Regional migration offers overseas workers the opportunity to live and work in Australia while also promoting growth in Australia’s regions.
When it comes to migrating to Australia’s regions, overseas workers have various visa options available to them.
The Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) Visa and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) Visa are two visa options available to migrants looking to move into a regional area.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) Visa
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa is a temporary visa which enables skilled workers nominated by a state or territory government to live and work in regional Australia. Visa holders can remain in Australia for up to five years.
Basic Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a Skilled Work Regional Visa, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency, or be sponsored by an eligible relative
- Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
- Have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- Be invited to apply
- Satisfy the points test
To learn more about the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) Visa
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa enables employers to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where skilled Australian workers can’t be sourced. Visa holders can remain in Australia for up to five years.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa has three streams:
- Employer Sponsored Stream
- Labour Agreement Stream
- Subsequent Entrant Stream
Basic Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be nominated by an approved work sponsor
- Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
- Have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- Be under 45 years of age
- Meet minimum standards of English language proficiency
- 3 years of work experience in the nominated occupation
To learn more about the Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
What are the main differences between the Skilled Work Regional Visa and the Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa?
While the Skilled Work Regional Visa and the Employer Sponsored Regional Visa seem very similar, there are some differences.
Whether a visa applicant chooses the Skilled Work Regional Visa or the Employer Sponsored Regional Visa is dependent on the applicant’s individual circumstances and their ability to meet eligibility requirements as well as individual visa conditions.
To learn more about the Skilled Work Regional Visa or the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa, or any aspect of migration, contact the team of registered migration agents at Visa Solutions Australia. Book a consultation.
