The Australian government is actively addressing skills gaps, particularly in regional areas. This concentrate has created the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Provisional Visa (Subclass 494), a significantly attractive option. Consequently, the 494 visa is drawing skilled migrants from around the world. Commonly known as the Australia 5 Years Work Visa, it acts as a strategic entry point for skilled foreign workers dreaming of reliable employment, a high quality of life, and, after a while, permanent residency in Australia.
This article is based on the recent information and policy changes for 2025. It clearly breaks down everything, discovers the essential facts about the Subclass 494 Visa, such as requirements, application, and costs. Important details and targeted budgeting tips are included for Indian nationals applying for an Australia Work Visa.
The Subclass 494 Visa: Your 5-Year Pathway to Working in Regional Australia
The Subclass 494 Visa is a strategic provisional path that attracts skilled professionals sponsored by approved regional Australian employers. This program is central to facilitating skilled migration away from major centres. It successfully channels expertise directly into the regional areas that need it most.
Benefits of the Australia 5 Years Work Visa (Subclass 494)
- Long-Term Stability: The authorized duration of the visa is five years from the date of issue.
- Regional Living Mandate: Visa holders are strictly required to live and work in a designated regional area.
- PR Pathway: The Subclass 494 Visa offers a clear pathway to permanent residency after just three years.
- Family Inclusion: Immediate family members, such as a spouse and children to be included in the application, providing an excellent choice for families exploring an Australia Work Visa.
This visa provides a robust and long-term option, making it the premier Australia 5 Years Work Visa for those committed to a regional Australian lifestyle.
Subclass 494 Visa Eligibility for Applicant and Employer
To successfully secure this Australia 5 Years Work Visa, both applicants and their sponsoring employers must gather several strict requirements.
For the Applicant:
| Requirement Area | Simple Explanation | Key Standard / Proof Needed |
| Age Limit | You must be under this age when you apply. | 44 years old (maximum) |
| Skilled Job | Your nominated job must appear on the official list to show it’s needed in the regional area. | Must be on an approved Skilled Occupation List for the 494 visa. |
| Skills Assessment | You need official paperwork confirming your skills and qualifications for the job. | Approved Skills Verification from an Australian authority. |
| English Language | You must show you can use English well. | At least an IELTS score of 6.0 in all sections (or a comparable approved score) is required. |
| Health & Character | You and your family must pass Australia’s official safety and medical checks. | Satisfy Australia’s mandatory Health and Character criteria. |
For the Sponsoring Employer:
- Approved Sponsor: The employer must be a lawfully operating business in regional Australia and must be approved as a standard business sponsor.
- Nomination: The employer must nominate a position for you that is genuine, full-time, and likely to last for five years in their regional business.
- Labour Market Testing (LMT): The employer must provide evidence that they sincerely tried to hire a suitable Australian worker before nominating someone from overseas. This requirement can be ignored only if an international trade obligation exemption applies.
- Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR): Your employer must pay you a salary that is not only fair for the job (the market rate), but is also at least as high as the government’s set minimum income for skilled migrants (the TSMIT).
Meeting these criteria is essential to move forward with the application for this key Australia 5 Years Work Visa.
How to Get Work Permit Visa for Australia: The Application Procedure
The Subclass 494 visa application is a multistage process. It requires actions from both the sponsoring employer and the visa applicant. A victorious submission relies on following every accurate step of the process.
How to Apply: The Step-by-Step Procedure
- Identifying and Securing a Sponsoring Employer: First, you need an authentic job offer from an approved employer in a regional area.
- Employer Sponsorship Application Process: If your employer doesn’t have approval yet, they must apply to become an approved sponsor first.
- The Skills Assessment Requirement: You must get your skills officially checked and approved for the job you want. This is an important requirement.
- Employer Submits the Subclass 494 Nomination Application: The next step requires the employer to submit a formal nomination application covering both the position and the prospective applicant to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
- Applicant Submits Visa Application: Once the nomination is approved (or sometimes at the same time), the applicant submits their Subclass 494 Visa application. This application is done online using the ImmiAccount portal. This is where you upload all needed documents, such as the skills assessment, English test results, and health/character clearances.
- Pay Visa Application Fee to Australia: You must pay the appropriate visa application fee when you submit your application.
- Visa Processing and Decision: If the application is successful, the DHA grants the Australia 5 Years Work Visa.
Remember that the 60-day deadline to lodge the visa application after the nomination is approved. It’s fundamental to have all documents prepared well beforehand.
