491 vs 494: which Australian visa is right for you?
Both are 5-year regional provisional visas leading to the 191 PR - the 491 is points-tested and state-nominated, the 494 is employer-sponsored.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (491) | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (494) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Provisional (5 yrs) | Provisional (5 yrs) |
| Who it's for | Skilled workers willing to live and work in regional Australia - adds 15 points. | Skilled workers sponsored by a regional employer, with a pathway to PR. |
| Government cost | ~$4,910 (main applicant) | ~$4,910 (main applicant) |
| Processing time | ~6-12 months | ~8-14 months |
| Length of stay | 5 years (provisional) | 5 years (provisional) |
| Where to apply | Onshore or offshore | Onshore or offshore |
| Work rights | Full work rights in designated regional areas | Full-time for your sponsoring regional employer |
| Points-tested | Yes | No |
| Pathway to PR | Pathway to permanent residence via subclass 887 after 3 years living and working regionally and meeting the income requirement. | Pathway to PR via subclass 191 after 3 years on the visa meeting the income requirement. |
Which is right for you?
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (491)
Skilled workers willing to live and work in regional Australia - adds 15 points.
Full 491 guide →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (494)
Skilled workers sponsored by a regional employer, with a pathway to PR.
Full 494 guide →Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, 491 or 494?
On indicative 2025-26 government costs, Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (491) is the lowest at ~$4,910 (main applicant). Government fees change periodically - confirm before applying.
Which is processed faster, 491 or 494?
Indicatively Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (491) is the quickest at ~6-12 months. Actual timeframes depend on caseload and how complete your application is.
What's the main difference between 491 and 494?
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (491) is for skilled workers willing to live and work in regional Australia - adds 15 points. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (494) is for skilled workers sponsored by a regional employer, with a pathway to PR.