Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)

Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) is the regional equivalent of Subclass 482. 5-year provisional visa for employees of regional employers.

Pathway to Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence — Skilled Regional) after 3 years of work + tax residence in regional Australia.

Draft 500-650 word Subclass 494 strategy for [CLIENT_NAME] employed at [REGIONAL_EMPLOYER] in [REGIONAL_LOCATION] as [OCCUPATION].

§1 — DESIGNATED REGIONAL AREA (130-160 words)

Designated Regional Area (DRA) includes:
  • All of Australia EXCEPT: Sydney metropolitan, Melbourne metropolitan, Brisbane metropolitan, Perth metropolitan, Gold Coast metropolitan
  • Tasmania entirely
  • All other states + territories: ACT, NT, SA, WA (except Perth metro), TAS
  • Within other states: significant regional areas

Specific [REGIONAL_LOCATION]:
  • Confirm classification on DHA's Designated Regional Area list
  • Major regional cities: Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Newcastle/Wollongong, Geelong, Sunshine Coast, Cairns
  • Smaller regional centres benefit from additional points + faster processing

For Subclass 494 priority states / regions, additional processing speed.

§2 — ELIGIBILITY (200-250 words)

For [REGIONAL_EMPLOYER]:
  • Approved Regional Sponsor (similar to SBS but with regional-specific commitments)
  • SAF levy: similar to 482 (AUD 1,200-1,800/year per nominee)
  • Genuine regional position with regional business need

For [CLIENT_NAME]:
  • Aged under 45 at visa application
  • Skills assessment positive (for occupations on Core Skills Occupation List)
  • English: PTE 50+ / IELTS 6.0+ overall (Competent English)
  • Health + character requirements
  • Salary at or above market rate + Income Threshold (CSIT AUD 73,150)
  • Commitment to live + work in regional Australia for at least 3 years

For [OCCUPATION]:
  • On Core Skills Occupation List OR on regional-specific occupation list
  • Some occupations have regional-only eligibility

§3 — APPLICATION PROCESS (200-250 words)

Stage 1 — Sponsor approval ([REGIONAL_EMPLOYER]):
  • Apply for Regional Sponsorship status (different from standard SBS)
  • 5-year approval period
  • Sponsorship obligations: keep records, no adverse history

Stage 2 — Nomination:
  • [REGIONAL_EMPLOYER] nominates [CLIENT_NAME] for specific position
  • Position description matching ANZSCO duties for [OCCUPATION]
  • Regional business need documented
  • LMT (advertising in regional + general platforms)
  • SAF levy paid

Stage 3 — Worker visa application ([CLIENT_NAME]):
  • Application via ImmiAccount
  • Visa fee: AUD 4,420 (worker)
  • Plus dependents (separate fees)
  • Documentation similar to Subclass 482 + 186:
    □ Passport
    □ Photos
    □ Skills assessment letter
    □ Work experience references
    □ Qualifications + transcripts
    □ English test
    □ Health check
    □ Police clearances
    □ Commitment to regional residence

§4 — VISA CONDITIONS (130-160 words)

Subclass 494 visa conditions:

Condition 8579: Must live + work + study only in the designated regional area listed at time of grant
  • Cannot relocate to metro Sydney / Melbourne / Brisbane / Perth / Gold Coast
  • Can move within designated regional areas (verify with DHA)
  • Violation = visa cancellation under s.116(1)(b)

Condition 8580: Must notify DHA of address changes within 14 days

Other standard conditions:
  • Work only for [REGIONAL_EMPLOYER] (employer-specific)
  • Specific occupation [OCCUPATION] (occupation-specific)
  • Wage at or above AMSR

§5 — PR PATHWAY VIA SUBCLASS 191 (130-160 words)

After 3 years of:
  • Living in designated regional area
  • Working in occupation on regional list
  • Earning ≥AUD 53,900 per year (Regional Income Threshold)
  • Filing Australian tax returns annually

[CLIENT_NAME] becomes eligible for Subclass 191 Skilled Regional (Permanent Residence):
  • No skills assessment required (already established via 494)
  • No nomination required (no employer sponsorship needed at PR stage)
  • Independent of [REGIONAL_EMPLOYER]
  • PR granted with regional residence + work conditions for 5 more years
  • Then full unrestricted PR

For [CLIENT_NAME]:
  • Maintain regional residence + work for 3 years (2026-2029)
  • Apply for Subclass 191 in Year 3-4 (e.g. 2029)
  • PR granted ~2030

§6 — STATE / TERRITORY NOMINATION VARIANT (40-60 words)

Subclass 494 also has a State / Territory Government Nomination stream — alternative to direct employer sponsorship. State nominates [CLIENT_NAME] based on state's specific labour needs. Pathway: similar 3-year regional work commitment → 191 PR.

End with: "DRAFT SUBCLASS 494 STRATEGY — for MARN-registered agent review. Confirm [REGIONAL_LOCATION] is on the current Designated Regional Area list at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Condition 8579 (regional residence) is strictly enforced — relocation to metro = visa cancellation."