How to Get Australian Permanent Residency Through the 494 Regional Visa

Here’s the deal: You can live anywhere in Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. That still gives you tons of great places – think Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, and many more cities with jobs, beaches, and good schools. An Australian company sponsors you, so you land with work already lined up.

This isn’t just another temporary visa. It’s designed to help you settle permanently. Australia gives out 10,000 of these visas every year, and after three years, you can apply to stay forever. Bring your family, earn good money, and build your future down under.

Breaking Down Your Visa Choices

Not sure which Australian visa fits you? Let’s compare the main options.

Key Details	494 Regional	482 Temporary	186 Direct PR
Visa duration	5 years	2-4 years	Permanent
Work locations	Regional areas	Anywhere	Anywhere
Age requirement	Under 45	Flexible*	Under 45
Leads to PR?	Yes, guaranteed	Sometimes	You already have it
Experience needed	3 years	Depends	3 years

*Short-term stream has no age limit

Which one fits your situation?

Go with the 494 if you’re okay living outside major cities and want permanent residency guaranteed. It’s perfect for families who want stability and lower costs. Choose the 482 if you absolutely need to work in Sydney or Melbourne, or only plan to stay temporarily. Pick the 186 if you already qualify to skip straight to permanent residency.

Why people love the 494:

• You get five solid years in Australia
• Your whole family comes with full rights
• Pick from 650 different job types
• Everything costs much less than city living
• Permanent residency is guaranteed after three years

Meeting the Basic Requirements

Let’s talk about what you need to qualify. It’s actually pretty straightforward.

Your age matters: You need to be younger than 45 when you apply. Some special jobs don’t have this rule, but most do.

Proving your skills: You must get official approval showing your qualifications are good enough for Australia. Different jobs use different organizations to check this. Engineers go to Engineers Australia, nurses to AHPRA, accountants to CPA Australia, and so on.

Speaking English: You need competent English, which means about IELTS 6.0 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Can’t take IELTS? You can use PTE Academic, TOEFL, or Cambridge tests instead.

Your work history: You must have worked in your profession for at least three years. This has to be real skilled work at the right level.

Jobs that employers want most (Top 20):

1. Nurses (hospital and aged care)
2. Computer programmers
3. Accountants
4. Engineers (many types)
5. School teachers
6. Chefs and cooks
7. Electricians
8. Car mechanics
9. Carpenters
10. Farm managers
11. Marketing experts
12. Graphic designers
13. Childcare teachers
14. Business advisors
15. Building project managers
16. Doctors
17. Physiotherapists
18. Social workers
19. Animal doctors (vets)
20. Disability support workers

What companies need to sponsor you:

• Government approval as an official sponsor
• Real business operating in regional Australia
• Proof they tried hiring Australians first but couldn’t find anyone
• A real full-time job that will last
• Must pay you at least AUD 76,515 yearly starting July 2026

Where Can You Actually Live?

“Regional” sounds rural, but it’s not. It actually means everywhere except three cities: Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

You could end up in places like:

• Perth (big city on the west coast)
• Adelaide (wine country and festivals)
• Gold Coast (famous beaches and theme parks)
• Hobart (Tasmania’s beautiful capital)
• Canberra (where the government is)
• Darwin (warm tropical city up north)
• Newcastle or Wollongong (coastal cities with everything)

Jobs that need workers badly:

Medical and healthcare: Every regional hospital needs nurses. Doctors are wanted everywhere. Aged care homes can’t find enough staff. Allied health workers like physios and occupational therapists have their pick of jobs.

Schools and education: Teachers are needed across the country. High school teachers especially in math, science, and languages. Special education teachers can work anywhere they want.

Farming and agriculture: Huge opportunities from farm managers to agricultural scientists. It’s not all manual labor – modern farming needs educated professionals.

Computers and tech: Regional tech industries are booming. Software developers, IT support, cybersecurity – cities like Geelong and Townsville are building tech hubs.

Building and trades: Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and builders are in super high demand as regional cities grow fast.

What you’ll actually earn (per year):

• Medical workers: AUD 65,000 – 110,000
• Teachers: AUD 70,000 – 95,000
• Tech jobs: AUD 75,000 – 120,000
• Trade workers: AUD 55,000 – 85,000
• Farm managers: AUD 60,000 – 90,000

Following the Application Steps

Here’s exactly how to do this, step by step.

Step 1: Double-check your job qualifies Visit the Department of Home Affairs website. Look at the MLTSSL and ROL lists. Find your exact job title on one of these lists.

Step 2: Get assessed Find out which organization assesses your job. Send them your degrees, certificates, and work proof. Wait 6-12 weeks. Pay AUD 300-1,200 depending on your profession.

Step 3: Land a sponsoring employer

Best websites to find jobs:

1. Seek.com.au (Australia’s biggest job site)
2. Indeed Australia
3. JobActive (government jobs)
4. Harvest Trail (farm work)
5. Regional Australia Institute
6. Australian JobSearch
7. Migration agencies (they match workers with employers)
8. Adzuna Australia
9. CareerOne
10. Gumtree Jobs

Step 4: Gather all your papers

Everything you’ll need:

• Everyone’s passport
• Your skills assessment certificate
• English test results
• Letters from past employers (3+ years)
• All your degrees and certificates
• Your employer’s nomination approval
• Health checkups for everyone
• Police checks from every country you’ve lived in
• Proof of marriage or relationship
• Kids’ birth certificates
• Your work resume
• Passport photos

Step 5: Send in your application First, your employer submits their nomination. Once approved, you apply through the online ImmiAccount system.

