Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) Visa

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) Visa

The Subclass 494 enables regional employers to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian workers.

This visa is a provisional visa which requires holders to live, work and study in a regional area of Australia for a period of 5 years. It is possible to include family members in your application. Once certain residence requirements have been met, holders can apply for a permanent visa.

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There are 3 stages:

1. Sponsorship
A business must become an approved Standard Business Sponsor and provide evidence that it is actively and lawfully operating and has the financial capacity to meets its sponsorship obligations. It is not possible for an overseas business to sponsor a person for the subclass 494 visa.

2. Nomination
Employers must nominate a position located in regional Australia and meet the following requirements:

• Ensure the applicant is paid a market salary rate
• The nominated occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list
• The role is available for at least 5 years
• Labour Market Testing has been undertaken

The RCB have certified the market salary rate

A Skilling Australia fund levy is also payable for each nomination.

3. Visa Application
The nominated applicant would then need to apply for a visa to fill the nominated position. This would involve providing evidence that:

• Applicant is aged under 45
• Competent English
• Have a positive skills assessment in the nominated occupation
• Have at least 3 years of relevant work experience
• Meet health and character requirements

It is possible to apply for a permanent subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after living and working in a regional area for at least 3 years.

Basic Eligibility
You must:

• be nominated by an approved work sponsor
• have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
• have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
• be under 45 years of age
• meet minimum standards of English language proficiency

Heenan & Browne Visa and Migration Services can advise employers and visa applicants on the requirements of Employer Sponsored visas. We can assist with the visa process from start to finish. To arrange a consultation with one of our Registered Migration Agents, please call our office on 0490 324416 or send us an email at info@heenanbrownemigration.com.