Employer Sponsored Visa Australia: Subclass 482 & 494 Guide (2026)

The Subclass 482 visa allows Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers when they can't find suitably skilled Australians. It has three streams:

Short-Term Stream - Occupation must be on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) - Granted for up to 2 years (4 years for certain nationalities) - No direct pathway to permanent residency - Visa application charge: approximately $1,455

Medium-Term Stream - Occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) - Granted for up to 4 years - Pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 186 after 2 years with the same employer - Visa application charge: approximately $3,035

Labour Agreement Stream - For workers sponsored through a labour agreement between the employer and the Australian Government - Terms depend on the specific agreement

### Key Requirements

• - Skills assessment or equivalent experience in the nominated occupation
• - At least 2 years of relevant work experience in the past 5 years
• - English language proficiency — generally IELTS 5.0 overall with no band less than 4.5 (Short-Term) or IELTS 5.0 overall with no band less than 5.0 (Medium-Term)
• - Employer must be an approved sponsor (Standard Business Sponsorship)
• - Labour market testing — employer must demonstrate they tried to recruit locally first
• - Health and character requirements must be met

The Subclass 494 visa is designed for employers in regional Australia who need skilled workers. It's a provisional visa valid for 5 years with a pathway to permanent residency.

### Key Features

• - Must work in a designated regional area (anywhere outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane)
• - Visa application charge: approximately $4,640 for the primary applicant
• - Processing time: typically 3–6 months as of early 2026
• - Pathway to PR: After 3 years on the 494, you can apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa

### Requirements

• - Nominated by an approved regional employer
• - Occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
• - Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
• - At least 3 years of relevant work experience
• - IELTS 6.0 overall with no band less than 5.0 (or equivalent)
• - Under 45 years of age at time of application
• - Meet health and character requirements

| Factor | Subclass 482 | Subclass 494 | |--------|-------------|-------------| | Location | Anywhere in Australia | Regional areas only | | Duration | 2–4 years | 5 years | | PR pathway | Via 186 (Medium-Term only) | Via 191 after 3 years | | English | IELTS 5.0+ | IELTS 6.0+ | | Age limit | No strict limit | Under 45 | | Cost | $1,455–$3,035 | $4,640 |

If you're open to living in regional Australia, the 494 offers a clearer PR pathway and a longer visa duration. If you want to work in a capital city, the 482 Medium-Term stream with a transition to Subclass 186 is usually the better option.

As of early 2026, typical processing times are:

• - Subclass 482: 1–4 months for most applications. Short-Term stream is generally faster. Complex cases or those requiring additional checks can take 6+ months.
• - Subclass 494: 3–6 months on average.

Processing times vary based on completeness of the application, occupation, and the applicant's country of passport. Using a registered migration agent can help ensure your application is complete and avoid unnecessary delays.

Employer sponsored visas involve multiple steps — the employer must first become an approved sponsor, then nominate the position, and finally the worker lodges the visa application. Mistakes at any stage can result in refusal.

A registered migration agent can:

• - Assess whether your occupation and experience qualify
• - Guide the employer through the sponsorship and nomination process
• - Prepare a strong visa application with correct documentation
• - Handle any complications (prior visa refusals, health issues, etc.)

Agent fees for employer sponsored visas typically range from $3,000 to $7,000 depending on complexity. Some employers cover these costs.