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Subclass 494

The Subclass 494 visa, known as the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, is an Australian visa that allows skilled workers to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia. This visa is part of Australia’s regional migration program, designed to encourage skilled workers to settle in regional areas where their skills are in demand.

Eligibility Requirements:

The applicant must be nominated by an approved Australian employer in a designated regional area.

The applicant must have the required skills, qualifications, and work experience for the nominated occupation.

Generally, applicants must be under 45 years of age at the time of application, with some exemptions available.

The applicant must meet the required level of English language proficiency.

The applicant must meet health and character requirements.

The applicant must live, work, and study in a designated regional area of Australia while holding this visa.

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Key Features:

• Regional Focus: The visa is specifically for skilled workers who are sponsored by an employer in a designated regional area of Australia. Regional areas are those outside the major cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

• Provisional Visa: The Subclass 494 visa is a provisional visa, which means it is a temporary visa with a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) after meeting certain requirements.

Streams:

• Employer Sponsored Stream: : 

    • For applicants who have a job offer from a regional employer in a designated area.
    • The employer must be approved as a sponsor and nominate the applicant for a position that is on the relevant skilled occupation list.

• Labour Agreement Stream: : 

    • For applicants who are nominated by an employer under a labor agreement with the Australian government.
    • The specific terms and conditions depend on the agreement, which addresses identified labor shortages in certain industries or regions.

• Family Members : In some cases, you can include family members in your visa application.

Visa Duration:

• The Subclass 494 visa is granted for up to 5 years.

Pathway to Permanent Residency:

• After holding the Subclass 494 visa for at least 3 years and meeting certain income and residency requirements, the visa holder may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.

Benefits:

• Work and Live in Regional Australia: The visa allows skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia, contributing to the local economy.

• Pathway to Permanent Residency: The visa offers a clear pathway to permanent residency after meeting the necessary criteria.

• Include Family Members: The visa holder can include eligible family members in their application.

The Subclass 494 visa is part of Australia’s efforts to promote regional migration, ensuring that skilled workers are available in areas where they are most needed, while offering a pathway to permanent residency for those who commit to living and working in regional Australia.