Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) is a visa designed to address regional skill shortages in Australia. This visa allows employers in designated regional areas to sponsor skilled workers from overseas to live and work in Australia for up to five years. The visa offers a pathway to permanent residency through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191) after meeting certain requirements.
- Work in Regional Areas: Live and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: Apply for permanent residency through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191) after meeting specific requirements.
- Family Inclusion: Include eligible family members in your visa application.
- Travel Rights: Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid.
- Access to Benefits: Access certain social security payments and services.
Streams of Subclass 494
- Employer Sponsored Stream: For skilled workers who are sponsored by an employer in a designated regional area of Australia.
- Labour Agreement Stream: For skilled workers nominated by an employer through a labour agreement that has been negotiated with the Australian government.
Eligibility Criteria
- Sponsorship: Be sponsored by an approved employer in a designated regional area.
- Occupation: Have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
- Skills Assessment: Obtain a suitable skills assessment for your occupation if required.
- Work Experience: Have at least three years of work experience in your nominated occupation.
- Age: Be under 45 years of age at the time of application (some exceptions apply).
- English Language: Demonstrate required English language proficiency.
- Health and Character: Meet health and character requirements.
- Labour Market Testing: The employer must show evidence of labor market testing to prove that they have made genuine efforts to hire an Australian worker for the role.
Disclaimer
Please note that the above-mentioned information/eligibility criteria are not comprehensive. This content is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. It should not be interpreted as such. While we strive to ensure that the information provided is current and accurate, we cannot guarantee its completeness or accuracy due to frequent changes in migration laws.
