5-Year Australia Work Visa With Family – Subclass 494 Visa

Imagine making a change in your job that changes everything about your life. Imagine getting a skilled job in Australia, which is known for its strong economy, beautiful scenery, and easygoing way of life. Imagine that this chance comes with a way to become a legal resident, so you can build a life in this amazing country.

This is what the Subclass 494 Visa promises. It is a one-of-a-kind scheme that helps skilled professionals like you find good jobs in regional Australia. It’s not just a work visa; it’s a chance to advance your job, see more of the world, and start a new adventure.

Why the 494 Visa is a Game-Changer?

This is a short-term visa called the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) that lets skilled workers live and work in certain regional parts of Australia. After three years, it gives people a way to become permanent residents. There are three main ways that the visa works:

• Employer-Sponsored Stream: For skilled workers in regional Australia who have been recommended by a valid company. The person with the visa must meet certain standards for skills, qualifications, and English language skills.
• Labour Agreement Stream: For skilled workers chosen by companies who have a deal with the Australian government. Through negotiations, this stream makes up for certain worker shortages.
• Subsequent Entrant: For family members of people who already have a 494 visa who want to come to Australia with them. Members of the family must meet standards for health and behavior.

This subclass (494) regional work visa for Australia lets people bring their families with them and work in regional areas for up to five years. It also gives people the chance to become permanent residents through the Subclass 191 visa.

Are you ready to jump? This article tells you everything you need to know about the 494 visa. We’ll talk about the benefits in more depth, list the requirements for eligibility, walk you through the application process, and even give you advice on how to get your company to sponsor you. Get ready to reach your full job potential and start a new, exciting chapter in the land of sunshine and chance.

What Makes the Subclass 494 Visa Unique?

The Subclass 494 visa stands out from other Australian work visas for several reasons:

• Regional Work Requirement: This visa requires you to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia, meaning Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are off-limits. However, this could also be an advantage since regional areas offer a more relaxed lifestyle with lower living costs.
• Validity of 5 Years: You can live and work in Australia for up to 5 years with a subclass 494 visa. You can go in and out of Australia as often as you want during this time.
• Pathway to Permanent Residency (PR): If you meet certain requirements and have had a 494 visa for three years, you can apply for permanent residency under the Subclass 191 Visa. This makes the 494 visa a good choice for people who want to stay in the country for a long time.
• Family Inclusion: One of the best things about Australia is that you can bring your partner and children who rely on you with you. They will have the same rights as you to live, work, and study there. Family members can also get state health care through Medicare.
• Access to Australia’s Public Healthcare (Medicare): When you get to Australia, you and your family can use Medicare, which is the country’s state healthcare system. This will lower the cost of your medical care.

Which Skilled Workers are Eligible for the 494 Work Visa?

Australia’s Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), or Regional Occupation List (ROL) must list the job you want to work in order for you to get a 494 visa. Here are the top 10 most common skilled jobs that qualify for the 494 visa, along with an estimate of how much they make a year:

• Registered Nurse – AUD 75,000 to AUD 95,000
• Software Engineer – AUD 90,000 to AUD 130,000
• Civil Engineer – AUD 80,000 to AUD 110,000
• Electrician – AUD 70,000 to AUD 90,000
• General Practitioner (Doctor) – AUD 150,000 to AUD 200,000
• Teacher (Primary and Secondary) – AUD 70,000 to AUD 100,000
• Chef – AUD 60,000 to AUD 80,000
• Mechanical Engineer – AUD 80,000 to AUD 120,000
• Construction Manager – AUD 90,000 to AUD 150,000
• Agricultural Scientist – AUD 75,000 to AUD 100,000

The Department of Home Affairs website has a full list of jobs that are qualified. Check that your job is on that list to make sure you’re covered.https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/.

Which Parts of Australia is the 494 Work Visa Issued For?

