Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) Visa (subclass 494)
Employer Sponsored stream
The Employer Sponsored
stream enables skilled professionals to live and work in Australia through nomination by an approved employer. This pathway addresses critical workforce needs and offers opportunities for long-term settlement, including permanent residency.
This visa is for international students who have recently graduated with an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification relevant to an occupation Australia needs. It allows you to live, study and work in Australia temporarily.
Stay
5 years
With this visa you can
- Live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years
- Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
- If eligible, apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your visa is granted
Requirements
- Be nominated to work in an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- Have at least 3 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation
- Have a relevant skills assessment, unless an exemption applies
- Work only for your sponsor or associated entity, unless an exemption applies
- Be under 45 years of age, unless an exemption applies
- Meet minimum standards of English language proficiency
Labour Agreement stream
The Labour Agreement stream under the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) allows skilled workers to work in Australia for an employer who has a labour agreement with the Australian Government. This pathway helps employers fill genuine skill shortages where standard visa programs may not apply.
This visa is for international students with a recent diploma, trade qualification, or associate degree in a needed occupation, allowing them to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily.
Stay
5 years
With this visa you can
- Live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years
- Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
- If eligible, apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your visa is granted
Requirements
- Be nominated to work in a specified occupation under the terms of a labour agreement.
- Have at least 3 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation.
- Have a relevant skills assessment, if this is specified in the labour agreement.
- Work only for your sponsor.
- Be under 45 years of age, unless the labour agreement states otherwise.
- Meet minimum standards of English language proficiency.
Subsequent entrant
Requirements
- Meet health requirement.
- Meet character requirement.
- Be a member of the family unit of a primary SESR visa holder.
This visa is for members of the family unit of a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) holder who are applying separately for their SESR visa and wish to join the primary SESR visa holder in Australia.
Stay
Up to 5 years
Processing times
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool.