494 Regional Employer Sponsored Visa
494 Visa Conditions
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) is a provisional visa that imposes conditions requiring the holder to live and work in regional Australia throughout the five-year visa period. Compliance with these conditions is essential for the pathway to the subclass 191 permanent residence visa.
Understanding your obligations
The subclass 494 is a provisional visa, not a permanent one. As a condition of the visa, you must live and work in regional Australia for the duration of your stay. Regional Australia means all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. You must also work only for your nominated sponsor in the nominated occupation.
You cannot apply for the 186 ENS visa, the 189 independent skilled visa, or the 190 state nominated visa during the first three years of your 494 visa. The intended pathway from the 494 is the subclass 191 permanent residence visa after three years of compliant regional employment earning at least $53,900 per year.
Breaches of the regional living and working conditions can lead to visa cancellation. If you wish to change employers while holding the 494 visa, you must be nominated by a new regional employer before you cease employment with your current sponsor.
Live and work in regional Australia
You must live and work in regional Australia throughout the visa period. Regional means all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Gold Coast, Perth, and Adelaide are all regional.
Work for nominated sponsor only
You must work for your nominated sponsor in the nominated occupation. Changing employers requires a new nomination from a regional employer before ceasing your current role.
Restricted visa applications
During the first three years of the 494 visa, you cannot apply for the 186 ENS, 189 independent skilled, or 190 state nominated visa. The intended pathway is the subclass 191.
191 pathway requirements
After three years of compliant regional employment earning at least $53,900 per year, you can apply for subclass 191 permanent residence. Both requirements must be satisfied simultaneously.
Regional
Must live and work
3 years
Before 191 application
$53,900
Annual income for 191 pathway
Restricted
186, 189, 190 for 3 years
Why instruct Visa Plan for your 494 visa conditions advice?
Conditions compliance advice
We advise on what the regional living and working conditions require in practice, including what activities are and are not permitted under the conditions of the visa.
Employer change management
If your employment ends while you hold the 494 visa, we advise on your options and manage the new nomination process to maintain your lawful status and protect your 191 pathway.
191 pathway planning
We advise on the employment and income documentation required for the subclass 191 application from the outset of the 494 visa, ensuring you are positioned to lodge the 191 without delay.
494 visa conditions information is sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and is current as at April 2026. Visa conditions and income thresholds are subject to change. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.