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The Subclass 494 – Labour Agreement Stream is a temporary visa that allows skilled overseas workers to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years when sponsored under a Labour Agreement between an Australian employer and the Department of Home Affairs.

This visa is ideal for employers who cannot find suitable Australian workers and have an approved Labour Agreement, enabling them to sponsor overseas talent for occupations not normally available under the standard skilled migration lists.

⚙️ Key Advantage:
Provides a direct pathway to Permanent Residency through the Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years of regional work.

Purpose

The Labour Agreement Stream allows Australian employers to:

• Recruit skilled overseas workers where standard occupation lists do not meet local needs.
• Fill specialised or semi-skilled positions in regional areas.
• Support long-term workforce stability while addressing regional labour shortages.

Types of Labour Agreements

1. Company-Specific Agreement – tailored to an individual business.
2. Industry Labour Agreement – available for sectors such as agriculture, meat processing, hospitality, or aged care.
3. Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) – specific to regional or local government areas.
4. Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) – for highly skilled global talent.
5. Project Agreement – for large infrastructure or resource projects.

Please note: Visa policies and requirements may change over time. The information provided here is general in nature and should not be taken as legal advice. For the most up-to-date guidance specific to your situation, please contact us directly

Gurpreet Singh Sarao
Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2318210) | Director
Wise Dynamic Group (Trading as Sarao Immigration Consultants) 📍 Office Address: Level 1, Suite 103, 2 Queen Street, Melbourne, VIC
📞 Mobile: 0481 244 020 | ☎ Office: 03 7042 9525