Who needs this visa?

This visa is for skilled applicants that wish to live and work in regional Australia for up to five years and does provide a permanent residency pathway. Applicants are required to have an employer in regional Australia to sponsor them.

Subclass 494 visa holders must live and work in a designated regional area of Australia for the duration of the visa (up to five years). The definition of regional Australia will be expanded and simplified to include all areas of Australia except the metropolitan areas of; Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

In order to be eligible for permanent residency (the new subclass 191 visa) the applicant must continue to live and work in regional Australia for at least three years before applying.

Subclass 494 visa holders are eligible for Medicare, which helps with the costs of seeing a doctor, getting medicines and accessing other health services. Medicare does not cover all health related expenses and limits of coverage do apply. Visa holders should understand these limitations and assess their private health insurance options before arrival. Visit Medicare for further information.

What are the application requirements?

Employer nomination requirements:

• willing to sponsor you for an occupation that is available on this list 

• position is required for at least 5 years and is located in regional Australia

• undertake labour market testing by publicly advertising the vacancy and was unable to be filled by an Australian citizen or permanent resident

• pay the Skilling Australia Fund levy for each nominated employee of $3000 for a business with less than $10 million turnover, or $5000 with a higher turnover

• pay a minimum annual salary of $70,000 (known as the TSMIT - Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold)

• salary and conditions must be commensurate with what an Australian citizen or permanent resident would receive for the same position

• gain Regional Certifying Body certification

Visa applicant requirements:

• under 45 at the time of application

• have three years of full-time paid work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field prior to application

• obtained a positive skills assessment

• have at least competent English - e.g. IELTS 6.0 for all bands or equivalent

• meet all health and character requirements

What is the application process?

Details are yet to be published, but the application process is expected to be similar to that for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Permanent) subclass 187 visa.

How can Work Visa Lawyers help?

Work Visa Lawyers is highly experienced in all parts of the employer-sponsored visa application process.

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.