Experience the new 494 visa by the Australian Government! It’s your ticket to reside, work, and study in specially designated regional areas across Australia. Designed to tackle the pressing skill shortages experienced by regional employers, this visa empowers them to sponsor skilled workers, guaranteeing that their workforce is equipped to meet the needs of their region.
You’ll be surprised that most regions in Australia outside the bustling metropolises, like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, are classified as regional areas. This includes unexpected gems like Perth and the Gold Coast.
With the 494 Visa, you’ll have the privilege of residing in Australia for five years and the flexibility to travel in and out of the country as you please.
There are two streams for 494 Visa.
- Employer Sponsored Stream
- Labour Stream
           Requirements for the 494 Visa
The 494 visa offers a pathway for skilled workers to settle and work in specific regional areas of Australia.Â
1. Occupation Nomination: – Candidates must receive a nomination for a job listed on the appropriate skilled occupation roster.
2. Work Experience: – A minimum of three years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation is required.
3. Skills Assessment: – Applicants must undergo a skills assessment unless exempt.
4. Employment Sponsorship: – Sponsorship by an eligible regional employer or associated entity is necessary.
5. Age Limit: – Applicants must be under 45 years of age unless exempt.
6. English Proficiency: – Meeting minimum English language proficiency standards is essential.
By meeting these straightforward requirements, applicants can pursue opportunities for residency and employment in designated regional areas of Australia through the 494-visa program.
Visa Conditions on 494 Visa
- 8515: 494 applicants must not marry or enter a de facto relationship before entry into Australia.
- 8578: The Department of Home Affairs must be notified of any passport or contact details change.
- 8579: Holders for a 494 visa need to live, study, and work in a designated regional area.
- 8580: 494 visa holders must provide evidence of where they live, study, or work address if requested by the Department of Home Affairs.
- 8581: If the Department of Home Affairs requests, they must attend an interview.
- 8608: The holder of a 494 visa must only work in the nominated occupation.
494 Visa Cost
494 Visa Cost Employer-Sponsored Stream
Primary Applicant $4,910
Additional Applicant Over 18 Years of Age: $2,455
Additional Applicant under 18 years of Age: $1,230
494 Visa Cost Labour Stream
Primary Applicant $4,910
Additional Applicant Over 18 Years of Age: $2,455
Additional Applicant under 18 years of Age: $1,230
494 Visa English Requirement
What are the English Test Requirements for the 494 Visa?
We will discuss the 494 Subclass English requirements in detail below for different streams of subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa. For an applicant to be eligible for a 494 visa, they need to have competent English. Competent English for a 494 Visa is explained below for various approved English language tests.
Subclass 494 English Requirements
                                   (Employer Sponsored Stream)
494 Visa IELTS Requirement
The following are the Visa 494 IELTS requirements for an applicant in an Employer Sponsored Stream.
Visa 494 IELTS Requirement (Reading): At Least 6.0 IELTS Bands
Visa Subclass 494 IELTS Requirement (Listening): Minimum 6.0 IELTS Bands
494 Visa IELTS Requirement (Writing): Minimum 6.0 IELTS Bands
Visa 494 Subclass IELTS Requirement (Speaking): At Least 6.0 IELTS Bands
494 Visa PTE Requirement
The following are the Visa 494 PTE requirements for a visa applicant in an Employer Sponsored Stream.
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa PTE Requirement (Reading): Minimum 50 PTE Score (After 7 August 2025, 48)
Visa 494 PTE Requirement (Listening): At Least 50 PTE Score (After 7 August 2025, 47)
494 Visa PTE Requirement (Writing): Minimum 50 PTE Score (After 7 August 2025, 51)
Visa 494 Subclass PTE Requirement (Speaking): 50 PTE Score (After 7 August 2025, 54)
494 Visa Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General)
The requirements for CELPIP General are 7 each in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
494 Visa Michigan English Test (MET)
The MET English requirements for the 494 visa are 56 for listening, 55 for reading, 57 for writing, and 48 for speaking.
