Basic Eligibility

You must:

• be nominated by an approved work sponsor
• have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
• have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
• be under 45 years of age (exemptions available for eligible applicants)
• meet minimum standards of English language proficiency

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)

Employer Sponsored stream

This visa enables regional employers to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where employers can't source an appropriately skilled Australian worker

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​You can live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia
• You can apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your visa is granted
• You must have been employed in the nominated occupation for at least 3 years on a full-time basis and at the skill level required for the nominated occupation.

• You must have at least Competent Englishto be granted this visa.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)

Labour Agreement stream

This stream is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a labour agreement. Labour agreements are developed between the Australian Government (represented by the Department) and employers.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Your employer has to have a labour agreement with the Australian government in effect
• You must have the level of English as specified in the labour agreement to be granted this visa. Learn more about English language.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)

Subsequent entrant

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.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This is for members of the family unit of SESR visa holders.
• The work sponsor (employer) with the most recent approved nomination in relation to the primary SESR visa holder, or main applicant for a SESR visa, must agree (or have agreed) in writing to include you as a family member in the nomination.

• You must show that you have Functional English. If you can’t show that you have Functional English, you will need to pay the second instalment.