The Subclass 489 Visa lets you get high-paying jobs in Australia and bring your family with you. You’ll have a great time there. Imagine being able to move to Australia, a country with a wide range of landscapes, thriving regional towns, and lots of jobs for skilled workers. Imagine making that move with your whole family, not just for a short time, but with a clear plan to stay there permanently and become a citizen in the future. Does it sound too good to be true? No, it’s not! You can get the Australian Regional Skilled (Provisional) Work Visa – Subclass 489 if you are a skilled worker who wants to live, work, and settle in one of Australia’s regional areas and quickly become a permanent resident.
You can get away from the noise and crowds of crowded cities with the Subclass 489 visa and enjoy the beauty of Australia’s less populated areas while looking for well-paying jobs in fields that need your skills. You can also bring your family with you, so they can enjoy the perks of living and working in Australia too. You’re not just moving to a new place with this visa; you’re also building a better future in a country that values ability and offers chances for growth.
What Will This Article Cover?
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Subclass 489 visa, which is a short visa for skilled workers. You will learn how this visa can help you get good jobs in regional Australia, what you need to do to be eligible, and how you can bring your family with you on this fun trip. You’ll also learn about the different ways you can apply for the visa, how much it costs, what requirements you need to meet, and how this visa can lead to permanent residency under the Skilled Regional (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 887). This piece will help you whether you want to stay longer in Australia or move there to be with family who already live there.
Get ready to learn more about how to make your dream of starting a new life in Australia come true.
What is the Subclass 489 Visa?
The Subclass 489 visa is a short-term visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia for up to four years. The goal of this visa is to bring skilled workers to places outside of big cities, where there aren’t enough workers. Applying for this visa can be done in three main ways:
- Invited Pathway:
- The people who have been invited to apply should follow this road. These people can run:
- Nominated by an Australian state or territory government.
- Sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area.
- The people who have been invited to apply should follow this road. These people can run:
- Extended Stay Pathway:
- This pathway is available for individuals who already hold certain temporary visas, such as:
- Subclass 475
- Subclass 487
- Subclass 495
- Subclass 496
- Under the Subclass 489 visa, these people can ask to stay in Australia longer.
- This pathway is available for individuals who already hold certain temporary visas, such as:
- Subsequent Entry Pathway:
- This path is for family members of people who already have a Subclass 489 visa. It lets family members who are qualified join the main visa holder in Australia.
Key Benefits of the Subclass 489 Visa
Temporary Residence for Four Years:
- Skilled workers with a Subclass 489 visa can stay in regional Australia for up to four years, which is plenty of time to settle down and look for work.
Live, Work, and Study in Regional Areas:
- People with visas have to live and work in certain regional places. Most of the time, these places have a stronger sense of community, a slower pace of life, and less traffic than big towns.
Pathway to Permanent Residency:
- If people with a Subclass 489 visa meet certain requirements, they may be able to get permanent residency through the Skilled Regional (Residence) visa (Subclass 887), which lets them live in Australia for a long time.
Family Inclusivity:
- People can apply for visas for their close family members, which lets them live, work, and go to school in Australia with the main visa holder.
Multiple Re-entry Rights:
- Visa holders can enter and leave Australia as many times as they need to while their visa is still good. This makes it easier to stay in touch with family and friends who live outside of Australia.
Invited Pathway
The Invited Pathway of the Subclass 489 visa was made for skilled workers who were chosen by an Australian state or territory government or who had a family member who was qualified to sponsor them. This road is no longer open to new applicants, but here are the main points of what it involved:
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants had to meet the following requirements in order to be considered for the Invited Pathway:
- Nomination or Sponsorship:
- Those who want to apply must have been chosen by an Australian state or territory government or be supported by a family member who lives in a certain area.
- Skilled Occupation:
- For the visa, the applicant’s job had to be on the list of skilled jobs that were needed.
- Points Test:
- Those who wanted to apply had to pass a points test that looked at their age, work experience, English language skills, and other things.
- Invitation:
- People who wanted to apply for the visa had to get an offer, which showed that they met the requirements listed above.
