Online
Today

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)

If you aspire to secure a prestigious job position in Australia and possess the relevant skills and qualifications, the 494 Visa Australia, commonly known as the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa, provides an excellent opportunity to fulfill your dreams. This Visa allows you to work and live in Australia for 5 years, enabling employers to recruit highly qualified workers from overseas to fill specific positions in regional Australia. 

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)

The Subclass 494 Visa comprises three streams, each with its eligibility criteria, application process, and advantages. Meeting these requirements could lead to Australian Citizenship, making the Subclass 186 Visa an ideal pathway to a promising future. As a temporary visa, the 494 Visa can also serve as a stepping stone to Australian Permanent Residency if you work for three years and meet the eligibility criteria.

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Class PE) (Subclass 494) visa is a temporary employer-sponsored visa designed to facilitate the nomination of highly skilled professionals by businesses operating in Regional Australia. This provisional Visa aims to support and encourage skilled migration to regional areas, contributing to these regions’ economic development and growth.

What is Subclass 494 Visa Australia?

The Subclass 494 Visa Australia is a work visa that allows individuals to study, work, or reside in Australia for five years. This sponsored work visa is designed for overseas employees, enabling Australian employers to support skilled workers to address labor shortages in specific regions. The 494 visa aims to foster economic development in designated regional areas of Australia. To be eligible for the Subclass 494 Visa, individuals must meet specific criteria, including being nominated by an eligible employer with a legitimate business in Australia and possessing the required skills and experience for the selected position.

The Visa has three streams: Employer-Sponsored Stream, 494 Labour Agreement Stream, and Subsequent Entrant Stream. Applicants can choose the stream that aligns with their circumstances and their employer’s agreements with the Australian Government. While the Subclass 494 Visa is initially a temporary residence visa, individuals can qualify for permanent residency in Australia after three years by meeting specific criteria outlined by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Family members can also be included in the visa application, allowing them to enjoy the same benefits.

Streams for Visa 494 Australia

There are three streams for the 494 visa Australia, each catering to specific circumstances and employer agreements:

Employer-Sponsored Stream:

  • Overview: This stream allows employers in designated regional areas to sponsor skilled workers for positions Australian workers cannot fill.
  • Visa Duration: The Visa is granted for up to five years, providing a pathway to permanent residency in Australia after three years.
  • Nominated Jobs: Employers may nominate individuals for any job as long as it is on the Skilled Occupation List.
  • Processing Time:
    • 25% of applications: 57 Days
    • 50% of applications: 6 Months
    • 75% of applications: 10 Months
    • 90% of applications: 12 Months
  • Cost: This stream costs AUD4,640.00, according to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Australia.

494 Labour Agreement Stream:

  • Overview: This stream is for skilled workers sponsored by an employer through a labor agreement negotiated between the Australian Government and the employer.
  • Visa Duration: The visa period is up to five years, offering a pathway to permanent residency after three years of working in a designated regional area.
  • Occupations: Employers can access a broader range of occupations than those available through the Employer-Sponsored Stream.
  • Processing Time:
    • 25% of applications: 32 Days
    • 50% of applications: 50 Days
    • 75% of applications: 4 Months
    • 90% of applications: 9 Months
  • Cost: This stream costs AUD4,640.00, as per the DHA Australia.

Which stream of a Subclass 494 suits you?

The subclass 494 visa includes 2 streams:

Employer Sponsored stream:

This is for workers whose jobs are specified on the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) Visa (subclass 494).

Labour Agreement stream: 

For skilled individuals nominated by Australian firms with labor agreements.

Advantage of a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Provisional)

  • Residency: To live in Australia for 5 Years.
  • Study and Work: You can get a special visa if you want to learn and work in specific areas of Australia. You can also join a free program to learn English called the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).
  • Health Care: Utilize Medicare, Australia’s comprehensive health insurance program.
  • Multiple entries: To travel in and outside Australia within the visa validity.
  • Family members: Allow your eligible family members to apply for the Visa together.
  • Permanent residency: Submit a Subclass 191 visa application after holding a Subclass 494 visa for 3 years and fulfilling additional requirements (refer to Visa Subclass 191 for detailed information).

The Subclass 494 visa marks the initial step in the regional skilled visa pathway, paving the way for permanent residency in Australia. It is crucial to be thoroughly prepared to fulfill the 494 visa requirements and navigate the subsequent Permanent Residency (PR) visa process. For detailed information, contact VEM.

The requirements of a subclass 494

For Employers:

  1. Must be nominated by an approved sponsor operating lawfully in Australia.
  2. Employment should be in the nominated occupation within the sponsoring business or an associated entity in a designated regional area of Australia.
  3. Before applying for the Visa, your employer must submit a nomination application on your behalf. This requires them to be an approved work sponsor or have initiated the process to become a standard business sponsor.

