PR Pathway via the 494 Then 191 (Regional Employer-Sponsored)
This is a two-step pathway for regional Australia: a regional employer sponsors you onto a 494 visa (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) — a temporary visa — after which you live and work in a regional area and, once you meet the conditions, move on to permanent residence via the 191 visa. It runs parallel to the 482-then-186 pathway, but it is tied to a commitment to live and work regionally. This article maps out the pathway for orientation; it does not replace individual advice.
Who is this pathway for?
This pathway suits you when:
- You have a regional employer willing to sponsor you, and you are prepared to live and work regionally.
- Your occupation and skills fit the 494 step, and you accept a period of temporary residence before reaching PR.
- You want to use your commitment to a regional area as your “ticket” toward PR via the 191 visa.
If your work is in a major city (not regional), 482 then 186 is the corresponding pathway. If you are going through a state- or family-sponsored skilled route in a regional area rather than through an employer, see 491 then 191.
The starting point
The starting point is a nomination from a regional employer for a genuine position, together with the employer meeting the sponsorship requirements. From there you apply for the 494 visa — a temporary visa with a stay period of 5 years. This period is the “window” in which you live, work in the region and build up the conditions needed for the 191 step.
The steps to permanent residence
Step 1 — A regional employer nominates, and you apply for the 494. The regional employer nominates the position, you lodge the 494 application and are granted a temporary visa to work in the region.
Step 2 — Live and work regionally. You reside and work in the designated regional area for the duration of the 494 visa. This is the stage in which you build up the conditions for the 191.
Step 3 — Meet the 191 conditions. Once you have held the 494 visa for long enough and meet the regional residence and income conditions set out in the rules, the door to PR opens.
Step 4 — Lodge the 191 visa (PR). You lodge the 191 application, supported by evidence of residence/income and related documents. When granted, the 191 is permanent residence.
Fees and the numbers to check
The main application fee for the 494 visa currently sits at 6,140 AUD for the primary applicant; the stay period of the 494 visa is 5 years. These amounts do not include fees for dependants, health examinations, translations and related costs, nor the fees for the later 191 step.
The following factors change over time — check them directly on official sources, rather than relying on a figure you heard:
- The regional residence requirement for the 191 step — see the Home Affairs page on the 191 visa.
- The income threshold you need to meet to qualify for the 191 — check the current conditions.
- The English-language score at the 494 step — see the official page and score conversion tables.
- Processing times for each step — see the “visa processing times” tool.
The decisive factor
The decisive factor is genuinely living and working in the regional area throughout the 494 stage, enough to meet the residence and income conditions for the 191 step. This is a pathway tied to a commitment to place: the value of the 494 only “ripens” into PR when you maintain your regional presence and income as required.
Risks and common mistakes
- Leaving the region too early, or not maintaining enough regional presence for the 191 conditions.
- Failing to keep evidence of residence and income throughout the 494 stage.
- Mistaking the 494 for PR. It is a temporary visa; PR only comes at the 191 step once you meet the conditions.
- Using outdated figures for fees, the income threshold or the residence requirement — always check against official sources.
When to consult an RMA
You should consider consulting a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) registered with OMARA when: you need to confirm which area counts as “regional” for your case; you are concerned about meeting the 191 residence/income conditions; or your regional work circumstances may change. An RMA can assess your actual case — something an overview article cannot do.
Learn more
- Visa 494 — Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
- Visa 191 — income requirement
This 494-then-191 pathway is the route for those who choose to commit to regional Australia. Plan to live and work regionally in a sustainable way, keep complete evidence, and check every specific condition against official sources before you act.
Last updated: 13/06/2026. Migration rules change frequently — always check official sources.