5-Year Australia Work Visa With Family – Subclass 494 Visa

If you’re considering moving to Australia to work and live with your family, the Subclass 494 visa could be your golden ticket. This comprehensive article will walk you through everything you need to know what the visa is, who can apply, what benefits it offers, how to apply, eligibility criteria, employer requirements, the path to permanent residency, and what life could look like for your family in Australia.

What is the Subclass 494 Visa?

The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa is a type of Australian visa introduced in November 2019. It was designed to attract skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia where labor shortages exist. The visa is valid for five years and allows holders to live, work, and study in regional parts of Australia with the option to apply for permanent residency after three years.

This visa effectively replaced the now-defunct Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa, providing more targeted support for regional employers and more structured benefits for visa holders.

What Makes the Subclass 494 Visa Stand Out?

The Subclass 494 visa offers a distinct set of advantages that set it apart from other Australian work visas. Here’s why this visa is a unique and valuable option for skilled migrants and their families:

1. Focus on Regional Australia

Unlike other visas that allow settlement anywhere in the country, the 494 visa is specifically designed for regional areas. This means you can’t live or work in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, but that’s not necessarily a downside.

Many regional areas in Australia offer a slower pace of life, affordable housing, less traffic, and a strong sense of community ideal for families and individuals looking for a better work-life balance.

2. Five-Year Stay with Multiple Entries

The visa grants you the right to live and work in Australia for up to five years, with unlimited travel in and out of the country during that period. This flexibility is great for those who may need to travel internationally for work or personal reasons while maintaining their Australian residency.

3. Clear Path to Permanent Residency

One of the biggest attractions of the 494 visa is its direct pathway to permanent residency. After just three years of living and working in a regional area and meeting the required income and compliance criteria, you become eligible to apply for PR through the Subclass 191 visa.

It’s a well-defined, step-by-step process that takes the uncertainty out of long-term migration planning.

4. Bring Your Family With You

The 494 visa isn’t just for the main applicant. It extends to your partner and dependent children as well. Your family members will have the same rights as you to work, study, and live in regional Australia. This makes the visa a strong option for families wanting to settle and grow together in a supportive environment.

5. Access to Public Healthcare (Medicare)

Another significant benefit is access to Medicare, Australia’s publicly funded healthcare system. Once your visa is granted and you arrive in the country, you and your eligible family members can access medical services at lower costs, which eases the financial burden of healthcare and improves your quality of life.

Which Skilled Workers Are Eligible for the 494 Visa?

To qualify for the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, your occupation must appear on one of the official lists used by the Australian government to identify in-demand skills. These include:

• The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
• The Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
• The Regional Occupation List (ROL)

Your job must be listed on one of these to be eligible, and you must also have your skills assessed by a relevant assessing authority. The goal of the 494 visa is to help fill critical skill shortages in regional areas, and as a result, the range of eligible occupations is quite broad covering healthcare, engineering, construction, agriculture, IT, education, and trades.

Here are 10 of the most common skilled occupations eligible under the 494 visa, along with their approximate annual salary ranges:

Registered Nurse

• Estimated Salary: AUD 75,000 – AUD 95,000
• Nurses are in high demand across regional hospitals and clinics, making this one of the most sought-after roles.

Software Engineer

• Estimated Salary: AUD 90,000 – AUD 130,000
• With the rise of tech hubs outside major cities, skilled software developers are increasingly needed in regional innovation centers.

Civil Engineer

• Estimated Salary: AUD 80,000 – AUD 110,000
• Infrastructure and development projects in regional areas are creating strong demand for qualified civil engineers.

Electrician

• Estimated Salary: AUD 70,000 – AUD 90,000
• Skilled tradespeople like electricians are vital for construction, maintenance, and renewable energy projects across the country.

General Practitioner (GP)

• Estimated Salary: AUD 150,000 – AUD 200,000
• Regional and rural communities consistently face shortages of doctors, making GPs highly valued visa candidates.

