Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa

Employer-sponsored visa for regional Australia. Five years, with a path to the permanent 191 after three years.

This visa enables regional employers to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where employers can't source an appropriately skilled Australian worker

Stay: 5 years
Government charge: From A$6,140
Visa type: Temporary

Official information from the Department of Home Affairs

The material below reproduces English-language information from the Department of Home Affairs about this visa. Requirements may have changed since it was added to this website. Use the source link to check the latest information; I can explain relevant provisions in Vietnamese or English during a consultation.

Skilled visa income thresholds have increased in line with changes to annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings. For more information see Annual indexation of skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2026.

We prioritise applications for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (SESR) (subclass 494) visa under Ministerial Direction No. 119. We are currently processing applications that were lodged in:

Choose a stream

This visa has several streams, each with its own criteria and charge. Open the one that matches your situation to read the complete official information.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)

Employer Sponsored stream

This visa enables regional employers to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where employers can't source an appropriately skilled Australian worker

Stay: 5 years
Government charge: From AUD6,140.00

Key points

You can live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia
You can apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time we grant your visa.

Open this stream

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)

Labour Agreement stream

This stream is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a labour agreement. Labour agreements are developed between the Australian Government (represented by the Department) and employers.

Stay: 5 years
Government charge: From AUD6,140.00

Key points

Your employer must have a labour agreement with the Australian government in effect.

Open this stream

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)

Subsequent entrant

This visa is for members of the family unit of a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) holder who wish to join the primary SESR visa holder in Australia. They are applying separately for their SESR visa.

Stay: Up to 5 years
Government charge: From AUD6,140.00

Key points

This is for members of the family unit of SESR visa holders.

Open this stream

Basic eligibility

be nominated by an approved work sponsor
have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
be under 45 years of age
meet minimum standards of English language proficiency

Official source: Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. © Commonwealth of Australia. Refer to the source website for its copyright and conditions of use.

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