The 494 visa Australia is the gateway to Australia for skilled workers who want to explore the opportunities globally. It is a skills-based visa designed by the government of Australia to fulfill the shortage of labour in the designated regional areas of Australia, where employers are unable to hire Australian employees.
Skilled workers have the opportunity to get a visa 494 only if they are picked by a registered Sponsor. We can say a visa subclass 494 is something like a work visa, which is temporary and valid for up to 5 years. In this article, we provide a guide for applicants who want to apply for an Australia 494 visa to make their entire journey comfortable and memorable.
494 Visa Fees to Know
The main applicant of visa subclass 494 has to pay the Australian Dollar of 4910 for a Visa 494 Australian. If the main applicant has a dependent who is 18 years and above, then they have to pay the 2455 Australian dollars for each dependent. 1230 Australian dollars for a dependent who is under 18 years of age.
If your dependent is not fluent in English and over 18 years of age, then you have an additional cost of 9800 Australian dollars. This extra charge is known as the second installment. Applicants may also have to pay additional charges for health checks, English language tests, certifications, and other charges.
Subclass 494 Visa Requirements
- Nominated For An Approved Sponsor
The first and most basic requirements for 494 Visa is your job nomination. The applicant must have been nominated for employment by a sponsor which are registered with standard business sponsorship. If you are not nominated by an employer, then your application gets rejected.
- Skills and Qualifications
Skills and qualifications are very much necessary. Primary visa applicants must have enough capabilities to demonstrate the skills to perform tasks for which they are nominated.
- Age
Applicants must be under 45 years of age. Make more young and experienced you are the chances of nomination gets higher.
- 494 visa English Requirements
Applicants for the 494 visa Australia must have a good knowledge of English in all manners, that is, reading, writing, and speaking. Visa seekers must have a competent level of English and have good marks in exams like IELTS and TOEFL.
Pros And Cons Of Subclass 494 Visa Australia
Pros Of The Subclass 494 Visa Australia
- Clear pathways to permanent residency in Australia
- Provides you with a 5-year tenure to live, work, or study.
- The visa is valid for 5 years, and you can enter or exit Australia while the visa is valid.
- A visa 494 Australia grants permission to include your family and your dependent children.
- Applicants can live anywhere in the world and can apply for the visa subclass 494 who have been nominated for employment by a registered sponsor.
- After three years of a visa being granted, the applicant can apply for a permanent visa.
- The applicant and his family get the facilities of the health care system of Australia, known as Medicare.
Cons of the 494 Visa Australia
- Aspirants have to live in the regional areas until they get permanent residency in Australia.
- Accurate Document Requirement
- Higher Visa Cost
494 Visa Subclass—SAF levy for Employees
All employers who sponsor skilled workers worldwide have to pay the Skilling Australian Fund (SAF) levy. The amount size varies depending on the size of the firm. The Australian government uses this fund for the development of skills, training, and apprentice projects. This fund assures that employers who are hiring overseas workers can make a contribution to Australian skill growth.
| Years elapsed on existing visa | Annual turnover < AUD $10,000,000 | Annual turnover > AUD $10,000,000 |
| No existing visa – <1 year | AUD 3000 | AUD 5000 |
| Between 1 year and 2 years | AUD 2400 | AUD 4000 |
| Between 2 years and 3 years | AUD 1800 | AUD 3000 |
| Between 3 years and 4 years | AUD 1200 | AUD 2000 |
| Between 4 years and 5 years | AUD 600 | AUD 1000 |
What Is the 494 Visa Processing Time?
A 494 Australian Visa usually takes 6 to 11 months, but most cases depend on the situation and documents presented. Time varies according to conditions; a visa may clear within a few months if that are no issues, and some take a little longer due to missing documents like health certificates, character issues, or complex background issues.
How Can You Stay Longer In Australia With a 494 Visa?
Applicants of the 494 visa Australia can stay up to 5 years when they get a visa subclass 494. They can apply for permanent residency once they hold a visa for at least three years. As the applicant has lived more than three years, they can become eligible for permanent residency.
Pathways To Permanent Residency
494 Visa Australia is the pathway to permanent residency in Australia for applicants who have a visa subclass 494. They can apply for permanent residency in Australia once they have completed three years of a 494 visa. Key requirements include living and working in the regional areas of Australia and three years of livelihood in Australia, and an achieved income of a minimum year or approx $54000 Australian dollars per year.
What Are The Australian Areas To Consider For The Migration Process?
South and west Australia are the best areas to consider for the migration process, as it has high opportunities for skilled migrants, dependent on specific visa and occupation. Victoria and Perth are some of the towns where migrant people can live a good lifestyle and get advanced healthcare and education systems.
Wrap Up – Contact a Registered Migration Agent
If you have a sponsorship and you want to apply for a 494 visa in Australia, then contacting an experienced migration expert can be a good idea. Sometimes, finding a registered migration agent in Australia, fraudulent is one of the biggest problems that most people face. To deal with this, you can find a registered migration agent on the official website of the Migration Agents Registered Authority (MARA). On this website, you get all the information about a registered migration agent.
FAQs
Does a 494 visa for Australia require competent English?
Yes, competent English is a must for a 494 visa in Australia. The basic 494 visa English requirements include a minimum band score of 6.0 in IELTS or at least 50 in PTE.
Is sponsorship required for a subclass 494 visa?
Yes, the regional employers in Australia can sponsor for subclass 494 visa to onboard foreign workers to fill their vacancies.
How long does it take to process the 494 visa application?
Usually, it takes 6 to 11 months, depending on the different cases.
What is the maximum validity of a 494 visa?
5 years is the validity of a 494 visa in Australia.
Does it make the path for permanent residency?
Yes, it can make your case strong and pave the path for permanent residency.
How can a migration agent help with successful visa approval?
A migration agent can pave the pathways for visa approval. They provide you with expert advice and prepare your document, and represent you with immigration officials.