Australia Work Visa Fees and Associated Costs in 2025
The cost of an Australian Work Visa is considerable. Recent policy updates for 2025 have not only introduced new fee structures but have also extremely increased the financial commitment for applicants. Applicants, particularly those seeking an Australia Work Visa for Indian citizens, must carefully budget for all associated expenses.
| Visa Component | Fee (AUD) | Approximate Fee (INR) | Notes |
| Subclass 494 Visa Base Fee | $4,800 (Approx.) | ₹2,55,000 (Approx.) | This is the main Visa Application Fee to Australia for the primary applicant. |
| Additional Applicant (Adult) | $2,400 (Approx.) | ₹1,27,500 (Approx.) | For a spouse or partner included in the application. |
| Additional Applicant (Child) | $1,200 (Approx.) | ₹63,750 (Approx.) | For each dependent child included. |
| Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy | Varies by Employer Size | Paid by the sponsoring employer. | Mandatory charge on the employer to train Australian workers. |
| Mandatory Skills Standard | $300 – $600 | 16,000 – 33,000 | Varies by assessing authority and occupation. |
| English Language Test (e.g., IELTS/PTE) | $300 | ₹16,000 | Cost of the required proficiency test. |
| Health Examinations | $200 – $500 | ₹11,000 – ₹27,000 | Varies depending on location and complexity of checks. |
| Police Clearance Certificates | $50 – $150 | ₹2,700 – ₹8,200 | Cost of obtaining clearances from relevant countries. |
Note: The INR equivalent is an approximation based on fluctuating exchange rates in 2025. Applicants should use the official AUD rate on the day of payment.
Budgeting for the Australia Work Visa
When planning your Australia Work Permit Visas application, you must also budget for these extra costs. We recommend creating a contingency fund of 10% to 15% of your total estimated budget. This reserve is important for managing unexpected application costs and minimizing the risk from changes in the AUD/INR exchange rate.
Living and Working in Regional Australia on the Subclass 494
The grant of the Subclass 494 Visa is not just a work permit. it’s a five-year commitment to building a permanent life and career in regional Australia, provided all visa conditions are carefully observed.
Visa Conditions and Obligations
- Regional Stay: Visa holders may travel to major cities, but the core condition of the visa requires continuous residence and employment within the regional area.
- Employer-Specific: You must work for the employer who nominated you. If you wish to change employers, your new employer must first be an approved sponsor. They must also submit a new nomination application for the Subclass 494 Visa.
- Full-Time Work: The primary visa holder must begin working full-time employment in the nominated occupation within the required period.
Pathway to Permanent Residency (Subclass 191)
One of the most significant advantages of the Australia 5 Years Work Visa is the clear and streamlined path to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa. To be eligible for the Subclass 191, you must:
- Subclass 494 Visa held (or issue) for a minimum of three years.
- Achieved the required minimum taxable income threshold for at least three of those years.
- Have complied with all visa conditions, particularly the requirement to live and work in a designated regional area.
This transition makes the Subclass 494 Visa an excellent strategic choice for long-term settlement.
Final Thoughts on Your Australia 5 Years Work Visa Journey
The Subclass 494 Visa helps skilled workers easily plan a long future in Australia. This strong 5-year Australian Work Visa gives you stable job sponsorship and a clear way to get permanent residency with the Subclass 191 visa.
Focusing on what you need is the most important part. You must get a regional employer to sponsor you and make sure you pass a skills assessment. By following the application steps and budgeting properly for all fees, involving the Visa Application Fee to Australia, you will increase your chances for a successful move and a rewarding job in regional Australia.
FAQ: Your Subclass 494 Visa Questions Answered
Q1. What is subclass 494 visa?
It’s a five-year work visa for people with skills who are sponsored by a business in regional Australia. It permits workers nominated by an approved regional employer to settle and pursue your career in designated areas of Australia. It provides a provisional initial phase of permanent residency.
Q2. Is the Subclass 494 Opens for new applications in November 2025?
Yes, the Subclass 494 Visa program remains active and accepts new applications on a regular basis. As of November 2025, you can still apply for the Subclass 494 visa. The program is fully open. Visa rules change repeatedly. The best and correct information is always on the official Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
Q3. How is the Subclass 494 different from the TSS (Subclass 482) visa?
The TSS is primarily a temporary work visa. Unlike the Subclass 494 Visa is a provisional visa that provides a reliable and straightforward way to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa. A core requirement of the 494 visa is the pledge for both work and residence to be maintained within a regional area.
Q4. Can I apply for the Australia Holiday Work Visa for Indian citizens?
The Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) is accessible to Indian citizens who are 18 to 30 years old. However, it is not a direct path to the Australia 5 Years Work Visa. It enables temporary travel and work but is different from the employer-sponsored Subclass 494 Visa.
Q5. What are the benefits of applying for an Australia Work Visa in a regional area?
Regional areas are attractive because they have lower costs of living and suggest a more relaxed lifestyle. Additionally, they usually present less competition for the available skilled jobs. A major benefit of the Subclass 494 Visa is the clear and direct path it offers to getting permanent residency.
