government, and active arrangements cover areas including the Northern Territory, regional South Australia, the Orana region of New South Wales, and others. DAMA concessions may also include modified age limits and English thresholds for specific roles. If your occupation does not appear on either standard list, a DAMA region may still have a path open.
| Occupation List | Occupation Count | Visa Pathways Available |
|---|---|---|
| MLTSSL | ~216 | Subclass 189, 190, 491, 494 |
| ROL | 77 | Subclass 491, Subclass 494 only |
| DAMA | Varies by region | Subclass 494 (via Labour Agreement stream) |
Skills Assessment for the Subclass 494 Visa
Before your employer can nominate you, you need a positive skills assessment. This step comes first in most cases, and it is the one that most often catches applicants off-guard, both in timing and cost.
The assessment is conducted by the authority designated for your specific ANZSCO occupation code. Each body has its own application process, document requirements, and assessment timeline. A positive skills assessment is valid for three years from the date of issue. If your assessment expires before you lodge your visa application, you need a reassessment, so timing the assessment relative to your visa lodgement window matters.
The major assessing authorities by sector:
| Sector | Assessing Authority |
|---|---|
| Engineering | Engineers Australia |
| ICT and software | ACS (Australian Computer Society) |
| Healthcare (medical practitioners) | AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) |
| Nursing | ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council) |
| Trades | TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) |
| Professional and business roles | VETASSESS |
| Accounting | CPA Australia, CA ANZ, or IPA |
| Architecture | AACA (Architects Accreditation Council of Australia) |
What a Positive Skills Assessment Means for Your 494 Application
A positive outcome from the assessing authority tells DHA that your credentials meet the Australian standard for your nominated occupation, and your visa application can move to the next stage. If the authority finds your qualifications or experience fall short, your Subclass 494 application cannot proceed.
A negative assessment is not necessarily final. If you receive one, you can apply for reassessment or an internal review through the relevant authority, depending on that body’s review process. Getting professional advice before submitting a reassessment request is worth it, submitting the same evidence a second time rarely changes the outcome.
How RACC Indonesia Can Help You
The most common reason Subclass 494 applications stall is a mismatch between the nominated occupation and the skills assessment obtained. Both steps done correctly, but not coordinated, and the whole application has to be restructured.
Getting the occupation, the assessment authority, and the employer all pointing at the same ANZSCO code from the start is what makes the difference.
RACC (MARN 1572961) is a registered migration and education consulting company with over 20 years of experience. Our consultants are registered with MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority) and advise on employer-sponsored regional visa pathways, skills assessment preparation, and the transition from the Subclass 494 to the Subclass 191 permanent residency visa.
The information in this guide is general in nature and does not constitute migration advice for your specific circumstances. For guidance matched to your occupation and profile, speak with a MARA-registered consultant.
Book a consultation with RACC Indonesia
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which occupation lists are eligible for the Subclass 494 visa?
The Subclass 494 visa accepts occupations from two lists: the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List, approximately 216 occupations) and the ROL (Regional Occupation List, 77 occupations). Additional occupations may be accessed through Designated Area Migration Agreements in specific regional areas, as published by DHA on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
What skills assessment do I need for the Subclass 494 visa?
You need a positive skills assessment from the authority designated for your ANZSCO occupation code. Engineering roles go through Engineers Australia, ICT through ACS, healthcare through AHPRA, and professional roles through VETASSESS. A positive assessment is valid for three years from the date of issue, per DHA requirements.
Can the Subclass 494 visa lead to permanent residency?
Yes. After three years of regional living and working under the Subclass 494 visa, you can apply for the Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence Regional) visa, which grants permanent residency in Australia. You also need to meet minimum income requirements and hold a valid Subclass 494 at the time of the Subclass 191 application.
What is the age limit for the Subclass 494 visa?
You must be under 45 years of age when you lodge your visa application with DHA. Some DAMA arrangements permit age exceptions for specific occupations in designated regional areas. Outside of DAMA concessions, the under-45 requirement is strict, there is no officer discretion.
What English test score do I need for the Subclass 494 visa?
You need Competent English: at least 6.0 in each band of the IELTS, or equivalent in PTE Academic (50 per communicative skill), TOEFL iBT (12 / 13 / 21 / 18 per section), or OET (Grade B per section). Results must be current when you lodge your application with DHA.
