Live and work in regional Australia sponsored by an approved employer, with a pathway to 191 permanent residency.
Visa type
5-year provisional
Live and work in a designated regional area
PR pathway
191 after 3 years
Subject to residence and income requirements
Occupations
Broader list
Wider than 482 Core Skills
What makes the regional pathway different — and who it suits.
You must live and work in a designated regional area while holding the 494. We confirm your location and employer qualify.
After meeting the residence and income requirements (generally 3 years), you may apply for permanent residency via subclass 191.
The 494 draws on a broader regional occupation list than the 482 Core Skills stream, opening options for more workers.
Partner and dependent children can live, work and study with you in the regional area.
End-to-end support from nomination to your 191 PR pathway
We confirm your occupation, regional location and employer eligibility.
Where required, we guide your skills assessment with the relevant authority.
We prepare and lodge the regional employer’s nomination.
We prepare and lodge your 494 application with full supporting documents.
We map your path to 191 permanent residency after meeting regional requirements.
The subclass 494 is a provisional (temporary) visa that lets skilled workers live and work in regional Australia, sponsored by an approved regional employer. It provides a pathway to permanent residency via the subclass 191 visa.
The 494 is a provisional visa granted for up to 5 years. During this time you must live and work in a designated regional area.
After holding the 494 and meeting the residence and income requirements — generally living and working in a regional area for 3 years — you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa.
A designated regional area covers most of Australia outside the major metropolitan centres. Which specific postcodes qualify is defined by the Department of Home Affairs — we confirm whether your intended location and employer qualify.
Requirements depend on your occupation and stream. We assess your work history against the current criteria and advise what is needed for your case.
Generally yes — a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation is usually required. We guide you through the process with the relevant assessing authority.
Yes. Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included in your application and can live, work and study in the regional area with you.
📍 Serving South East Queensland — Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Logan and Toowoomba. Remote consultations for clients across Australia and overseas, including the Philippines, China, India, Malaysia and Singapore.
Answer a few questions and we will tell you if you qualify for the 494 regional visa.
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