🎯 This guide is for skilled professionals seeking Australia's Subclass 494 visa – the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa. If you have a job offer in regional Australia or are looking for sponsorship in healthcare, IT, engineering, or trades, you're in the right place.
Australia Subclass 494 Visa Guide 2026
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Pathway to Permanent Residence
The Subclass 494 visa (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) allows employers in regional Australia to sponsor skilled workers for up to 5 years. After living and working in a designated regional area for 3 years, you may apply for permanent residence (Subclass 191). This guide covers eligibility, occupation lists, salary thresholds, relocation costs, and family reunification.
Employers in regional areas actively seeking skilled workers – updated daily
🇦🇺 Other Australia Visa Guides
📌 Subclass 494 Visa – Overview
- Purpose: To address skill shortages in designated regional areas of Australia (all areas except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane).
- Validity: Up to 5 years.
- Streams: Employer Sponsored stream (main) and Labour Agreement stream.
- Pathway to PR: After 3 years of living and working in a regional area on a 494 visa, you can apply for the Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence – Skilled Regional) visa.
- Processing time: 3‑6 months (priority processing for regional areas).
Official source: Australian Department of Home Affairs – Subclass 494.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
- Occupation: Must be on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) or combined list for regional.
- Job offer: A genuine full‑time position (at least 35 hours/week) in a designated regional area from an approved sponsor.
- Skills assessment: Required for most occupations (unless exempt).
- Work experience: At least 3 years of full‑time work experience in the nominated occupation (or equivalent part‑time).
- Age: Under 45 years at the time of application (age exemptions may apply).
- English: Competent English – IELTS 6.0 in each band (or equivalent).
- Salary: Must meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) – currently A$73,150 (2026), or the market rate, whichever is higher.
- Health and character: Standard health exams and police certificates.
💰 Typical Salaries & Benefits by Profession (2026)
| Profession | Annual Salary (AUD) | Regional Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Regional) | $80,000 – $110,000 | Housing allowance, relocation bonus, salary packaging |
| Software Developer (Regional) | $85,000 – $120,000 | Remote work flexibility, professional development |
| Mechanical Engineer (Regional) | $80,000 – $105,000 | Overtime pay, vehicle allowance |
| Carpenter / Electrician (Trade) | $70,000 – $95,000 | Tool allowance, travel allowance |
Regional employers often offer additional incentives: housing assistance (subsidised rent or allowance), relocation packages (flights, temporary accommodation), and lower cost of living compared to major cities.
🧾 Tax & Take‑Home Pay – Australian Tax System
Australia has progressive income tax (0% up to $18,200, 16% up to $45,000, 30% up to $120,000, 37% up to $180,000, 45% above). Medicare levy is 2%. Example: Gross $80,000 → net ≈ $64,000 (≈ $5,333/month). Regional areas may offer lower living costs, increasing savings potential.
💰 Can Professionals Save Money in Regional Australia?
Example: Registered Nurse with $85,000 annual salary in regional Queensland.
- Net monthly income: ≈ $5,600
- Monthly expenses (regional city): Rent $1,200, groceries $400, transport $150, utilities $200, internet $70 = $2,020
- Monthly savings: ≈ $3,580 (≈ $43,000/year). Higher savings than metropolitan areas due to lower rent.
✈️ Employer Relocation Packages for Regional Sponsorship
- Visa fees: Sponsorship and nomination fees (approx $3,000‑$5,000, employer‑paid).
- Flight tickets: One‑way economy for you and family (common for regional roles).
- Temporary accommodation: 1‑3 months in a serviced apartment or hotel ($3,000‑$10,000 value).
- Relocation allowance: $2,000‑$5,000 cash for initial expenses.
- Housing assistance: Subsidised rent or housing allowance (up to $10,000/year).
🏗️ Industries Hiring Regional & Why Choose Regional Australia
- Fast‑track permanent residence (3 years → 191 visa).
- Lower cost of living (rent 30‑50% less than Sydney/Melbourne).
- Community atmosphere, less traffic, better work‑life balance.
- Access to Regional Migration Agreements for faster processing.
🏙️ Popular Regional Cities for 494 Visa Holders & Monthly Costs
- Gold Coast (QLD): Tourism, healthcare, construction – rent $1,400‑$2,200/month.
- Newcastle (NSW): Engineering, healthcare, education – rent $1,300‑$1,900/month.
- Geelong (VIC): Manufacturing, health, education – rent $1,200‑$1,800/month.
- Wollongong (NSW): IT, engineering, education – rent $1,300‑$2,000/month.
- Hobart (TAS): Healthcare, tourism, education – rent $1,100‑$1,700/month (most affordable).
| Expense | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Rent (2‑bed apartment, regional city) | $1,200 – $1,800 |
| Groceries (family of 3) | $600 – $800 |
| Utilities (electricity, water, gas) | $200 – $350 |
| Transport (one car) | $150 – $250 |
| Total monthly (family) | $2,150 – $3,200 |
⏱️ Processing Time & Family Reunification
Processing time: 3‑6 months (regional priority processing).
Family reunification: You can include your spouse/partner and dependent children in the application. Family members receive full work and study rights in Australia. Additional costs: approx $2,000‑$3,000 per dependent.
🟢 Pathway to Permanent Residence – Subclass 191 (Skilled Regional)
- After holding a Subclass 494 visa for 3 years and living/working in a designated regional area.
- Meet income requirements (≥ TSMIT $73,150/year for at least 3 years).
- No age restriction for 191 visa (unlike other PR visas).
- After 1 year of PR, you can apply for Australian citizenship (subject to residency requirements).
❓ Subclass 494 FAQ
494 is specifically for regional employers and leads to PR after 3 years. 482 (medium‑term) leads to PR after 3 years but can be for metropolitan areas as well.
Yes, but you must find a new employer in a regional area who is willing to sponsor you and apply for a new nomination.
Yes for most occupations. Some labour agreement roles may waive it.
Yes, anywhere designated as “regional” (postcodes excluding Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane).
✅ Verify employer: Check company registration on Australian Business Register (ABN). IFMOSA provides links; verify independently.