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| Field | 🇦🇺AustraliaAustralia Regional Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 494): 2026 Guide |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia (AU) |
| Route | Australia Regional Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 494): 2026 Guide |
| Route family | Other |
| Route type | employer sponsored |
| Summary | Guide to the five-year subclass 494 regional employer-sponsored provisional visa and its potential subclass 191 permanent pathway. |
| Last verified | 2026-09-16 |
| Official/supporting source count | 5 |
| Route guide | Open full guide → |
| Program availability | ActiveSource 1Source 2Source 3 |
| Best-fit work models | Local employmentSource 1Source 2Source 3 |
| Income requirement | Employer nomination must meet the annual market salary rate and the applicable Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold; the threshold is AUD 79,423 for nominations lodged 1 July 2026–30 June 2027. Labour Agreement stream terms can differ.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Savings requirement | Not applicableAs of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Investment requirement | Not applicableAs of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Government fees | Home Affairs currently lists the base charge from AUD 6,140; additional applicant and any second-instalment charges may apply, and eligible concessions can change the total. Confirm the full amount in the estimator at lodgement.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Processing time | Home Affairs provides an indicative live processing-time guide for recently decided applications; actual timing varies and is not guaranteed.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Validity | Provisional visa valid for five years from grant. The holder may live, work and study only in designated regional areas under visa conditions.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Renewal | This visa cannot be extended. Before expiry, the holder must obtain another visa or depart; eligibility for another visa must be assessed separately.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Family inclusion | Members of the family unit may be included or, in eligible cases, apply later as subsequent entrants. Health and character requirements apply; family members not included may need to be disclosed and explained.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Spouse work rights | A spouse granted as a subclass 494 family member may live and work in designated regional Australia, subject to the conditions on their own visa grant.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Local-work rules | The primary holder must work for the nominating employer (or an associated entity where permitted) in the nominated occupation and designated regional area, unless an exemption applies. Check grant conditions.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Application location | After the employer's nomination, apply online through ImmiAccount. The applicant may be in or outside Australia subject to the visa's application-stage requirements and must not be in immigration clearance.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Permanent-residence pathway | Subclass 494 is provisional, not permanent. Eligible holders may apply for subclass 191 after holding the 494 for at least three years and meeting the other requirements; permanent residence is not automatic.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Citizenship pathway | Subclass 494 does not itself grant permanent residence. Citizenship may be possible after separately obtaining permanent residence and meeting Australian citizenship requirements.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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