Get 5-Year Australia Work Visa With Family (Subclass 494 Visa)

Imagine a career move that doesn’t just change your job, but transforms your entire life. Picture yourself landing a skilled position in Australia, a land renowned for its strong economy, stunning landscapes, and laid-back lifestyle. Now, imagine this opportunity comes with a pathway to permanent residency, allowing you to build a future in this incredible country.

This is the promise of the Subclass 494 Visa – a unique program designed to connect skilled professionals like you with rewarding employment opportunities in regional Australia. It’s more than just a work visa; it’s a chance to boost your career, expand your horizons, and embrace a new adventure.

Why the 494 Visa is a Game-Changer?

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. It offers a pathway to permanent residency after three years. The visa operates under three primary streams:

1. Employer Sponsored Stream: For skilled workers who are nominated by an approved employer in regional Australia. The visa holder must meet specific skill, qualification, and English language requirements.
2. Labour Agreement Stream: For skilled workers nominated by employers who have a Labour Agreement with the Australian government. This stream accommodates specific labor shortages through negotiated agreements.
3. Subsequent Entrant: For family members of current 494 visa holders who wish to join them in Australia. Family members must meet health and character requirements.

This subclass (494) regional work visa of Australia allows applicants to bring their family members, work in regional areas for up to five years, and provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa

So are you ready to take the leap? This article is your comprehensive guide to the 494 visa. We’ll explore the benefits in detail, outline the eligibility criteria, walk you through the application process, and even provide tips on securing employer sponsorship. Get ready to unlock your career potential and embark on an exciting new chapter in the land of sunshine and opportunity.

What Makes the Subclass 494 Visa Unique?

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

1# 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.

2# Validity of 5 Years: The subclass 494 visa allows you to live and work in Australia for up to 5 years. During this time, you can travel in and out of Australia as often as you like.

3# Pathway to Permanent Residency (PR): After holding the 494 visa for 3 years and meeting other eligibility criteria, you can apply for permanent residency under the Subclass 191 Visa. This makes the 494 visa an attractive option for those seeking long-term settlement.

4# Family Inclusion: A key benefit is that you can bring your family members (partner and dependent children) with you, and they will enjoy the same rights to live, work, and study in Australia. Family members are also eligible for public healthcare (Medicare).

5# Access to Australia’s Public Healthcare (Medicare): Once in Australia, you and your family can access Medicare, the country’s public healthcare system, reducing the burden of medical costs.

Which Skilled Workers are Eligible for the 494 Work Visa?

To qualify for the 494 visa, you must be nominated for an occupation listed on Australia’s Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), or the Regional Occupation List (ROL). And here are the Top 10 popular skilled occupations eligible for the 494 visa, along with their approximate annual salaries:

1. Registered Nurse – AUD 75,000 to AUD 95,000
2. Software Engineer – AUD 90,000 to AUD 130,000
3. Civil Engineer – AUD 80,000 to AUD 110,000
4. Electrician – AUD 70,000 to AUD 90,000
5. General Practitioner (Doctor) – AUD 150,000 to AUD 200,000
6. Teacher (Primary and Secondary) – AUD 70,000 to AUD 100,000
7. Chef – AUD 60,000 to AUD 80,000
8. Mechanical Engineer – AUD 80,000 to AUD 120,000
9. Construction Manager – AUD 90,000 to AUD 150,000
10. Agricultural Scientist – AUD 75,000 to AUD 100,000

For a comprehensive list of eligible occupations, it’s important to consult the Department of Home Affairs website to ensure that your job qualifies here https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-employer-sponsored-regional-494.

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

The Subclass 494 visa is specifically intended for regional Australia. Australia has divided regions into three categories for the purposes of this visa:

• Category 1 – Major Cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane (Not eligible for the 494 visa)
• Category 2 – Cities and Major Regional Centres: Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle, Geelong, Hobart. These areas have some regional incentives, but the visa is valid here.
• Category 3 – Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas: This category includes most of Australia’s rural and semi-rural areas and offers the strongest regional incentives. If you live and work in these areas, you’re more likely to meet the residency requirement for PR.

To check if a specific area is eligible, you can refer to the official designated regional areas list provided by the Department of Home Affairs.

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

Finding an employer willing to sponsor you is a crucial step in obtaining the 494 visa. Below are top 10 job search platforms that feature positions eligible for employer sponsorship in regional Australia:

1. Seek.com.au
2. Indeed.com.au
3. Workforceaustralia.gov.au
4. CareerOne.com.au
5. Jora.com.au
6. LinkedIn.com
7. RegionalAustraliaJobs.com.au
8. Hays.com.au
9. AustralianJobSearch.com
10. Adzuna.com.au

Many of these platforms allow you to filter job postings based on sponsorship availability and location, making it easier to find opportunities in regional areas.

Eligibility Checks to Qualify for Australian 494 Regional Work Visa

The 494 visa has several eligibility criteria that you must meet:

1. Employer Sponsorship: You need a valid job offer from an employer located in a designated regional area.
2. Skilled Occupation: Your job must be on one of Australia’s eligible occupation lists (MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL).
3. Skills Assessment: A positive skills assessment for your occupation is required.
4. Work Experience: You need at least 3 years of full-time work experience in your field.
5. English Proficiency: You must meet English language requirements, typically demonstrated through an IELTS or PTE score.
6. Health and Character Checks: You and your family must pass health examinations and provide police certificates.
7. Age: You must be under 45 years at the time of application, unless you qualify for an exemption.
8. Genuine Temporary Entrant: You need to demonstrate a genuine intention to live and work in regional Australia temporarily, with the potential for transitioning to PR.

Application Process:

1. Step 1: Employer Nomination: Your employer must nominate you and get approval for the position.
2. Step 2: Visa Application: Once the nomination is approved, you can apply for the 494 visa online through the ImmiAccount portal.
3. Step 3: Visa Decision: The Department of Home Affairs will process your application, which can take between 6 to 18 months.

Family Visa Process:

You can include your partner and dependent children in your visa application. They must also pass health and character checks and will receive the same visa rights as you.