494 Visa LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic)
The 494 Visa LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic) English requirements are as follows:
Listening: 57
Reading: 60
Writing: 64
Speaking: 70
494 Visa TOEFL iBT Requirement
494 Visa TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based TEST) requirements for the English language in the Employer Sponsored Stream.
494 Visa TOEFL iBT Requirement (Reading): Minimum 16 score
Subclass 494 Visa TOEFL iBT Requirement (Listening): At Least 16 score
Visa 494 TOEFL iBT Requirement (Writing): Minimum 19 score
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa TOEFL iBT Requirement (Speaking): At Least 19 score.
494 Subclass Visa OET Requirement
The following are the subclass 494 OET (Occupational English Test) requirements for English test proficiency eligibility.
Subclass 494 OET Requirement (Reading): Minimum B score
494 Visa subclass OET Requirement (Listening): Minimum B score
Visa 494 OET Requirement (Writing): Minimum B score
494 class Visa OET Requirement (Speaking): Minimum B score
Visa 494 Cambridge Requirement
The following are the Visa 494 Cambridge (C1 Advanced Test) requirements to achieve competent English which is required for a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa to be granted.
Visa Subclass 494 Cambridge Requirement (Reading): Â At Least 169 score
Visa 494 Cambridge Requirement (Listening): At Least 169 score
Subclass 494 Visa Cambridge Requirement (Writing): At Least 169 score
Visa 494 Subclass Cambridge Requirement (Speaking): At Least 169 score
Visa 494 English Requirement
(Labour Agreement Stream)
The level of English required for a 494 Visa in the Labour Agreement Stream will depend on each agreement. To be eligible for a subclass 494 Visa, an applicant must achieve the level of English specified in the Labour Agreement.
Which countries do not need competent English for a 494 Visa?
The citizens of the following countries do not need to achieve competent English, as described by scores for the English Language Tests discussed above, if they have a valid passport for that country.
- United Kingdom
- The United States of America
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
494 visa processing time 2026
Applying for a 494 visa to migrate to Australia involves understanding the time it takes to process the application.
494 visa Employer-Sponsored Stream Processing Times:
50 %: Within 8 months.
90 %: Within 12 Months
494 visa Labour Agreement Stream Processing Times:
50%: Within 7 months
90%: Within 12 Months
This should indicate the processing times for each stream, segmented by different percentiles.
The duration of processing may be impacted by various aspects, such as the complexity of your application, the number of applications received by immigration authorities, the completion of health and character assessments, and the time taken to secure nomination and sponsorship from an Australian employer.
                                 FAQ’s
 What is a 494 visa in Australia?
The 494 visa is for skilled workers who have been offered a job by an employer in regional Australia. It lets them live and work there temporarily.
 How long does it take to get a 494 visa?
The processing time for a 494 visa can vary. The processing duration hinges on factors like the comprehensiveness of your application and the current workload of the immigration authorities.
How to get a 494 visa in Australia?
Start by exploring job opportunities with employers located in designated regional areas of Australia. Once you secure a job offer, your employer can sponsor you for the 494 visa.
Does 494 lead to PR?
After three years of regional work, the 494 visa leads to a direct pathway to Australian PR. Â After three years of work in the regional area with the sponsor, the visa holder is eligible for 191 permanent visas. This is also an advantage over 482 visas.
What is the income threshold for a 494 visa?
The TSMIT and income threshold for a 494 visa is $76,515.
What is the difference between a 482 and a 494 Visa?
The 494 is an employer-sponsored visa for visa applicants who wish to live, work, and study in a designed regional area in Australia. On the other hand, visa applicants for 482 visas have no restriction on working in designated regional areas with a sponsor.
Who can sponsor the 494 Visa?
For a 494 visa, a business needs to be a standard business sponsor (SBS).
How long is a 494-sponsor approved for?
For a 494 visa, a SBS is approved for five years.
How much is the nomination fee for the 494 Visa?
There is no nomination fee for a 494 visa in the employer-sponsored stream.
How much is the SAF levy for a 494 visa?
The following is the SAF levy for the 494 Visa:
| Business Size | 494 Visa |
| Small (annual turnover less than $10 million) | AUD3000 one-off |
| Other business (annual turnover of $10 million or more) | AUD5000 one-off |