Skilled Workers Can Move to Australia With Families for Jobs on Subclass 489 VISA

Imagine the opportunity to move to Australia, a land brimming with diverse landscapes, thriving regional communities, and abundant job opportunities for skilled workers. Now picture making that move with your entire family by your side, not just for a short stint but with a clear pathway toward permanent residency and eventual citizenship. Sounds too good to be true? It’s not! The Australian Regional Skilled (Provisional) Work Visa – Subclass 489 is designed precisely for skilled professionals like you who want to live, work, and settle in Australia’s regional areas while enjoying a fast-track route to permanent residency.

The Subclass 489 visa offers you the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of overcrowded cities and dive into the beauty of Australia’s less populated regions—all while pursuing high-paying jobs in industries where your skills are in demand. What’s more, you can bring your family with you, allowing them to experience the benefits of living and working in Australia. With this visa, you’re not just relocating; you’re setting up the foundation for a brighter future in a country that embraces talent and offers growth opportunities.

What Will This Article Cover?

In this guide, we will unlock all the essential details of the Subclass 489 visa, a temporary visa designed for skilled workers. You’ll learn how this visa can help you land lucrative jobs in Australia’s regional areas, what the eligibility criteria are, and how you can bring your family along for this exciting journey. You’ll also discover the various pathways available to apply for the visa, the associated costs, the conditions you need to fulfill, and how this visa can lead you to permanent residency under the Skilled Regional (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 887). Whether you’re looking to extend your stay in Australia or join your family members who are already living there, this article has got you covered.

So, get ready to dive into the details that can turn your dream of a new life in Australia into a reality

What is the Subclass 489 Visa?

The Subclass 489 visa is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia for up to four years. There are three main pathways to apply for this visa:

1. Invited Pathway: For individuals nominated by an Australian state or territory government or sponsored by a relative.
2. Extended Stay Pathway: For existing holders of visas such as Subclass 475, 487, 495, or 496.
3. Subsequent Entry Pathway: For family members of current Subclass 489 visa holders.

Key Benefits of the Subclass 489 Visa

• Temporary residence for 4 years: The visa allows skilled workers to stay in regional Australia for up to four years.
• Live, work, and study in regional areas: Visa holders are required to live and work in designated regional areas, which offer a slower pace of life and less congestion compared to major cities.
• Pathway to permanent residency: After fulfilling specific criteria, Subclass 489 visa holders may become eligible for permanent residency through the Skilled Regional (Residence) visa (Subclass 887).
• Family inclusivity: You can include your immediate family members in the visa application, allowing them to live and work in Australia alongside you.
• Multiple re-entry rights: While the visa is valid, visa holders can travel in and out of Australia as many times as needed.

There are basically 3 pathways to apply for this Australian visa as described below:

1# Invited Pathway

The Invited Pathway of the Subclass 489 visa is intended for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative. Although the pathway is closed to new applicants, here’s what it entailed:

Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for the Invited Pathway, applicants needed to meet the following criteria:

• • Nomination or Sponsorship: Applicants must have been nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by a relative living in a designated area.
  • Skilled Occupation: Applicants must have a job listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.
  • Points Test: The visa required applicants to pass a points test based on age, work experience, English language proficiency, and other factors.
  • Invitation: The applicant must have received an invitation to apply for the visa.

Visa Conditions: With this visa, you could:

• • Stay in Australia for 4 years.
  • Live, work, and study in a designated region.
  • Travel in and out of Australia freely while the visa was valid.
  • Apply for permanent residence (Subclass 887) after meeting the residency and work requirements.

Cost and Processing Time

• • Visa fee starts at AUD4,770.
  • An additional fee applied for family members, with a second installment of AUD4,890 for adults with less than functional English.

2# Extended Stay Pathway

The Extended Stay Pathway allows existing visa holders of Subclass 475, 487, 495, or 496 to extend their stay in regional Australia.

Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for the Extended Stay Pathway, applicants must:

• • Currently hold one of the qualifying visas (Subclass 475, 487, 495, or 496).
  • Commit to living, working, and studying in specified regional areas.

Visa Conditions: With this visa, you can:

• • Stay in Australia for an additional 4 years from the date your current skilled visa was granted.
  • Continue to live and work in regional Australia.
  • Apply for permanent residency (Subclass 887) after meeting the criteria.

Cost and Processing Time

• • Visa fee starts at AUD425.
  • Additional costs apply for family members and for adults with less than functional English.

3# Subsequent Entry Pathway

The Subsequent Entry Pathway is for family members of individuals who hold a Subclass 489 visa or other related visas (Subclass 475, 487, 495, or 496).

Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for the Subsequent Entry Pathway, applicants must:

• • Be a member of the family unit of someone holding a qualifying skilled regional visa.
  • Live and work in designated regional areas.

Visa Conditions: With this visa, you can:

• • Stay in Australia until the primary visa holder’s visa expires.
  • Live, work, and study in regional Australia.
  • Apply for permanent residency (Subclass 887) if you meet the criteria.

Cost and Processing Time

• • Visa fee starts at AUD4,770.
  • Processing time varies based on individual circumstances and additional documents required, such as health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.

References

Here are the official links for each of the visa types mentioned in the Subclass 489 pathways:

1. 1. Subclass 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa – Invited Pathway: Invited Pathway Visa Information
   2. Subclass 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa – Extended Stay Pathway: Extended Stay Pathway Visa Information
   3. 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).

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