Skilled Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 494)
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 494) is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in regional areas of Australia. This visa is designed for workers who have been sponsored by an Australian employer in a designated regional area to fill positions where there is a shortage of skilled labor. The Subclass 494 visa provides an opportunity for workers to gain valuable work experience in regional Australia and potentially transition to permanent residency after a few years.
Key Eligibility Requirements for Subclass 494 Visa
Employer Sponsorship
You must be sponsored by an eligible Australian employer. The employer must offer a full-time position in a regional area and have an established business.
Occupation in Demand
Your nominated occupation must be listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for this visa. The occupation must be in demand in regional Australia.
Skills and Qualifications
You must have the necessary skills and qualifications required for the nominated occupation. A positive skills assessment may be required for certain occupations.
Work Experience
You must have at least 3 years of relevant work experience in the occupation you are nominated for.
Age Limit
Applicants must be under 45 years old at the time of application, unless an exemption applies.
English Language Proficiency
You must demonstrate competent English language skills. Typically, this means achieving at least a score of 6.0 in each band of the IELTS test or an equivalent.
Health and Character Requirements
You and any family members included in the application must meet health and character requirements, including medical examinations and police checks.
Regional Work Requirement
Labor Market Testing
Employers may need to prove they have tested the labor market by demonstrating they couldn’t find an Australian worker to fill the role.
Key Highlights of the Subclass 494 Visa
This visa invites workers with skills Australia need live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.One should submit Expression of Interest(EOI) first and Australian immigration issue invitation according to their skill requirements.
- Work and Live in Regional Australia: This visa allows you to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia for up to 5 years.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: After holding the Subclass 494 visa for 3 years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 191).
- Include Your Family: You can bring your eligible family members to live and work in Australia as part of your application.
- Full-Time Employment: You are required to work in a full-time position that is consistent with your skills and qualifications, and your employer must pay you according to market rates.
- Travel Flexibility: You can travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid, allowing for more freedom during your stay.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 494) is a great opportunity for skilled workers to contribute to regional areas of Australia, gain valuable work experience, and have a clear pathway to permanent residency. If this visa sounds like the right fit for you, seeking professional advice from a migration expert will help streamline the application process.