494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa

494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa is a regional employer-sponsored visa similar to the previous 187 visa. It is designed for skilled professionals who wish to live in remote areas of Australia and work for a sponsoring employer. When applying for this visa, applicants need to have sufficient work experience and obtain sponsorship from their employer. After obtaining this visa, applicants must live and work in the designated regional area for a minimum of 3 years before they can apply for permanent residency (191 visa).

The 494 visa is divided into two main categories: Employer Sponsored and Labour Agreement. The Employer Sponsored category requires the applicant’s employer to provide sponsorship, while the Labour Agreement category is applicable to applicants who have signed a labor agreement with the Australian government.

The latest definition of “regional area” refers to any area in Australia except for Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. “Skilled professionals” refer to individuals whose occupations are listed on the occupation list and who meet the requirements for work experience, occupation assessment, and English proficiency.

Applicants for the 494 visa need to meet the following conditions:

• Find a suitable sponsoring employer or sign a labor agreement with the Australian government.
• The nominated occupation must be on the occupation list for regional sponsorship.
• Age below 45 years.
• IELTS score of at least 6 in each component.
• Occupation assessment for the relevant position.
• Minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience in the nominated occupation.
• Meet health and character requirements.

Requirements for employers sponsoring the 494 visa include:

• The employer must be located in a regional area.
• The nominated occupation must be on the relevant occupation list.
• The genuine need for the position must be demonstrated.
• The nominated position must be full-time and show evidence of being available for at least 5 years.
• The nominated position needs to be approved by the Regional Certifying Body (RCB).
• The minimum annual salary for the nominated position must be above AUD 70,000.
• A labor market test needs to be conducted.

To transition from the 494 visa to the 191 permanent residency visa, the following requirements must be met:

• Hold the 494 visa for a minimum of three years.
• Have a record of paying taxes during the three-year period, but there is no specific income requirement.
• Fulfill the terms and conditions of the visa, especially those related to restrictions on working, living, and studying in regional areas.

One notable advantage of the 494 visa compared to other employer-sponsored visas is that it has a larger occupation list, covering a wider range of positions.