The Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional Visa
This visa lets regional employers recruit by sponsoring skilled non-Australian workers within their region to address identified labour shortages. However, such recruitment can only take place where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.
To learn more about the Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa subclass 494, please visit; immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-employer-sponsored-regional-494
Three types of Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa subclass 494 are granted. They are as follows;
a) Employer Sponsored Stream
This visa lets you live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years. While on this visa, you can travel to and from Australia for 5 years. The cost of this visa is from AUS $ 4,045. You can apply for Permanent Resident Visa after 3 years if you meet certain eligibility criteria.
To learn more about the Employer Sponsored Stream of the 494 Visa, please visit; immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-employer-sponsored-regional-494/employer-sponsored-stream#Overview
Eligibility
▪ Be under 45 years of age, unless an exemption applies
▪ Be nominated to work in an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
▪ Have a minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation
▪ Have a relevant skills assessment, unless an exemption applies
▪ Work only for your sponsor or an associated entity unless an exemption applies
▪ Meet minimum standards of English language proficiency
b) Labour Agreement Stream
This stream is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a labour agreement with the government. This visa too lets you live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years. While on this visa, you can travel to and from Australia for 5 years. You can apply for Permanent Resident Visa after 3 years if you are eligible. The cost of this visa is from AUS $ 4,045.
To learn more about the Labour Agreement Stream of the 494 Visa, please visit; immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-employer-sponsored-regional-494/labour-agreement-stream
Eligibility
▪ Be under 45 years of age, unless the labour agreement states otherwise
▪ Be nominated to work in a specified occupation under the terms of a labour agreement
▪ Have a minimum of 3 years relevant work experience
▪ Have a relevant skills assessment, if specified in the labour agreement
▪ Work only for your sponsor
▪ Meet minimum standards of English language proficiency
c) Subsequent Entrant
This visa is for family members of the holder of Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa subclass 494. If they wish to join the primary visa holder in Australia and apply separately, this visa is granted. You can live, work and study only in the designated regional areas for up to 5 years. The visa also lets you travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years.
To learn more about the Subsequent Entrant of the 494 Visa, please visit; immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-employer-sponsored-regional-494/subsequent-entrant
Eligibility
▪ Be a member of the family unit of a primary Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa holder
Employer and Job Offer requirements
- Employer must be located in a designated regional Australia, everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Regional areas include Perth, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Lake Macquarie, Illawarra, Geelong, Newcastle, Wollongong, Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra.
- The position must be on the list of eligible occupations
- The position must be full time and likely be available for 5 years
- The employer will need approval from the Regional Certifying Body
- The employer must pay the Australian Market Salary Rate