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Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 494

Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 494

This is a provisional visa introduced in November 2019. It has been designed to replace the Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa. Subclass 494 visa will allow you to stay in Australia for a period of 5 years from when your visa is granted.

The 494 visa is a temporary visa, which entitles skilled workers to work in designated regional area of Australia for up to five years if they are sponsored by an approved Australian employer.

It is compulsory for a visa applicant to have professional skills or work experience  in an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.

494 visa holders can work in Australia in their nominated occupation and apply for permanent residency if eligible.

Free Employer Sponsored Visa Eligibility Assessment for visa applicants

494 Employer Requirements

To be eligible for nomination:

  • The employer must be located within a designated regional area of Australia (excludes employers in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne)
  • The position is on the relevant occupation list;
  • Employers who want to sponsor overseas workers must become Standard Business Sponsors. To become an approved sponsor, the organisation must be legally established and actively operating in Australia.
  • The position must be full-time, genuine and likely to be available for 5 or more years
  • Employers must pay Australian market salary rates for the nominated occupation;
  • The business must demonstrate that it has tested the local labour market by advertising the position locally;
  • Employers must also pass a non-discriminatory workforce test to guarantee they do not discriminate against Australian workers during the nomination stage and have a strong commitment to utilising local labour;
  • Employers must pay at least a minimum annual salary which is equal or greater than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), which is currently $70,000 plus Superannuation. In addition the salary must also be must also be competitive in the market for that occupation.
  • Employer should pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy. The levy payable is based on the turnover of the nominating business.

494 Visa Applicant Requirements

To be eligible for nomination:

  • Applicants must be nominated by an Australian business which meets sponsorship requirements and has been approved as a sponsor;
  • Must demonstrate the skills, qualifications and work experience necessary to perform the nominated occupation.
  • Must have a positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation;
  • Must be employed in a designated regional area;
  • Occupation must be on a relevant Skills List;
  • Must be under 45 years of age;
  • Must obtain a score of minimum overall 6 IELTS (with minimum of 6 in each of the test components) OR be a passport holder from Canada, Ireland, UK, USA or NZ;
  • Must meet the health and character requirements.

Benefits of Subclass 494 Visa:

The 494 visa is a 5 years visa. Holders can access permanent residence through the Skilled Regional (Subclass 191) pathway.

Eligibility criteria for 191 visa.

The applicant must:

  • hold an eligible visa when you apply. You must have held that visa for at least 3 years before you apply;
  • have complied with the conditions of your eligible visa when in Australia;
  • meet health and character requirements

There is no minimum income requirement. You must provide notices of assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three income years out of the five years of your eligible visa.

Applicants do not need to be nominated by an employer to make an application for the 191 visa.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS INCLUDES 3 STEPS:
  • Application to become an approved Standard Business Sponsor;
  • Application for a nomination by the employer;
  • Visa application by the nominated employee.
How Sydney Visa can assist:

The process of acquiring Standard Business Sponsorship and Nomination as well as a visa for an overseas worker is rather complex. Sydney Visa can assist you through all these complicated steps.

Our aim is to support our clients from initial assessment through to the visa grant and subsequent relocation to Australia. Therefore, Sydney Visa offers Comprehensive Employer Sponsored Visa Application package as well as Australian job search services.

Employer Sponsored Visa Application Package
Employer Search Service

494 VISA: APPLICANTS AND SPONSORS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

HOW 494 VISA LEADS YOU TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY

EMPLOYER SPONSORED VISAS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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