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The Skilled Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 494) is a temporary visa designed to address labor shortages in regional Australia. This visa enables Australian employers in designated regional areas to sponsor skilled overseas workers or temporary residents already in Australia for positions that cannot be filled by the local workforce. Valid for five years, this visa also provides a pathway to permanent residency.
Subclass 494 Visa Streams
1. Employer Sponsored Stream
Features: Allows regional employers to sponsor skilled workers for occupations listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.
- Stay Limit: Up to 5 years
- Cost: From AUD 4,115
- Processing Time: Approximately 3 to 5 months
2. Labour Agreement Stream
Features: Designed for employers with a Labour Agreement, enabling them to sponsor overseas workers when standard visa programs are not applicable.
- Stay Limit: Up to 5 years
- Cost: From AUD 4,115
- Processing Time: Varies depending on the agreement
3. Subsequent Entrant
Features: Allows eligible family members of Subclass 494 visa holders to join them in Australia.
- Stay Limit: Same as the primary visa holder (up to 5 years)
- Cost: From AUD 4,115
- Processing Time: Approximately 3 to 5 months
Benefits of the Subclass 494 Visa
- Live, work, and study in regional Australia
- Pathway to permanent residency via the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191)
- Ability to include family members in the application
- Access to Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system
Pathway to Permanent Residency
The Subclass 494 visa serves as a crucial step towards Australian permanent residency. After living and working in a designated regional area for three years, visa holders may become eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191), which grants them permanent residency status.
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