The Employer Sponsored Stream is the most common pathway for the Subclass 494 visa. It empowers regional Australian employers to directly address critical labour shortages by sponsoring skilled workers from overseas when they genuinely cannot find a suitably skilled Australian citizen or permanent resident.This stream is designed for regional employers who have identified a genuine need for a skilled position and have been unable to find an appropriately skilled Australian worker to fill it. It aims to support regional economic growth by facilitating access to skilled overseas talent.

• Regional Only: Employer and job must be in a designated regional area.
• Skill Shortage: For jobs where employers genuinely can't find an Australian worker.
• Occupation List: Jobs must be on the specific 494 skilled occupation list (broader than some others).
• RCB Advice: Mandatory assessment by a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) to confirm genuine need and market salary.
• LMT Required: Employers must conduct Labour Market Testing (LMT) (advertising) to show no suitable local candidates.
• Market Salary & TSMIT: Salary must meet the Australian market rate and TSMIT (AUD 76,515 from July 1, 2025).
• PR Pathway: Leads to permanent residency (Subclass 191) after 3 years living/working in a regional area.