Flight Attendant — 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 Flight Attendant for migration purposes is handled by: VETASSESS.
Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority — refer to the occupation page for the body that assesses it.
Flight Attendant × Subclass 494 — pathway overview
Flight Attendant (ANZSCO 451711) qualifies for the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa, enabling sponsorship by approved employers located in designated regional areas of Australia. The Subclass 494 is a five-year provisional visa that is not points-tested; eligibility is determined through employer nomination rather than a points score. Applicants must secure sponsorship from a regional employer who has met Department of Home Affairs requirements for business sponsorship. A positive skills assessment is mandatory and must be obtained before the employer lodges a nomination. VETASSESS, the skills assessment authority for this occupation, evaluates qualifications and work experience against Australian standards for the occupation. Key requirements include being under 45 years of age, holding competent English (generally IELTS 6 in each band or equivalent), demonstrating at least three years of relevant work experience, and satisfying standard health and character checks. The nominated position must be in a designated regional area. After three years of regional employment and meeting the required income threshold, holders may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa. 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 Flight Attendant
- 186Details →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 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 Flight Attendant
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.