Step 6: Wait for your answer Most people wait 7 months if directly sponsored, or 8 months under a labor agreement. If they ask for extra documents, send them immediately.

Money and time breakdown:

What it’s for	How long / What it costs
Skills check	6-12 weeks / AUD 300-1,200
English test	2-4 weeks / AUD 330-400
Your application fee	— / AUD 4,770
Your partner’s fee	— / AUD 2,385
Each kid’s fee	— / AUD 1,190
Health checks	1-2 weeks / AUD 300-450
Police records	2-6 weeks / AUD 40-150
Employer’s costs	— / AUD 540
Total wait time	7-8 months

Getting Your Permanent Residency

This is the best part. Work in regional Australia for three years, then apply for the 191 visa to stay permanently.

What you need to show:

• Three complete years living and working in regional Australia
• You earned at least AUD 53,900 each year (before tax)
• You followed all the visa rules
• You kept working in regional areas

How to apply for the 191: After three years, log into ImmiAccount. Upload your tax returns showing your income. Prove you lived regionally with rental agreements or utility bills. Show your employment records.

How long it takes: Most 191 visas get decided in 6-12 months. Once you get it, congratulations! You’re a permanent resident. Now you can move to Sydney or Melbourne if you want – no restrictions anymore.

Your Money in Regional Australia

Here’s the truth about what things actually cost.

What one person spends monthly:

Expense type	Regional areas	Big cities
Apartment rent	AUD 1,200-1,600	AUD 2,500-3,000
Groceries	AUD 400-500	AUD 500-600
Bills (electric, water, internet)	AUD 200-250	AUD 270-300
Transport	AUD 100-150	AUD 120-180
Fun and eating out	AUD 200-300	AUD 300-400
Every month total	AUD 2,100-2,800	AUD 3,690-4,480

Real money examples (after tax):

If you’re a software engineer making AUD 90,000:

• You keep about AUD 69,000 yearly
• That’s about AUD 5,750 monthly
• After paying bills in regional areas: AUD 2,950 left for savings

If you’re a nurse making AUD 75,000:

• You keep about AUD 58,500 yearly
• That’s about AUD 4,875 monthly
• After paying bills in regional areas: AUD 2,075 left for savings

Why regional living is better: Your commute is 15 minutes, not two hours. You know your neighbors’ names. Kids ride bikes safely. You’re near nature – ocean, mountains, or countryside. No sitting in traffic jams. Schools have smaller classes and better attention. You actually have time for family and hobbies. Plus you save thousands every single month.

Questions Everyone Asks

Can I pick exactly where I go? You work where your employer is located. But you definitely get to choose which job offers to accept. Spend time researching different regional towns and cities before saying yes to any job.

What about bringing my family? Yes! Your husband or wife and your children all come with you. They can work any job they want. They go to school or university. Everyone gets healthcare too.

What if my boss fires me? New rules from March 2026 let you keep working while you find a new sponsor. You’ve got 60 days to find another regional job. Talk to a migration agent right away and start job hunting fast.

How much money do I need total? Save up AUD 8,000-12,000 for everything. That covers visa fees, testing, assessments, health checks, police checks, and maybe hiring a migration agent. Your employer pays their own separate fees.

Can I switch to a different company? Yes you can, but the new company must be in regional Australia. They need to become an approved sponsor. Then they nominate you just like your first employer did.

When will I hear back? Usually takes 7-8 months. If you send everything complete the first time, it’s faster. Busy times of year might take longer.

Do I get Australian healthcare? Yes! You use Medicare just like Australian citizens do. Doctor visits and hospitals are covered. Many people still buy private insurance for dental and eye care.

Can I take holidays overseas? Absolutely. Travel as much as you want during your five years. Just remember: if you spend too much time overseas, it might mess up your permanent residency application because you need three years actually living in Australia.

Taking Your First Steps

The 494 visa gives you everything – five years of security, your family together, and permanent residency waiting for you. It’s a real opportunity to build an Australian life.

Do this now:

1. Check you meet the requirements (age, skills, English)
2. Start your skills assessment
3. Take your English test if needed
4. Search for regional jobs online
5. Talk to a migration agent for advice
6. Get your application ready with confidence

Regional Australia has jobs, great communities, cheap living, and a real future for you and your family. Thousands of people are already living this life. Your turn to join them.

Sources

1. Australian Department of Home Affairs – Official 494 visa information and requirements (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-employer-sponsored-regional-494)
2. Transforming Maternity Care – 2026 eligibility requirements and PR pathway (https://transformingmaternity.org.au/australia-5-year-work-visa-2026-subclass-494-eligibility-benefits-pr-pathway/)
3. Travel And Tour World – Family visa applications and requirements (https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/australia-subclass-494-visa-2026-work-visa-for-families-with-regional-employment-opportunities/)
4. Y-Axis Immigration – Visa processing times and occupation lists (https://www.y-axis.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-subclass-494-visa/)
5. Numbeo – Cost of living data for Australia (https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Australia)