Teacher (Primary and Secondary)

• Estimated Salary: AUD 70,000 – AUD 100,000
• Schools in many regional areas are actively looking for qualified teachers to support local education needs.

Chef

• Estimated Salary: AUD 60,000 – AUD 80,000
• The hospitality sector in regional towns and tourist destinations relies on skilled chefs to support growing food and tourism industries.

Mechanical Engineer

• Estimated Salary: AUD 80,000 – AUD 120,000
• With many manufacturing and industrial facilities based in regional zones, mechanical engineers are in high demand.

Construction Manager

• Estimated Salary: AUD 90,000 – AUD 150,000
• As regional development accelerates, skilled professionals are needed to manage large-scale construction projects.

Agricultural Scientist

Agriculture is a major industry in regional Australia, and scientists in this field support innovation and sustainability in farming.

Estimated Salary: AUD 75,000 – AUD 100,000

Where to Find Employer-Sponsored Jobs for the Australian 494 Visa

One of the most crucial steps in securing the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa is finding a willing employer located in a designated regional area of Australia who can nominate you. Without employer sponsorship, you cannot proceed with the visa application.

Here are the top 10 job websites to help you find 494 visa sponsor jobs:

• Seek.com.au
• Indeed.com.au
• WorkforceAustralia.gov.au
• CareerOne.com.au
• Jora.com.au .
• LinkedIn.com
• RegionalAustraliaJobs.com.au
• Hays.com.au
• AustralianJobSearch.com
• Adzuna.com.au

Eligibility Criteria for the Subclass 494 Visa

To apply for the 494 visa, you must meet several eligibility requirements, which ensure that only skilled professionals capable of contributing to regional Australia’s economy and development are selected.

1. Employer Sponsorship

You must have a valid job offer from an employer based in a designated regional area of Australia. The employer must be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor and willing to nominate you for the position.

2. Skilled Occupation

Your occupation must be listed on one of Australia’s eligible skilled occupation lists:

• Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
• Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
• Regional Occupation List (ROL)

3. Skills Assessment

A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority is required to prove that your qualifications and work experience match Australian standards.

4. Work Experience

You must have at least 3 years of full-time work experience in the nominated occupation (or a closely related one). This ensures you’re job-ready upon arrival.

5. English Language Proficiency

You must demonstrate at least Competent English, typically through one of the following tests:

• IELTS: 6.0 in each band
• PTE Academic: 50 in each component
• TOEFL iBT: Specific band scores (Listening – 12, Reading – 13, Writing – 21, Speaking – 18)

6. Health and Character Requirements

You and all accompanying family members must:

• Undergo health examinations by an approved panel physician.
• Provide police clearance certificates to show good character.

7. Age Requirement

At the time of application, you must be under 45 years of age. In limited cases, exemptions may apply—such as for academic roles or highly specialized positions.

8. Genuine Temporary Entrant

While the 494 visa leads to permanent residency, you must initially demonstrate that you genuinely intend to live and work in a regional area and comply with visa conditions throughout your stay.

These eligibility checks are designed to ensure that you’re not only qualified for your profession but also a good fit for life in regional Australia.

Step-by-Step Application Process for the 494 Visa

Applying for the Subclass 494 visa involves both employer and employee. Here’s a clear outline of how the process works:

Step 1: Employer Nomination

Before you apply for the visa, your employer must:

• Be an approved sponsor.
• Submit a nomination for your role to the Department of Home Affairs.
• Prove that the job is genuine and cannot be filled by an Australian worker.

Note: You cannot apply for the visa unless the nomination is approved or lodged.

Step 2: Visa Application

Once the nomination is approved, you can:

• Submit your visa application online through your ImmiAccount.
• Upload all necessary documents, such as:
  • Work reference letters
  • Skills assessment result
  • English test scores
  • Police certificates
  • Health exam results
  • Passport and identity documents

Make sure your documents are certified and translated (if not in English).