Visa Conditions
With the Subclass 489 visa, holders were granted several benefits, including:
- Temporary Stay: Stay in Australia for up to four years.
- Living and Working: The ability to live, work, and study in a designated regional area.
- Travel Flexibility: Freedom to travel in and out of Australia while the visa remains valid.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: The ability to apply for permanent residence (Subclass 887) after meeting certain standards for living and working in the country.
Cost and Processing Time
- Visa Fee: The visa application fee starts at AUD 4,770.
- Additional Fees: There was an extra charge for family members, and people who couldn’t speak English very well had to pay a second installment of AUD 4,890.
Extended Stay Pathway
People who already have a Subclass 475, 487, 495, or 496 visa can use the Extended Stay Pathway to continue their stay in regional Australia.
Eligibility Criteria
Those who want to use the Extended Stay Pathway must meet the following requirements:
- Current Visa Holder:
- People who want to apply must have one of the following visas: Subclass 475, 487, 495, or 496.
- Commitment to Regional Areas:
- Those who apply must promise to live, work, and go to school in certain regional parts of Australia.
Visa Conditions
With the Extended Stay Pathway, visa holders can enjoy several benefits:
- Additional Stay: Allow them to stay in Australia for four more years after the date their current skilled visa was issued.
- Continued Regional Engagement: Being able to keep living and working in rural Australia and making a difference in the communities there.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: Being able to apply for permanent residency (Subclass 887) after meeting certain requirements.
Cost and Processing Time
- Visa Fee: The application fee for the Extended Stay Pathway starts at AUD 425.
- Additional Costs: There might be extra costs for people who don’t speak English very well or who are with their family.
Read Also: Australian Work Visa Types – Opportunities for Foreigners Workers
Subsequent Entry Pathway
Family members of people with a Subclass 489 visa or a similar visa (Subclass 475, 487, 495, or 496) can use the Subsequent Entry Pathway. This way family members come to Australia to join the main visa user.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible for the Subsequent Entry Pathway:
- Family Unit Membership:
- One of the applicants must be a family member of someone with a valid skilled regional visa (Subclass 489, 475, 487, 495, or 496).
- Residence in Regional Areas:
- and
Visa Conditions
People with a visa can get a lot of perks from the Subsequent Entry Pathway, including:
- Duration of Stay: Stay in Australia until the primary visa holder’s visa expires.
- Living and Working: Being able to live, work, and go to school in regional Australia and make a difference in the towns there.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: The ability to apply for permanent residency (Subclass 887) if certain conditions are met.
Cost and Processing Time
- Visa Fee: The application fee for the Subsequent Entry Pathway starts at AUD 4,770.
- Processing Time: Each case is different, and processing times may be longer if more documents are needed, like health checks, police licenses, and biometrics.
References
Here are the official links for each of the visa types mentioned in the Subclass 489 pathways:
- Subclass 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa – Invited Pathway: Invited Pathway Visa Information
- Subclass 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa – Extended Stay Pathway: Extended Stay Pathway Visa Information
- Subclass 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subsequent Entry Pathway: Subsequent Entry Pathway Visa Information
For more information about the Subclass 489 visa program, visit the main page: Skilled Regional Provisional Visa (Subclass 489).
Conclusion
The Subclass 489 Visa is a great chance for skilled workers who want to start a new life in Australia. It gives you the chance to work in fields that are in high demand in beautiful rural areas, and you can bring your family with you on this exciting trip. With ways to become a permanent resident, the Subclass 489 Visa can help you build a safe and successful future in a country known for its unique landscapes and lively communities. Knowing the requirements, application process, and perks will help you make smart choices and reach your goal of living in Australia as you start this life-changing journey. Begin making plans for your ideal move right now!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Subclass 489 Visa?
The Subclass 489 Visa is a temporary visa for skilled workers who wish to live and work in regional Australia for up to four years. It aims to fill skill shortages in less populated areas.
Who can apply for the Subclass 489 Visa?
Skilled workers recommended by Australian state or territory governments, relatives who are eligible, or people who already have certain temporary visas (Subclass 475, 487, 495, or 496), are all eligible to apply.