The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa is issued for regions of Australia outside the major cities. Here is how the regions are categorized for the purposes of this visa:

1. Category 1 – Major Cities:
   • Not Eligible for the 494 Visa:
     • Sydney
     • Melbourne
     • Brisbane
2. Category 2 – Cities and Major Regional Centres:
   • Eligible for the 494 Visa:
     • Perth
     • Adelaide
     • Gold Coast
     • Sunshine Coast
     • Canberra
     • Newcastle
     • Geelong
     • Hobart
3. Category 3 – Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas:
   • Eligible for the 494 Visa with Strongest Regional Incentives:
     • In Australia, this group includes most of the rural and semi-rural places. If you live and work in these places, it may help you meet the residency standards for permanent residency (PR).

The Department of Home Affairs has an official list of designated regional areas that applicants can look at to see if their area is qualified for a 494 visa. This visa invites skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia, away from the country’s big cities.

Read Also: Australian Work Visa Types – Opportunities for Foreigners Workers

Where to Find Jobs with Employer Sponsorship for Australian 494 Visa?

A very important part of getting the 494 visa is finding a company that will support you. Here are the top 10 job search sites in regional Australia that have jobs that can be sponsored by employers:

• Seek.com.au
• Indeed.com.au
• Workforceaustralia.gov.au
• CareerOne.com.au
• Jora.com.au
• LinkedIn.com
• RegionalAustraliaJobs.com.au
• Hays.com.au
• AustralianJobSearch.com
• Adzuna.com.au

A lot of these sites let you sort job postings by location and sponsorship availability, which makes it easier to find jobs in your area.

Eligibility Checks to Qualify for Australian 494 Regional Work Visa

To qualify for the Subclass 494 Regional Work Visa in Australia, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Employer Sponsorship:
   • You must have a valid job offer from an employer located in a designated regional area of Australia.
2. Skilled Occupation:
   • Your occupation must be listed on one of the eligible skilled occupation lists (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List – MLTSSL, Short-term Skilled Occupation List – STSOL, or Regional Occupation List – ROL).
3. Skills Assessment:
   • A positive skills assessment from a relevant assessing authority for your occupation is required.
4. Work Experience:
   • You need a minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience in your field.
5. English Proficiency:
   • You must meet the English language requirements, typically through an acceptable score in tests such as IELTS or PTE. A specific score level may be required, depending on your occupation.
6. Health and Character Checks:
   • You and any family members who are traveling with you must pass health exams and show police documents that prove your good character.
7. Age:
   • At the time of application, you must be younger than 45 years old, unless you qualify for an exemption, such as for certain jobs or people with special skills.
8. Genuine Temporary Entrant:
   • You must show that you really want to live and work in rural Australia for a short time, with the goal of becoming a permanent resident (PR) after meeting certain requirements.

The purpose of these eligibility checks is to make sure that applicants are qualified to work in regional Australia and meet the visa standards.

Application Process:

Step 1: Employer Nomination

• Your employer must nominate you for a position in a designated regional area.
• The employer must get the nomination approved by the Department of Home Affairs before you can proceed with the visa application.

Step 2: Visa Application

• After getting approval from your boss to be nominated, you can apply for the 494 visa online through the ImmiAccount site.
• At this point, you’ll need to send in all the necessary paperwork, such as proof of work experience, a skills test, the results of an English test, and health and character checks.

Step 3: Visa Decision

• The Department of Home Affairs will review your application. Processing times vary but typically take between 6 to 18 months.
• After the assessment, you’ll receive a decision on whether your visa has been granted.

Family Visa Process:

You can apply for a visa with your partner and any children who rely on you. They will also have to pass health and moral checks, and they will have the same visa rights as you.

Conclusion:

The Subclass 494 Visa is a chance that will change the lives of skilled workers who want to live and work in Australia. It gives people a way to become permanent residents and gives them access to jobs in regional areas. It also lets families stay together and gives people the chance to settle down for good. This visa is great for people who want to live a more relaxed life while also advancing their careers because it is focused on the area. Today is the day to take the next step toward your Australian dream!

Frequently Asked Questions