Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 494)
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) lets a regional business sponsor a skilled worker when the position can't be filled locally. For an employer in a designated regional area, it opens access to skills that are genuinely hard to find, with a pathway that rewards a commitment to the region. As with any sponsored visa, the requirements around your business, the nominated role, and the worker are specific, and regional certification adds a step that's worth getting right the first time. We assess your position, coordinate the sponsorship and nomination, and manage the process so you can bring the right person into your team with confidence.
What is included
We confirm your business, location, and the nominated role meet the requirements before any application begins.
We prepare and lodge each stage decision-ready, including the regional certification step.
We set out the sponsorship obligations that come with the 494 so you know exactly what you're committing to.
A dedicated Registered Migration Agent handles your matter end to end.
Processing estimates
Timeframes by stream
Employer Sponsored
- 50% of applications
- 7 Months
- 90% of applications
- 11 Months
Labour Agreement
- 50% of applications
- 7 Months
- 90% of applications
- 10 Months
| Stream | 50% of applications | 90% of applications |
|---|---|---|
| Employer Sponsored | 7 Months | 11 Months |
| Labour Agreement | 7 Months | 10 Months |
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs · Last checked 6 August 2026. Based on recently decided applications; figures are indicative only and depend on individual circumstances.
Real results from real clients
See how businesses like yours partner with us to sponsor and retain talent.