(AUSTRALIA) Australia will reopen the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa to new applications on October 21, 2025, with updated rules aimed at easing paperwork, widening eligible jobs, and supporting family inclusion. The Subclass 494 visa is a 5‑year provisional work visa for skilled workers nominated under Employer Sponsorship in designated regional areas outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
It lets visa holders and their families live, work, and study in regional communities, and provides access to Medicare and local education services. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the 2025 settings position the visa as a key tool to fill labor gaps in regional areas and encourage population growth beyond Australia’s largest cities.
Regional coverage and employer nomination
The Department of Home Affairs says designated regional areas cover most of the country, including centers such as Perth, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide, Hobart, and Canberra. Employers in these locations can nominate workers when they cannot find suitable local candidates, provided they meet pay and role requirements.
The government has confirmed that nomination must meet or exceed the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR) to protect local wage standards.
Core eligibility (2025 rules)
Under the 2025 rules, core eligibility remains clear and firm:
- Age: Generally under 45 years old (limited exceptions apply).
- Work experience: At least 3 years of relevant full‑time work experience.
- English: Around IELTS 6 (or equivalent) is required.
- Health & character: Standard checks must be passed.
- Role match: Applicants must demonstrate recent, hands‑on skills that match the nominated occupation.
These requirements focus the pathway on workers who can immediately contribute to regional workplaces.
Pathway to permanent residency
A standout feature is the direct route to permanent residency after contributing in regional Australia. Key elements:
- After living and working in a designated regional area for at least three years on the
Subclass 494 visa, and - Meeting the minimum taxable income threshold of around AUD 53,900 per year,
eligible holders can apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Skilled Regional visa. No second employer nomination is required at that stage. This keeps a straight line from regional work to permanent settlement for skilled workers and their families.
Processing times and application steps
Processing is expected to take about 6–10 months from a complete application, a timeline VisaVerge.com reports is common in recent program years.
Typical application steps:
- Obtain a skills assessment (when required for the occupation).
- Employer lodges a nomination (by an approved regional business).
- Applicant lodges an online visa application via ImmiAccount.
All steps must align: the role must be in a designated regional area, pay at least the AMSR, and match the applicant’s skills and experience.
Job changes and visa flexibility
The updated settings retain flexibility for workers who change jobs in regional Australia:
- If a job ends, visa holders get a 90‑day window to find a new approved sponsor in a regional area and transfer without losing status.
- This protects families from sudden disruptions and gives businesses confidence they can retain talent even when industries shift.
Family inclusion and rights
Family inclusion remains central to the visa’s design:
- Spouses/partners and dependent children can be included from the start or added later.
- Family members have full rights to work and study while the visa is valid.
- Access to Medicare and local schools helps families settle and reduces financial pressure.
These measures aim to encourage families to put down roots in regional communities rather than commuting or splitting households.
Employer obligations
Employers must meet sponsorship and nomination duties, including:
- Paying the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy (varies by business size and visa length).
- Demonstrating the role cannot be filled locally.
- Ensuring the salary offered meets at least the AMSR.
- Keeping records that prove compliance with Australian law.
These checks are intended to protect local jobs and ensure fair pay while enabling regional businesses to hire needed skills.
Where the visa applies
The government’s regional list excludes the three largest cities but includes most other areas. This broad map steers resources, jobs, and new residents to communities that want to grow.
For migrants, the list offers varied lifestyle options:
- Coastal centres and holiday regions,
- Inland hubs linked to mining or agriculture,
- Capital cities that count as regional for this visa — Adelaide, Hobart, and Canberra.
Practical checklist: How the Subclass 494 progression works
- Secure a job offer and nomination from an approved employer in a designated regional area.
- Confirm the pay meets the AMSR and the occupation is eligible.
- Lodge the visa application with proof of:
- English at about IELTS 6,
- At least 3 years of relevant full‑time experience,
- Standard health and character evidence.
- Live and work in the regional area for three years, meet the annual income threshold (around AUD 53,900), then apply for permanent residency via
Subclass 191without a second nomination.
Policy intent and sector impact
Officials say the 2025 reopening targets lingering shortages in:
- Healthcare,
- Trades and construction,
- Agribusiness,
- Hospitality,
- Advanced manufacturing.
By simplifying nomination steps and expanding eligible roles, the aim is to speed hiring while maintaining worker protections. The policy seeks a balance: faster visa decisions with wage integrity to maintain long‑term credibility.
Final takeaway
The Subclass 494 visa for 2025 signals continuity with earlier policy goals: support regional growth, protect wages through AMSR rules, and reward those who commit to living and working in regional Australia. For many skilled workers and their families, the updated settings present a clear, practical path to long‑term settlement outside the largest cities.
Important: For official requirements, lists of designated regional areas, occupation settings, and nomination steps under Employer Sponsorship, see the Department of Home Affairs Subclass 494 visa page.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
Australia will reopen the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa on October 21, 2025, offering a five‑year pathway for skilled workers nominated by approved employers in designated regional areas. The 2025 settings aim to ease paperwork, broaden eligible occupations, and support family inclusion with access to Medicare and local education. Core eligibility includes being generally under 45, holding at least three years of relevant full‑time experience, and English proficiency around IELTS 6; applicants must pass health and character checks. Employers must pay the SAF levy and meet the Australian Market Salary Rate. Processing is estimated at 6–10 months. After three years living and working in a designated regional area and meeting a taxable income threshold of about AUD 53,900 per year, visa holders can apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa without a second employer nomination. The policy targets shortages in healthcare, trades, agribusiness, hospitality, and advanced manufacturing while protecting wage integrity and encouraging regional settlement.
