Australia 5-Year Skilled Work Visa with Family – Subclass 494 Visa Guide & Step-by-Step Process (August 2025)

For skilled professionals worldwide, Australia Skilled Immigration offers a pathway to not only career growth but also a high-quality lifestyle. However, the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 494 is one of the workable options. Partnering with a Trusted Consultancy for Australian Immigration ensures you navigate this process effectively, meeting all requirements and boosting your chances of success.

Comprehending the Subclass 494 Visa

Subclass 494 Visa is a provisional visa of a 5-year residency, established to fulfill unmet workforce requirements in regional Australia. It links talented foreign employees with employers in specified locations. With the guidance of a Trusted Consultancy for Australian Immigration, you can avoid delays and streamline your migration process.

Key Benefits:

Right to work and study in local areas.
Possibility to cover the eligible family members in your application.
Easy immigration to permanent residency through Subclass 191 visa after meeting the requirements.
A focus on regional development by encouraging skilled migration outside major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane

Who is eligible to the Subclass 494 Visa?

To qualify under Australia Skilled Immigration, you must:

Less than 45 years of age.
Have a nominated approved employer in a regional area.
Be able to have a positive skills evaluation of your nominated occupation.
Be equipped with at least three years of pertinent skilled work experience.
Institute of Management Excellence
Meet medical and personality screening.

Employer Eligibility Standard Requirements

Employers sponsoring skilled workers are required to:

Have Reputable Business Sponsor approval.
Have an operation in a regional area.
Provide a permanent employment of at least five years.
Demonstrate that there is no Australian worker who is suitable to occupy the position.
Pass the labor market testing and salary thresholds.

Occupations which can qualify Under the Subclass 494 Visa:

The applicants should have an occupation that is on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) such as positions in:

Healthcare
Engineering
Agriculture
IT and Technology
Education
Construction

Required Documents

Applicants need:

Valid passport
Positive abilities testing
Employment references (3 years and above)
New resumes/Curriculum Vitae
Certificates and qualifications
Character clearance/health clearance

Employers need:

Necessary business identification documents
Proof of company registration and operation
Employment contracts
Information on salary in accordance with Australian standards

Members of the family require:

Passports and Birth Certificates
Marriage certificates (if applicable)
Police clearances (adults)
Health checks

Step-by-Step Process

Skills Assessment – Check Certifications and experience.
Job Offer – It should be received by a capable employer.
Nomination- Employer does nomination on the Department of home affairs.
Visa application- It takes place online after uploading all the documents.
Processing -Months required usually 6 to 10.
Visa Grant -Move and start working.

Rights and Responsibilities

Visa holders are supposed to:
Reside and also work in specific regional locations.
Remain in the employ of the sponsoring employer.
Meet income thresholds.
Adhere to terms of visa to have PR eligibility.

Express Entry to Permanent Residency

You can apply to be granted permanent residence, after three years on the subclass 494 visa, and under the income/residency conditions have been met, using the subclass 191 visa. There is no need to make a new nomination and the family member included will also gain PR.

Why choose Navigate Migrate

At Navigate Migrate, we pride ourselves on being a Trusted Consultancy for Australian Immigration, committed to guiding you through every step of your migration journey with precision, care, and transparency. Our mission is to remove the complexity and uncertainty from the process, ensuring your path to Australia is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

We offer end-to-end support that goes beyond basic application assistance. This includes comprehensive eligibility evaluations to determine the best visa options for you, meticulous preparation of all required documents, and seamless coordination with approved employers in Australia. We also ensure strict adherence to all immigration laws and Department of Home Affairs requirements, minimizing risks and delays.

What sets us apart is our highly qualified team of MARA-certified Immigration Consultants in Australia, in Abu Dhabi, UAE. As licensed professionals, we are authorized to provide accurate legal immigration advice, represent you before Australian authorities, and advocate for your best interests throughout the process. With Navigate Migrate by your side, you can move forward with confidence knowing your future is in expert hands.