The Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, enables skilled workers and their families to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. To qualify, applicants must be sponsored by an approved employer located within specified regions. This visa also provides a potential pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional), subject to meeting specific eligibility criteria.
Subclass 494 visa offers three streams tailored to different circumstances:
1. Employer-Sponsored Stream: In this stream, your employer can nominate you for a position listed on Australia's skilled occupation list. The nomination must align with the employer's needs in a designated regional area.
2. Labor Agreement Stream: This stream is suitable if your employer is part of a labor agreement with the Australian government. These agreements facilitate visa applications for overseas workers when standard visa options are limited.
3. Subsequent Entrant Stream: Reserved for family members of the primary visa holder, this stream allows eligible dependents to apply to join the visa holder in Australia after the primary visa (Subclass 494) has been granted.
Eligibility
Age Requirement: You need to be under 45 years of age when applying for the visa, though there are exemptions available under certain circumstances.
Employer Nomination: An eligible employer with a legitimate business in Australia must nominate you for the visa.
Skills and Experience: You must demonstrate that you possess the necessary skills and experience required for the nominated position.
Skills Assessment: Depending on your circumstances, you may need to undergo a skills assessment by relevant authorities. In some cases, this requirement may be waived.
Labor Agreement Compliance: If applying under the labor agreement stream, you must adhere to the specific terms of the labor agreement, including working in the designated position as specified in the agreement.
Exemptions
1. Age Requirement Exemptions. You are not required to meet the age requirement if:
Nominated for a faculty head or lecturer position at an Australian university.
Working as a healthcare worker on a visa 457 or 482 for at least 3 years, including 2 years in regional Australia.
Nominated by an Australian scientific agency or university for a scientist, researcher, or technical specialist position at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2.
Holding a Special Category visa subclass 444 or New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa subclass 461 for at least three years before applying, with a minimum of two years of continuous employment with the same employer during this period.
Holding a visa 457 or subclass 482 for at least three years immediately before applying, with employment in the nominated occupation under the same sponsor who nominated you for the visa 457 or 482.
Earning an annual salary of at least AUD 158,500 during the period of employment under visa 457 or 482.
2. Skills Assessment Exemptions. You are exempt from the skills assessment if:
Currently holding a visa 457 or subclass 482 for which a skills assessment was previously required.
Nominated for an academic position.
Holding a Special Category visa subclass 444 or New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa subclass 461.
Application
Nomination:
Your employer must formally nominate you by submitting an application to the Department of Home Affairs.
If your employer is applying under the labor agreement stream and is not currently part of a labor agreement, they must first apply for inclusion.
Visa Application:
Once your nomination is approved, you can proceed to apply for the Subclass 494 visa.
Compile and attach all necessary documents, and submit the application fee using the transaction reference number provided by your employer.
Visa Validity and Pathway to Permanent Residence:
The Subclass 494 visa is issued for a period of five years and cannot be extended.
After living in Australia on a Subclass 494 visa for three years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency, provided you meet specific eligibility criteria.
Family Dependents and Educational Opportunities
Your family members can join you under the Subclass 494 visa either at the time of your initial application or later as subsequent entrants.
Holding a Subclass 494 visa allows you to pursue educational opportunities in specified regional areas of Australia.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
To qualify for permanent residency, visa holders must work in regional areas of Australia for three years. "Regional Australia" encompasses all areas of the country except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. If a visa holder ends their employment with their sponsor, they will have a 90-day period to secure new employment.
If you have held the Subclass 494 visa for less than three years, you may not qualify to apply for certain subsequent visas.
The Subclass 494 visa supports employment in regional Australia, enhancing local economies and community development. By facilitating skilled workers' contribution to key industries and services, the visa aligns with Australia's goals of promoting regional growth and economic diversity.
Please note that immigration regulations may change over time. To ensure you meet the current eligibility criteria and receive personalized guidance, we recommend consulting with Australian Portal Immigration. You can book your appointment here.
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