Australia has commenced applications for its 5-Year Work Visa with Family (Subclass 494 Visa), 2025. The Subclass 494 visa is part of Australia’s skilled migration program, specifically designed to address labor shortages in regional areas.
To qualify for this visa, which allows skilled workers to live and work in designated regional parts of Australia for up to five years, applicants must be nominated by an approved Australian employer and possess the necessary skills and qualifications for occupations listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.
About The Subclass 494 Work Visa
The Australian subclass 494 visa is valid for up to five years and allows applicants to bring their spouse and dependent children. Those who possess this visa automatically become eligible for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence visa after three years.
However, it only allows for full-time work for the sponsoring employer in the nominated position, and those under this visa must live, work, and study in designated regional areas. The main goal of this visa is to encourage the settlement of skilled professionals in areas outside of major metropolitan hubs like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Qualifications For Australia’s Subclass 494 Work Visa
Applicants must possess formal qualifications and certifications relevant to their occupation. A bachelor’s degree or vocational training aligned with the job role is typically required.
A positive skills assessment conducted by an authorized assessing body is mandatory for most occupations while for occupations that require licensing or registration in Australia (e.g., healthcare, engineering, or teaching), applicants must secure licenses before the visa is approved.
Most applicants need at least three years of full-time work experience in their nominated occupation in addition to detailed reference letters from former employers and evidence of employment. Applicants must also demonstrate competent English, which generally means scoring at least: IELTS: 6.0 in each component and PTE: 50 in each component in addition to TOEFL iBT: 12 listening, 13 reading, 21 writing, 18 speaking.
All applicants must undergo a health examination and present a police clearance certificate from all countries where the applicant lived for more than 12 months.
Application Process
Step 1: Secure a Job Offer
You must obtain a job offer from an employer who is an approved sponsor. The role must be on the Regional Occupation List and located in a designated regional area.
Step 2: Employer Nomination
Your employer will lodge a nomination application with the Department of Home Affairs. They must show:
- They are actively and lawfully operating in Australia
- The position is genuine and full-time
- There is a genuine need for the position
- Labor Market Testing (LMT) has been conducted
Step 3: Skills Assessment
Apply for a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority. This must be submitted before you apply for the visa unless you’re exempt.
Step 4: Lodge Visa Application
Submit your visa application online with all required documentation, including:
- Passport and identity documents
- Skills assessment result
- English test results
- Medical exam confirmation
- Police clearance certificates
- Employment records and qualifications
Step 5: Wait for Processing
Visa processing times range from 6 to 12 months depending on your occupation, the region, and document completeness. During this time, you may be contacted for further documents or clarification.
Additional Information
Your partner and dependent children can be included in your application. They will be granted the same visa subclass, allowing them to live, work, and study in Australia. Spouses can work full-time, and children can access public education.
The total cost of the Subclass 494 work visa varies based on family size and application complexity:
- Primary applicant: AUD 4,640
- Spouse: AUD 2,320
- Each child under 18: AUD 1,160
Additional charges may apply for health checks, police certificates, and translation services.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can apply via official channels with the Australian Home Office.