Step 3: Visa Processing and Decision

The Department of Home Affairs will review your nomination and visa application. Processing times can vary but typically range from 6 to 18 months.

During this time, you may be asked to:

• Provide additional documents
• Attend an interview
• Update personal details

Once approved, you’ll be issued a 5-year visa that allows you and your family to live, work, and study in your nominated regional area.

Family Visa Application Process

One of the most attractive features of the 494 visa is that it supports family migration. You can include the following dependents in your application:

• Your dependent children or stepchildren
• Your spouse or de facto partner

Can I change employers while on the 494 visa?

Yes, you can change employers while holding a Subclass 494 visa, but there are specific steps and conditions you must follow. The 494 visa is employer-sponsored, which means your legal right to stay and work in Australia depends on being employed by an approved sponsor in a designated regional area.

If you want to switch jobs:

• Your new employer must be an approved standard business sponsor or apply to become one.
• They must nominate you again for the same occupation in a regional location.
• You must not start working for the new employer until the nomination is approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
• The new role must offer conditions comparable to Australian workers, including the market salary rate.

Can my children attend public school?

Yes, children included in your Subclass 494 visa can attend public schools in Australia. However, the schooling costs can vary by state or territory, and in some cases, international student fees may apply for temporary visa holders like those on a 494 visa.

Here’s what to expect:

• In most states (like South Australia, Tasmania, and regional Queensland), children on the 494 visa can attend public school, but fees might be charged.
• Some states waive or reduce school fees for visa holders under certain conditions.
• Even when fees apply, they are usually much lower than private school tuition.

Is it easy to get PR from the 494 visa?

Obtaining Permanent Residency (PR) through the 494 visa pathway is more structured and predictable than many other visa streams, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

You can apply for PR via the Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years, subject to the following:

• You must have held the 494 visa for at least 3 years.
• You must have earned a minimum taxable income of AUD 53,900 per year for three consecutive years.
• You must have complied with all visa conditions, including living and working only in designated regional areas.
• There is no need for a new nomination or skills assessment for the 191 visa.

Do I need to live in rural or remote areas?

No, not necessarily. The term “regional” in the context of the 494 visa does not mean isolated outback towns. In fact, many well-developed, urbanized centers are considered designated regional areas under the 494 visa scheme.

Some popular regional cities you can live and work in include:

• Adelaide (South Australia)
• Hobart (Tasmania)
• Newcastle, Wollongong, and Geelong
• Canberra (ACT)
• Townsville, Rockhampton, and Cairns (Queensland)

These areas have modern infrastructure, schools, hospitals, universities, and job opportunities, making them attractive alternatives to the larger cities that are excluded (Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane).

You’ll still need to ensure that your employment and residence remain in designated regional zones for the full duration of the visa, particularly to be eligible for permanent residency.

Can I travel outside Australia on this visa?

Yes, the Subclass 494 visa allows for multiple entries into and out of Australia during its 5-year validity period. This means:

• You can leave and re-enter the country as many times as you like while the visa is valid.
• There are no travel restrictions as long as you continue to meet your visa conditions, especially regarding your residence in a regional area and employment with a sponsoring employer.

Keep in mind:

• Time spent outside of Australia during the visa period may impact your eligibility for the Subclass 191 PR visa, especially if it affects your income or residence requirements.
• If your travel affects your ability to meet the 3-year continuous residence requirement or income thresholds, your pathway to PR might be delayed.

Conclusion

The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa presents a valuable pathway for skilled workers and their families to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia.

With a validity of five years, this visa offers numerous advantages, including the opportunity to gain regional work experience, access community support services, and potentially transition to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa after three years of residence and work in the region.

Importantly, the visa allows family members, such as spouses and dependent children, to accompany the primary visa holder, enabling them to work, study, and enjoy the high quality of life Australia offers. This enhances family stability and integration while supporting regional development goals.