The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored (Regional) visa is like the regional superhero for employers. When they can’t find the right talent locally, this visa swoops in, letting them bring in skilled workers from overseas. The cool part? The job has to stick around for a solid 5 years, like a long-term commitment.

Now, there are a few checkpoints to tick off: you gotta be under 45 (exceptions exist, of course), have a good grasp of English, get a nod from the Regional Certifying Body (RCB), and meet the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) requirements. Plus, a minimum of three years of work experience in the bag.

But here’s the kicker – not all places in Australia fall under the “regional” label. Bustling cities like Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne are out of the game, but everywhere else is fair game.

Types of Skilled Employer Sponsored Visa

1. Employer Sponsored Stream: This is your regular sponsorship deal – an employer vouching for your skills.
2. Subsequent Entrant: If you’ve got family already rocking the Subclass 494, you can jump on the bandwagon too.
3. Labour Agreement Stream: This one’s for the chosen ones, handpicked by employers through a special agreement.

With a 494 visa, you’re good to stay in the country for 5 years, but there’s a catch – you gotta stick to the designated areas. If the dream is permanent residency, you can go for it after three years of holding the visa, but you gotta meet some eligibility criteria.

Now, the cool part: applying for permanent residency doesn’t involve a second nomination stage if you meet the requirements. That’s a win for everyone, especially employers who only need to drop one Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) levy for the 494 nomination.

Here’s the golden nugget – you can both work and study in Australia without any major hiccups. Well, except for Sydney and Brisbane – they’ve got some study restrictions. And hey, you’re free to travel in and out of the country as many times as you want with a 494 visa.

Now, let’s talk money. The main applicant shells out $4,640, the spouse chips in $2,320, and kids under 18 contribute $1,160. If the grown-ups aren’t rocking Functional English, there’s an extra $4,890 charge.

Now, how long does the paperwork dance take? Around 3 months for 75% of applications and 4 months for 90%. But remember, individual cases may vary based on how well you’ve dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s.

Eligibility Checklist:

• You’re under 45 (unless you’ve got a golden ticket).
• Your English game is on point.
• You’ve got three years of full-time work in your nominated gig.
• Ideally, this work happened in the last 5 years, but a bit of a break is cool.
• Casual work? Nah, it doesn’t count here.
• No need to stress about the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement.
• If you’re in Australia, you need a substantive or Bridging Visa.
• Skills assessment? Check. No need for doctor registration.

For the employer and job offer, they’ve got hoops to jump through too. The gig needs to be in designated regional Australia, on the eligible occupations list, full-time, and likely to hang around for 5 years. Plus, the Regional Certifying Body (RCB) has to give it a thumbs up, and the pay should match the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR).

How to apply? Well, you can do it whether you’re in or out of Australia. Remember to have your passport, a legit visa, and no terms that say you can’t apply for this visa in Oz. Good luck with your Aussie adventure! 🇦🇺✈️

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