Regional Sponsorship for Employers: the 494 Visa and DAMAs
Information current as at October 2026. Rules, fees and lists change often, so check your circumstances with us before you act.
If your business is outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, you have extra options for sponsoring overseas workers. The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) gives your worker a five year visa and a direct path to permanent residence, and Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) can give regional employers concessions that are not available anywhere else in the program.
This guide explains what counts as regional, how the 494 works for employers, how DAMAs work, and how to choose between the 494, the Skills in Demand (482) visa and a labour agreement. Need advice on your situation? You can book a consultation with our employer team.
What counts as regional?
For the 494, designated regional areas are all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Hobart, Canberra and Darwin all count, as do all rural and remote areas. The position must be located in a designated regional area. Our regional areas guide explains the categories.
Each DAMA has its own region, which may be smaller or different from the 494 definition, so always check the DAMA region separately.
Compare your regional options
| 494 Employer Sponsored | 482 Skills in Demand | DAMA (labour agreement) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa length | 5 years (provisional) | Up to 4 years | Depends on the visa used (482, 494 or 186) |
| Path to permanent residence | 191 visa after 3 years | 186 after 2 years | 186 Labour Agreement stream or 191, as set by the agreement |
| Position must be available | At least 5 years | For the nomination period | As set by the agreement |
| Worker age | Under 45 (limited exemptions) | No age limit | Concessions often available |
| Work experience | At least 3 years | At least 1 year | As set by the agreement |
| Skills assessment | Required | Some occupations only | As set by the agreement |
| Regional Certifying Body advice | Required | Not required | DAMA endorsement instead |
| Labour market testing | Required | Required in most cases | Required, as set by the agreement |
| Employer government costs | $540 nomination plus SAF $3,000 or $5,000 | $330 nomination plus SAF per year | As for the visa used |
How each option works for employers
- Your business must be an approved standard business sponsor (or party to a labour agreement) and actively operating in a designated regional area.
- The position must be full time, located in a designated regional area and available for at least five years.
- The occupation must be on the list that applies to the 494 Employer Sponsored stream.
- Salary must be at least the annual market salary rate and at least the Core Skills Income Threshold of $79,423 (from 1 July 2026).
- Advice from the Regional Certifying Body (RCB) in your state or territory is required in most cases. The RCB confirms that the salary is at market rate and the role cannot reasonably be filled locally.
- Labour market testing applies: two advertisements, each for at least four weeks, within the four months before you lodge the nomination.
- The worker needs a positive skills assessment, at least three years of relevant experience, competent English and to be under 45, unless an exemption applies.
More detail: regional certifying bodies and the 494 visa.
Steps for a 494 nomination
Frequently asked questions
Is Perth or Adelaide regional for the 494?
Yes. Every part of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane is a designated regional area for the 494.
Can a 494 worker move to a city?
Not while they hold the 494. They must live and work in a designated regional area. If they change employer, the new employer must be in a regional area and lodge a new nomination.
What if the 494 worker leaves us after a year?
You must notify Home Affairs within 28 days. The worker can be nominated by another regional employer. If they hold a 494 when a new 494 nomination is lodged, the SAF levy is reduced in proportion to the years remaining on the visa.
Is a DAMA worth it for one or two workers?
Often yes, if the occupation or the worker cannot meet the standard requirements. If a standard 482 or 494 works, it is usually faster. We can compare both for your roles.
Does the 494 have income requirements for the worker later?
The 191 permanent visa has had no minimum taxable income requirement since June 2023, but the worker must have lived and worked in a regional area for at least three years on the 494.
Do we need RCB advice for every 494 nomination?
In most cases, yes. A limited number of nominations are exempt. See our 494 exemptions page.
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