Employer-Sponsored Stream (Subclass 494)
Eligibility Criteria of Employer-Sponsored Stream
- You must be nominated to work in an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- You have at least 3 years of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation.
- You have a relevant skills assessment unless an exemption applies
- You must work only for your sponsor or associated commodity unless an exemption applies
- Age must be under 45 years of age unless an exemption applies
- You must meet minimum standards of English language proficiency
- You must be nominated by an approved work sponsor for a position in regional Australia.
- You must meet the health and character requirement.
Who Qualifies as a Family Member for This Visa?
- You can include family members when you submit your visa application
- You can add a dependent child after you submit
- Family members must meet the health and character requirements.
- If your partner or dependent children are not part of this application, you must tell the reason.
Ready to Work in Australia?
What is the Duration of Your Stay?
- This is a provisional visa.
- You can stay in Australia for 5 years from when your visa is granted.
What are the eligibility requirements for applying for permanent residence?
If you are eligible, you can apply for permanent residence after you have held your 494 visa for 3 years. Unless you have held a Subclass 494 visa for at least 3 years, you generally cannot:
- Submit a valid application for a subclass 820 (Partner) visa
- Be granted any of the following visas:
- Subclass 132 (Business Talent)
- Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme)
- Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional))
- Subclass 189 (Skilled (Independent))
- Subclass 190 (Skilled (Nominated))
- Subclass 191 (Skilled Regional) (Regional Provisional Stream)
- Subclass 858 (Global Talent)
Secure Your Spot in Australia’s Workforce with the Employer-Sponsored Stream
What are the Specified Regions?
- You can live, work and study only in a specified regional area.
- Specified regional areas include all of Australia except for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Benefits of Employer-Sponsored Stream
You can live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years
You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid
If you are eligible, you can apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your visa is granted
The Eligibility Criteria for Businesses to Act as Sponsors
- The employer must be an approved work sponsor or have applied to become one.
- You must nominate a skilled worker whose occupation is listed on the relevant skilled occupation list
- You must show that you are unable to find an Australian citizen or permanent resident with the required skills and experience for the nominated position
- You must show that you will pay the nominee at least the annual market salary rate (AMSR) for the nominated position.
- The position related to the nomination must be genuine
- Your nominee must have a written employment contract that defines they will work only for your business or an associated entity unless the occupation is excused.
- You must not engage in discriminating recruitment practices
- Employment conditions must be equal to those provided to Australian workers
- There should be no negative information about your business or any individuals associated with it.
