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What Is Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored (Regional) Visa?
Prior to November 16, 2019, there was 187 (RSMS) visa which was replaced by 494 Visa. The subclass 494 visa enables regional employers Located in regional areas to address identified labour shortages within their region by employing and sponsoring skilled worker. To be eligible for this visa, a worker must be skilled in an occupation on the Regional Occupation List and be nominated by an employer in a designated regional area.
Regional areas: Perth, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Lake Macquarie, Illawarra, Geelong, Newcastle, Wollongong, Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra.
To be eligible for this visa, a worker must be skilled in an occupation on the Regional Occupation List and be nominated by an employer in a designated regional area.
If you are an Australian Business or an overseas business planning to establish a branch in Australia and looking to hire foreign workforce we can help you with the sponsorship/nomination and their visa process.
What can I do with the 494 visa:?
- live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years
- After 3 years of living and working in a regional area on 494 visa may be eligible to apply for PR (191 visa)
- travel to and from Australia for 5 years
- Can move between jobs but will have 90 days to find a new nominator
- Cannot apply for any other skilled PR or 820 partner visa for 3 years
- Eligible for Medicare on 494 visa
Can I get the subclass 494 visa?
494 visa requirements:
- Age under 45 at time of application (exemptions apply)
- Competent English at time of application
- You must have been employed in the nominated occupation for at least 3 years on a full-time basis and at the skill level required for the nominated occupation. Generally, you should have gained your experience within the last 5 years. The period does not need to be continuous. Equivalent part-time work may be considered. DHA does not consider casual work.
- If in Australia, hold a substantive or Bridging Visa A, B or C
- Successful skills assessment at time of application
Competent English
Specified test results
| Test | Required score* |
|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) | At least 6 for each of the 4 components |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) | At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | At least 50 for each of the 4 components |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | At least B for each of the 4 components |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test | At least 169 in each of the 4 components |
When to provide proof
When you must have taken your test and how long the test result is valid
| Subclass | Applicant | When to provide | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) | Main/primary | By time of application | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
| Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) – Temporary Residence Transition Stream | Main/primary | By time of application | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
| Business Innovation and Investment (provisional) subclass 188) (Entrepreneur stream) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189)(Points tested stream) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Regional (provisional) (subclass 489)(first provisional stream) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Work Regional (provisional) (subclass 491) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) | Main/Primary | By time of application | The test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
For the subclasses 189, 190, 489 and 491 if you are claiming partner points then your partner must also have Competent English at time of invitation.
* Any changes to the scores will only be made after careful consideration. Where scores change, a warning notice will be put on this website with information on how it may impact you.