For the Applicants (Sponsored Worker)

It seems like you’ve provided criteria for a visa application to Australia. Here’s a summary of the key requirements:

  1. Sponsorship: You need to be sponsored by an eligible Australian employer.
  2. Age Limit: Applicants must be between 18 and 44 years of age.
  3. Work Experience: A minimum of 3 years of work experience is required for the nominated occupation.
  4. Skills Assessment: You must pass the skills assessment if it is a requirement for your nominated occupation.
  5. English Language Proficiency: Competent English is a must. Details about English language requirements will be provided separately.
  6. Health and Character: You need to meet the health and character requirements.
  7. Police Checks: No criminal record, no debt to the Australian government, and no history of visa refusal or cancellation.
  8. Application Location: You can lodge your visa application from either inside or outside Australia.

It’s important to note that the specific details for English language proficiency and other requirements may vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. Make sure to refer to the official guidelines or consult with the relevant immigration authorities for the most accurate

English Proficiency

As mentioned earlier, proficiency in the English language is a mandatory requirement for Subclass 494 visa applicants. You must possess one of the following certificates:

  • IELTS: At least 6.0 in each of the 4 parts.
  • TOEFL iBT:
    • Listening: At least 12 points.
    • Reading: At least 13 points.
    • Writing: At least 21 points.
    • Speaking: At least 18 points.
  • PTE Academic: At least 50 for each of the four components.
  • OET: At least a score of B in each part.
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced test: At least a score of 169 in total.

The English test result must be obtained within 3 years before lodging the Subclass 485 visa application.

The process of applying for visa subclass 494 involves the following steps:

Step 1: Verify that both the sponsor and the applicant meet the requirements for the 494 visa.

Step 2: The sponsor initiates the process by submitting a Standard Business Sponsorship application.

Step 3: The employer puts forward a nomination for the applicant.

Step 4: The applicant gathers necessary documents and applies for Subclass 494.

Step 5: Additional documents are provided by the applicant if requested.

Step 6: Upon approval, the applicant is granted a Subclass 494 visa.

Duration and Fees:

The Subclass 494 visa is valid for a duration of five years and cannot be extended. However, applicants may be eligible to apply for permanent residence after three years, provided they meet the specified criteria.

The visa application fee for Subclass 494 is AUD4,045. Additional fees apply for each family member over the age of 18 who cannot demonstrate functional English proficiency, amounting to AUD4,890 per family member.

Family Members and Study:

Applicants can include their family members in the visa application. If, for any reason, a partner or children cannot apply simultaneously, applicants must provide reasons for the delay. Family members can also join later by applying for a subsequent entrant visa under Subclass 494.

While holding a Subclass 494 visa, individuals are permitted to study, but the study must be undertaken in specific regional areas of Australia.

Work and Regional Areas:

Under the Subclass 494 visa, individuals are authorized to work only in regional Australia, which encompasses all of Australia except for major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Pathway to Permanent Residence:

After residing in Australia under the Subclass 494 visa for three years, individuals may be eligible to apply for permanent residence. However, if the 494 visa was held for less than three years, applicants are not eligible for certain other visas, including those under subclasses 132, 186, 188, 189, 190, 858, and the Partner visa (subclass 820).

Visa Conditions:

Upon receiving the visa, individuals must commence working within 90 days of the visa grant or entry into Australia (if applied for outside the country). Employment is restricted to the nominated employer, and work must be carried out exclusively in regional Australia. Both the visa holder and their family members are obligated to adhere to Australian laws and regulations during their stay in the country under the Subclass 494 visa.

Conclusion

The Subclass 494 Visa, also known as the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, offers a pathway for skilled workers to live and work in Australia for up to five years. With the opportunity for employers in designated regional areas to sponsor overseas professionals, this visa contributes to addressing labor shortages and fostering economic development. The three visa streams provide flexibility, and successful applicants can explore further options, including permanent residency.

FAQs

1. What is the purpose of the Subclass 494 Visa?

The Subclass 494 Visa aims to address skill shortages in regional Australia by allowing employers to sponsor skilled workers for specific positions. It encourages economic growth in designated regional areas.

2. How long is the Subclass 494 Visa valid?

The visa is valid for five years, and while it cannot be extended, applicants may be eligible to apply for permanent residency after three years.

3. Can family members be included in the Subclass 494 Visa application?

Yes, family members can be included in the visa application. If they cannot apply simultaneously, they can join later through a subsequent entrant visa.

4. What are the work and study options under the Subclass 494 Visa?

Holders can work only in regional Australia, excluding major cities. Study is allowed, but it must be undertaken in specific regional areas.

5. What are the English language proficiency requirements for Subclass 494 Visa?

Applicants need to demonstrate competency in English through recognized tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, OET, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The test result must be within three years of lodging the visa application.