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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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Get Help Applying for Subclass 494 Visa: Step-by-Step Guidance with Proven Results

The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa is a temporary Australian visa that enables skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas. If you are looking to build a future in Australia through a pathway to permanent residency, the 494 visa may be the right choice for you. At Sydney Visa, we offer expert legal guidance and complete assistance throughout your visa journey, ensuring you meet all requirements and avoid common mistakes that lead to refusals.

Subclass 494 Visa Requirements and Conditions: Be Fully Prepared for a Successful Application

To apply for the Subclass 494 visa, applicants must satisfy several conditions and eligibility requirements. These include:

  • Nomination by an approved sponsor – You must have a job offer from a regional employer approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
  • Occupation on the relevant skilled list – Your nominated occupation must appear on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL).
  • Skills assessment and qualifications – You must hold the necessary qualifications and a positive skills assessment from a recognized assessing authority.
  • Age limit and English proficiency – Applicants must generally be under 45 years of age and demonstrate competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent in each band).
  • Health and character requirements – All applicants must pass medical examinations and police checks.

Visa Conditions:

Holders of the subclass 494 visa must live, work, and study in regional Australia. They cannot apply for certain other visas unless they have held the 494 for at least three years. Employers also have obligations, including offering full-time positions and meeting salary benchmarks.

At Sydney Visa, we ensure that both employers and applicants meet every legal requirement, minimizing the risk of visa refusal.

Subclass 494 Streams and Nominations: Choose the Right Employer-Sponsored Pathway

There are two main streams under the Subclass 494 visa:

  • Employer Sponsored stream – For skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer in a regional area.
  • Labour Agreement stream – For workers nominated under a labour agreement between an employer and the Australian government.

Each stream has its own set of conditions. Choosing the correct stream is crucial, especially if you are considering transitioning to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa later.

Employers must conduct labour market testing (LMT) to prove that no suitable Australian worker is available for the role. Sydney Visa helps regional businesses navigate this complex process and ensures the nomination is lodged correctly.

Subclass 494 Visa Cost, Processing Time & Extension: Clear Pricing and Timelines Explained

Understanding the financial and time commitments is important for effective planning.

  • Visa Cost:
  • Main applicant: approximately AUD $4,640
  • Additional applicants (partner and children): extra charges apply depending on age and number
  • Processing Time:
  • Varies between 6 to 15 months based on individual circumstances and completeness of documentation.
  • Extensions:
  • While the 494 visa cannot be extended per se, holders can apply for a new 494 visa under a new nomination or transition to the permanent Subclass 191 visa after meeting conditions.

Sydney Visa assists clients in tracking visa timelines, submitting thorough documentation, and reducing delays due to administrative errors.

Pathway to Permanent Residency via Subclass 494: Make the Move to PR in Australia

One of the key advantages of the subclass 494 visa is that it offers a clear pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa. Here’s how it works:

  • You must hold the 494 visa for at least 3 years before becoming eligible to apply for the 191 visa. • Meet income thresholds for each of the three years (currently AUD $53,900). • Continue to live and work in a designated regional area.

Sydney Visa provides ongoing legal support even after your initial visa is granted, helping you stay on track with permanent residency requirements and ensuring all deadlines are met.

Family, Refusals & Agent Support: Full Assistance for Subclass 494 Visa Holders

Subclass 494 visa holders can include family members in their application or sponsor them later. This includes:

  • Partners and spouses – Must be in a genuine relationship with the primary applicant. • Dependent children – Can be included depending on their age and financial dependency.

Common reasons for visa refusal include:

  • Incomplete documentation • Unmet health or character requirements • Inadequate evidence of labour market testing • Incorrect stream selection or mismatched occupation

That’s why it’s crucial to work with a registered migration agent with legal expertise in Australian immigration law. At Sydney Visa, our specialists analyze every case individually, identifying risks early and creating strong application files that meet all Department standards.

Need Help Now?

We understand how important this opportunity is for you and your family. Whether you’re an employer seeking to sponsor a skilled worker or an applicant looking to move to regional Australia, our team is ready to help you from the first consultation to visa grant.

Visit our homepage: https://sydneyvisas.com/ for more information about all our services.

Order your subclass 494 visa support package today and get a free eligibility assessment from our expert migration team!