494 (Regional Employer Sponsored) Visa

The Subclass 494 Visa consists of three streams:

• Employer Sponsored Stream
• Labour Agreement Stream
• Subsequent Entrant

Employer Sponsored Stream (Subclass 494)

Features:

• Live, work, and study only in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years
• Travel to and from Australia multiple times while the visa is valid
• Apply for permanent residence after 3 years, if eligible

Eligibility:

• Be under 45 years of age
• Have a positive skills assessment
• Have competent English
• Be nominated by an approved sponsor
• Have the required skills, qualifications, and work experience necessary for the nominated occupation

Labour Agreement Stream (Subclass 494): This visa is for skilled workers that are nominated by employers who have a labour agreement. Labor agreements are usually developed between the Australian government and employers.

Features:

• Live, work, and study for 5 years in designated regions of Australia only
• Travel to and from Australia multiple times when the visa is valid
• Apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time of visa grant, if eligible

Eligibility:

• Be subject to a labour agreement between the Commonwealth and the nominator
• Be under 45 years of age when applying
• Have a level of English as specified in the labour agreement
• Have a positive skills assessment
• Have the required skills, qualifications, and work experience necessary for the nominated occupation

Subsequent Entrant (Subclass 494): This visa stream is for members of the family unit of a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) holder who are applying for their SESR visa separately and wish to join the primary SESR visa holder in Australia.

Features:

• Stay in Australia while the visa is valid
• Live, work, and study only in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years
• Travel to and from Australia as many times as you wish while the visa is valid

Eligibility:

• Have a family member or a main applicant who is a SESR visa holder to be able to lodge the Subsequent Entrant visa.
• Be nominated by the primary SESR visa holder’s work sponsor
• Have functional English
• Not have had a previous visa cancelled or refused