Registered Nurse (Community Health) — 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)
Key facts at a glance
Data compiled from official sources. Always verify on the relevant authority’s website before acting.
- SkillSelect points cutoff(Subclass 189)
- 75 points— November 2025 roundView all rounds →
- Skills assessment fee
- AUD 400–500via Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council· ~8-16 weeks processing
All figures are indicative. Fees and points cutoffs change frequently — always verify on immi.gov.au and the relevant state/authority website before lodging.
Skills assessment for this occupation
Assessing Registered Nurse (Community Health) 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.
Registered Nurse (Community Health) × Subclass 494 — pathway overview
Registered Nurse (Community Health) (ANZSCO 254414) 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 registered nurses delivering healthcare programs and chronic disease management in community-based and outreach settings 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 Registered Nurse (Community Health) 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 Registered Nurse (Community Health)
- 186Details →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 189Details →Skilled Independent visa
Permanent points-tested visa for workers not sponsored by an employer, family member, or state.
- 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.
- 485Details →Temporary Graduate visa
Post-study work visa for recent graduates of Australian qualifications.
- 491Details →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
State nominations for Registered Nurse (Community Health)
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.