Hiring with visa sponsorship in regional Australia

What counts as regional

Home Affairs splits designated regional areas into two categories. Category 2, cities and major regional centres: Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Wollongong and the Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart. Category 3, regional centres and other regional areas: everywhere else outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Both categories get priority processing of regional visas and access to the Regional Occupation List. The Department publishes a postcode list; the nominated position's location is what counts, so check the work site's postcode, not your head office.

Source: Home Affairs: designated regional areas

The 494: the regional employer-sponsored visa

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, subclass 494, lets a regional employer sponsor a skilled worker where it cannot find a suitably skilled Australian. In the Employer Sponsored stream the worker must:

• be nominated for an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list;
• have at least 3 years of relevant work experience in that occupation;
• hold a relevant skills assessment, unless an exemption applies;
• be under 45, unless an exemption applies;
• meet the minimum English standard; and
• work only for the sponsor or an associated entity, unless an exemption applies.

The visa lasts 5 years, during which the holder lives, works and studies only in designated regional areas. If eligible, they can apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the grant. The visa application charge starts at A$6,140.

Compared with a 482, the 494 asks more of the worker up front (three years' experience and a skills assessment in every case) and offers them a defined permanent route without the employer having to nominate again for permanent residence. A side-by-side comparison is in 482 vs 494 nomination.

Source: Home Affairs: subclass 494, Employer Sponsored stream

The other regional advantages

• Regional Occupation List. Category 2 and 3 areas can use the Regional Occupation List, which adds occupations not on the national lists, mainly for the 494.
• 186 nomination fee. Home Affairs' designated regional areas page states that the 186 nomination fee is waived if the position is located in regional Australia. Confirm the charge shown in ImmiAccount before you lodge.
• The 482 still works. Regional location does not limit the 482; a regional employer can use it for any occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List.
• Regional graduates. International graduates from a regional campus can stay longer on a post-study work visa: one extra year in Category 2 and two in Category 3. They can work for you without sponsorship; see employing international students and graduates.

Source: Home Affairs: designated regional areas

DAMAs and labour agreements

A Designated Area Migration Agreement is a labour agreement for a region. It can cover occupations that are not on any national list and can include concessions on age, English and salary, set occupation by occupation. Home Affairs keeps the current list of DAMAs, with a link to each Designated Area Representative, on its Designated Area Migration Agreements page. The representative endorses employers and confirms which occupations and concessions currently apply in that region. See DAMA for employers.

Outside a DAMA, industry labour agreements cover specific sectors, such as horticulture, meat, dairy, pork and fishing.

What it costs the employer

For a 494 nomination, the employer pays a nomination charge of A$540 and a one-off Skilling Australians Fund levy of A$3,000 (annual turnover under A$10 million) or A$5,000 (A$10 million or more). These are the sponsor's costs by law and cannot be recovered from the worker. A 482 costs a regional employer the same as a city one. The full breakdown is in the cost to sponsor a worker and the sponsorship cost calculator.

The nominated salary must meet the income threshold, A$79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026, and the market rate for the role in that location, whichever is higher.

The steps

1. Check the postcode of the work site against the Home Affairs list.
2. Match the role to a listed occupation, or to a DAMA or labour agreement if it is not listed.
3. Find the worker. Post a sponsored job, or search candidates who want to work in regional areas.
4. Sponsorship, nomination and visa, with a registered migration agent for the legal steps: WIDEN Migration Experts (MARN 1576536).

Frequently asked questions

Is Perth or Adelaide regional for visa sponsorship?

Yes. Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Wollongong and the Illawarra, and Geelong are Category 2 designated regional areas. Only Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are excluded.

What does the 494 require of the worker?

A nomination in a listed occupation, at least 3 years of relevant experience, a skills assessment unless exempt, being under 45 unless exempt, and minimum English. The visa lasts 5 years, and the holder can apply for permanent residence after 3 years if eligible.

Is the 186 cheaper in regional Australia?

Home Affairs' designated regional areas page states that the 186 nomination fee is waived when the position is located in regional Australia. Confirm the charge in ImmiAccount before lodging.

Can a regional employer still use the 482?

Yes. The 482 is available anywhere in Australia for occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List.

What does a 494 cost the employer?

A A$540 nomination charge and a one-off Skilling Australians Fund levy of A$3,000 or A$5,000 depending on turnover. The worker's visa charge starts at A$6,140.