Nurse Researcher — Subclass 494 Pathway
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa · 5 years provisional → PR pathway via Subclass 191
At a glance
- Visa
- Subclass 494 — Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
- Points test
- Not points-tested
- Sponsor
- Employer sponsor required
- Eligibility list
- MLTSSLSTSOLROLCSOL
- Base fee
- from $4,770 (check immi.gov.au for current fee)
- Processing time
- ~9-18 months (median)
Skills assessment for this occupation
Assessing Nurse Researcher for migration purposes is handled by: ANMAC.
Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority — refer to the occupation page for the body that assesses it.
Nurse Researcher × Subclass 494 — pathway overview
Nurse Researcher (ANZSCO 254212) is eligible for the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, enabling approved regional employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers where local candidates are unavailable. Regional providers facing genuine shortfalls of nurse researchers contributing evidence-based knowledge to clinical practice improvement and health policy can use this pathway to address staffing needs. The nominating employer must be in a designated regional area, hold approved business sponsor status, conduct labour market testing, and pay at or above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT). A positive skills assessment from Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) is required, verifying that overseas qualifications and clinical experience meet Australian registration standards for the Nurse Researcher role. Applicants must generally be under 45 at time of invitation, meet English language requirements, and satisfy health and character standards. Government fees and skills assessment charges apply. The visa is valid for five years, with a pathway to the permanent Subclass 191 after three years of compliant regional residence and work. For advice tailored to your individual circumstances, always consult a registered MARA migration agent.
Content last generated: 2026-06-26
Key requirements
High-level criteria for Subclass 494. Verify every requirement on immi.gov.au before applying.
- Under 45 years of age at application
- Competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
- Positive skills assessment in the nominated occupation
- Three years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation
- Nominated by an approved regional employer in a designated regional area
- Health and character requirements
Other visa pathways for Nurse Researcher
- 186Details →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 190Details →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 482Details →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 491Details →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
State nominations for Nurse Researcher
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.