Important Points to Consider for Visa 494 in Australia

A Subclass 494 Visa is also popular as a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa. As the name suggests, the visa is available for overseas skilled workers to work in a regional area of Australia. A regional area in Australia differs from a major metropolis. Compared to big cities, the cost of living is substantially lower there. Therefore, you can save money on things such as housing rentals and other expenses. Furthermore, a remote area in Australia typically offers a more relaxed and slower-paced lifestyle with possibilities for outdoor activities and socializing. A 494 Visa might be a good choice for you if you want to save more and live well. 

What is a Skilled Employer Regional Visa?

A Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) visa is a famous work visa to Australia. This visa encourages skilled workers to choose regional areas in Australia to work and live. In other words, the visa program is an effort of the Australian government to encourage skilled workers to live and work in regional areas rather than concentrating in major cities.

Streams under the SESR Visa

It has two primary streams, and the requirements of each one vary from the others to some extent. Regardless of the stream you choose to apply for, there are a few fundamental eligibility requirements to satisfy.

The Employer Sponsored stream allows employers in a designated regional area to sponsor skilled workers after identifying labor shortages in their locations where they have failed to find appropriate skilled Australian workers. Only an eligible Australian employer having a genuine need for skilled workers can sponsor overseas workers.

The Labour Agreement stream is for skilled workers nominated by an employer with a labor agreement with the Australian government. The type of agreement is valid for 5 years and can extend further. It is between the employer and the Australian government.

Reasons for the SESR Visa Popularity 

A variety of reasons can lead someone to apply for a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) visa in Australia:

Job security: A SESR visa requires you to get a job offer from an employer in a designated regional area of Australia. Hence, it offers a greater level of job security compared to other types of visas. You have job offers in your hand while you travel to Australia for work. 

 

Regional lifestyle and saving: Compared to primary cities in Australia, living in a regional area is cheaper and more relaxing. You could enjoy a lower cost of living, a friendly environment, and outdoor recreational activities. You may miss these things while living in Sydney or other major cities in Australia. 

 

Pathway to permanent residency: Like the TSS visa, this provisional visa provides a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. After spending successfully in a regional area for three years on a SESR visa, you can apply for permanent residency through the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.

 

Faster processing: Australia is concerned about meeting employee shortages in small remote areas. Hence, the Australian government prioritizes processing the SESR visa applications faster than other types of visas. The approval process for the Employer Sponsored Stream might take up to 14 months, while the Labor Agreement Stream can take up to 9 months.

 

Options to Choose among Streams: You can select the stream that best suits your needs with the SESR visa. This indicates that you have choices to think about a suitable stream and increase the chances of your visa approval.

 

Employer Sponsored stream Vs Labour Agreement stream

The prerequisites are more or less the same for both streams. They are distinct from each other in one aspect.

The Employer Sponsored stream requires you to be nominated by any employer in a designated regional area of Australia. The Labour Agreement stream requires you to work for the employer in a designated regional area holding a labour agreement.

Fundamental Eligibility

Nomination by an employer: The visa requires you to be nominated by an employer in Australia who is actively and lawfully running its organization. You cannot apply for this visa directly because it requires nomination. 

 

Relevant skills and qualifications: You must have adequate qualifications and skills with work experience for the nominated occupation. You must have at least 3 years of full-time work experience. 

 

Meet English language requirements: English knowledge is mandatory. If you are not from an English-speaking country like the USA, you provide evidence of your English proficiency through an approved test like IELTS and TOEFL.

 

Meet health requirements: Australia doesn’t allow you to enter its country if you suffer from any infectious disease. Therefore, you must include medical certificates with the visa application.

 

Meet character requirements: A police verification certificate is essential to include with the visa application that tells you to have no criminal history and is not facing any legal issues currently.

 

Under 45 years of age: You must be under 45 years of age at the time of application. If your age is above 45, you cannot apply for this visa.