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Useful information about the Regional employer-sponsored visa subclass 494
The regional employer-sponsored visa subclass 494 enables regional employers to address labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.
There are three different types of regional employer-sponsored visa subclass 494.
What you should know about the 494 regional employer sponsored visa
Each subtype can be best explained individually depending on what you get if you apply for a specific visa.
Employer sponsored stream
Eligibility criteria for a direct entry stream 186 visa application
- You must be under 45 years of age unless an exemption applies
- You must be nominated to work in an occupation on the relevant 494 visa occupations list
- You must have at least 3 years of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation
- You must have a relevant skills assessment unless an exemption applies
- You may work only for your sponsor or associated entity unless an exemption applies
- You must meet minimum standards of English language proficiency
The processing time for this visa takes around 4 to 7 months as the applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and the information you have provided.
You may connect with us to know more.
Labour agreement stream
This stream is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a labour agreement. This visa lets skilled workers nominated by their employer live and work in Australia in designated regional areas for five years. You are allowed to travel in and out of Australia for five years from when your visa is granted. If you are eligible, you may apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your visa is granted.
The cost of this visa is $4115 for the main applicant. For dependents under 18 years, the cost is $1030, and for those 18 years and above, the cost is $2060.
Eligibility criteria for a labour agreement entry stream 186 visa application
- You must be under 45 years of age unless the labour agreement states otherwise
- You must be nominated to work in a specified occupation under the terms of a labour agreement
- You should have at least 3 years of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation
- You must have a relevant skills assessment if this is specified in the labour agreement
- You must work only for your sponsor
- You have to meet minimum standards of English language proficiency
Subsequent entrant
This visa is for members of the family unit of a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) holder who is applying separately for their SESR visa to join the primary SESR visa holders in Australia.
This visa makes you eligible to stay in Australia for the duration of its validity. You may live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years. You may travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years from when the visa is granted.
Eligibility criteria for a temporary residence transition stream 186 visa application
- You must be under 45 years of age
- To apply for this visa, you must be a member of the family unit of a primary SESR visa holder
- The work sponsor (employer) in relation to the primary SESR visa holder, or main applicant for a SESR visa, must agree (or have agreed) in writing to include you as a family member in the nomination.
- You have to meet minimum standards of English language proficiency. If you are unable to show that you have Functional English, you will need to pay the second instalment.
- You must meet health and character requirements.
The processing time for this visa is based on the applications assessed on a case-by-case basis and the information you have provided.
Contact us today to know more about the regional employer-sponsored visa – subclass 494.