Sponsored Regional 494

Employer Sponsored stream

Employer Sponsored stream

Employer Sponsored stream

have an occupation on the Occupation List for Subclass 494 Visa
have 3 years of work experience in the nominated occupation;

Labour Agreement stream

Employer Sponsored stream

Employer Sponsored stream

standard visa programs are not available, for example, because of an applicant’s low English proficiency
employer must first negotiate a labour agreement with Commonwealth/state government
terms and conditions of the labour agreement are flexible and negotiable, allowing for concessions and lower visa requirements

Eligibility (Employer)

Eligibility (Applicant)

Eligibility (Applicant)

Be located in a designated regional area, which is defined as anywhere except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane

Be a lawfully operating business with no adverse information unless exempt

Obtain approval from Regional Certifying Body (RCB)

Demonstrate a genuine need for a full-time position which is like to exist for at least 5 years

Establish the position cannot be filled by an Australian citizen or permanent resident through Labour Market Testing (the position must be advertised strictly in accordance with migration law)
Become a standard business sponsor

Pay the nominee (applicant) at least annual market salary rate (AMSR) which must not be lower than $70,000 + superannuation

Ensure the employment conditions that will apply to the nominee are not less favourable than those that apply/would apply to an Australian worker performing equivalent work at the same location.

Pay Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy

Eligibility (Applicant)

Eligibility (Applicant)

Eligibility (Applicant)

The nominated occupation is on Occupation List for Subclass 494 Visa

Aged under 45 unless exempt

Have competent English (please note certain occupations, such as Accountant, are required to have a higher level of English proficiency)

Obtain a positive skills assessment unless exempt

Have at least 3 years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in the nominated occupation (pleae note higher experience, such as 12 months of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in the nominated occupation in the last 3 years, is required for certain occupations by skills assessing authorities)

have relevant qualification and registration/licence (if applicable)

Meet health and character requirements

Benefits and Pathway to PR

Lower cost to the employer: there is only one SAF levy for the Subclass 494 nomination whereas there will be two for permanent residence pathway from Subclass 482 visa through to Subclass 186 visa.

As the holder of this visa, you may:

migrate to Australia together with your family
apply for permanent residency in as soon as 3 years through Subclass 191 visa if eligible without having to be sponsored again
stay in Australia for 5 years
potentially bring your extended family members to Australia permanently on parent visa or visa intended for other relatives
travel overseas and back to Australia without any limitations for any purposes (e.g. overseas holiday, visiting family and/or attending family matters in home country)
access Australia’s public health care scheme (Medicare) which essentially provides free medical consultations, operations and hospitalization for a wide range of medical conditions
work in Australia full-time
study in Australia without any limitations
attend free English language course provided by Australian government