The 494 visa is the successor to the 187 visa, but there are many differences between the two. Firstly, the Subclass 494 is not a direct pathway to permanent residence (PR); instead, it is a temporary visa valid for five years. After obtaining the 494, individuals must work for an employer in a regional area for three years before being eligible to apply for the Subclass191 visa, which leads to PR.

Given the existence of Subclass 482 and Subclass 186, why would someone opt for the Subclass 494? There are two main reasons:

 1. Before the introduction of the new employer-sponsored visa policies, if a nominated occupation was on the short-term Skilled Occupation list, individuals couldn't apply for the Subclass 186 after obtaining the 482. Therefore, subclass 494 was a viable option for those seeking a PR pathway.

2. Some occupations are ineligible for Subclass 482 and can only be applied for Subclass 494. For example, to Real Estate Agent, Subclass 494 is the only available choice.

With the new policies allowing occupations in the short-term list to be eligible for Subclass 482, the number of individuals applying for the 494 is expected to decrease.

The Subclass 494 is a temporary visa with a duration of five years.

Application Process:

 Standard Sponsorship →  Nomination + RCB →  Visa

1. Standard Sponsorship application by the employer.

2. Nomination application, including a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) application.

3. Visa application.

These three procedures can be processed simultaneously without waiting for the outcome of the previous one. The submission timing for the RCB application depends on the employer's state.

Application Requirements

For the Employer:

• The employer or its associated entity must be in a regional area.

For the Nomination Requirement: