Source update
Subclass 494
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visa: processing update
Home Affairs updated the processing priority notice under Ministerial Direction 122 with new lodgement month queues.
Employer sponsored
Subclass 494
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
A provisional visa that lets employers in regional Australia sponsor skilled workers when a suitably skilled Australian cannot be found. It can lead to permanent residence after 3 years.
Overview
With this visa you can
- Live, work and study only in designated regional areas for 5 years
- Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
- Apply for permanent residence after 3 years, if eligible
Streams
Requirements
The official page lists these main requirements. Each stream adds its own.
- Be nominated by an approved work sponsor for an occupation on the relevant list
- Have a suitable skills assessment, unless exempt
- Be under 45 years of age
- Meet the English language requirements
Documents & forms
The official page lists the documents to provide with an application. Open the documents list on Home Affairs.
Forms often used with this visa
- Form 80: Personal Particulars for Assessment Including Character Assessment — Personal particulars and character — commonly requested by the department.
- Form 1221: Additional Personal Particulars Information — Additional personal particulars, if the department requests it.
- Form 956: Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person — If you appoint a registered migration agent or legal practitioner.
- Form 956a: Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient — To appoint an authorised recipient for correspondence.
- Form 1022: Notification of Changes in Circumstances — To notify a change in circumstances after lodgement.
- Form 1023: Notification of Incorrect Answer(s) — To correct an incorrect answer after lodgement.
The official page lists the documents each application requires.
Preparation checklist: a printable list of common steps and documents, each linked to its official source.
Occupation lists
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional occupations (subclass 494) — 650 occupations
The official page says which list each stream uses. Being on a list does not mean an applicant is eligible.
Published processing times and charges
Official processing times
Home Affairs publishes how long it took to decide past applications: the time within which 25, 50, 75 and 90 per cent were decided. Each stream keeps its own reporting period.
YourVisaSite compares this list with the Home Affairs processing times on a regular schedule. Our copy last changed on 21 October 2026. The source reports 12 October 2026 for this version; this is separate from our check date. A successful check does not independently verify every underlying fact. The official source remains the authority; open it before you rely on an entry.
| Stream | 25% of applications | 50% | 75% | 90% | Reporting period ended | Source published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employer Sponsored | 3 months | 8 months | 11 months | 12 months | 31 August 2026 | 29 September 2026 |
| Labour Agreement | 66 days | 4 months | 11 months | 12 months | 31 August 2026 | 29 September 2026 |
Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, CC BY 3.0 Australia with source-specific exclusions (Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, CC BY 3.0 Australia with source-specific exclusions). Past decisions only; not a prediction for any application. Current official processing times ↗
Processing times for this visa, by stream, with the reporting period.
Visa application charge
| Application | Main applicant | Each additional applicant 18 or over | Each additional applicant under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
Employer Sponsored streamOfficial conditions and notesNote See Nomination and sponsorship fees The second instalment - in the case of each applicant who was 18 years or more at time of application and is assessed as not having functional English: AUD4,890. For any other applicant the second instalment is nil. get_app Go to visa page | $6,140 | $3,070 | $1,535 |
Labour Agreement streamOfficial conditions and notesNote See Nomination and sponsorship fees The second instalment - in the case of each applicant who was 18 years or more at time of application and is assessed as not having functional English: AUD4,890. For any other applicant the second instalment is nil. get_app Go to visa page | $6,140 | $3,070 | $1,535 |
Subsequent entrantOfficial conditions and notesNote See Nomination and sponsorship fees The second instalment - in the case of each applicant who was 18 years or more at time of application and is assessed as not having functional English: AUD4,890. For any other applicant the second instalment is nil. get_app Go to visa page | $6,140 | $3,070 | $1,535 |
YourVisaSite compares this list with the Home Affairs price list on a regular schedule. Our copy last changed on 21 October 2026. A successful check does not independently verify every underlying fact. The official source remains the authority; open it before you rely on an entry. Other costs, such as health checks or a second instalment, may apply, and government charges are separate from any professional fee. Current official pricing ↗
Updates & sources
Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. This summary was written from the official page on 20 October 2026.
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This page is general information written from the official page. It does not assess anyone’s eligibility, is not migration advice and has not been reviewed by a lawyer or registered migration agent. The official page is always the current source. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.
Registered practitioners
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Registered migration agents and lawyers appear here once they have chosen to be listed for this visa. For requirements and how to apply, the official page is the place to start.