Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional - Provisional - (Subclass 494)

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) allows skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. This visa is designed to address labor shortages in regional Australia by enabling employers to sponsor skilled workers in occupations where they cannot find suitable Australian workers.

Key Features:

• Duration: The visa is valid for up to 5 years, allowing the holder to live, work, and study in a regional area of Australia.
• Pathway to Permanent Residency: Visa holders may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191) after meeting certain requirements.
• Work Rights: Visa holders must work only for the sponsoring employer or an associated entity unless granted an exemption.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Nomination by an Approved Sponsor: You must be nominated by an approved Australian employer for a position in a regional area. The occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list.
• Skills Assessment: You must have a suitable skills assessment for the nominated occupation, conducted by a relevant assessing authority.
• Work Experience: You must have at least 3 years of full-time work experience in your nominated occupation.
• Age: You must be under 45 years of age at the time of application, with some exemptions available.
• English Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate a competent level of English, typically through an approved English language test.
• Health and Character Requirements: All applicants must meet the health and character requirements set by the Australian Government.

Application Process:

1. Employer SBS: Your employer lodge a Standard Business Sponsorship application with the Department of Home Affairs.
2. Employer Nomination: Your employer must lodge a nomination application with the Department of Home Affairs.
3. Visa Application: Once the nomination is approved, you can apply for the Subclass 494 visa. This involves providing evidence of your skills, qualifications, and experience, as well as meeting health and character requirements.
4. Processing Time: Visa processing times vary, but it generally takes several months. Ensure all documents are complete to avoid delays.

Benefits of the 494 Visa:

• Live in Regional Australia: This visa offers the opportunity to live and work in regional areas, which can provide a better quality of life and a more relaxed lifestyle compared to major cities.
• Pathway to Permanent Residency: After three years of living and working in regional Australia, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.
• Family Included: You can include immediate family members in your application, and they will have the same rights as you to live, work, and study in regional Australia.

Regional Areas:

Designated regional areas include all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Regional Australia offers a range of opportunities in industries such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and more.

Why Choose Us for Your 494 Visa Application?

• Expert Guidance: Our team of experienced migration agents will guide you through every step of the process, from assessing your eligibility to submitting your visa application.
• Personalized Service: We provide tailored advice and support to ensure your application is as strong as possible, maximizing your chances of success.
• Comprehensive Support: From employer nomination to skills assessment and visa lodgment, we handle all aspects of your 494 visa application, so you can focus on your new life in Australia.

Costs

Visa Application Fees

EMPLOYER'S APPLICATIONS

• Step 1: Nomination Application: $NIL+ SAF Levy ($3000)

EMPLOYEE'S APPLICATION (Employer Sponsored Stream or LA Stream)

• Step 2: SC 494 Visa application:

• • Primary Applicant: AUD 4770
  • Additional Adult Applicant (>=18 Age): AUD 2385
  • Additional Child Applicant (<18 Age): AUD 1190

Source:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/fees-and-charges/current-visa-pricing

Document Checklist for Employers

1. Nomination Application

• Proof of Business Registration:
  • Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • Australian Company Number (ACN)
  • Business Name Registration Certificate
• Company Financial Documents:
• • Recent Business Activity Statements (BAS)
  • Annual financial reports - last 2 yrs (Profit and Loss Statement, Balance Sheet)
  • Tax Return Documents - last 2 yrs
• Business Structure Documents:
  • Organisational chart
• • Trust Deed (if applicable)
  • Franchisee Agreement (if applicable)
• Previous Sponsorship Obligations (if applicable):
  • Records of compliance with previous sponsorship obligations
• Business Plan (For new business only)
• Job Description:
  • Detailed position description including duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required
• Salary Details:
  • Proposed salary, ensuring it meets the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)
• Market Salary Research Report
• • Evidence that the salary is in line with Australian market rates (e.g., salary surveys, enterprise agreements)
• Position Details:
  • Employment contract
  • Terms and conditions of employment
• Genuine Position Statement:
  • A statement explaining why the position is genuine and necessary for the business operations
• Labour Market Testing (LMT):
• Evidence of recruitment efforts (e.g., job advertisements, recruitment agency reports)
• Labor market testing results (if required)
• Statement outlining the need for the position and why an Australian worker cannot fill it
• Business Operations Evidence:
  • Documentation proving that the position aligns with the business activities (e.g., business plans, project details)

3. Labour Agreement Stream (if applicable)

• Labour Agreement Documentation:
  • Copy of the Labour Agreement with the Australian Government
  • Evidence supporting the terms of the agreement (e.g., industry-specific needs, shortages)

Document Checklist for Employees (Visa Applicants)

1. Personal Identification

• Passport:
  • Certified copy of passport bio-data page
• Photographs:
  • Recent passport-sized photographs meeting visa photo requirements
• Birth Certificate:
  • Certified copy of birth certificate (with translations if not in English)

2. Qualifications and Skills

• Academic Qualifications:
  • Copies of degrees, diplomas, and certificates relevant to the nominated occupation
  • Marksheet or Transcripts of records (with translations if not in English)
• Work Experience Evidence:
  • Detailed CV/Resume
  • Reference letters from previous employers outlining job duties, duration of employment, and skills acquired
  • Bank Statements, Payslips, Income tax records, or other evidence of employment
• Skills Assessment (if required):
  • Positive skills assessment outcome from the relevant assessing authority for the nominated occupation

3. English Language Proficiency

• English Test Results:
  • IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or other approved English language test results meeting the required scores
  • Exemption documentation (if applicable)

4. Health and Character

• Health Examination:
  • Health examination results, including medical and radiological reports (as required by the Department of Home Affairs)
• Health Insurance:
  • Evidence of adequate health insurance covering the applicant and any accompanying family members for the duration of the visa
• Character Documents:
  • Police clearance certificates from all countries where the applicant has lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years
  • Form 80 or Form 1221 (Personal particulars for character assessment, if requested)

5. Family Members (if applicable)

• Marriage Certificate:
  • Certified copy of marriage certificate (with translations if not in English)
• Partner’s Documents:
  • Partner’s passport, birth certificate, and police clearance certificates
  • Evidence of relationship (e.g., joint bank accounts, utility bills)
  • Digital Photo
• Children’s Documents:
  • Birth certificates for all dependent children
  • School enrolment certificates (if school-age children are included in the application)
  • Digital Photo

6. Visa Application Specifics

• Signed Employment Contract:
  • Copy of the signed employment contract with the sponsoring employer
• Nomination Approval Letter:
  • Copy of the nomination approval letter from the Department of Home Affairs

Important Notes

• Translations: All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
• Certification: Ensure that all copies of documents are certified by an authorized person.
• Completeness: Incomplete applications may result in delays or visa refusal. Double-check all documents against this checklist before submission

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