The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) allows regional employers to sponsor skilled workers to fill labour shortages in designated regional areas. It has two streams: Employer Sponsored stream and Labour Agreement stream.
1. Employer Sponsored Stream
This stream is for skilled workers who are nominated by a regional employer.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Occupation: You must be nominated for an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.
- Work Experience: You must have at least 3 years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation.
- Skills Assessment: A relevant skills assessment is required, unless exempted.
- Work Restrictions: You must work only for the sponsoring employer or associated entity, unless exempted.
- Age: You must be under 45 years of age (unless exempted).
- English Proficiency: You must meet minimum standards for English language proficiency.
- Key Features:
- Duration: Live, work, and study in a designated regional area of Australia for up to 5 years.
- Travel: You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
- Permanent Residency: After 3 years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency under the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).
- Nomination by Employer:
- The employer must be a Standard Business Sponsor and must nominate the skilled worker.
- Employers can also sponsor family members who apply with the skilled worker.
- The employer is required to pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
- Priority is given to nominations from accredited sponsors.
2. Labour Agreement Stream
This stream is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a labour agreement with the Australian Government.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Labour Agreement: You must be nominated to work in an occupation specified under the terms of a labour agreement.
- Work Experience: You must have at least 3 years of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation.
- Skills Assessment: A skills assessment is required if specified in the labour agreement.
- Work Restrictions: You must work only for your sponsor.
- Age: You must be under 45 years of age (unless specified otherwise in the labour agreement).
- English Proficiency: You must meet minimum standards for English language proficiency.
- Key Features:
- Duration: Stay in a designated regional area of Australia for up to 5 years.
- Travel: You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
- Permanent Residency: After 3 years, you may be eligible for permanent residency under the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).
- Nomination by Employer:
- Employers must have an active labour agreement with the Australian Government and can nominate skilled workers for specified occupations under the agreement.
- Employers must also pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
- Priority is given to nominations from accredited sponsors.