About this Visa
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494) is a provisional visa designed for skilled workers nominated by regional employers in Australia. It is an essential part of Australia’s strategy to address labor shortages in designated regional areas by allowing businesses to sponsor skilled professionals who cannot be sourced locally.
This visa allows you to live and work in regional Australia and provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Skilled Regional Permanent Residence Visa (Subclass 191) after meeting certain conditions.
Streams of the Subclass 494 Visa
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494) has three primary streams:Employer-Sponsored Stream
For workers nominated by a regional employer
in a skilled position.
o Applicants must work in designated regional
areas and cannot apply for permanent residency immediately but can work toward eligibility for the Subclass 191 visa.
Labour Agreement Stream
For workers nominated by an employer with a
labor agreement with the Australian
government.
o This stream allows employers to sponsor skilled workers to address labor shortages that cannot be filled by the local workforce.
Subsequent Entrant Stream
For family members of a holder of the Subclass
494 visa who wish to join the primary applicant
in Australia.
o Family members can apply separately but must meet health and character requirements.
Eligibility Criteria for Skilled Workers
To be eligible for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494), applicants must
- Be under 45 years of age (unless exempt).
- Be nominated by an approved employer in a designated regional area
- Provide evidence of relevant work experience (at least 3 years of full-time experience)
- Demonstrate proficiency in English
- Meet the requirements for skills assessment in the nominated occupation
- Meet the health and character requirements
Designated Regional Areas
To qualify for this visa, applicants must live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. These areas include locations such as Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, and the Gold Coast. Major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are excluded from these regions.
Pathways to Permanent Residence
Although the Subclass 494 visa itself is a provisional visa, it can lead to permanent residency. After holding the Subclass 494 visa for at least three years, applicants may become eligible to apply for the Skilled Regional Permanent Residence Visa (Subclass 191).
Important Note: To be eligible for permanent residency, applicants must fulfill specific requirements, including working in the designated regional area and meeting income requirements during their time on the Subclass 494 visa.
Benefits of the Subclass 494 Visa
Live, work, and study in a designated regional area of Australia for up to 5 years. Travel to and from Australia as many times as you wish while the visa is valid. If eligible, apply for permanent residency after 3 years of holding the visa. Ability to include family members in your visa application who can also live, work, and study in Australia.
Application Process
To apply for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494), you will need to submit the following documents
- Proof of age and personal information.
- Educational qualifications and professional credentials.
- Health and character checks.
- Evidence of sponsorship from an approved employer.
- Skills assessment documentation.
You may be required to provide additional supporting documentation as requested by the Department of Home Affairs.
Visa Costs
- Main applicant: AUD 4,770
- Each dependent aged 18 and over: AUD 2,385
- Each dependent under 18 years: AUD 1,190
- Second installment: AUD 4,890 for dependents aged 18 and over who do not have functional English.
Note: Additional costs may include English language tests, health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.
Processing Times
The processing time for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494) can vary. For an indication of the processing times, you can use the visa processing time guide tool. Factors affecting processing times include:
Whether the application is complete and includes all necessary supporting documents.
Response time to additional requests for information.
Duration for required health, character, and security checks.
Travel and Visa Conditions
You can travel out of Australia and return as many times as you wish while the visa is valid.
The time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa’s duration. You must begin employment within 90 days of entering
Australia (if you are outside Australia when the visa is granted) or within 90 days of the visa grant date (if you are already in Australia). You must work only in the nominated occupation for the sponsoring employer in a regional area. The visa is digitally linked to your passport, and you will not receive a physical visa label.
Obligations and Compliance
Holders of the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494) and their family members must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws. Failure to comply could result in visa cancellation.
Include Family Members
You can include members of your family unit in your application for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494). These family members can be your spouse, de facto partner, dependent children, or other dependents. Family members who apply with you must meet health and character requirements.
This visa offers a unique pathway for skilled workers to contribute to regional Australia, with opportunities for permanent residency after meeting specific conditions. Should you need guidance throughout the application process, our team of registered migration agents is here to assist you.
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