Posted on March 28 2025

What is the difference between Subclass 491 and 494 visas?

By
Anshul Singhal
, Editor

Updated March 28 2025

The Subclass 491 and 494 visas are provisional visas for skilled migrants who want to live and work in regional Australia.

Subclass 491 visa allows skilled workers and their families to live, work, and study in designated areas of Australia for up to 5 years with a pathway to permanent residency after 3 years.

Whereas the Subclass 494 visa allows skilled workers to live, work, and study in regional Australia for five years in a designated area, with a pathway to gain PR after three years. *Want to apply for a Subclass 491 visa? Sign up with Y-Axis for complete guidance about the Subclass 491 visa.

Factors that differentiate between Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 visas

Both the Subclass visas offer pathways to permanent residency in Australia, but some factors differentiate them from one another:

Factors	Subclass 494 visa (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional)	Subclass 491 visa (Skilled Work Regional visa)
Visa Type	Employer-sponsored	Invitation-based
Nomination	Must be nominated by the Australian Territory of State or sponsorship by an eligible family living in a designated regional area	Must be nominated by the Australian Territory of State or sponsorship by an eligible family living in a designated regional area
Eligible Occupation	Can apply under MLTSSL or ROL	Can apply under STSOL,MLTSSL, or ROL (if nominated)
Skills Assessment	Positive skills assessment	Positive skills assessment
Points Threshold	No points threshold or EOI is required	Must meet the 65-point threshold and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
English Requirement	Competent English	Competent English
Health Waiver	Health waiver available under Public Interest Criteria	Not Applicable
Activities	Can live, work, and study in designated areas and work in nominated position	Can live, work, and study in designated regional areas; notify Immigration of changes
Duration	Visa lasts for 5 years; can apply for Permanent Residence after 3 years	Visa lasts for 5 years; can apply for Permanent Residence (Subclass 191) after 3 years
Age Limit	Applicants must be under 45	Applicants must be under 45 when invited
Occupational Range	More limitations on eligible occupations compared to subclass 491	Wider range of eligible occupations, especially if nominated by a government agency
Regional Work Requirements	Must live, work, and study in designated regional areas	Must live and work in designated regional areas
Visa Application Charge (VAC)	Main applicant costs AUD 4,770. Each dependent (18 years and over) costs AUD 2,385, and AUD 1,190 for each dependent under 18 years old.	Main applicant costs AUD 4,770. No extra charge for individual family member