Types of Streams to Apply Under the 494 Visa to Australia

 Are you a skilled worker? Aren’t you getting a good work opportunity in your nation? You can move to Australia. The country has adequate job opportunities in a comprehensive range of fields such as agriculture, construction, IT, manufacturing, mining, and health. Every year, Australian governments release a list of occupations facing shortages of workers in various fields. If your occupation is on the list, you may eligible to apply for a TSS Visa, Employer Nomination Scheme Visa, or 494 Visa to Australia. The article outlines types of streams to apply under the 494 Visa to Australia and their advantages. 

What is a 494 Visa or Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa?

The visa allows regional employers to employ overseas skilled workers for a definite time after addressing labour shortages in their regions and the shortages cannot meet within Australia. It is a provisional work visa to Australia that leads to permanent residence. 

 It has three streams to apply for a suitable one including, 

Employer Sponsored Stream

It is a straightforward stream where regional employers can address labour shortages in their regions by sponsoring overseas skilled workers for 5 years. 

The visa application can cost AUD4,240.00. The visa processing can clear within 5 months or can take up to 16 months. 

Eligibility 

• There is maximum age restriction. You can apply for this visa if you are under 45 years of age. However, you can exempt to meet the age criterion if you have a nomination for a lecturer, medical practitioner, or scientist. You can also get age relief if you are a holder of a Subclass 457 Visa, TSS Visa, Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) or a Subclass 461 Visa. 
• You must have nomination by an employer whose business is lawfully running in Australia. 
• As a primary visa applicant, you require to demonstrate your skills, qualifications, and work experience necessary to perform the nominated position. You require to have at least 3 years of experience for the nominated job. 
• The nomination for this visa requires a positive skills assessment. 
• You must have at least competent English if you are from a non-English speaking country.
• It is essential to meet health and character requirements. 
• You must not have a visa cancellation or refusal history. 

 Labor Agreement Stream 

The stream is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a labor agreement. In other words, if an Australian employer has a labor agreement, they can nominate skilled workers. The labour agreement is for five years. It is between the government and the employer. It can be renewed.  

The visa can clear as early as 59 days. The visa processing period can be as early as 59 days or take up to 9 months. The visa costs AUD4,240.00.

Eligibility 

·         The nominated occupation must be the subject of a labor agreement between the commonwealth and the nominator.

·         This visa is applicable for candidates whose age is under 45 years.

·         You demonstrate that you have skills, qualification and work experience required to pursue the nominated occupation.

·         If the labor agreement requires skills assessment, you must provide a positive skills assessment report.

·         The ideal work experience is 3 years full-time. Your experience must not be more than 5 years old. Part-time work may count, but the Department doesn’t consider casual work.

·         You have the level of English language skills that has specified in the labor agreement granted under this visa.

·         Other common requirements include attached the health and character certificates, sign the Australian values statement, and have paid back debt to the Australian government.

Subsequent Entrant 

This stream is for members of the family unit of Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa holders who are applying separately for this visa. The primary aim of this stream is to join the primary SESR visa holder in Australia. It is also valid for 5 years and can cost you equivalent to the rest two streams. The processing times are not given. 

 

 

Eligibility

·         You are a family member of the primary SESR visa holder to be able to lodge a subsequent entrant visa application.

·         You are nominated by the primary SESR visa holder to apply for this stream.

·         You have functional English skills.

·         You meet the health and character requirements.

·         You have sign the Australian values statement, have health and character certificates, and have no visa cancellation history.

Conclusion 

Each stream allows you live in Australia for 5 years. The processing times may vary. It is a regional work visa that can open the gateway of PR. If you want to learn more about any stream under a 494 Visa, you can consult an immigration agency in Australia. A well-qualified immigration agent can help you.