Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa subclass 494

This visa enables regional employers to sponsor skilled workers in their regions where they can’t find skilled Australian workers. This visa replaced the 187 RSMS visa. This visa is temporary visa and is valid for five years upon grant. Visa holders must live, work and study in a Designated regional areas.

Visa applicant must be nominated by an employer in Designated regional areas. Application for subclass 494 visa is a 3 step process which are

1. Sponsorship
2. Nomination
3. Visa Application

To apply for subclass 494 visa you must :

• Be nominated by an approved work sponsor in a Designated Regional areas
• Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
• Hold a relevant skill assessment from relevant skill assessing authority
• Be under 45 years of age
• Have at least 3 years of full time work experience in the nominated occupation
• Meet minimum standards of English Language Proficiency
• Meet health and character requirements

There are two streams under which you can apply for subclass 494 visa :

1. Direct Entry Scheme
2. Labour Agreement Stream

1. Direct Entry Stream:

To apply for Direct Entry Stream you must :

• Be nominated by an approved work sponsor
• Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
• Hold a relevant skill assessment from relevant skill assessing authority
• Be under 45 years of age unless exempt
• Have at least 3 years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation
• Have competent English
• Meet health and character requirements
• Work only for your sponsor or associated entity unless exempt

2. Labour Agreement Stream:

You can apply for subclass 494 under Labour Agreement Stream if :

• you are nominated by your employer to work in a specific occupation in accordance with Labour Agreement
• Have at least 3 years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation unless exempt the labour agreement states otherwise
• you must hold license, registration or professional membership if required for the occupation
• you are under 45 years of age unless exempt the labour agreement states otherwise
• Meet minimum standards of English Language proficiency stated in Labour agreement
• you meet the health and character requirement

Pathway to Permanent Residency

Subclass 494 visa provides a pathway to permanent residency through Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) subclass 191 visa.

You can apply for a permanent resident visa subclass 191 if you

• Have worked in the designated regional area for at least 3 years
• Provide 3 years of tax assessment from Australian Taxation Office (ATO)